Rich in antibodies, colostrum - the pre-milk fluid of cows - could be the hottest new supplement for soothing the gastro-intestinal tract and boosting immunity.
Although bovine colostrum is a relatively new supplement to hit the health food stores, Ayurvedic physicians in India have used it therapeutically for thousands of years.
Prior to the introduction of penicillin and sulpha drugs, Western doctors administered it for antibiotic purposes. In 1950, the developer of polio vaccine, Dr Albert Sabin,
found that colostrum contained antibodies against polio and recommended it for children susceptible to the crippling disease. During the 1950s, it was used extensively for treating arthritis.
WHAT IS COLOSTRUM?
Colostrum is the initial mammary secretion produced by a mammal for its newborn within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth.
Described as "Nature's perfect meal", it provides the baby with a range of immune system and growth factors, along with essential nutrients, trypsin, and protease inhibitors
that protect it from destruction in the gastro-intestinal tract.
Immune system factors present in colostrum include immunoglobulins A, D, E, G and M; lacto-ferrin and proline-rich polypeptide (PRP). Growth factors (GF) include epithelial GF; insulin-like GF; fibroblast GF; platelet-derived GF; transforming growth factors A and B;
growth hormone; leukocytes; enzymes; cytokines; trypsin inhibitors; lymphokines; and oligo polysaccharides and glycoconjugates.
Suphur, a mineral with multiple functions in metabolism, and vitamins A, E and B12 are also present.
HOW DOES COLOSTRUM WORK?
Clinical Research conducted in England in 1980 by Dr David Tyrell revealed that a high percentage of antibodies and immunoglobulins present in colostrum remain in the intestinal tract.
Here they attack disease-causing organisms at their point of entry, which is through the mucous membranes of the intestinal tract, thus destroying them before they penetrate the body and cause disease.
It is thought that the remaining antibodies and immunoglobulins are absorbed so they can assist with internal defence processes.
The digestive tract is the seat of the body's immunity. If the cells and organs are not healthy and if the intestine is unusually permeable (which can result for the use of NSAIDS, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, caffeine and alcohol),
then all sorts of unwanted invaders - bacteria, viruses and other toxins - move into the bloodstream. Inflammation, food allergies and malabsorption of nutrients may result.
EVIDENCE
Two thousand research papers published in international medical journals during the past two decades, combined with extensive anecdotal evidence, indicate that colostrum is a promising immune system modulator.
Drs Staroscik et al. reported in Molecular Immunology that bovine colostrum's PRPs have the same ability to regulate activity of the immune system as hormones of the thymus gland, which produces virus and antigen fighting T-cells.
Colostrum activates an under-active immune system, thereby prompting it to fight disease-causing organisms. PRP present in colostrum also helps balance the overactive immune system of auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia.
PRP is highly anti-inflammatory.
Drs Janusz and Lisowski confirmed in Archives of Immunology that PRP had the power to turn white blood cells into functionally active T-cells, and showed promise in the treatment of auto-immune disorders and cancer.
Drs Bocci. Bremen. Corradeschi, Luzzi and Paulesu wrote in the Journal of Biology that colostrum stimulates the lymphoid tissue, providing benefits in aged or immuno-deficient people.
Alpha Lipid Colostrum from New Image not only contains all the goodness of milk but also contains significant
levels of these growth promoting and disease fighting substances commonly referred to as growth factors,
immune factors and immunoglobulins. These substances are also present in milk but at negligible levels. Further, Alpha Lipid colostrum has a much higher protein, vitamin, and mineral content and
is lower in lactose.
Helicobacter pylori, a nasty bacterium and key culprit in ulcers and chronic gastritis, can be killed only by anitbiotics - and bovine colostrum.
HOW DOES COLOSTRUM INTERACT WITH OTHER MEDICINES?
Alpha Lipid Colostrum actually helps your body, and works to regulate your body's absorption
rates. In effect, you will be getting more bang for your buck with everything you consume, whether it is
water, supplements or food. You will be getting greater benefits because your body will be able to
utilise the constituents more. You may even find that you don't need to take as much as normal because your
body is able to absorb all the nutrients.
USAGE AND DOSAGE
Bovine colostrum, which boasts significantly higher immune factors than human colostrum, appears to be effective for humans.However, many practitioners still argue this point, just as they argue about the suitability of cow's milk for children and pets.
Liquid colostrum is not as effective as the dried form. Colostrum processed with high temperatures and pasteurisation is not biologically active. The best quality colostrum is produced from cows raised organically in a chemical and drug-free situation.
Colostrum does not appear to cause any significant side effects but it should be noted that to date (May 2001), no comprehensive safety studies have been performed. Safety in young children and in pregnant or nursing women has not been established to this date either (May 2001).
WHY NEW ZEALAND COLOSTRUM?
All colostrum IS NOT the same. From start to finish, Alpha Lipid colostrum harvested from cows raised in New Zealand, is superior to any other
colostrum in the world. This is all due to the ideal pure climate, pesticide, antibiotic and BSE
free pasture-fed cows, highly regulated farming techniques, and a multi-million dollar investment by New Image
in the equipment necessary to best process Alpha Lipid colostrum properly. No other colostrum can
compare.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
There are no negative side effects when using Alpha Lipid Colostrum from New Image and the growth factors produce
significant positive side effects, which are:
- Reduce wrinkles
- Accelerate fat burning
- Regulate mood swings
- Balance blood sugar levels
- Increase performance, vitality and energy
- Accelerate wound/tissue healing
- Increase mental alertness
HOW DOES COLOSTRUM PRODUCE THE ANTI-AGING RESULTS?
