NATURE's GIFT TO THE IMMUNE SYSTEM |
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| The importance of the
immune system cannot be overstated. The immune system is essential for human survival. It
protects us not only from "invaders" such as yeasts, bacteria and viruses, but
also from substances such as alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. Without a properly
functioning immune system, good health cannot be maintained. The human body continually attempts to maintain homeostasis by counteracting the invaders it encounters. The immune defenses involve a variety of body reactions including the production of a specific antibody against the antigen it encounters. This is knows as the antigen-antibody response. Whenever that specific antigen (like ragweed pollen, for example) enters the body again, the immune system "remembers" and immediately forms its antibodies against it. The normal functioning of the immune sistem is vital for good health and life. "In the complete absence of the immune function, human survival is not possible for more than a day or so before overwhelming infection leads to death." (Snyderman) On this page you can read the following topics:
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| Colostrum is provided in
breast milk contains all the needed immune factors which are of great significance as the
newborn's own system develops. Colostrum is produced by all female mammals just before they give birth. The fluid is secreted into the mother's milk for approximately three days following birth. After this, colostrum is no longer secreted with the milk. Healthy mothers who provide this fluid to their infants at birth offer them protection from infection, help their stomachs and digestive tract to mature, signal the brain to regulate digestion, and offer a unique combination of high energy nutrients that ensure proper development of the brain and nervous system. Colostrum contains antibodies against E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, V. cholera, Bacteriodes fragilis, Streptococcus pneumonia, Bordtella pertussis, Clostridum diphtheria, Streptococcus Mutans, Clostridium tetani, and Candida Albicans. (Ogra) Babies deprived of breast milk are simply not as healthy as those who are breast-fed. Thirty seven (37) different immune factors have been identified in breast milk. These provide natural protection to the newborn against illness - in addition to complete nutritional and energy support. Colostrum Secretory Antibodies Protect Against Bacteria and Viruses. Enzyme immunoassay shows that colostrum contains IgA and IgM antibodies to a number of specific autoantigens: native DNA, actin, myosin, myoglobin, laminin, transferrin and thyroglobulin. The level of natural autoantibodies in the immunoglobulin fraction of human colostrum were three to 10 times lower than in the immunoglobulin fraction of serum. The role of breast-feeding in perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was explored in 15 HCV-infected mothers and their infants. Both anti-HCV antibody and HCV-ribonucleic acid were present in colostral samples at much lower levels, but none of the 11 breast-fed infants had evidence of HCV infection for up to one year of age. (Lin) Colostrum Feeding in Infants May Protect From The Development of Allergies, Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases. It has been suggested that self-reacting autoantibodies in colostrum serum play a major role in the selection of the pre-immune B-cell repertoire and in the maintenance of the immune homeostasis.The natural autoantibodies in colostrum may contribute to the selection process of physiological development. This could explain the lower frequency of allergic, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and lymphomas which is seen later in life of breast-fed infants. (Vassilev) Colostrum Used to Manage Chronic Infantile Diarrhea Due to E. coli. Eight children ranging from nine months to three years old with chronic diarrhea were administered 20 ml fresh human colostrum daily for seven days. The results indicated that colostrum provided effective antidiarrhea action in some patients with chronic diarrhea of infective origin. (Saha) Colostrum Important for Postnatal Development of Infant Gastrointestinal Tract. The hormones and growth-promoting peptides, such as insulin, cortisol, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) found in high concentrations in the maternal colostrum. Both play a role in postnatal GI development. Recommended reading: Dr. George Wootan, M.D., author of Take Charge of Your Child's Health, Crown publishers, Inc., New York 1992. |
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| A large body of
evidence has shown that supplemental colostrum, with its amazing complex of factors, is
beneficial for adults as well as for infants. Most pharmaceutical treatments available hold toxic side effects or long-lasting residues both in ourselves and in our food. Antibiotics and steroids disrupt the normal homeostatic balance in the body, whereas Colostrum promotes it. Colostrum provides high levels of immunoglobulins, with a wide range of specific antibodies against bacteria, viruses and the yeast normally present in the gastrointestinal tract. This prevents the colonization of pathogens and toxin generation and is protective to the body. Colostrum also contains immune regulatory factors which are called biogenic simulators that are known to promote cell growth, tissue repair, healing and normalization. Fortunately, the numerous immune factors found in colostrum are transferable from one species to another. This means that the immune-rich colostrum from cows can be used for humans. Colostrum from cows is much richer in immune factors [86% IgG] than that of humans [2% IgG]. (Sandholm, Bunce) Bovine-derived colostrum has several differences and advantages over typical milk:
Immune Factors Provided by Colostrum.
