Colostrum-Nature’s First “Superfood”

Colostrum, nature’s perfect food for all ages, is a rich source of IgG immunoglobulins and PRPs (colostrum polypeptides). Colostrum also supplies protein, immune factors, growth factors, naturally occurring vitamins, and minerals to support health, vitality, and resiliency.

• Bovine immunoglobulins have a positive effect on gut barrier function. Immunoglobulins bind and eliminate microbes and toxins in the GI tract before immune system activation occurs. These unwanted pathogens are attached to immunoglobulins through steric hindrance, so they can no longer activate the immune system. Increasing binding capabilities to various pathogens and toxins in the GI tract helps restore healthy immune tolerance and builds a more substantial barrier to the external environment in the microbiome.
• Proline Rich-Polypeptides (PRPs), aka Colostrinin, are information-carrying proteins (peptides) with remarkable adaptability. They support the body’s balanced production of cytokines by sending signals via specific cell receptor sites. PRPs also support the thymus gland, which is known as the body’s central command for the immune system.
• Bovine colostrum is richer in immune factors than human colostrum and is biologically transferable to humans.

Colostrum is sometimes also referred to as “liquid gold,” it is well known that babies that receive colostrum in the first few days of breastfeeding have better immune systems later in life. 

Bovine colostrum contains myriad bioactive molecules renowned for possessing unique medicinal benefits in children and adults. Colostrum supplements are considered safe and cost-effective options to manage/prevent upper respiratory tract infections and gut-related problems in athletes. Colostrum has numerous studies of it reducing and healing intestinal permeability in athletes and the general public. 

While most are starting to know about the benefits of oral immunoglobulin therapy for treating gut disorders, most do not realize that colostrum not only contains more immunoglobulins than serum immunoglobulins but also contains additional growth factors (IGF-1), which stimulates the growth and reconstruction of cells and tissues in the gut lining. Studies suggest that IGF-I plays a key role in rebuilding the intestinal epithelium’s integrity after damage.

While colostrum has many studies and benefits, today’s article will focus on one of the components of Colostrum, Colostrinin or PRPs, and its role in cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s. PRP’s/Colostrinin possesses immunoregulatory properties, including effects on humoral and cellular immune responses, shows regulatory activity in Th1 and Th2 cytokine induction, and can inhibit the overproduction of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide. PRPs has also demonstrated psychotropic properties for benefiting positive mental status. The immunoregulatory and psychotropic properties suggest the potential clinical use of PRP’s for support in neurodegenerative disorders.

Colostrinin, isolated from mothers’ pre-milk fluid (colostrum), is a uniform mixture of low-molecular-weight, proline-rich polypeptides. Colostrinin extends the lifespan of fibroblast cells, inhibits beta-amyloid-induced apoptosis, and improves cognitive functions when administered to Alzheimer’s disease patients. Colostrinin can also decrease hypersensitivity and allergic responses to common allergens, and research concluded that it is effective in preventing allergic reactions to known indoor and outdoor allergens.

Colostrinin has many in many trials for Alzheimer’s patients. A long-term trial of 16 months showed that supplementation with Colostrinin had statistically significant improvement or stabilization of the health status of the patients in the trial.

Another clinical trial showed that Colostrinin enhanced the defense against oxidative stress and decreased expression of inflammatory chemokines and cytokines, thereby attenuating inflammatory processes that precede Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases.

 While you may be concerned about potential dairy concerns with Colostrum, Colostrum has much less lactose than regular milk. In fact, studies show colostrum to have a protective effect against allergies. And Colostrinin has been shown to regulate the immune system and allergic responses to common allergens. 

Here is a list of some common conditions of Colostrum and the studies behind them from R.J.J. van Neerven. Animal Frontiers, Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2014, Pages 16–22.

Some of my favorite Colostrum formulas can be found from the professional grade nutrition comapany- NuMedica, they offer a variety of different Colostrum products from sprays, chewables, capsules, powders, and even have chocalate or vanilla Colostrum powders as well. I personally mix 1 serving of ImmunoGPrP powder into an after workout protein shake, or consume it first thing in the morning with protein and fruits and vegetables for a nutrient rich breakfast.

References

1. Pletsch D, Ulrich C, Angelini M, Fernandes G, Lee DS. Mothers’ “liquid gold”: a quality improvement initiative to support early colostrum delivery via oral immune therapy (OIT) to premature and critically ill newborns. Nurs Leadersh (Tor Ont). 2013;26 Spec No 2013:34-42. doi: 10.12927/cjnl.2013.23356. PMID: 24860950.
2. Szaniszlo P, German P, Hajas G, Saenz DN, Kruzel M, Boldogh I. New insights into clinical trial for Colostrinin in Alzheimer’s disease. J Nutr Health Aging. 2009 Mar;13(3):235-41. doi: 10.1007/s12603-009-0065-2. PMID: 19262960.
3. Dziewiecka H, Buttar HS, Kasperska A, et al. A Systematic Review of the Influence of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Leaky Gut Syndrome in Athletes: Diagnostic Biomarkers and Future Directions. Nutrients. 2022;14(12):2512. Published 2022 Jun 17. doi:10.3390/nu14122512
4. Mehra R., Singh R., Nayan V., Buttar H.S., Kumar N., Kumar S., Bhardwaj A., Kaushik R., Kumar H. Nutritional Attributes of Bovine Colostrum Components in Human Health and Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Food Biosci. 2021;40:100907. doi: 10.1016/j.fbio.2021.100907.
5.  Lal S.O., Wolf S.E., Herndon D.N. Growth Hormone, Burns and Tissue Healing. Growth Horm. IGF Res. 2000;10((Suppl. B)):S39–S43. doi: 10.1016/S1096-6374(00)80008-8.
6. Boldogh I, Aguilera-Aguirre L, Bacsi A, Choudhury BK, Saavedra-Molina A, Kruzel M. Colostrinin decreases hypersensitivity and allergic responses to common allergens. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2008;146(4):298-306. doi:10.1159/000121464
7. Leszek J, Inglot AD, Janusz M, et al. Colostrinin proline-rich polypeptide complex from ovine colostrum–a long-term study of its efficacy in Alzheimer’s disease. Med Sci Monit. 2002;8(10):PI93-PI96Szaniszlo P, German P, Hajas G, Saenz DN, Kruzel M, Boldogh I. New insights into clinical trial for Colostrinin in Alzheimer’s disease. J Nutr Health Aging. 2009;13(3):235-241. doi:10.1007/s12603-009-0065-2
8. R.J.J. van Neerven, The effects of milk and colostrum on allergy and infection: Mechanisms and implications, Animal Frontiers, Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2014, Pages 16–22, https://doi.org/10.2527/af.2014-0010