Alpha Lipid Colostrum works with your body to utilise its natural substances and increases your
overall health. After puberty, our body begins slowing down the production of growth hormones.
These hormones are necessary for the reproduction of all of our body's cellular tissue. It
has been shown that by age 80 we are producing virtually no growth hormones and thus, we age and
die. Alpha Lipid Colostrum's growth factors are the actual hormones that stimulate the normal reproduction of
body cellular tissue. Normal reproduction means just that - (normal) not aged, cancerous, wrinkled,
or weakened. The New England Journal of Medicine (a few years back) stated that the most effective
anti-aging process would be simply the replacement of growth hormones at proper levels to slow,
possibly stop and even reverse the aging processes.
HOW MUCH COLOSTRUM SHOULD I TAKE?
At present, the recommended dose is 1000 to 2000 mg capsules twice daily, taken on an empty stomach with 250 to 350 ml of water.
The amount of Alpha Lipid Colostrum you take varies from person to person. The label suggests 2 to 3 capsules twice daily, but if you are recovering from an injury you may want to start by taking more
than this. Also, if you feel a cold or flu coming on, you may want to increase your dosage, to help you recover more quickly and relieve your symptoms.
The highest grade of colostrum supplements in the world are available from Positive Living.
WHO CAN COLOSTRUM HELP?
Colostrum's rich store of beneficial immune and growth factors offer numerous possibilities for the prevention and the recovery from illness and disease, and for the slowing of the biological aging process.
- CANCER Colostrum's cytokines (Interleukins 1, 6, 10. Interferon G, and Lymphokines) have been the single most researched protocols in scientific research for the cure of cancer.
- HIV Colostrum may slow the disease by reducing the infectious pathogens that cause related conditions to develop.
- ALLERGIES & AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASE Colostrum's PRP helps regulate the thymus gland, inhibits the over-production of lymphocytes and T-cells, and reduces the pain, swelling and inflammation that are the main symptoms of allergies and auto-immune diseases such as MS, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and myasthenia gravis.
- WEIGHT LOSS IgF-1 is needed to metabolise fat for energy through the Krebs cycle. Smaller amounts are produced as the body ages. Inadequate levels are associated with an increased incidence of mature onset. (Type II) diabetes.
- DIABETES According to human trials in 1990, IgF-1 stimulates glucose utilisation, effectively treating acute hyperglycaemia and reducing a Type II diabetic's dependence on insulin. The IgF-1 present in colostrum can bind to both the insulin and IgF-1 receptors found on all cells.
- HEART DISEASE Colostrum's PRP may play a role in reversing heart disease in the same way it assists with allergies and auto-immune disease. Evidence is emerging that altered immunity may be the hidden cause of artherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
A recent New England Journal of Medicine article concluded that heart disease develops as a result of immune sensitisation of cardiac antigens.
- WOUND HEALING A number of components, including IgF-1 and nucleotides EgF and TgF stimulate skin growth, cellular growth and repair by direct action on DNA and RNA, facilitating the healing of tissues (skin, muscle, cartilage, bone, nerve cell) damaged by ulcers, burns, surgery, trauma and inflammatory disease.
- LEAKY GUT SYNDROME Growth factors in colostrum help seal the intestinal mucosa, making it impermeable to toxins. It's immune enhancers control gastro-intestinal infections, thus enhancing gut efficiency.
- SKIN AGING Colostrum cream contains an epithelial growth factor that helps reduce the appearance and effects of aging.
- BUILDING MUSCLE MASS Body builders claim that colostrum is as powerful as illegal synthetic steroids in building muscle mass. It achieves this by enhancing the efficiency of amino acid and carbohydrate fuel uptake by the intestine, which means that more nutrients are made available to the muscle cells - and other vital organs.
THANKS
Our thanks to Nature & Health, June~July 2001, Australia.
We could not establish the address of the publisher and author for this article but give full credit to them for that part of their article reprinted here.
However please note, whereas the original article was published in May 2001 and although correct to that date, it is noted that processes, technology and further research have advanced rapidly since this time,
especially the Alpha Lipid technology and benefits, information of which has been added here.
For further updated information see Colostrum ~ Nature's First Food
and Alpha Lipid Colostrum ~ Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
"Colostrum is so safe, it has been prepared by nature as the
first food for infants. It would be hard to imagine any nutritional substance more natural or
beneficial." - International Institute of Nutritional Research
Buying Alpha Lipid Colostrum
New Image is the first retailer, and leading retailer of colostrum in the world. For further information on Alpha Lipid colostrum from New Image,
contact any Colostrum Mentor at Positive Living for further questions and service.
s
top
Colostrum Mentors for Positive Living
in Australia and New Zealand
For further information on colostrum contact
any Colostrum Mentor for your questions and supplies.
All Colostrum Mentors know and understand Fibromyalgia.
Australia - All States
contact Jacqui at Positive Living
Western Australia
contact Cushla in Perth
South Australia, Victoria & New South Wales
contact Sue in Melbourne
Australia - Tasmania
contact Jennifer in Wynyard
Auckland & Other Regions In New Zealand
contact Jacqui at Positive Living
Northland & Whangerai
contact Trevor at Positive Living
Auckland, Waikato & King Country
contact Trevor at Positive Living
Palmerston North, Manawatu, Taranaki & Wellington
contact Linda at Positive Living
South Island & Christchurch
contact Gretta or Andrew at Positive Living
We are looking for people to mentor Colostrum at Positive Living
from throughout New Zealand & Australia.
Please express your interest to Jacqui at Positive Living
