Bovine colostrum is well documented as containing elevated immunoglobulins that serve as immune protectants for the newborn.
In addition, bovine colostrum has been shown to demonstrate specific binding against many pathogens, as shown in section 4.2.
The following diagram is a simple illustration of an IgG molecule. The two circular sections at the top of the molecule represent the binding sites - this is where the IgG attaches to a foreign body such as a pathogen. This prevents the pathogen interacting with anything else, thereby preventing infection or disease.
In
Vitro Binding Studies with Colostrum
Binding studies comparing Hyperimmune milk, Colostrum milk powder and Skim milk Powder were done by the Microbiology Department at the University of Otago to establish the ability of Colostrum to bind specifically with various bacterial and yeast pathogens including Candida albicans, Helicobacter pylori, E. coli spp and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Colostrum demonstrated a very high rate of specific binding with these species. Further studies are in progress to cover the entire gastrointestinal bacterial pathogen range, examples of which are shown in the following table.
| Pathogen | Causes diease; |
|
Candida albicans |
- Candidiasis, Thrush |
|
E.coli 0157 |
- Food poisoning |
|
Helicobacter pylori |
- Duodenal ulcers / Stomach cancer
|
|
Propionibacterium acnes |
- Acne/skin infections |
|
Klebsiella pneumoniae |
- Lung infections |
|
Staphylococcus aureus |
- Hospital 'staph' / infects after surgery |
|
Streptococcus pyogenes |
- Skin and lung infections |
|
Streptococcus mutans |
- Dental caries
|
|
Yersinia enterocolitica |
- Digestive disease |
|
Staphylococcus epidermidis |
- Skin disease |
|
Salmonella typhimurium |
- Food poisoning |
|
Salmonella enteritidis |
- Food poisoning |
|
Haemophilus influenzae |
- Lung Infections |
|
Campylobacter jejuni |
- Lower bowel disease |
|
Listeria monocytogenes |
- Lung diseases |
|
|
|
Relative Antibody Titre For an explanation as to the test methods (ELISA) used to determine the graphs, refer to Appendix 1. The graphs indicate relative titre determinations for each pathogen tested. Titre is an expression of antibody concentration and can be defined as the greatest an antibody containing solution can be diluted to achieve a dose response. This sometimes is referred to as limiting dilution. The greater the dilution the greater the titre (concentration) of antibody present. Thus an antibody containing solution possessing a relative antibody titre of 1/10,000 contains 10 times the antibody of one with a relative titre of 1/1,000.
a) Antibody activity to Salmonella
typhimurium
This graph shows that the Colostrum binds the bacteria strongly and for a long time. The Y axis "absorbance" is a measurement of the specific binding activity and the X axis shows the binding capacity of the various test ingredients when diluted to more than 10,000x original strength.
It can be noted that SMP -Skim Milk Powder has no effect and does not bind the bacterium at all. The high protein milk powder has some 0activity when concentrated but loses its effect when diluted - dilution is what happens when the ingredients are swallowed and diluted in the gastrointestinal body fluids.
A similar result of specific binding over a wide dilution range is also seen with other pathogens such as Candida albicans and others....
b)
Antibody Activity to Candida albicans
Other examples of pathogen binding capacity include:
c) Antibody activity to Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori is recognised by the World Health Organisation (W.H.O) as a cause of acute and chronic Gastric and Duodenal Ulceration and also implicated by the W.H.O as a causative participant in Stomach cancer.  Again, Colostrum can be shown to specifically and strongly bind Helicobacter pylori and to continue this binding action even when diluted in the digestive fluid system by more than a million times...
d) Antibody activity to E. coli 0157
Another similar profile is shown with Escherichia coli below. E. coli 0157:H7 is a cause of severe Food Poisoning and it can been seen that Colostrum binds this pathogen specifically and for a long time even when diluted more than a million times. 
e) Antibody activity to E. coli 0111
f) Antibody activity to Klebsiella pneumoniae
g) Antibody activity to Clostridium difficile
h) Antibody activity to Yersinia enterocolitica
i) Antibody activity to Campylobacter jejuni
Growth Factors and Other Proteins
Bovine colostrum contains many growth factors that have been shown in numerous scientific studies to assist with skin and microscopic tissue/muscle healing and repair.
|
Growth Factors
|
||
|
IGF-1 |
1540 |
ng/g |
|
IGF-2 |
748 |
ng/g |
|
TGF-beta 1 |
18 |
ng/g |
|
TGF-beta 2 |
863 |
ng/g |
|
Immune/Antibacterial enzymes |
||
|
IgG1 |
20 - 200 |
mg/ml |
|
IgG2 |
12 |
mg/ml |
|
IgM |
0.0031 |
mg/g |
|
IgA |
2.81 |
mg/g |
|
Lactoferrin |
5 - 100 |
mg/L |
|
Lysozyme |
0.14 - 0.7 |
mg/L |
|
Lactoperoxidase |
11 - 45 |
mg/L |
4.4 Amino Acid, Vitamin and Mineral Content
In addition, due to the bovine Colostrum Colostrum is rich in vitamins and minerals:
4.4.1 Typical Vitamin Content
|
Vitamin B2 |
1.12 |
mg per 100g |
|
Vitamin B6 |
0.03 |
mg per 100g |
|
Vitamin B12 |
10.00 |
mg per 100g |
|
Vitamin A |
100 |
IU per 100g |
|
Vitamin C |
2.5 |
mg per 100g |
4.4.2 Typical Amino Acid Profile
(expressed as milligrams amino acid per gram protein)
|
Alanine |
23.0 |
Arginine |
24.8 |
|
Aspartic acid |
52.2 |
Cystine |
8.4 |
|
Glutamic acid |
126.3 |
Glycine |
18.1 |
|
Histidine |
20.2 |
Isoleucine |
54.9 |
|
Leucine |
43.6 |
Lysine |
44.8 |
|
Methionine |
17.2 |
Phenylalanine |
37.6 |
|
Proline |
75.3 |
Serine |
46.9 |
|
Threonine |
35.4 |
Tryptophan |
11.5 |
|
Tyrosine |
39.1 |
Valine |
44.5 |
4.4.3 Typical Mineral Profile
(expressed in mg/100g powder unless stated)
|
Iron |
0.81 |
Chloride |
238 |
|
Calcium |
1060 |
Zinc |
5.6 |
|
Phosphorus |
850 |
Magnesium |
86.5 |
|
Sodium |
220 |
Manganese |
0.086 |
|
Potassium |
570 |
Heavy metals as lead |
<10 mg/kg |
DISCLAIMER:
The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food And Drug Administration. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The statements are for informational purposes only and is it not meant to replace the services or recommendations of a physician or qualified health care practitioner. Those with health problems or pregnancy are specifically advised that they should consult their physician before taking colostrum or any nutritional supplement.