Colostrum is a form of milk produced in mammals just prior to giving birth. It contains antibodies that protect against disease and infection. These antibodies, called immunoglobulins, are major components of the adaptive immune system in mammals. They help direct the appropriate immune response for each type of foreign object they encounter. As you might imagine, this can be very useful for a variety of immunotherapies and applications.

Here’s a quick look at some of the key components that are found in colostrum:

Antibodies and Immune Factors

  • Cytokines are biological response modifiers. They are protein, peptide, or glycoprotein signaling molecules that are used in cellular communications.
  • Enzymes are proteins that increase the rates of chemical reactions; almost all processes in a biological cell need enzymes to occur at significant rates. Enzymes are essential fighting bacteria.
  • Glycoproteins are integral membrane proteins that play a role in cell-to-cell interactions. Glycoproteins have been shown to help immune and growth factors survive the passage through the highly acidic digestive system.
  • Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses.
    • IgG is involved in antibody response. IgG identifies and protects the body against pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
    • IgA plays a critical role in mucosal immunity. It provides protection against microbes that multiply in body secretions.
    • IgM is the first antibody to appear in the initial exposure to pathogens.
    • IgE plays an important role in allergy reactions and aids in response to parasites in the digestive system.
    • IgD signals the activation of B cells to defend the immune system.
  • Lactalbumin are water-soluble proteins found in milk.
  • Lactoferrins are one of the antimicrobial components of the immune system of that helps fight bacteria and fungi in the body and acts as a natural inflammatory.
  • Lysozymes are enzymes that help to support the immune system by causing damage to bacterial cell walls.
  • Proline rich polypeptides (PRPs) are small chains of amino acids that have a powerful effect in initiating and balancing immune responses. Among the multitude of functions associated with PRPs are: modulating the immune system, acting as molecular signaling devices, promoting the growth and differentiation of B-cells, stimulating Natural Killer cell (NK cell) activity and promoting the proliferation of leukocytes (white blood cells).
  • Transferrins are iron-binding glycoproteins that control the level of free iron in biological fluids.

Growth Factors

  • Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation.
  • Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are involved in the growth of new blood vessels and wound healing.
  • Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) is a protein that plays an important role in childhood growth, and has an anabolic effect in adults.
  • Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is one of the numerous proteins that regulate cell growth and division, particularly playing a significant role in blood vessel formation.
  • Transforming growth factors
    • TGF-alpha induces epithelial tissue development. Functions of epithelial cells include secretion, selective absorption, protection, transcellular transport and detection of sensation.
    • TGF-beta plays a crucial role in tissue regeneration, cell differentiation and regulation of the immune system.

Nutrition

Since colostrum is naturally intended to provide energy and nutrition to newborns, it is very rich in energy (through fat and lactose) and proteins. Also present are vitamins A, D, and E, which are all important for the resistance of disease. Carbohydrates, lipids and potassium are naturally available through colostrum, along with small amounts of all other vitamins and minerals such as calcium, sodium, magnesium and zinc.

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