Colostrum supplement benefits exercise and body defense system

Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Aberystwyth University, Carwyn James Building, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3FD, UK. 

Abstract

Oral supplementation with bovine colostrum (COL) has been shown to enhance immunity in human subjects. However, there is limited research on the use of bovine COL supplementation to counter exercise-induced immunodepression, as a model of stress-induced immunodepression, and previous research has focused primarily on salivary IgA. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of bovine COL supplementation on exercise-induced changes in innate immunity (neutrophil function and salivary lysozyme) in addition to salivary IgA. Twenty healthy, active men cycled for 2 h at approximately 64 % maximal oxygen uptake after 4 weeks of daily bovine COL (n 10) or placebo (PLA, n 10) supplementation. Blood and saliva samples were obtained before and after supplementation, before and after exercise. 

Exercise induced significant increases in markers of physiological stress and stress to the immune system (circulating neutrophils, neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, immature granulocytes, atypical lymphocytes and plasma cortisol), but there were no differences between the COL and PLA groups. Significant group x time interactions (two-way mixed model ANOVA) were observed for neutrophil function (stimulated degranulation) and salivary lysozyme concentration and release (P < 0.05). Significant exercise-induced decreases were observed in these parameters, and bovine COL supplementation either speeded the recovery (neutrophil function) or prevented the decrease (salivary lysozyme) in these measures of innate immunity. 

These results suggest that 4 weeks of bovine COL supplementation limits the immunodepressive effects induced by an acute prolonged physical stressor, such as exercise, which may confer some benefits to host defence.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20030905

Pubmed - Oral immunoglobulin induces mononuclear cell apoptosis in patients suffering from idiopathic chronic pain syndrome: results from a pilot study

Department of Surgery I, Molecular Oncology and Immunology, University of Wuerzburg, Germany.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this clinical pilot study was to examine the induction of apoptosis in mononuclear cells on treatment of patients with chronic pain syndrome with oral immunoglobulin produced from bovine colostrum (BCC).

DESIGN:

The 4 patients suffering from chronic idiopathic pain (idiopathic facial pain, CRPS or fibromyalgia) who were enrolled in the study had previously successfully been treated with BCC (varying individual doses). Mononuclear cells from peripheral blood were analyzed for representative cytokines in the serum as well as by TUNEL-assay to detect apoptotic cellular events 14 days after the last treatment with BCC and 14 days after restarting the treatment protocol with BCC. The clinical response (pain and quality of life parameters using a visual analogue scale (VAS)) were determined regularly in each patient.

RESULTS:

The findings showed a disturbed apoptosis homeostasis in 3 of the 4 patients. These results were accompanied by a relief of the pain symptoms. The 4th patient was found not to need any further analgetic treatment since she demonstrated only nonsignificant changes in her laboratory screening and immunological parameters and by the end of the study she was also completely free of pain (long-term treatment with BCC).

CONCLUSIONS:

In spite of the low patient number, the results were obtained with a sufficiently high degree of control because of the study design. The agreement of the clinical data with our laboratory measurements suggests that the induction of apoptotic events in mononuclear cells is the result of the dominant immunological effects of BCC treatment.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=colostrum%20fibromyalgia

Pubmed - The effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women

University of Delaware, Sports Science Laboratory, Newark, Delaware 19176, USA. exphys@aol.com

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 8 wk of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women. Subjects were randomly assigned to a placebo (whey protein) andcolostrum group (20 g/d in powder form). 

Each subject participated in aerobic and heavy-resistance training at least three times per wk. Body composition was assessed via dual x-ray absorptiometry analysis. Treadmill time to exhaustion, one repetition maximum strength (bench press), and the total number of repetitions performed during one set to exhaustion at a submaximal load for the bench press (50% and 100% of body weight for women and men, respectively) were ascertained. The whey protein group experienced a significant increase (P < 0.05) in body weight (mean increase of 2.11 kg), whereas thecolostrum group experienced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in bone-free lean body mass (mean increase of 1.49 kg). 

There were no changes in any of the other parameters measured. Thus, supplementation with bovine colostrum (20 g/d) in combination with exercise training for 8 wk may increase bone-free lean body mass in active men and women.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11312068

Pubmed - Antioxidants in colostrum and milk of sows and cows

Department of Animal Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University, Lublin, Poland.

Abstract

On account of the oxidative stress conditions that may appear during parturition, colostrum should provide with not only nutritional and immunological components but also antioxidative protection of newborn. 