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| Colostrum
has been shown to have a systemic effect on the immune system. The effort required of the immune system varies from person to person. More stress is placed on the immune system of individuals who smoke, abuse alcohol, have poor dietary habits, have excess stress, live or work in a harmful environment. By age of 60, the immune system may be functioning at only 20% of normal. General immune deficiency is experienced by all of us from time to time. It is characterized by:
There are over 30 different
autoimmune disease conditions. Any time the immune system is
fooled and thinks it has to kill its own cells, an autoimmune disease condition is
created.
Addison's disease, cystic fibrosis, insulin-resistant diabetes, Crohn's disease, rheumatic fever, endometriosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and the list goes on. Colostrum contains Proline-Rich-Polypeptide (PRP) which serves as a powerful regulator of the immune system. Suppressive action of PRP controls the immune system by preventing the body from attacking itself. Colostrum is an alternative to steroids. Steroids, such as prednisone, have been used for decades to block inflammation, but have many undesirable side effects including bone loss and immune dysfunction. Major anti-inflammatory agents in Colostrum include:
Colostrum forces the differentiation of certain cells so that rapid onset, severe, and extended inflammation do not occur. The initial reaction may still occur, but at a greatly reduced rate. Colostrum is effective on sore throat and against tonsillitis forming bacteria. Significant reduction of some symptoms is evidenced from the first day. (Aabakken, Urban) |
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| Body builders and athletes do
not need to rely upon massive doses of potentially harmful and expensive hormones to
obtain enhancement. Colostrum contains Insulin-like Growth Factor I and II, the pro-insulin hormones with anabolic effects. Protein breakdown which is initiated by insulin is inhibited by these growth factors. Colostrum is an extremely rich source of natural growth factors and has an ability to stimulate synthesis and inhibit protein degradation. (Francis, Rinderkneckt, Humbel). Other growth factors present in Colostrum include epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b). Each of these is capable of stimulating cell division and tissue development. (Burke) Creatine-kinase is a critically important muscle cell enzyme which acts as a marker for muscle-cell damage. When its levels rise in the blood, there probably has been muscle-cell damage. The individuals in the Colostrum supplementation group reported that they felt better and felt that their performance was improving. The researches theorize that IFG-I in Colostrum could encourage muscle cells to repair themselves more quickly after stress from intense exercise. (Anderson) Colostrum is also believed to benefit athletes by enhancing efficiency of amino acid and carbohydrate fuel uptake by the intestines. IGF-I and other factors seal the gut from ulceration. (Burke) |
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| Lactoferrin
is an iron-binding protein which is one of the most prominent whey proteins in human milk.
Iron deficient individuals experience weakness, headaches, tingling sensations in the
hands and feet, brittle nails, and lowered resistance to stress and disease. Lactoferrin allows individuals to better use the iron which is in the foods they eat or in their supplements. Lactoferrin interferes in the growth of potentially harmful bacteria in the intestine. Lactoferrin helps protect against pathogens and their metabolites by enhancing phagocytosis, cell adherence and controlling release of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Lactoferrin also diminished the damaging effects of free radicals and binds to excess iron ions, known as cancer risk factors. Lactoferrin inhibits Lymphoma, bone Cancer and other cancer types. Lactoferrin in Colostrum inhibits HIV and cytopathic effect. Lactoferrin likely exerts its effect at the level of virus adsorption or penetration (or both). (Harmsen) Lactoferrin promotes other immune activities by phenotypic and functional maturation of immature T- and B-cells. |
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