The Answers: When Patients Ask You About Bovine Colostrum
NUTRITION
Douglas Wyatt
JD
Many chiropractors are new to bovine colostrum as a nutritional supplement. Whether or not you currently recommend it to patients, you’re likely to come across an inquiry from time to time. Even those who consider themselves “experts” are learning more all the time. As interest in bovine colostrum grows, so does the body of research. A PubMed search just a few years ago yielded a handful of studies, mostly investigating the benefit to athletic performance. Today, there are investigations into a wide range of areas—from developmental benefits for preterm infants1 to relief for postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy2; from deep-wound healing benefits3 to antiviral benefits against influenza.4’5 Every day, we learn more about the practical and potentially lifesaving effects of this “rediscovered” healing powerhouse.
After 25 years of researching and perfecting methods for colostrum collection and processing, I am still amazed by stories of healing told to me by doctors and patients alike. My personal goal has been to encourage practitioners of every stripe to become colostrum advocates so that they can, in turn, offer the “first food of life” to everyone with whom they hold influence. Having a solid understanding of bovine colostrum’s health-enhancing benefits is key to making the case for recommending it to patients. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions you’re likely to encounter:
What does colostrum taste like?
Most people find that colostrum tastes similar to milk. Taste, smell, density, and solubility vary among batches due to the season, ambient humidity at the time of processing, and the different cows providing the colostrum.
Is colostrum organic?
Because very few dairy farms are truly organic, and certainly not enough to produce colostrum on a large scale, most colostrum on the market is not certified organic. The next best thing is pasture-fed cows that live and graze on grass that is not sprayed with glyphosate.
How does colostrum differ from regular milk?
Colostrum is not milk. It is a concentration of immune modulators and growth factors, vitamins and minerals, and essential amino acids designed by nature to transfer immunity; heal and prevent leaky gut syndrome (intestinal hyperpermeability); initiate and sustain growth; and calm
and eliminate pain associated with the birth process. It has a high concentration of immunoglobulins, antibodies, lactoferrin, proline-rich polypeptides, and all of the vital growth factors the human body requires. The composition of colostrum is primarily immune modulators and growth factors, whereas the composition of breast milk or raw, fresh cow’s milk is a very small percentage.
Is it safe to take colostrum if I am allergic to dairy?
Absolutely. In actuality, very few people are truly allergic to the casein in milk. What people call a “milk allergy” is the crossover of partially digested milk proteins into the bloodstream as a result of leaky gut syndrome. In fact, milk allergy is a relatively new phenomenon; prior to the invention of antibiotics and the homogenization of milk, people drank milk without any problems. No one who has experienced an anaphylactic reaction with dairy products should consume colostrum.
If colostrum is not allergenic, why do some people experience an unpleasant reaction?
About 20% of people taking colostrum for the first time experience a detox-like event, which can mimic flu-like symptoms. This is called a Herxheimer reaction and may cause temporary mild diarrhea or constipation.
As the immunoglobulins in colostrum begin killing off the pathogens in the GI tract, the dead pathogens release toxins that can cause unpleasant symptoms. This is considered completely normal and not a reason to stop taking colostrum. Reducing the dosage to a minimal amount (1/2 teaspoon) will provide symptom relief until the body adjusts, and then the dosage can be increased as desired to achieve therapeutic results.
Why is it a good idea to pasteurize colostrum?
All colostrum should be flash pasteurized because cow manure can easily splash onto the udders contaminating them with E-coli, salmonella, and other pathogenic bacteria. Flash pasteurization (high heat for a short amount of time) is ideal because vat pasteurization (high heat for a long amount of time) inactivates or destroys many of the health-enhancing bioactives.
What is the most effective way to take colostrum?
Colostrum capsules or powder should be taken on an empty stomach 20 minutes prior to a meal or snack with six to eight ounces of room-temperature water. For best results, it should be taken first thing in the morning and one hour prior to bedtime—at least two hours after the last meal of the day. Colostrum should not be taken with hot beverages because heat destroys the healing bioactives. It should not be added to a smoothie or protein shake either because protein or a significant amount of carbs in the stomach will stimulate the digestive process; the
stomach’s harsh digestive acids will degrade colostrum’s bioactives into amino acids.
