Probiotics & Colostrum

Many people take probiotics without realizing that it is essential to also take colostrum along with it. Probiotics and colostrum truly go hand it hand. This article will explain why it is so essential to take the two together.  If you are looking to relieve issues like colitis or chronic diarrhea, don’t skimp on taking the two together. The key to taking these is in knowing which ones to take for the individual & their unique needs. Taking the wrong ones can at best do nothing & at worst- make you sick. Just one example is if the person taking either one of these is lactose intolerant. Also there is often times the need to take different ones at different stages of the treatment. It can get complicated.

So what is colostrum? This is a substance that comes directly from a mother’s breast when she is nursing her child. This milk is also a rich source of probiotics. The combination of the colostrum and probiotics together build a strong immune system in the baby.

The fact is that probiotics are useless without colostrum. They will just go “in one door and out the other.” Why spend your money on probiotics if they will just be immediately leaving your system?  The reason why colostrum is so essential is that it allows the probiotics to stick to the inner surface of the GI tissue. This process enables the probiotics to remain permanently in your gut, instead of quickly just leaving your body.

Of course, if you take antibiotics at any point during your life, this will kill off the friendly bacteria regardless of whether you have taken it with colostrum or not.  In this case, you will need to repeat the cycle over again from the start and begin a new course of probiotics with colostrum. Different antibiotics require different probiotics to replace the specific strains that were killed off.

When you were first breastfed, this developed the mucosal lining in your body. This lining is so powerful that it can last a person’s whole life if he or she doesn’t take antibiotics. Of course, if you were never breastfed, you will need to take colostrum and probiotics to get this necessary ingredient into your system. When people are fed soy formulas, they are put at a major disadvantage as far as their health is concerned.

The fact is that colostrum helps to repair a wide variety of gastrointestinal issues. Usually, people take probiotics for issues like chronic diarrhea treatment or colitis cures and then are disappointed that this supplementation doesn’t work. When that is the case, the sufferer needs to remember how essential it is to take the correct colostrum-with the correct probiotic.

Colostrum: All you need to preserve health and vitality!

Colostrum Review

Colostrum is the first collection of a thick creamy liquid, without blood or infection, produced by the mammary gland of a parturient mother shortly after birth, usually within the first 6 hours. Colostrum is very important part of breast milk and lays down the immune system and confers growth factors and other protective factors for the young ones in mammals. This is the source of passive immunity achieved by the mother and is transferred to the baby. This is also the major source of secretory IgA and gives protection against gastrointestinal infections.

Colostrum Health Benefits

Colostrum is known to have benefits such as  passive immunization, benefits immunodeficient patients. The feasibility of obtaining surface immunoglobulin suitable for oral use, which may in future be administered to immunodeficient patients with gastrointestinal manifestations, from human colostrum and milk. Human and bovine colostrum have many similarities barring that bovine colostrum can be obtained in large quantity, so bovine colostrum may be as beneficial as human colostrum on various disorders in human beings. 

Colostrum Health Benefits - Individual Ingredients

Colostrum has many active ingredients; these active ingredients may benefit people in different aspects. This section features the key potential health benefits of colostrum ingredients:

Lactoferrin exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitice, and antitumoral activities. It is protective to intestinal epithelium, promotes bone growth, and accelerates the recovery of immune system function in immunocompromised animals. Lactoferrin  was used in the treatment of hepatitis C infection and the intestinal form of graft-versus-host disease. 

A proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) demonstrated a variety of immunotropic functions, including the promotion of T-cell maturation and inhibition of autoimmune disorders. PRP was recently found to improve or stabilize the health status of Alzheimer's disease patients. 

Casein and casein-derived peptides showed protective activities in enamel demineralization and as caries-preventing agents. The protein hydrolyzates were also protective in diabetic animals, reduced tumor growth, had antihypertensive activity and diminished colicky symptoms in infants.

Glycomacropeptide, a peptide derived from kappa-casein, exhibited various antibacterial and antithrombotic activities.

Alpha-lactalbumin (LA) demonstrated antiviral, antitumoral and anti-stress properties. LA-enriched diets were anxiolytic, lowered blood pressure in rats, prevented diarrhea, and led to a better weight gain in malnourished children. Because casein and LA have blood pressure lowering properties, intake of colostrum may probably benefit people at risk of high blood pressure. HAMLET, a complex of LA and oleic acid, was effective in patients with cutaneous papillomas. Lysozyme found application in infant formulas, the treatment of periodentitis, and the prevention of tooth decay. Milk enriched in lysozyme was used in feeding premature infants suffering from concomitant diseases. Interesting, antibacterial properties were exhibited by lactoperoxidase. Both lysozyme and lactoperoxidase required cooperative action with LF in combating bacteria. 