There is evidence that apart from well-known antioxidative enzymes like glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase or low molecular antioxidants, proteins like lactoperoxidase (LPO), lactoferrin (LF) and ceruloplasmin (CP) may exert antioxidative properties in colostrum. The aim of present study was to determine and to evaluate LPO, LF and CP activities in colostrum and milk of sows and cows. Samples were collected from 16 healthy cows five times: immediately after parturition, 12, 24 and 48 h, and 7 days postpartum as well as from 14 healthy sows five times: immediately after parturition, 6, 12, 24 and 36 h later. Examined parameters were determined spectrophotometrically at 412, 560 and 540 nm respectively. 

LPO activity was higher in sows as in cows and increased significantly within examined time. LF ability to inhibit superoxide radical generation was higher in sows as in cows and increased significantly within examined time. CP oxidase activity was higher in cows as in sows and decreased significantly during experimental period. 

In conclusion, antioxidative defence system in colostrum shows dynamic changes that allow for providing with necessary protection from oxidative stress conditions, which may appear after parturition.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19642220

Pubmed - Therapeutic potentials of bovine colostrums

Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, India. brthapa1@yahoo.co.in

Abstract

Colostrum is the first milk produced by mammals for their young ones. This transfers the passive immunity gained by the mother to the baby. The bovine colostrum (BC) can be obtained in large quantity and has properties similar to humancolostrum. It has been used for various disorders of the body. It has properties to stimulate immune system, contains growth factors and many bioactive substances needed for the body to combat with wear and tear. 

The BC has been used for various gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory tract infection, rheumatoid arthritis, healing injured tissues of body etc. There are not much double blind placebo-controlled trials to prove its efficacy, though a lot of experience about its good effects in various disorders is available in the literature. 

The dosage and duration of therapy need to be worked up. The BC has potential to treat as well to prevent certain diseases in the body. In future this will prove to be a very useful product to treat and control diseases in a natural way.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16272656

Pubmed - The effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women

University of Delaware, Sports Science Laboratory, Newark, Delaware 19176, USA. exphys@aol.com

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 8 wk of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women. Subjects were randomly assigned to a placebo (whey protein) andcolostrum group (20 g/d in powder form). 

Each subject participated in aerobic and heavy-resistance training at least three times per wk. Body composition was assessed via dual x-ray absorptiometry analysis. Treadmill time to exhaustion, one repetition maximum strength (bench press), and the total number of repetitions performed during one set to exhaustion at a submaximal load for the bench press (50% and 100% of body weight for women and men, respectively) were ascertained. 

The whey protein group experienced a significant increase (P < 0.05) in body weight (mean increase of 2.11 kg), whereas thecolostrum group experienced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in bone-free lean body mass (mean increase of 1.49 kg). There were no changes in any of the other parameters measured. Thus, supplementation with bovine colostrum (20 g/d) in combination with exercise training for 8 wk may increase bone-free lean body mass in active men and women.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11312068

Pubmed - Bovine colostrum supplementation attenuates the decrease of salivary lysozyme and enhances the recovery of neutrophil function after prolonged exercise

Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Aberystwyth University, Carwyn James Building, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3FD, UK. gdd@aber.ac.uk

Abstract

Oral supplementation with bovine colostrum (COL) has been shown to enhance immunity in human subjects. However, there is limited research on the use of bovine COL supplementation to counter exercise-induced immunodepression, as a model of stress-induced immunodepression, and previous research has focused primarily on salivary IgA. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of bovine COL supplementation on exercise-induced changes in innate immunity (neutrophil function and salivary lysozyme) in addition to salivary IgA. 

Twenty healthy, active men cycled for 2 h at approximately 64 % maximal oxygen uptake after 4 weeks of daily bovine COL (n 10) or placebo (PLA, n 10) supplementation. Blood and saliva samples were obtained before and after supplementation, before and after exercise. Exercise induced significant increases in markers of physiological stress and stress to the immune system (circulating neutrophils, neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, immature granulocytes, atypical lymphocytes and plasma cortisol), but there were no differences between the COL and PLA groups. 

Significant group x time interactions (two-way mixed model ANOVA) were observed for neutrophil function (stimulated degranulation) and salivary lysozyme concentration and release (P < 0.05). Significant exercise-induced decreases were observed in these parameters, and bovine COL supplementation either speeded the recovery (neutrophil function) or prevented the decrease (salivary lysozyme) in these measures of innate immunity. These results suggest that 4 weeks of bovine COL supplementation limits the immunodepressive effects induced by an acute prolonged physical stressor, such as exercise, which may confer some benefits to host defence.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20030905