Imagine if you could take a supplement that would turn back the hands of time and give you a much needed boost for your immune system with essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and aid in the regeneration of your digestive system.
Would you take this supplement? If it actually did all that it claims to do, we bet you’d at least give it a try.
In this article, we take an honest look at bovine colostrum supplementation. We examine why colostrum supplements are becoming a firm favorite with people suffering from compromised gut health, inflammatory bowel disease, decreased immune health and skin conditions that result from digestive tract problems.
Before we continue, we’d like to give you an opportunity to try nature’s most powerful immune support for yourself. Nutriest has produced an organic, freeze dried colostrum extract which contains 30% active Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Their bovine colostrum supplements can be ordered online and are packed and shipped within 1 day of the order.
BUY NUTRIEST COLOSTRUM EXTRACT
Or you can keep reading to find out more about bovine colostrum supplementation.
What is bovine colostrum?
It is widely accepted that human colostrum which forms in the mammary glands right after birth is beneficial for building up the immune system of a baby. This first milk is often referred to as ‘liquid gold’ due to its golden color which is a reflection of the rich antioxidant and Vitamin A content. [1]
In the same way hyperimmune bovine colostrum (BC) is the milk produced by cows during the first few days after a calf’s birth and contains high levels of immunoglobulins, antimicrobial peptides, and growth factors. Immunoglobulins are important in passing passive immunity from mother to offspring. Bovine colostrum has actually been used for hundreds of years as a traditional or complementary medicine used to treat a wide variety of ailments. [2]
The difference between colostrum and normal milk
Colostrum is produced in the early days after birth and can be viewed as a ‘food’ that has been specifically formulated for the needs of the calf, providing all of nature’s fundamental building blocks for strength and health.
It differs from normal milk in the following ways:
- It has two times as much protein. For example, day one colostrum has 15% protein content which falls to 3% in mature milk. [2]
- Bovine trypsin inhibitor is present in BC at about 100 times higher concentrations than mature milk. [3] This protects IgGs, growth factors, and other biologically active proteins against proteolytic degradation within the gut.
- It has four times as much zinc.
- It has a rich concentration of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, B)
- It contains a high concentration of IgA, as well as immunoglobulins G (IgG), E (IgE), D (IgD), and M (IgM) that boost the immune system and growth factors that are critical for sealing and strengthening the developing intestine.
Is Bovine Colostrum safe for humans?
Before we examine the benefits of colostrum, let’s answer the question on most people’s minds. Is bovine colostrum safe for human consumption?
Yes! Humans have been drinking bovine milk for centuries for its nutritional value and colostrum is no different. Since it is made up of the same biomolecular structure as milk, it is also allowed for human consumption. However, anyone with a severe allergy to cow’s milk or serious lactose intolerance may need to steer clear of taking bovine colostrum supplements.
Nutriest produces a freeze-dried colostrum extract taken from pasture-fed cows. Cows that are allowed to roam freely and give birth to their calves in a stress-free, hormone free environment naturally produce a high quality colostrum.
We then package this colostrum in convenient beef gelatine capsules allowing you to get all the benefits but none of the taste of bovine colostrum – yes, that’s right it has a unique taste and smell that might put some people off it, so we just took care of that little problem.
Ok, let’s give this supplement a try. I’m ready.
Effects of bovine colostrum on immunity
In mammals immunoglobulins are important in passing passive immunity from mother to offspring. In BC, the major immunoglobulin is IgG, with a concentration of 30–87 g L−1, contributing approx. 80–90% of the total IgGs, with smaller amounts of IgA, IgD, IgE, and IgM being present.
| Component | BC | Mature Milk |
|---|---|---|
| IgG1 (g/L) | 34.0–87.0 | 0.31–0.40 |
| IgG2 (g/L) | 1.6–6.0 | 0.03–0.08 |
| IgA (g/L) | 3.2–6.2 | 0.04–0.06 |
| IgM (g/L) | 3.7–6.1 | 0.03–0.06 |
As presented in the table above, the concentration of immunoglobulins in colostrum far exceeds that of mature milk and therefore multiplies immune boosting benefits. But how does it do this?
Antimicrobial action
Bovine immunoglobulins help prevent pathogen binding to host cells, present pathogens to macrophages for destruction, stimulate T cell and B cell immune activation, modify intestinal microflora, and induce local immunoglobulin A production. [2]
BC contains both specific immune factors (e.g., IgGs) and non-specific immune modulatory and antimicrobial factors (e.g., lactoferrin), with each component potentially having relevance for immune modulation. Extensive data has been collected showing the potency of BC to inhibit and treat microbial infections. [4]
An immune boosting super hero
Daily intake of a bovine colostrum supplement provides a much needed boost for the immune system, especially in times of illness, stress and chronic disease. The colostrum acts as an alternative therapy alongside more traditional medicine because it works with your body’s natural mechanisms to enhance immunity.
Due to its effective bioactive profile and its immunomodulatory roles in biological processes, BC was even considered a promising approach to assist in combating people affected by the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) or prevention from the virus. [11]
I’m interested in Nutriest’s grass-fed colostrum extract for immunity
Benefits of colostrum for digestive health
There is no doubt that modern living, stress, processed foods, lack of plant fibre and an increased susceptibility to environmental pollutants have taken their toll on gut health. A global study of 204 countries examining poor health due to digestive problems, found that digestive complaints are prevalent worldwide and cause severe and debilitating symptoms in some individuals. [10] For this reason, scientists became interested in colostrum as a means to help sufferers and improve their quality of life.