Antioxidants are cound in colostrum. In the study, colostral concentrations of antioxidant vitamins E, C, and A were 21.34 +/- 8.47, 148.92 +/- 43.64, 0.79 +/- 0.42 micromol/l, respectively. The antioxidant minerals copper, zinc, and iron contents were 19.17 +/- 11.73, 63.69 +/- 12.82, 11.44 +/- 1.46 micromol/l, respectively. Maternal characteristics did not have any influence on the colostral micronutrients. On the other hand, a study has shown a correlation between antioxidant (pro-)vitamin intakes during pregnancy (third trimester) and ORAC values of colostrum and transitional milk (both p < 0.05), but not with ORAC values of mature milk. Thus, women's dietary habits during pregnancy and lactation is important for the total antioxidant capacity of breast milk. 

Fatty Acids In addition to the antioxidant levels, researchers also found that geographic differences in maternal dietary composition could  impact the fatty acid composition of human colostrum.  For example, the contents of docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and total n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (0.6, 0.4 and 1.4 wt.%) were higher in Australian than in European samples. While, Colostrum of Australian women contained a low polyunsaturated/saturated and n-6/n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids ratios (0.28 and 1.58) and a low contents of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids (7.8 and 0.4 wt.%). The contents of essential fatty acids, saturates and polyunsaturates were similar in the southern European countries Spain, Slovenia and France.  

Because colostrum has a variety of active ingredients, and each active ingredient carries a particular health benefits. It is expected that intake of colostrum may provide different types of health benefits.

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Colostrum Health Benefits - Research Findings

Diarrhea

The specific IgG from colostral antibodies of immunized bovine may provide benefit for those suffered from multibacteria-induced diarrhea. Researchers generated bovine colostral antibodies of cows immunized with a multivalent vaccine consisting of whole cells of 17 strains of pathogenic diarrhea bacteria, and they purified the specific IgG with high activities against these pathogens.

The specific IgG was found to have a strong activity of inhibiting in vitro growth and colonization in pathogens by agglutinating with bacteria and destroying cell walls. Normal IgG purified from non-immunized bovine colostrum is incapable of eliciting the same consequences as specific IgG. Specific IgG prevents enteroinvasive Escherichia coli/Salmonella typhi-induced diarrhea and may exert an effective protection by enhancing splenic NK cell activity, elevating IL-2 level and inhibiting excessive release of TNF-alpha in mice.  

Iimmunoglobulin (SIg) A prepared from colostrum pool greatly inhibit the invasion of enteroinvasive E. coli.  Researchers obtained  IgA preparations from colostrum and milk pools by salt precipitation. They evaluated the final products in terms of yield and purity, as well as antibody activity to bacterial antigens and toxins and inhibitory activity of bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells. They used the colostrum pool with the best yield and purity as a source of IgA. They found that their IgA preparations preserved the antibody reactivity against various microbial antigens, well comparable with the reactivity exhibited by the original milk and colostrum pools. SIgA preparations were able to inhibit greatly the adhesion of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli to Hep-2 cells and the invasion of enteroinvasive E. coli. 

Appetite

Colostrum may have benefits of stimulating appetite. Ghrelin stimulates appetite by acting on the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. The presence pf Ghrelin in blood stream under fasting conditions may transmit a hunger signal to the CNS or induces appetite stimulating effect.

Ghrelin and its mRNA have been found in numerous human tissues including breast. A research team compared the ghrelin levels in colostrum, mature and transitional milk and plasma in lactating women with plasma samples from non-lactating women. The researchers collected colostrum, transitional and mature milk samples just before suckling. They found that the ghrelin levels in colostrum, transitional and mature milk were elavated concomitantly with increasing plasma ghrelin after delivery. However, the origin of milk ghrelin is not known, but it probably comes from the plasma. 

Infections

It is believed that colostrum benefits people at risk of certain infections. Colostrum stimulates directly to i-IEL to polarize Th1 type, which may protect from infectious diseases and allergic diseases mediated by Th2 type responses. Researchers examined effects of oral administration of bovine colostrum on local immunity in intestine in adult mice. They supplied bovine colostrum or control milk orally to C57BL/6 mice for 1, 3 or 6 months. They then examined the intestinal microflora, fecal IgA, and lymphocyte population of gut-associated lymphoid tissues and their abilities of cytokine production.

