World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), and this year’s motto, "*** Feeding the 1st Hour -- Save One Million Babies," is emphasizing the importance of breastfeeding during the newborn’s first hour of life.
Lactoferrin is reported in numerous research studies to be anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infammatory, antioxidant, immune supporting and offers hope for relief with Osteoporosis.
According to some experts Lactoferrin combined with colostrum is the best anti-viral, anti-bacterial ingredients available today and is more effective than allopathic medicines(western medicine) ie antibiotics for viruses etc and may, according to some, when combined with Vitamin C be your best defence against mutating viruses like the swine Flu Why use Lactoferrin What is Lactoferrin and what are the benefits ? o Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein that belongs to the iron transporter or transferrin family. It was originally isolated from bovine milk, where it is found as a minor protein component of whey proteins. Lactoferrin contains 703 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 80 kilodaltons. In addition to its presence in milk, it is also found in exocrine secretions of mammals and is released from neutrophil granules during inflammation. o Lactoferrin is considered a multifunctional or multi-tasking protein. It appears to play several biological roles. Owing to its iron-binding properties, lactoferrin is thought to play a role in iron uptake by the intestinal mucosa of breast fed babies. That is, it appears to be the source of iron for breast-fed infants. It also appears to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities. o Three isoforms of lactoferrin have been isolated: lactoferrin-alpha, lactoferrin-beta and lactoferrin-gamma. Lactoferrin-beta and lactoferrin-gamma have rnase activity, whereas lactoferrin-alpha does not. Receptors for lactoferrin are found in monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, intestinal tissue and on certain bacteria. INFLUENCE OF LACTOFERRIN ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Introduction o Lactoferrin has been shown to support the immune system by modulating the activity of immune-system components during the course of infection. o Several studies have demonstrated the effect of oral administration of lactoferrin on the immune system. a variety of effects at a cellular and molecular level have been documented. o Influence of Lactoferrin on cells of the Immune System.
Lymphocytes Lactoferrin has been shown to both enhance and inhibit lymphocyte proliferation. o Oral administration of lactoferrin in mice resulted in an increase of immunoglobulin A and G in the intestinal fluid as well as proliferation of lymphocyte-producing cells. o In patients with chronic hepatitis C, oral administration of lactoferrin may increase the percentage of T helper cells (Th0 and Th1) in the peripheral blood. o Lactoferrin was shown to promote the preferential maturation of CD4 CD8 T cells to the T helper CD4 linage. o Lactoferrin can up regulate the CD4 surface marker in the human Jurkat lymphocyte cell line. o Oral administration of lactoferrin was shown to increase the number of CD4+ T cells and CD8 + T cells in the peripheral blood, small intestine and spleen of mice.
Phagocytes o Receptors for lactoferrin have been found on monocytes and macrophages and research suggests that lactoferrin helps to control the activity of these cells. Lactoferrin assist the phagocytic action of these cells by promoting the production of free radicals within the phagosome. The proposed mechanism involves lactoferrin providing iron to an oxygen radical-generating system.
Neutrophils Lactoferrin is a key component of neutrophil cells and influences their function in the following ways: o Stimulation of phagocytic activity. Lactoferrin catalyses the production of hydroxyl radicals by providing iron. o Lactoferrin binds to the surface of the neutrphil cell and promotes cell-to-cell interactions by reducing the charge on the cell surface. The result is enhanced recruitment and adherence of neutrophils to tissures at the site of injury. o Human or bovine lactoferrin stimulates 1L – 18 release from neutrophils.
The lactoferrin in neutrophils also augments the antimicrobial capacity of macrophages, which ingest lactoferrin rich granulocytes as their source of lactoferrin.
Natural killer cells o Lactoferrin has been shown to increase the cytotoxicity of killer cells in vitro. The mode of action is not clear but appears to be independent of iron saturation. o Oral administration of lactoferrin was shown to increase the number of natural killer cells in the peripheral blood and small intestine of mice. Myelopoiesis o Lactoferrin has both positive and negative effects on myelopoiesis. o Lactoferrin saturated with iron has been shown to inhibit myelopoiesis. The proposed mechanism involves suppression of interleukin-1 production, which in turn reduces granulocyte-monocyte stimulating factor ( GM-CSF) production.
