Colostrum: The Elixir of Life

Colostrum

The decision to become a mother or to continue growing your family is quite serious, and you have probably developed some concerns about how you can care for your baby and feed your infant... Whether we believe it or not, the female body has miraculously provided clues about this important experience ahead. Since ancient times, there has been a force that says "Don't worry!" By now, you have researched the miraculous benefits of breast milk, which has been heralded as the perfect diet for your young child. But there is more. Colostrum. The breasts first secrete colostrum (which they have actually been producing since mid-pregnancy), a rich, sticky, clear or yellow substance (which earned it the title "Liquid Gold"). This protein-rich fluid is truly invaluable when it comes to feeding the baby. Colostrum is often overlooked, but it remains a substance of vital importance for the baby. While mothers can produce colostrum during their pregnancies, it is not until after the placenta is delivered that the hormonal shifts in their bodies promote breastfeeding and colostrum secretion, which allows the baby to begin feeding immediately after birth. As the baby's first food, colostrum provides the nutrients and nutrition the baby needs. Even better, this powerful vitamin-rich fluid is uniquely tailored to the baby. From a scientific and medical perspective, the breasts of pregnant women change in size and appearance due to the effects of estrogen and progesterone hormones. The alveolar cells of the breast begin to secrete colostrum between the twelfth and sixteenth weeks of pregnancy. This is called lactogenesis I. Colostrum is a thick, yellowish-white fluid that can be secreted from the breast in the third trimester. During pregnancy, milk secretion is suppressed by estrogen and progesterone.(1) Colostrum contains more protein and less carbohydrate and fat than mature breast milk. Colostrum is rich in secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), which helps protect the baby from infection. Colostrum also helps establish a normal gut microbiome in the baby. The intestine is considered sterile at birth. The first milk, called colostrum, is secreted immediately after birth. It is usually slightly darker in color than breast milk. The color tone, such as light brown or dark yellow, can vary from person to person. However, the distinguishing feature in this regard is that it is dark in color, not white like breast milk. The consistency of colostrum is also slightly thicker than breast milk. It can be expected to have a creamier, less fluid consistency than milk. Human colostrum is the ideal food for newborn humans and is preferred over formula or milk obtained from other animals. The proportions of nutrients in human milk differ from those of other animals and are therefore more suitable for humans. While formula mimics human milk as closely as possible, the components in colostrum and mature milk, such as immunoglobulins and leukocytes, as well as antioxidants, enzymes and hormones, provide colostrum and mature breast milk with many advantages over formula. This is critically important for premature babies, who are much more vulnerable to infection and benefit greatly from receiving colostrum and breast milk. As a Life Science Ingredient, Colostrum Powder is derived from bovine colostrum. Just as we mentioned above the vital effect of Colostrum as a mammal on humans and their offspring, its effect on another mammal, the cow, and its offspring, the calf, is manifested by determining whether they survive the first 2 hours and what kind of cow they will be in the first 2 months. Colostrum is the secretion formed in the mammary glands of cattle in the first 24 hours after birth. Colostrum differs from normal milk in terms of content, physical properties and functionality. Transition milk is the milk secreted between 24 and 72 hours after birth. The milk secreted over 72 hours after birth changes. Colostrum contains much more dry matter, protein and immunoglobulin (Ig) compared to normal milk. It is very important that the calf receives these immune substances from its mother within the first 24 hours after birth. Immunoglobulins (antibodies) are immune substances that detect and eliminate pathogens in animals. There are three types of immunoglobulin in bovine colostrum; IgG, IgM and IgA. Newborn calves have underdeveloped defense mechanisms against disease, but the immunoglobulins they receive with the first milk secreted by the mother provide the calf with passive protection until the calf develops its own active immune system. Colostrum contains 70-80% IgG, 10-15% IgM and 10-15% IgA. [caption id="attachment_131509" align="aligncenter"] Table 1. Contents of colostrum and transition milk.[/caption] Immunoglobulin classes recognized in mammals: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Immunoglobulin M (IgM) Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Immunoglobulin D (IgD) IgG is the most common immunoglobulin class in all species. IgGs pass from the cow's blood to colostrum through a special transport pathway. This mechanism allows a large number of IgGs to pass from the blood to the breast. As a result, the serum IgG level of the mother begins to decline 2-3 weeks before birth. The cow can replace the IgG it has lost several weeks after birth. IgM and IgA are synthesized from plasma cells in the mammary glands.

Functions of Immunoglobulins

Each immunoglobulin has a different function. The immunoglobulin most abundant in colostrum and serum is IgG. The primary function of IgG is to detect and eliminate invading pathogens. Because IgG is smaller in size compared to other immunoglobulins, it can travel to other parts of the body. IgM acts as the first line of defense in sepsis. Because IgM is a large molecule, it remains in the blood to provide protection against invading bacteria. IgA protects mucosal surfaces such as the intestine. By adhering to the intestinal surface, it prevents pathogens from adhering and causing disease. By feeding colostrum for 3 days, you promote the adhesion of IgA to the intestinal surface and provide protection. Colostrum contains high amounts of IgG and smaller amounts of IgM and IgA. These three immunoglobulins play a very important role in reducing the calf's chances of becoming ill or the risk of death. However, it is important to remember that colostrum feeding and the immunoglobulins it contains are just one of the things needed to protect the calf. Proper feeding and housing conditions are other factors that contribute to the calf's health. Infants, children, adults and the geriatric population—all of humanity's immune systems are effectively protected by colostrum. Let us mention its contributions to our health as follows:

Immunity:

With its strong immune-boosting properties, colostrum contains antibodies and provides protection against environmental microorganisms and internal inflammation. (This helps eliminate these harmful microorganisms!)

Gut Health:

Colostrum is easy to digest and helps coat the intestines with a protective layer that protects against future infections and diseases. It also promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria. • Can restore a leaky intestinal lining to normal permeability levels and reduce the movement of toxins and intestinal microorganisms into the bloodstream.

Nutrient-Rich Nutrition:

It is a "super food" class nutrient. Body Regulation: Colostrum regulates body temperature, blood sugar, metabolism, lung and vascular functions. • Supports muscle and connective tissue healing. • High levels of growth factors and antioxidants are a powerhouse for supporting muscle repair and growth. • Our body is constantly renewed—renewal of muscle, skin, bone, brain and nerve tissue has been proven. • A great supplement for athletes. (some athletes have used colostrum to improve their performance) Shortens recovery time and prevents illness at peak performance levels. • Helps desensitize the body to allergens—prevents allergic reactions by helping suppress IgE expression. • Multiple immune factors and natural antibiotics provide strong support to the immune system. • Activate the production of disease-preventive antibodies. • Colostrum has been shown to be nearly as effective as the flu vaccine. (2) Our Colostrum Powder manufacturer collects bovine colostrum (liquid raw material) only from Czech farms under strict supervision of the Czech Veterinary Authority. It then processes it with microfiltration rather than thermal treatment such as pasteurization or sterilization, ensuring the preservation of bioactive substances such as IgG. Microfiltration is a very modern, gentle alternative to thermal treatment. Through the cold microfiltration process, active substances (immunoglobulins, growth factors, etc.) are kept active. A soft spray dryer is used to dry it into powder form, resulting in colostrum standardized for IgG content.

 

Burak Kamalı Business Development Manager Barentz

Sources (1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513256/ (2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17456621/