Th1 stimulus for Th2-skewed immune response during infancy is important for reduction of incidence of allergic diseases.  The researchers found that the T cells in i-IEL were polarized to Th1 type after oral administration of bovine colostrum, though the cell populations of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (i-IEL) were not remarkably changed.  And, oral administration of bovine colostrum does not change the Intestinal microflora and IgA levels in feces. 

Maternal vaccination with polyvalent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine boosts the capacity of colostrum to inhibit adherence of pneumococci to pharyngeal epithelial cells. In breast-feeding populations, maternal vaccination might prevent pneumococcal disease in young infants.

Researchers examined Colostrum obtained from Gambian mothers who had been vaccinated with either Pneumovax II or Mengivax A&C (n=8 per group) during pregnancy  for inhibition of adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 6B and 14 to pharyngeal epithelial cells in vitro. They found that pneumococcal adherence was significantly reduced in the presence of breast milk (P< or =.0001 for S. pneumoniae serotype 14; P=.036 for serotype 6B), independent of the concentration of secretory IgA antibodies. 

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficient patients predominantly suffer from respiratory and gastrointestinal infections since secretory IgA has important functions to protect mucosal surfaces. A study of 31 patients with viral upper respiratory tract infection shows oral bovine colostrum supplementation leads to a lower infection severity score than the placebo group. [13; Clin Respir J. 2011 Jul 29. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-699X.2011.00268.x]

Colostrum may even benefit people suffered from colitis. Prophylactic administration of colostrum improved clinical symptoms of colorectal inflammation in a well-established mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium -induced colitis. However, higher colostrum doses did not affect disease activity.

Athletic performance

Colostrum may benefit people in sports. Bovine colostrum has been shown to improve athletic performance, reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, and reduce intestinal damage and permeability caused by the administration of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Research scientists found that Supplementation with Bovine colostrum and whey protein during running training increases intestinal permeability in a study of 31 healthy subjects 

On the other hand, heavy exercise causes gut symptoms and, in extreme cases, "heat stroke" partially due to increased intestinal permeability of luminal toxins. Twelve volunteers completed a protocol (14 days colostrum/placebo) prior to standardized exercise. Gut permeability utilized 5 h urinary lactulose-to-rhamnose ratios. In vitro studies (T84, HT29, NCM460 human colon cell lines) examined colostrum effects on temperature-induced apoptosis, heat shock protein 70 expression and epithelial electrical resistance. In both study arms, exercise increased blood lactate, heart rate, core temperature by similar amounts. Intestinal permeability in the placebo arm increased 2.5-fold following exercise, whereas colostrum truncated rise by 80% following exercise. In vitro apoptosis increased by 47-65% in response to increasing temperature by 2°C. This effect was truncated by 60% if colostrum was present. Thus, colostrum supplementation may have benefits in enhancing athletic performance and preventing heat stroke.

Probiotics

In addition to providing nutritional benefits to infants, human colostrum is also source of probiotics to infant during breastfeeding. Researchers analyzed 70 samples of milked human colostrum and they found  several classical groups of microorganisms: mesophylic (68.6%); thermoduric (38.6%); psychrotrophic (8.6%); proteolytic (15.7%); proteolytic-psychrotrophic (1,4%); lipolytic (4.3%); molds and yeasts (11.4%); Staphylococcus aureus (44.3%); total coliforms (7.2%); and lactic acid bacteria (37.2%), thus characterizing a diversified microbiota 

Alzheimer's Disease

Colostrum may benefit people at risk of Alzheimer's Disease. Colostrum containing a proline-rich polypeptide complex (PRP) isolated from bovine colostrum, with immunoregulatory and procognitive properties, has shown positive benefits in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In a study, researchers treated 33 patients with colostrum (containing 100 mg of PRP complex) every other day for three weeks, followed by a 2-week hiatus to avoid the development of hyporeactivity.  This mode of application, '3+2 weeks,' was used consistently throughout the 28 months trial. Researchers found colostrum induced slight but statistically significant improvement or stabilization of the health status of the patients in the trial. The side effects were emarkably mild, including anxiety, logorrhea, and insomnia, and subsided spontaneously within a short period of time (3-4 days).

Nature's own 1st line of defense & immunity: Colostrum

Important Facts About Colostrum

With colostrum growing in popularity, we have a responsibility to educate and inform the public about the important facts to consider about this remarkable substance. Especially, how colostrum works, how best to choose a brand of colostrum, and how best to use it for optimum health.

Colostrum supports the human organism in two main ways. First, its multiple immune factors and natural antibiotics provide strong support for the immune system. Second, its many growth factors offer a broad- spectrum boost to the organism to encourage optimum health and healing.