Many of the effects of colostrum, especially BC in healthy adults, have been explored in the context of sports nutrition. These include immune effects and influences on intestinal permeability. Evidence has been found to support the premise that BC has a positive effect on healing damaged gut mucosa and and reducing hypersensitivity associated with food allergies and intolerances. [5,9]
Evidence suggests that bioactive oligosaccharides present in BC can protect against pathogens by acting as a prebiotic, i.e., stimulating growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut lumen. In addition to this they may inhibit the effect of toxigenic bacteria on gut epithelial cells. These actions are helpful in the prevention of diarrhea and acute food poisoning.
One study reviewed the effect of bovine colostrum enemas in the treatment of distal colitis and found it has the potential as a novel therapy for left-sided colitis with additional benefits over prescription medication alone. [6]
Colostrum as a dietary supplement for cold and flu season
In a 12-week study of 35 long distance runners it was found that taking a daily colostrum supplement increased the amount of saliva IgA antibodies by 79%, compared to baseline levels. Researchers suggested that these higher levels of IgA enhance the body’s ability to fight upper respiratory tract infections. [7]
Another study in 29 male cyclists observed that taking 10 grams of bovine colostrum a day for 5 weeks prevented a postexercise decrease in immune cells and reduced the risk of an upper respiratory infection compared to a placebo. [8]
Referring back to the section on immunity, bovine immunoglobulins inhibit the binding of pathogens to host cells. This is helpful in the case of colds and flu where viruses attach to host epithelial cells and use the material to replicate themselves and spread. This is especially true in influenza where the onset of symptoms can occur over just a few hours. The early introduction of BC can interrupt this hostile takeover of your mucosal cells in its tracks, shortening the duration of colds and flus. [12]
It is recommended that you begin taking a colostrum supplement at the start of the autumn season so that you can build up your immune system in time for winter. Up to 8 capsules can be taken daily, split across meals to give you much needed protection.
How should I use this supplement?
Colostrum for cell regeneration and skin health
The health benefits of BC extend beyond immune and digestive health to other areas such as cell repair and anti-aging.
Skin aging is caused both by internal factors (genetics) and external factors (stress, gut microbiome, air pollution, food, and UV exposure). Milk has been used in skin care routines for centuries and recent studies into BC have found that it is highly effective in the treatment of wounds increasing the number of fibroblasts and collagen fibers. [13] Skin elasticity is greatly improved and it supports skin regeneration. This is excellent news for more mature skins and also skin damaged by UV exposure.
Colostrum contains two major transforming growth factors alpha and beta. It also contains insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2, which have important roles in muscle growth, muscle and cartilage repair, bone healing and regeneration. Medical practitioners also use colostrum for supporting joint health, inflammation, and stiffness.
Are there side effects to using bovine colostrum?
The use of dietary supplements always pose some risk for those that are allergic to ingredients. If you are severely lactose intolerant or allergic to cow milk, you should probably steer clear of BC. For others side effects might include mild gastrointestinal disturbances such as bloating or gas. Decreasing the dosage can help prevent these problems.
Bovine colostrum does naturally contain estrogen, therefore people at risk for estrogen dependent cancers such as breast, prostate or ovarian cancer must consult their health care professional before taking BC.
Improve your vitality with bovine colostrum
In this article we thoroughly examined the evidence that suggests BC is effective for boosting immunity, decreasing gut permeability, treating diarrhea, supporting upper respiratory health and aiding in cell regeneration and skin repair. The results have spoken for themselves.
With their confidence coming from numerous scientific studies Nutriest have developed a high-quality product using freeze-dried colostrum derived from pasture-fed cows. With 30% active Immunoglobulin G (IgG) their product provides you with the highest possible concentration of immunoglobulin needed to boost vitality and bring relief for immune, gut, and skin complaints.
It can also be used as an anti-aging supplement, protecting and supporting cell regeneration and supporting joint health.
The customers have this to say in their TrustPilot reviews:
“This seems to have had an almost instantaneous effect on my digestion.” – Roger N (verified purchase)
“Is something else than creatine. Using it instead of it. Loving it so far” – Max (verified purchase)
“Have only started with colostrum but am willing to go as far as to say that judging from all the other wonderful products from the nutriest range like organ complex,oyster extract,weight protein and collagen peptides that this will not disappoint.” – Donna C (verified purchase)
Start building back your health today with nature’s powerful elixir of life – bovine colostrum. All you have to do to make a positive change is take the first step and purchase your own supply of Nutriest’s grass-fed colostrum extract.
References:
- Colostrum
- Bovine Colostrum: Its uses and constituents
- Godden S.M., Lombard J.E., Woolums A.R. Colostrum Management for Dairy Calves. Vet. Clin. N. Am. Food Anim. Pract. 2019;35:535–556. doi: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2019.07.005.
- Tacket C.O., Binion S.B., Bostwick E., Losonsky G., Roy M.J., Edelman R. Efficacy of bovine milk immunoglobulin concentrate in preventing illness after Shigella flexneri challenge. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 1992;47:276–283. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1992.47.276.
- Diverse Immune Effects of Bovine Colostrum
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12390100/
- The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on salivary IgA
- Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on immune variables…
- Bovine Colostrum Decreases Intestinal Permeability
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10088561/
- Bovine colostrum and its potential contributions for treatment and prevention of COVID-19
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17456621/
- The potential of BC to repair aged and damaged skin cells