Influence of lactoferrin on regulatory components of the immune system. Cytokines o Lactoferrin has been shown to regulate the production and release of various cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor ( TNF )-a and to enhance the production of IL18 (INF-y inducing factor). o Oral administration of lactoferrin induces IL – 18 secretion by epithelial cells of the small intestine in mice. Production of interferon-y and IL-10 spleen cells were also increased by lactoferrin feeding. These results suggest that oral administration of lactoferrin has an inhibitory effect on infection by modulating intestinal immunity.
Influence of Lactoferrin on complement Activation o Bovine lactoferrin was shown to bind to Streptococcus agalactiae and activate the classical pathway of complement by substituting for antibodies. The action of complement increases the susceptibility of the bacteria to the action of phgocytes ( a process known as opsonization ).
Influence of Lactoferrin on complement Activation o The iron-building properties of lactoferrin serve to provide an anti-oxidative effect of the immune system. By removing iron, lactoferrin may inhabit the production of free radicals and diminish oxidative damage to tissues. Lactoferrin may also protect neutrophilic cells from lipid peroxidative damage. Mechanism of immunomodulatory action of lactoferrin ( figure 1 page 111 Tomita. Bovine lactoferrin and lactoferricin derived from milk: production and applications ). o Ingested lactoferrin is thought to act on intestinal epithelial cells ( IEC ) and gut-associated lymphoid tissue ( GALT ) cells. Lactoferrin may interact with receptors on the surfaces of these cells, causing the cells to produce more IL-18 and other immunomodulatory factors. The factors are then released into the bloodstream, where they may stimulate white blood cells in the circulation. Ability of lactoferrin to suppress inflammation o LPS ( lipopolysaccharide ) is an endotoxin released from Gram-negative bacteria upon their destruction. LPS is a potent inflammatory mediator and can cause neutrophils to increase their production and release of superoxide. o Apo-lactoferrin can bind to LPS in the cell surface of Gram-negative bacteria to prevent its powerful inflammatory action. LPS is prevented from activating production of such pro-inflammatory cytokines as tumour-necrosis factor –x ( TNT-X ) IL-1 and IL-6. o Research suggests that oral administration of bovine lactoferrin in mice results in reduced inflammation, as a result of the reduction in the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF –x, IL-1 IL-6, as well as with induction of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10.
Dosage and administration o Oral lactoferrin dosed at 40mg daily has been used in a couple of clinical trials of the substance. Those who supplement with lactoferrin typically take 250 mg daily. Lactoferrin is also found in small amounts in colostrums and whey protein supplements.
Searching for a cure for the silent disease Lactoferrin a milk protein offers hope of an Osteoporosis . Osteoporosis is second only to cardiovascular disease in terms of global health care problems, and currently affects 200 million people and is predicted to increase steadily with the growing numbers of elderly living longer, and obesity adding extra strain on bones
Reported in New Zealand Herald 25.11.04 Taking supplements of lactofferin or a drink enriched with the milk protein may help to prevent osteoporosis in those at risk, say researchers from New Zealand, revealing for the first time that the compound has powerful bone-building properties.
Auckland’s Osteoporosis Research Group has found that the milk protein, produced commercially by Fonterra and Tatua, not only inhibits bone breakdown but boosts bone growth four times faster than normal when injected directly into bone cells. Research leader Dr Jill Cornish unveiled the findings at the World Dairy Summit in Melbourne Australia 25.11.04
It’s a goody molecule,” Cornish said. “ It is good for the Immune system. It’s anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. When white blood cells respond to infection, they spurt out lactoferrin naturally.” The research is part of a LactoPharma project a joint venture between Fonterra the worlds largest diary ingredients producer and Auckland UniServices Set up to discover and commercialise new bioactive components in milk and colostrum.
Project leader Dr Cornish pointed out that a lot of research has been done on the development of treatments to inhibit bone resorption, but little is known about how to build bone she added.
“ This is what differentiates lactoferrin and makes it so exciting-it’s a double whammy if you like, inhibiting the formation of cells that resorb bone and stimulating the cells that form bone.”