Colostrum’s Immune Factors

Studies show colostrum contains powerful immune factors (Immunoglobulins, Lactoferrin, Cytokines and Interferon) that work to restore potent immune function.

Immunoglobulins are large protein molecules, soluble in saline solutions but not water-soluble. These immunoglobulins comprise more than 40 percent of the proteins found in our blood serum. There are five classes of immunoglobulins found in all mammals, including humans. They all begin with the abbreviation/prefix Ig and are distinguished from one another by the capital letters A, D, E, G and M. Each has its own unique amino acid structure and specific function to perform in the body.  They occur in the body separately and in multiple combinations. Each type is able to attach to, penetrate, destroy or immobilize a specific antigen. Colostrum contains all five immunoglobulins.

IgA is found in blood serum and in saliva, tears and mucous membranes. IgG (the most abundant immunoglobulin found in bovine colostrum) is carried in the lymphatic and circulatory systems, where it helps neutralize toxins and other unwanted invaders. IgD and IgE are highly antiviral and IgM is a powerful bacteria fighter (antibiotic).

Colostrum also contains PRP (Polyproline-Rich-Peptides), shown in medical studies to help boost an underactive immune system. PRP helps restore the thymus gland to optimal functioning capability. The thymus produces the vital T-cells which fight viruses and antigens. The PRP found in colostrum also helps balance the overactive immune system present in autoimmune diseases — conditions in which the body actually attacks itself. This makes colostrum extremely effective with illnesses such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Scleroderma.

Finally (last but certainly not least) colostrum contains Lactoferrin, which has been shown in numerous research studies to be a potent, broad-spectrum natural antibiotic and anti-viral agent (pharmaceutical antibiotics have no effectiveness against viruses). In a recent study in The Netherlands, lactoferrin proved a powerful inhibitor of the HIV-1 virus, the main virus which causes AIDS. It also contains antibodies against a wide range of bacterial, fungal and protozoal pathogens. Plus, lactoferrin is a potent anti-oxidant which inhibits the harmful effects of free radicals.

Since the onset of almost all infectious and degenerative disease, including cancer and heart disease, is preceded or accompanied by lowered immune system function, the powerful support that colostrum gives the immune system can help prevent these dangerous conditions.

Colostrum’s Growth Factors

Equally important to the organism and part of the reason colostrum has been shown to be such a broad- spectrum remedy, are the many growth factors found in colostrum.  These seemingly miraculous substances have been shown to benefit tissue repair, boost the body’s ability to metabolize fat and build lean muscle tissue, balance blood sugar and brain chemical levels and even repair DNA and RNA.
Colostrum contains Insulin-like growth factor (IgF) which stimulates cellular growth and repair, Transforming Growth Factors (TgF) alpha and beta, which promote the synthesis and repair of RNA and DNA and the repair of muscle tissue in athletes; and Epithelial Growth Factor (EgF) which stimulates normal skin growth.
Colostrum’s growth factors have been shown to have so many positive effects that will be described in detail in other posts. For a more detailed description, please refer to “Colostrum The Ultimate Anti-Aging Weight Loss and Immune Supplement” by Daniel G. Clark, MD and Kaye Wyatt 

Colostrum Must Be Processed Properly To Retain Effectiveness


Unfortunately, colostrum’s biological activity can be severely compromised if it is subjected to the wrong types of processing. Excessive heat is particularly harmful (including the high temperatures that result when the substance is made into tablets).

Be sure to select colostrum that comes from cows that are pasture fed (eating only live feed), and are pesticide, antibiotic and hormone free. Artificial hormones, antibiotics and other toxic chemicals can minimize the effectiveness of the product and create unwanted effects in the person consuming the colostrum. Bear in mind that the “factory” for producing colostrum is the cow itself and if the cow is contaminated with these artificial toxins, hormones and drugs, the colostrum will be contaminated too. 

Health?

What is health indeed? According to Wikipedia, health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain (as in "good health" or "healthy"). The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in its broader sense in 1946 as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Although this definition has been subject to controversy, in particular as lacking operational value and because of the problem created by use of the word "complete", it remains the most enduring.

The maintenance and promotion of health is achieved through different combination of physical, mental, and social well-being, together sometimes referred to as the "health triangle".

Health is metabolic efficiency. Sickness is metabolic inefficiency. Nobody is totally healthy or totally sick. Each of us is a unique combination of health and sickness. And each of us has a unique combination of abilities and disabilities, both emotional and physical.

It is how well we cope with this combination that defines us.