·                                  Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) 

·                                  Transforming growth factors A & B (TgA and B) 

·                                  Growth hormone (GH) 

These all help stimulate cell and tissue growth by stimulating DNA formation (21). Genetically engineered versions of IGF-1 and GH are now marketed as anti-aging and AIDS drugs. They are found naturally and in high concentrations in colostrum. Several studies show that these growth factors are capable of increasing T-cell production, accelerate healing, balance blood glucose, reduce insulin need, increase muscle and bone growth and repair while metabolizing fat for fuel (10, 11, 21, 23, 33, 34).

A 1990-study (35) in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that GH treatment prevented some of the signs of aging. In his study, Dr. Daniel Rudman treated 26 men between the ages of 61-80 with GH. Patients experienced a decrease in overall body fat (of up to 14%), an increase in bone density and lean muscle mass. In addition, their skin was thicker and more elastic. Rudman said the changes were equivalent to those incurred over a 10-20 year period of aging.

Leukocytes - stimulate the production of interferon (16), which slows viral reproduction, and penetration of cell walls.

Enzymes - lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate, peroxidase and xanthine oxidase oxidize bacteria through their ability to release hydrogen peroxide.

Lysozyme - a hydrolyzing agent and immune system booster capable of destroying bacteria and viruses on contact.

Cytokines - interleukins that regulate the duration and intensity of the immune response, are responsible for cell to cell communication, boost T-cell activity and the production of immunoglobulins. Interleukin-10 is strongly anti-inflammatory, especially in arthritic joints.

Trypsin Inhibitors and Protease Inhibitors - prevent the destruction of immune and growth factors in colostrum from being broken down in the GI tract; they also prevent H. pylori from attaching to the walls of the stomach and can have a beneficial role in the treatment of peptic ulcers.

Lymphokines - hormone-like peptides produced by activated lymphocytes which mediate the immune response.

Oligo Polysaccharides and Glycoconjugates - attract and bind to pathogens (Strep., E. Coli (19), Salmonella, Cryptosporidia, Giardia, Entamoeba, Shigella, Clostridium Difficile

Toxins A & B and Cholera) preventing them from attaching or entering the mucous membranes.

Orotic Acid - stops the formation of pyrimidine nucleotides and prevents hemolytic anemia.Other immune Factors - some of the documented immune factors include secretory IgA, IgA Specific Helper, B Lactoglobulin, Lactalbumin, Albumin, Prealbumin, Alpha 1-Antitripsin, Alpha 1-Fetoprotein, Alpha 2-macroglobulin, Alpha 2-AP Glycoprotein, C3, C4 and Orosomucoids.

Vitamins - A, B12 and E are found in small amounts while traces of all others are also present in colostrum.

Sulfur - a mineral with multiple uses in metabolism and as part of many structural body proteins.

Clinical Applications

For symptomatic adults, clinicians usually prescribe 1000 to 2000 mgs. twice daily of the dried, encapsulated form of colostrum, best taken on an empty stomach with 8 - 12 ounces of water. Preventive doses have not been established but several authors recommend continuous dosing at levels decided upon primarily by the consumer/patient. For those who show no clinical response to colostrum, the dosage can safely be doubled or even tripled as needed until the desired results are obtained. Children can also take colostrum but require proportionately less.

Herxheimer reactions (mainly flu-like symptoms) can occur in up to 40% of the cases but are usually mild and disappear with continued supplementation at the same dosage level. Through hundreds of years of use and over 1000 clinical studies, colostrum has been demonstrated to be completely safe without drug interactions or side effects at any level of ingestion. The following clinical conditions have been well documented to respond favorably to colostrum supplementation:

Viral Illnesses

About 75% of the antibodies in the body are produced by the GI component of the immune system. The ability of AIDS/HIV patients to fight infectious disease is severely compromised by and partially due to damage to the gut from chronic inflammation and diarrhea. Several recent studies (1,5,6,8,13,20,24,25,30) report colostrum's role in the reversal of this chronic problem stemming from opportunistic infections like Candida albicans, Cryptosporidia, rotavirus, herpes simplex, pathogenic strains of E. Coli (19) and intestinal flu infections. All gut pathogens are handled well by colostrum without side effects. Colostrum is composed of numerous factors with strong antiviral activity, especially the immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and the cytokines (8,9,23,25,32).

Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases

PRP from colostrum can work as a regulatory substance of the thymus gland (14). It has been demonstrated to improve or eliminate symptomatology of both allergies and autoimmune diseases (MS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and myasthenia gravis). PRP inhibits the overproduction of lymphocytes and T-cells and reduces the major symptoms of allergies and autoimmune disease: pain, swelling and inflammation.

Heart Disease

Altered immunity may be the hidden cause of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. For example, a type of Chlamydia has been associated with arterial plaque formation in over 79% of patients with heart disease. A recent New England Journal of Medicine article (36) concluded that heart disease is the result of immune sensitization to cardiac antigens. Immune system mediated injury results in myocarditis with lymphocytes and macrophage being the predominant infiltrating cells. Colostrum PRP may have a role in reversing heart disease very much like it does with allergies and autoimmune diseases.

