Colostrum
What is colostrum? What are its benefits? Can it really boost immunity?
Colostrum is the milk produced by a cow 3 days after giving birth to a baby calf and is different from regular cow's milk in that it is rich in calcium, protein, trace elements, active immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, IgD) (also known as antibodies), as well as growth factors that accelerate tissue growth and repair, and nucleotides that provide raw materials for the synthesis and repair of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. Nucleotides, provide raw materials for the synthesis and repair of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA, and other nutritional components that are lacking in ordinary cow's milk.
Colostrum has a high protein content and a low fat and sugar content and is known as the "King of Immunity in the 21st Century" for its role in immune regulation, improving the gastrointestinal tract and promoting growth and development in humans.
What is the nutritional composition of colostrum?
1. High mineral content
Colostrum, as the main nutrient for nursing newborn cubs, often has more minerals than regular milk. Colostrum contains 23 minerals, of which calcium is high; phosphorus, sodium, zinc, iron, manganese and other minerals are also significantly higher than in regular milk. However, the mineral content of colostrum varies with the breed of cattle and the time of colostrum extrusion.
2. Rich in amino acids, high in protein
The protein content of colostrum is much higher than that of regular milk, and its protein content can be 4-8 times higher than that of regular milk. The basic component unit of protein is an amino acid, and the difference in the type, order and quantity of amino acid causes the difference between proteins and also determines their function and nutritional value.
3. Immune and growth factors
A large number of experiments have shown that colostrum has high nutritional value and has the function of regulating human metabolism, improving the immunity of the body and fighting infections. Most of these functions are related to the unique nutritional components of colostrum, which contain immunoglobulins (IgG), lactoferrin (Lf), various growth factors and rich bioactive substances, giving colostrum a variety of health functions.
Immunoglobulin IgG in colostrum
Immunoglobulin is what we often hear as "antibodies". Immunoglobulins are produced by the body's immune system to recognize specific foreign substances (antigens), such as bacteria and viruses, and help the body destroy these pathogens.
Colostrum immunoglobulins are divided into 5 categories according to their antigenicity: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE and IgD, of which IgG accounts for 86%, and it can partially replace the function of human IgA (content 41~4.57mg/g). The immunoglobulin content of bovine colostrum (50-150 mg/mL) is 50 times higher than that of human colostrum and has a powerful effect against viral, bacterial and fungal infections.
Growth factors in colostrum
The main growth factors in colostrum are insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which promotes the uptake of glucose and amino acids by somatic cells, neurotrophic growth factor (NGF), which is essential for nerve survival and growth, epidermal growth factor (EGF), transfer growth factors A and B (TGF- A, TGF-B), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), gonadotropin-releasing hormone ( GnRH) and its conjugating peptide (GAP), growth hormone (GH), and insulin [5]. These growth factors promote the recovery of injured tissues or organs, blood glucose homeostasis, and muscle growth.
Colostrum contains high concentrations of immune factors, growth factors and antibacterial factors. Babies and children taking colostrum can improve their immunity and are less likely to catch a cold; adults with irregular diet and rest, and elderly people with poor immunity can also take colostrum, lactoferrin and other health food supplements to regulate their physiological functions.
Benefits of Colostrum
1. Regulate immunity
Colostrum contains a large number of immunoglobulins and lactoferrin, which can bind with antigens such as pathogenic microorganisms and toxins to form antibodies, and lactoferrin also has antibacterial and antiviral effects, which can fundamentally improve the immunity of the human system and reduce the chance of human infection.
2. Improving the health of the gastrointestinal tract
The immune factors in colostrum can efficiently resist viruses, bacteria and other harmful substances, and inhibit the growth of many pathogenic microorganisms without affecting the growth and reproduction of non-pathogenic microorganisms in the intestinal tract, which can improve the function of the gastrointestinal tract and maintain the health of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Promote growth and development
Colostrum has a high calcium content, which is helpful for bone and tooth growth, and the anti-streptococcal antibodies in it can also effectively prevent the occurrence of dental caries in young children. Colostrum also contains taurine, phospholipids, brain peptides and other nutrients that are essential for children's intelligence and growth and development, which are beneficial for prolonging the survival of brain cells.
4. Enhance antioxidant
It has been proved that Bovine Colostrum Ex-tract (BCE) contains high levels of taurine, insulin-like, fiber-binding protein, rich vitamins and appropriate amounts of iron, zinc and copper trace elements, etc. The synergistic effect of various nutrients can increase the total serum SOD activity and Mn-SOD activity in the elderly, reduce lipid peroxide content, enhance antioxidant capacity and slow down the aging rate.
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