Colostrum is the first milk secreted at the time of parturition, differing from the milk secreted later, by containing more lactalbumin and lactoprotein, and also being rich in antibodies that confer passive immunity to the newborn also called “foremilk”. It is last for 2-4 days after the lactation is started.
1. Colostrum Is a Critical Nutrient Source
Colostrum is so critical to the development of the immune system that researchers speculate the substitution of formula is associated with the increased occurrence of chronic conditions in children. Formula does not contain colostrum and is believed to increase the risk of:
- Juvenile diabetes
- Colitis
- Allergies including asthma
- Chronic infections relating to the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract and lungs
- Colitis
- Infant mortality
Breast feeding supplies the essential nutrients needed for the development of tissues and organs and provides the bioactive compounds required for a baby to develop a healthy immune system. Researchers suspect that the highest concentration of colostrum contained in milk at birth supplies the newborn with the majority of its immune defense properties her body requires. As the infant ages, the child’s immune system develops, the gut heals and colostrum concentration tapers off.
Protective properties of the immune system rely on colostrum to stimulate healthy immune system most critically in early childhood development but possibly throughout all stages of life as well.
2. Colostrum Develops the Immune System
As previously noted, colostrum is most important to an individual at birth. Before a baby is born, he or she is provided with immune regulating factors such as autoantibodies through the placenta. Numerous types of antibodies are associated with reducing the threat of type-1 diabetes. Before and during birth, a baby then receives other types of antibodies from mom’s blood serum to stimulate an effective immune response.
A mother’s final gift to her newborn is the gift of her breast milk which contains a different variety of antibodies designed to help the infant grow and develop including the proliferation of stem cells and regulation of gene function . A mother’s milk can be seen as the weaning stage of her newborn’s immune system and initiating factor for its own development of a defense system.
3. Colostrum Reduces Inflammation
One specific compound contained in colostrum is lactoferrin. Lactoferrin, as its name may suggests to you, is a protein which is critical in the metabolism of iron. Receptors are found all around the body in organs and cells for lactoferrin to bind. Lactoferrin has been shown to inhibit autoimmune responses which trigger inflammatory conditions such as increased intestinal permeability.
Lactoferrin also plays a role in activating T-cells, antigen response pathways and the ability of enzymes to function. Lactoferrin has been found to scavenge for free radicals and is also a strong antioxidant which aids the body in the detoxification process. Decreased circulating lactoferrin handicaps the autoimmune response and increases the risk of cancer and autoimmunue diseases.
Lactoferrin also boosts healthy immune stimulating responses by decreasing the toxic load on the lymphatic system. An effective detoxification agent, lactoferrin contained in colostrum prevents invasive agents found in our everyday environment such as water and food supply from being pushed into lymph nodes . As a result, colostrum may decrease the duration of a cold.
4. Colostrum is AntiMicrobial
Human beta-defensin-2 or hBD-2 has been detected in human breast milk. This peptide exhibits antimicrobial activity protecting a child from pathogens and infection. Researchers have found that this peptide may be partly responsible for defending a child from serious and possibly fatal bacterial infections such as:
- Salmonella (Bacteria associated with infection of gut)
- coli (Bacteria most known for meat-related infectious outbreaks)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Abundantly found in environment which may causes pneumonia and blood infections)
- Acinetobacter baumanii (Common infection in those with weakened immune systems)
Antimicrobial peptides defend the gut and lungs from bacterial invasion by emphasizing the surveillance and detection of pathogens. Some T-cells also exhibit antimicrobial activity. Unfortunately, stress in individuals of all ages deteriorates these beneficial T-cells which attack pathogenic bacterial overgrowth. As a result, the bowels become susceptible to inflammation, infection and an unhealthy autoimmunue response in the gut seen in the development of Crohn”s disease.
5. Colostrum Improves Metabolism
The treatment of colostrum to patients with metabolic syndrome, such as those with type-2 diabetes, has been shown to heal liver damage, regulate fatty acid levels, increase insulin and better regulate a health concern known as postprandial glucose response associated with elevated glucose levels following a meal .
6. Colostrum Fights Cancer
From birth an individual’s body is intrinsically designed to protect itself from these metabolic concerns by building a strong surveillance system known as its immune response. Colostrum therefore supports and protects the body from not only diabetes related concerns but cancerous cell growth as well .Research suggests the supplementation of colostrum may benefit systemic health and delay the aging process
Associated with its ability to defend from the invasion of cancer, colostrum increases bioactive compounds which defend against cancer.
animal science 