Additionally, IgF-1 and GH in colostrum can lower LDL-cholesterol while increasing HDL-cholesterol concentrations. Colostrum growth factors promote the repair and regeneration of heart muscle and the regeneration of new blood vessels for collateral coronary circulation.

Cancer

The benefits of cytokines in the treatment of cancer was first popularized by the 1985 Steven Rosenberg Book, Quiet Strides in the War on Cancer. Since that time, the same cytokines found in colostrum (Interleukins 1, 6, 10, Interferon G and Lymphokines) have been the single most researched protocols in scientific research for the cure for cancer.

Colostrum Lactalbumin has been found to be able to cause the selective death (papooses) of cancer cells, leaving the surrounding non-cancerous tissues unaffected (37). Lactoferrin has similarly been reported to possess anti-cancer activity.

The mix of immune and growth factors in colostrum can inhibit the spread of cancer cells. If viruses are involved in either the initiation or the spread of cancer, colostrum could prove to be one of the best ways to prevent the disease in the first place.

Diabetes

Juvenile diabetes (Type I, insulin dependent) is thought to be brought about through an autoimmune mechanism, possibly initiated by an allergic reaction to the protein GAD found in cow's milk (2). Colostrum contains several factors, which can offset this and other allergies.

Colostrum IgF-1 can bind to both the insulin and IgF-1 receptors found on all cells. Human trials (39) in 1990 reported that IgF-1 stimulates glucose utilization, effectively treating acute hyperglycemia and lessening a Type II diabetic's dependence on insulin.

Weight Loss Programs

IgF-1 is required by the body to metabolize fat for energy through the Krebs cycle. With aging, less IgF-1 is produced in the body. Inadequate levels are associated with an increased incidence of Type II diabetes and difficulty in losing weight despite a proper nutritional intake and adequate exercise. Colostrum provides a good source of IgF-1 as a complementary therapy for successful weight loss (33).

Athletic Stress

Exhaustive workouts and athletic competition can temporarily depress the immune system, decreasing the number of T-lymphocytes and NK cells. Athletes are therefore more prone to develop infections, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Many of colostrum's immune factors can help significantly reduce the number and severity of infections caused by both physical and emotional stress (33).

The Leaky Gut Syndrome

One of the major benefits of colostrum supplementation is enhanced gut efficiency due to the many immune enhancers that control clinical and sub clinical GI infections. Colostral growth factors also play a role by keeping the intestinal mucosa sealed and impermeable to toxins. This is evidenced by colostrum's ability to control chronic diarrhea caused by gut inflammation related to dysbiosis.

Healing leaky gut syndrome reduces toxic load and helps in the reversal of many allergic and autoimmune conditions. For the healthy individual or athlete in training, colostrum supplementation enhances the efficiency of amino acid and carbohydrate fuel uptake by the intestine. More nutrients are made available for muscle cells and other vital tissues and organs. One of the reasons for the energy boost seen in most healthy individuals who use colostrum as a food supplement is this ability of colostrum to improve nutrient availability and the correction of sub clinical leaky gut syndrome (41).

Wound Healing

Several colostrum components stimulate wound-healing (40). Nucleotides, EgF, TgF and IgF-1 stimulate skin growth, cellular growth and repair by direct action on DNA and RNA. These growth factors facilitate the healing of tissues damaged by ulcers, trauma, burns, surgery or inflammatory disease. The tissues affected beneficially by colostrum's wound healing properties are skin, muscle, cartilage, bone and nerve cells. Powdered colostrum can be applied topically to gingivitis, sensitive teeth, aphthous ulcers, cuts, abrasions and burns after they have been cleaned and disinfected (33,34).

Quality Control

The best quality colostrum is produced organically and is free of pesticides, herbicides, and anabolic hormones like rBST, steroids, antibiotics and other chemicals. Not all colostrum products on the market are biologically active due to improper processing through the use of high temperatures and pasteurization or the formation of colostrum into tablets, a method that requires high pressure and generates heat, destroying biological activity. Colostrum in liquid form is also less than ideal. It is not as concentrated as the powdered versions of this substance and must be kept refrigerated due to its short shelf life. Preservatives must be added which further dilute and destroy its biological capabilities. Low heat processing, the removal of fat, whey and lactose as well as laboratory testing to insure biological integrity and safety are the rigid standards set for our colostrum.

General Summary and Scientific References

Colostrum is Life's First Food, according to a prominent medical doctor: Daniel Clark it is "The Ultimate anti-aging, weight loss and immune supplement" Medical Research shows that Colostrum is possibly the one supplement that can help everyone that's ill. And the most important preventative you'll ever find.

Immune Factors: The onset of almost all infections and degenerative disease is preceded or accomplished by lowered immune system function. Medical studies show Colostrum: