Calostro bovino

Related Terms

Adult bovine serum, affinity purified bovine colostrum antibodies, albumin, BioEnergy?, BioenerviT, bovine, bovine casein, bovine colostral globulins, bovine colostrum-containing oral hygiene products, bovine colostrum cystatin, breast milk, butanol-extractable iodine, calcium, casein, cell growth factor, chromium, colostral antibodies (hyperimmune and natural), colostral fractions, colostral whey, colostrinin, colostrokinin, colostrum inhibitory factor (CIF), colostrum lozenges, colostrum, complement 3 and 4 (C3 & C4), concentrated bovine colostrum protein, cow colostrum, dynamic colostrum, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, fibronectin, first milking colostrum, folic acid, gamma globulin, glutamic acid, glycine, glycoconjugates, glycogen, glycoprotein, growth factors, growth hormone , haemopexin, haptoglobulin, heat-denatured bovine immunoglobulin, human colostra, hyperimmune bovine colostrum, hyperimmune cow colostrumimmunized bovine colostrumT, immunoglobulins, isoleucine, kappa casein, lactalbumin, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus bifidus, lactobin (LIG), lactobin-R, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, leucine, liquid gold, Mega Bovine Colostrum?, Mega-Colostabs?, methionine, native bovine, oral bovine immunoglobulin milk concentrate, orosomucoids, orotic acid, osteoprotegerin (OPG), pantothenic acid, passive antibody immunotherapyplatelet-derived growth factor, polychlorinated biphenyls, potassium, prealbumin, prolactin, proline, proline-rich polypeptide, purified bovine apolactoferrin, retinoic acid, ribonuclease II-1, super milk, Symbiotics Colostrum PLUST, transforming growth factor, ultrafiltrate fraction (UF) of bovine colostrum, ViableT AC-2, whey proteins, xanthine oxidase enzyme.

Background

Bovine colostrum is the pre-milk fluid produced by cow mammary glands during the first two to four days after giving birth. Bovine colostrum delivers growth, nutrient, and immune factors to the offspring.
Traditional uses of bovine colostrum include for eye conditions, oral health, and respiratory tract infections. The investigation of clinical effects of bovine colostrum in humans began in the late 1980s and continues today.
Bovine colostrum may be useful for exercise performance enhancement and gastrointestinal injury due to bowel disease and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Although early evidence looks promising, additional study is still needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of bovine colostrum.
Hyperimmune bovine colostrum is also commercially available, and some evidence exists for its use, as well as the use of isolated immunoglobulins (antibodies). Most evidence is in support of its use for diarrhea associated with certain types of bacterial and viral infections or immune system deficiencies.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Preliminary evidence suggests that bovine colostrum may be effective for improving gastrointestinal health. More studies are needed in this area.

C


Preliminary evidence suggests that bovine colostrum may be effective for improving gastrointestinal health. More studies are needed in this area.

C


Bovine colostrum may be effective for improving gastrointestinal health. Preliminary evidence suggests that colostrum inhibits the adhesion or activity of certain bacteria to intestinal cells, which may help in the treatment of diarrhea. Additional study is needed in this area.

C


Bovine colostrum may be effective for improving gastrointestinal health. Preliminary evidence suggests that colostrum inhibits the adhesion or activity of certain bacteria to intestinal cells, which may help in the treatment of diarrhea. Additional study is needed in this area.

C


Although human study is currently conflicting, bovine colostrum may be effective for improving exercise performance. Additional study is needed in this area to make a strong recommendation.

C


Although human study is currently conflicting, bovine colostrum may be effective for improving exercise performance. Additional study is needed in this area to make a strong recommendation.

C


Bovine colostrum contains immunoglobulins or antibodies that are released into the bloodstream in response to infections. These immunoglobulins may help improve immune system functions. More evidence is required before a firm recommendation can be made.

C


Bovine colostrum contains immunoglobulins or antibodies that are released into the bloodstream in response to infections. These immunoglobulins may help improve immune system functions. More evidence is required before a firm recommendation can be made.

C


Cryptosporidium parvum is a parasite that may cause severe, debilitating diarrhea in patients with AIDS. Preliminary evidence suggests a potential benefit of bovine colostrum in this area. However, additional study is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.

C


Cryptosporidium parvum is a parasite that may cause severe, debilitating diarrhea in patients with AIDS. Preliminary evidence suggests a potential benefit of bovine colostrum in this area. However, additional study is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.

C


Bovine colostrum that is high in antibodies to certain viruses, such as rotavirus, may help prevent rotavirus-associated diarrhea. Additional study is needed in this area.

C


Bovine colostrum that is high in antibodies to certain viruses, such as rotavirus, may help prevent rotavirus-associated diarrhea. Additional study is needed in this area.

C


Based on preliminary study, use of bovine colostrum did not appear to be of benefit in H. pylori infection. Further studies are required before a strong recommendation can be made.

C


Based on preliminary study, use of bovine colostrum did not appear to be of benefit in H. pylori infection. Further studies are required before a strong recommendation can be made.

C


Bovine colostrum has been used for multiple sclerosis, although early results do not indicate any benefit. Additional study is needed in this area.

C


Bovine colostrum has been used for multiple sclerosis, although early results do not indicate any benefit. Additional study is needed in this area.

C


Bovine colostrum has shown potential for immune stimulation and may be useful in oral hygiene products. Currently, there is insufficient available evidence to recommend for or against the use of colostrum for this use.

C


Bovine colostrum has shown potential for immune stimulation and may be useful in oral hygiene products. Currently, there is insufficient available evidence to recommend for or against the use of colostrum for this use.

C


Bovine colostrum has shown potential for immune stimulation, and may be helpful in treating sore throat. Currently, there is insufficient available evidence to recommend for or against the use of colostrum for this use.

C


Bovine colostrum has shown potential for immune stimulation, and may be helpful in treating sore throat. Currently, there is insufficient available evidence to recommend for or against the use of colostrum for this use.

C


Bovine colostrum has been studied in individuals undergoing coronary bypass operations, but no benefit was found. Further study is required before a strong recommendation can be made.

C


Bovine colostrum has been studied in individuals undergoing coronary bypass operations, but no benefit was found. Further study is required before a strong recommendation can be made.

C


Bovine colostrum has shown potential for immune stimulation. However, early evidence has not shown any benefit for treating upper respiratory tract infection duration, although bovine colostrum may reduce symptoms. Further studies are required before a firm recommendation can be made.

C


Bovine colostrum has shown potential for immune stimulation. However, early evidence has not shown any benefit for treating upper respiratory tract infection duration, although bovine colostrum may reduce symptoms. Further studies are required before a firm recommendation can be made.

C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)
There is no proven effective dose of bovine colostrum. The dose amount and dosage formulations vary. Doses of 400-5,000 milligrams taken 1-3 times per day in tablet, powder, or solution form for up to 10 days have been reported.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
In general, there are no reported drug interactions associated with bovine colostrum. However, the number of compounds in bovine colostrum is large, although levels may be small, and each may have unknown effects or interactions with other drugs.
Preliminary studies have indicated bovine colostrum's antimicrobial effects. Thus, bovine colostrum may have additive effects when taken with antibiotics, and caution is advised.
Preliminary evidence suggests that the presence of insulin in bovine colostrum is at least partially responsible for some of its effects. Thus, using insulin in combination with bovine colostrum may have additive effects. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Due to the antidiarrheal effects of bovine colostrum, caution is advised when combining with other antidiarrheal agents because the combination may have additive effects.
Bovine colostrum is a source of IGF-1. Several studies have found that IGF-1 levels correlate with the risk of prostate cancer and colorectal cancer in men, premenopausal breast cancer in women, and lung cancer in both men and women. Not all studies agree with these findings, and it is not clear how this relates to the use of bovine colostrum. Nevertheless, caution is advised in patients taking anticancer agents and bovine colostrum due to unknown effects.
Human colostrum is a rich source of the antioxidant CoQ10. It is not known if bovine colostrum also contains CoQ10. Caution is advised in patients taking antioxidant agents due to possible additive effects.
Bovine colostrum may have antiviral activity. Caution is advised in patients taking antiviral agents due to possible additive effects.
Bovine colostrum may affect the brain's mood-regulating chemicals (serotonin and dopamine). Thus, combined use with other agents that affect the central nervous system, such as amphetamines or caffeine, may have additive or contradictory effects.
There is conflicting data regarding the use of bovine colostrum for exercise performance enhancement. It is unclear whether bovine colostrum would interact with other exercise performance enhancers in humans.
Colostrum may have effects on the immune system, although clinical significance in humans is unknown. Use cautiously with other immunomodulators.
Caution is also advised in patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) due to possible additive effects.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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