Also called "first milk," colostrum is a form of milk the mammary glands produce late in pregnancy. Colostrum contains disease-fighting antibodies and is low in fat and high in protein. It improves gastrointestinal function, stimulates growth, promotes immune system health and has anti-aging properties. Colostrum is beneficial for newborn infants, adults and animals. Infants obtain colostrum from the mother, while adults obtain colostrum from livestock.
Human Colostrum
Infants have very small digestive systems, so the small amount of colostrum the mammary glands produce is nutrient-packed super food. Human colostrum acts as a mild laxative for the infant. The result is the first stool called meconium. Colostrum contains antibodies, the main components of the adaptive immune system that provide the first protection from pathogens and continue to provide passive immunity. Colostrum contains cytokines, growth factors and major parts of the innate immune system. Growth factors stimulate development of the infant's digestive system. Colostrum is lower in fats, carbohydrates and potassium than cow's milk, and rich in vitamins and protein.
Colostrum Use in Animal Husbandry
Animals are born with no immunity of their own. Colostrum consumption is crucial to newborn animals in their first 24 hours of life. Newborns need to ingest any antibodies, and passive transfer of antibodies occurs through the porous mucosal lining of the stomach and into the bloodstream. Maximum transfer must occur by six hours of life; after 24 hours, the porous lining closes off. Drinking colostrum from the mother provides immunity to pathogens in the environment. Farmers and livestock breeders tend to bank colostrum produced by their own animals. Breeders do not allow newborns to nurse from their mother. They feed them banked colostrum and later milk.
Benefit of Bovine Colostrum Consumption
Bovine colostrum contains a combination of immune factors and growth factors that promote a healthy body. Colostrum's antibodies, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and peptides work together to maintain health. The milk contains more than 20 antibodies that fight pathogens including E. coli, rotavirus and Streptococcus. Factors in colostrum help support an underactive immune system and balance an overactive immune system. Growth factors help in the regeneration of aging muscle, repair DNA, burn fat for fuel instead of muscle and help regulate blood glucose levels. Together, growth factors and immune factors help to slow signs of aging in humans.
Other Colostrum Benefits for Infants and Adults
Colostrum contains growth factors that promote cell proliferation and reproduction. Growth factors speed up body repair and stimulate growth and regeneration of muscle and nerve tissue. Several components of colostrum promote wound healing. Growth factors and nucleotides stimulate cell repair through direct interaction with DNA and RNA. One growth factor, called transforming growth factor, specifically targets muscle, skin, bone and nerve cells with its wound-healing properties.
References
- La Leche League International: What Is Colostrum? How Does It Benefit My Baby?
- Science Daily: Colostrum
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Colostrum and Milk-derived Peptide Growth Factors for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders
- PubMed Central: Bovine Colostrum Is a Health Food Supplement Which Prevents NSAID Induced Gut Damage
