Colostrum is an antibody-rich supplement that may improve everything from immunity to gut health to muscle recovery and more. Read on to get the scoop on colostrum supplements.
What is Colostrum?
Colostrum is the first form of breastmilk that is released by the mammary glands in humans, cows, and other mammals after giving birth. Colostrum changes to breastmilk two to four days after birth, and is typically thicker in viscosity than breastmilk. It’s very nutritious and jam-packed with high levels of antibodies, which are proteins that fight infections and bacteria.
Colostrum is commonly referred to as “liquid gold” because of its rich golden color and numerous benefits. Colostrum is an important source of nutrients for infants as it promotes growth, fights diseases, and helps build the immune system. However, colostrum is also showing a wealth of benefits for those in other phases of life, typically in supplement form.
Colostrum Supplements
Although all mammals produce colostrum, supplements are usually made from the colostrum of cows. This supplement is known as bovine colostrum. To produce bovine colostrum supplements, colostrum from cows is pasteurized and dried into pills or into powders that can be mixed with liquids.
Bovine colostrum has many advantages over regular milk. It’s higher in protein, fat, carbs, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E than regular milk. It also includes specific protein compounds not found in milk that are often referred to when speaking of its benefits.
These protein compounds include:
- Lactoferrin: Helps regulate how well iron is absorbed into the body from the intestine. It also protects against infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- Growth Factors: Hormones that stimulate growth are growth factors. Bovine colostrum is high in two protein-based hormones, TGF and IGF.
- Antibodies: Antibodies are proteins, also known as immunoglobulins, that are used by your immune system to fight bacteria and viruses. Bovine colostrum is high in the antibodies IgA, IgG, and IgM.
With all of these nutrients and antibodies that fight disease and boost immunity, bovine colostrum may be a way to treat infections, improve the immune system, and offer many other benefits to human life.
Why Use Bovine Colostrum Supplements?
Bovine colostrum has been used for thousands of years in many cultures for its healing properties. It is rich in disease-fighting compounds which can lead to an abundance of benefits for your overall well-being. Listed below are a few of the highlighted benefits of bovine colostrum:
Improved Gut Health: Although research is still ongoing as to the gastrointestinal benefits of bovine colostrum, a study suggested that bovine colostrum supplements may enhance gut health by reducing inflammation and lowering gut permeability.
Several studies have shown that bovine colostrum is helpful in treating diarrhea and mild to moderate distal colitis. While more research is needed to conclusively determine the effectiveness of bovine colostrum on the human gastrointestinal tract, preliminary studies are promising.
Boosted Immunity: Scientific evidence shows that colostrum builds the immune systems of newborn mammals, but does it do the same for adults? Possibly, yes. Current research shows that adult athletes may benefit the most in the immunity building department by taking bovine colostrum supplements.
A 12-week study of 35 adult distance runners showed that taking a daily bovine colostrum supplement increased the amount of saliva IgA antibodies by 79%. A higher level of IgA antibodies may strengthen immunity and enhance the body’s ability to fight upper respiratory infections.
There are a few other studies that show an increase in immunity response while taking bovine colostrum supplements, and research on the subject is still ongoing.
Better Skin: There is a lot of buzz about the effects of bovine colostrum as a skin supplement. Many claim the nutrients and growth factors in bovine colostrum can improve skin elasticity, reverse signs of aging, and support skin regeneration and wound healing. Research continues to be done to prove the positive effects on the appearance of skin.
The benefits of bovine colostrum are continuously being researched and released. There are many positive preliminary results that show bovine colostrum is a supplement that may help you reach your optimal wellness.
Things to Consider Before Taking a Bovine Colostrum Supplement
Bovine colostrum contains many nutrients and antibodies that may improve many areas of your well-being, but before taking any supplement, you should consult with a healthcare professional. Some other things to consider include:
Making sure your supplement is high-quality: Not all supplements are created equal. Make certain you are buying your supplement from a trusted source. 10X Health, a leader in the wellness industry, has just released their own bovine colostrum supplement.
Allergies: If you have a milk allergy, it may be smart to avoid bovine colostrum. However, checking with your doctor should alleviate any concerns.
10X Health’s 10X Colostrum
10X Health’s new bovine colostrum supplement is rich in essential immunoglobulins and bioactive compounds to support and improve your immune system. 10X Colostrum is sourced from grass-fed cows and free of gluten and soy. Mixing with water or your favorite beverage in the morning will set you up for a natural boost.
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Want to learn more about bovine colostrum or order your own 10X Colostrum supplements? Reach out to us today!
