IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) is one of these growth factors, which shields the body from the typical signs and effects of aging. IGF-1 is an abundant, active component of colostrum. Furthermore, colostrum contains numerous cytokines (interleukins 1, 6, 10, interferon G and lymphokines) and lactoferrin, which are believed to reduce the risk of cancers.

The following section contains summaries of studies conduct by researchers in the area of colostrums effects on aging. Studies have focused on growth hormones as anti-aging agents as well the elements of colostrum as agentsagainst cancer.

RUDMAN

In 1990, a study conducted by Rudman and found in the New England Journal of Medicine proved that growth hormone treatment not only stopped the body from aging, but also reversed the effects of years of hormone deficiency. Rudman treated 26 men between the ages of 61 to 80 with growth hormone for a period of 6 months. At the conclusion of treatment, patients experienced a decrease in overall body fat and an increase in bone density and lean muscle mass. In addition, the volunteers reported thicker and more elastic skin. Rudman concluded that these changes were equivalent to a 10-20 year aging period.

Growth hormone, the hormone that allowed this transformation, is one of the growth factors found in bovine colostrum.

CANCER

ROSENBERG

The 1985 Steven Rosenbergâs book, Quiet Strides in the War on Cancer, first popularized the benefits of cytokines in the treatment of cancer. The cytokines found in colostrum (interleukins 1, 6, 10, interferon G and lymphokines) have been the single most researched constituents in the scientific research for the cure for cancer.

Colostrum lactalbumin has been found to be able to cause the selective death of cancer cells, leaving the surrounding noncancerous tissues unaffected.

Lactoferrin has similarly been reported to possess anti-cancer activity. The mix of immune and growth factors in colostrum can inhibit the spread of cancer cells. If viruses are involved in either the initiation or the spread of the cancer, colostrum could prove to be one of the best ways to prevent the disease in the first place.

Yeast Infection Research

The anti-microbial shield provided by immuno-5 can protect the body from organisms like Candida albicans. Commonly known as yeast infections, these pathogens can cause several types of vaginal, oral or skin infection.

Colostrum and its phagocytic cell components combat infection by destroying Candida albicans.

HO and LAWTON

Ho and Lawton (1978) showed levels of phagocytic cells or cells that destroy microorganisms, in human colostrum comparable to blood white blood cell counts. Phagocytic cells in colostrum play an important role in combating infection. Colostral cells were avid phagocytes but less efficient at killing bacteria and yeast than their blood borne counterparts. The authors examined the anti-microbial activity of fresh human colostral cells with respect to their capacity to phagocytose and kill C. albicans and E. coli.

In addition to being able to actively phagocytose bacteria and yeast, colostrum cells synthesize lactoferrin and lysozyme, all of which have anti-microbial activity. The authors concluded that some of the anti-microbial activity of colostrum is attributable to its active confiscation of bacteria and yeast, thereby preventing their attachment to the gut wall and subsequent colonization of the gut and passage through the gut wall. Their results indicated that fresh human colostrum cells were capable of destroying both E. coli and Candida albicans.

GI HEALTH

immuno-5 creates an anti-viral and anti-bacterial shield to ward off infections of the gastrointestinal tract like rotavirus, E. Coli, Cryptosporidium and other opportunistic infections. Colostrum fights off these microorganisms via its components of immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and cytokines.

TACKET

Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) causes travelerâs diarrhea. Tacket et al (1988) were able to show that antibodies concentrated from bovine colostrum were effective prophylaxis against enterotoxigenic E. coli in a clinical study involving 20 volunteers. Ten volunteers were used as controls, receiving placebos, and ten were given colostrum three times a day. Both groups were challenged with 109 ETEC on the third day. None of the volunteers in the treated group developed diarrhea but 9 out of 10 of the control group developed diarrhea. Patients in both groups excreted ETEC in their stools. Forty-percent of the recipients of the anti-E.coli bovine colostrum had higher serum concentrations of specific immunoglobulins G and immunoglobulins A. These antibodies may contribute to the future protection against diarrhea due to enterotoxigenic E. coli. The authors concluded that bovine colostrum is safe and effective prophylaxis against travelers diarrhea.