Information on the benefits of Colostrum Marie Welch, MD, of Sedona, Arizona U.S.A discussed her experiences with prescribing bovine colostrum. At the semi-annual convention of the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM), November 21, 1998, Nikki- Dr. Welch said, "Colostrum is valuable to me both personally and within my practice. I consider colostrum a very important therapeutic aid for all patients who have chronic infections, including bacterial, viral, or fungal. Examples of such infections involve recurrent sinusitis, bronchitis, hepatitis, urinary tract infections , and other bacterial invasions; herpes, Epstein Barr, and additional viral diseases; plus the yeast syndrome of candidiasis. I start everyone who consults me for acute infections on bovine colostrum. But in my experience, the patients who gain the most from this nutritional supplement are those with chronic and recurrent disease symptoms such as chronic fatigue syndrome, infectious diarrhoea, sinusitis, and fibromyalgia. "I have not as yet used bovine colostrum for treating giardia or some other protozoa, but it seems worth the try. For the past 18 months, colostrum has been an integral part of my therapeutic regimen, especially for those with sinusitis, which is very common where I practice. It has been quite remarkable in clearing up chronic swelling of the nasal sinuses, which may be a complication of an upper respiratory infection, dental infection, allergy, a change in atmosphere as in air travel or underwater swimming, or as a defect of the nose," explained Dr. Welch. "Most of my allergy patients who take colostrum get through the hay fever season without difficulty. Additionally, those people who experience three or four yearly UTIs do very well by making bovine colostrum a part of their routine dietary supplementation." Dr. Welch stated. "Without fail, it reduces the recurrence of their UTI. Upon my recommendation, the few lung disease patients in my practice now are also taking colostrum because it contributes to improved functioning of their lungs. "So generally, I am administering bovine colostrum as an immune system booster. I think its use would be good for all people prophylactically, and I suggest its use to any patient who needs that kind of immunological pickup. As a wholistic-minded physician, I strongly believe in employing it for a minimum of one out of three patients. That's what I do in my practice, and I take colostrum myself," acknowledged Dr. Welch. "That's because I have a history of metastatic breast cancer. This nutritional supplement has become a part of my routine immune-boosting protocol. Any time I become exposed to a contagious patient or some other source of infection, I immediately increase my colostrum intake. On a routine basis I ingest about four colostrum capsules per day merely for purposes of daily prophylaxis. But if I feel a scratchy throat or some type of GI [gastrointestinal] distress coming on, I will increase my dosage to a couple of capsules every two or three hours up to 12 a day for a few days. Colostrum is administered in powder and capsule forms. For myself, it's mostly capsules that work best, but recently I've added the powder as well. The powder seems most effective for improving the functioning of a patient's GI tract, in particular difficulties with the stomach," said Dr. Welch. "The powder works very well for treating infectious diarrhea. Colostrum may either be added to a couple ounces of water and 'chug-a-lugged' or popped into the mouth and swished around the oral mucous membranes and swallowed or taken sublingually. Bovine colostrum is a white powder that tastes similar to human breastfeeding milk. It's the first food produced by the cow for a calf and has over 250 substances in it. There is almost no milk in bovine colostrum, but approximately one out of twenty-five patients tend to experience mild gastrointestinal distress from taking it. Manufacturing of the substance as a nutritional product for human consumption is very delicate," Dr. Welch advised. "Frequently colostrum is incorporated into cosmetics and other skin preparations. It may be utilized topically for application to burns, decubital ulcers, other poor-healing wounds. Topical healing is dramatically improved by sprinkling this substance onto the wound or applying it as a paste after combining the powder with a small amount of purified water," said Dr. Welch. "It probably has enzymatic qualities; definitely it contains epithelial (epidermal) growth factors which bring about rapid topical healing. "One of my patients histories which took place approximately one year ago relates to a strong-minded, 82 year-old Australian woman who suffered from a really severe cellulitis of the lower extremity. This patient was extremely anti-hospital, anti-doctor, and anti-allopathic medicine. She refused to receive any type of drug therapy. I was forced to work on the infection with topically applied bovine colostrum paste along with warm soaks. Also, I prescribed oral colostrum for her. The cellulitis cleared beautifully within two weeks," said Dr. Welch. "This was a cellulitis patient who, under other circumstances, I would have hospitalized." "Recently I put a 79 year-old man with hepatitis C on oral bovine colostrum and he is now feeling much better. This happened from my taking a chance first with applying topical colostrum. The patient's keratosis-like lesions all disappeared while we were awaiting his dermatogic appointment date," said Dr. Welch. We recommend Naturesource Coloferrin ™ combines Colostrum with lactoferrin for immune and gastrointestinal health. Coloferrin™ combined with high dosages of Vitamin C may well be your best protection against all viruses including the avion flu and swine Flu. available at www.hsdwellness.com.au 50% Off only for December 2011 27 Nov 2011 Last Update: 29 Nov 2011 |
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