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Colostrum
Colostrum is the first milk after giving birth. The newborn gets it as a “catalyst” to activate the body’s defenses. After this, in a process of about 3-5 days, colostrum changes to normal milk. In terms of nutritional physiology this first milk plays a minor part. Thus, human babies rather lose weight in the first days. However, this colostrum from the mammary glands is of utmost importance for the formation of body defenses, a wholesome reaction to environmental conditions, and consequently the further development of the newborn. For a very long time this significance was underestimated. Nowadays, due to the advanced status of the latest analyses, it acquires its true importance.
Can children take Colostrum?
Absolutely. Colostrum can help growing children in many ways, from better concentration, increased memory plus children have a higher tendency to catch colds and illness from other schoolmates and Colostrum will help immensely.
Why is colostrum so precious?
Whereas newborns are born with a certain immune protection, this does not apply to ruminants. Cows have a 4-6-times placental barrier. This means that the placenta does not pass immunoglobulin’s to the unborn. That is why the newborn calf has to get this immune protection by means of the first milk. Now it stands to reason that the colostrum of cows is particularly rich in immunoglobulin’s. It contains agents of the immune system that, compared to their incidence in human blood, are concentrated up to 40-times higher!
Every farmer knows how indispensable colostrum is to the life of the calf. He would never keep this unique liquid from the calf. However, fortune favors us. Cows and goats give much more colostrum than needed by the calf. Hence we can supply our customers with the surplus. The older the cow or goat, the richer in content the colostrum is. This is perfectly normal, because the older the animal life form (including humans), the more antibodies are produced against invaders.
Considering the precise analysis of colostrum, it reads like a recipe of a highly technological product that doubtlessly can never be copied or produced artificially. Colostrum holds a multitude of messengers and is therefore capable of transferring not only its own ingredients to the cells, but also substances from daily food and dietary supplements that are essential to the body.
Why do I need Colostrum, as an adult?
Once puberty has passed, our bodies begin the aging process by gradually producing less of the immune and growth factors that help us fight off disease and heal damaged body tissue. Colostrum is the only natural source of these life-giving components.
Colostrum – a fountain of youth?
So far, there are no scientific documents in support of this. In this context, an exceptional enzyme is discussed over the past years: telomerase. Currently, scientific research is done to check coherences regarding the question to what extent telomerase could be responsible for aiding the chromosome-end tracts after cell division. The impact on cell division is believed to be an essential feature related to all processes of age. Colostrum is the only viand known to us that contains the enzyme telomerase. Admittedly, evidence of telomerase could only be provided in fresh, genuine colostrum. Further scientific research needs to be done regarding the question whether telomerase, and so colostrum, can really influence cell division and the consequences of age.
Composition of colostrum
The most important components of colostrum can be broken down into two major categories: immune system factors and growth factors. Immunoglobulins, also called antibodies, are proteins produced by the immune system in response to bacterial, virus or other foreign invasion. Immunoglobulins make up over 50% of the protein component, providing specific anti-microbial protection by neutralizing bacteria, bacterial toxins, viruses and some parasites.
Benefits of colostrum
Want to know more about the benefits of colostrum? We have a whole page where all the benefits of colostrum are described.