Can colostrum be taken with other supplements and medications?
Yes. Colostrum is a food. However, patients may find that the other supplements and medications they are taking could have a more pronounced effect because colostrum increases villi height in the small intestine, which in turn increases absorption of medications and other nutrition. Patients should always inform their prescribing physician that they are taking colostrum in the event that a dosage change is needed.
So who needs colostrum?
It appears that just about everyone could benefit from colostrum. A minimum 30-day regimen is necessary for a leaky gut to heal itself, but ongoing supplementation is critical to maintain results. Colostrum is essential nutrition to help fight off infections; increase energy levels, strength, and stamina; generate better bowel health; increase mobility; regenerate and replace injured and worn out cells in the muscles, skin, bones, nerves, and brain tissue; reduce stress; and achieve calm, effective mental processes. Babies who are not breastfed would benefit greatly from colostrum supplementation. Even mammalian pets that suffer many of the same maladies as humans can experience the healing benefits of colostrum.
Can colostrum aid in weight loss?
Colostrum is great for helping the body work more effectively; it helps stop catabolism (the breakdown of lean muscle tissue) while dieting and enables anabolism (the utilization of stored fat for fuel and building of lean muscle tissue), which makes weight loss easier. Colostmm also helps balance blood glucose levels between meals, so patients are less likely to overeat, and helps increase the body’s metabolism, which enables patients to burn more calories at rest.
Can colostrum help with skin conditions, such as eczema, scrapes, cuts, or wounds?
Yes. A light dusting of colostrum can be applied to the (clean) affected area using a sterile cotton ball. Skin conditions also benefit from taking colostrum internally, which helps speed the healing process.
FIVE FACTS ABOUT COLOSTRUM
1. Colostrum is the first food of life for all mammals, including humans.
2. Colostrum contains more than 280 identified bioactives.
3. Colostrum’s immune modulators help the immune system fight disease-causing microbes.
4. Colostrum’s growth factors help repair and regenerate tissue.
5. Jonas Salk used colostrum to help develop the polio vaccine.
References:
1. Juki SM, Ye X, Zhou P, Li Y, Iyore EO, Zhang L, Jiang P, van Goudoever JB, Greisen G, Sangild PT. Bovine colostrum for preterm infants in the first days of life: a randomized controlled pilot trial. JPediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2017 Oct 10
2. Schicn’iMC, Di Tucci C, Colagiovanni V, FaianoP, GianniniA, D'Oria O, Prat a G, Perth ola G, Monti M, ZulloMA, Muzii L, Benedetti Panici P. A medical device containing purified bovine colostrum (Monurelle Biogel) in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: retrospective analysis of urinary symptoms, sexualfunction, and quality of life. Low Urin Tract Symptoms. 2017 Oct 23.
3. Kshirsagar AY, VekariyaMA, Gupta V, Pednekar AS, MahnaA, PatankarR, Shaikh A, NagurB. A comparative study of colostrum dressing versus conventional dressing in deep wounds. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2015 Apr;9(4):PC01-4.
4. Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Di Renzo A, DugallM, F, LeddaA, Bottari A, Ricci A, StuardS, VinciguerraG. Colostrum compared with vaccination in healthy and high-risk cardiovascular subjects: the epidemiologic study in San Valentino. ClinAppl Thromb Hemost. 2007 Apr; 13(2): 130-6.
5. Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Cornelli U, PelleginiL, Ricci A, Stuard S, LuzziR, GrossiMG, HosoiM. Previr comparedwith vaccination: an epidemiological, registry study. PanminervaMed. 2010 Dec;52(4):269-75.
Douglas Wyatt is the founder of Sovereign Laboratories, the colostrum company providing the most efficacious bovine colostrum; proven to heal and protect leaky gut syndrome. As Director of the Center for Nutritional Research, he is the leading expert in colostrum and is credited with reintroducing bovine colostrum for human use. For more information, email info aynysovlahs.com or call 1-928-202-4031. Or to become a Sovereign Labs provider go to: www.joinsoverignlabs. com
