This review emphasizes BC’s potential as a natural, cost-effective alternative to pharmaceuticals for strengthening immunity, mitigating chronic diseases, and promoting healthy aging, with possible future applications in nutraceuticals, functional foods, and even viral infection management.
Colostrum, the first milk produced by mammals after birth, has long been valued for its ability to deliver concentrated nutrients and immune factors to newborns. Historical uses range from protecting infants before antibiotics were available to contributing to vaccine development. Unlike mature milk, colostrum contains high levels of proteins, fats, immunoglobulins, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that decline rapidly after calving. Its biological richness has drawn increasing scientific attention for potential roles in human nutrition, disease prevention, and therapy. This review synthesizes advances in understanding colostrum’s components and their impact on health, immunity, and aging.
A study (DOI: 10.48130/animadv-0025-0001) published in Animal Advances on 24 January 2025 by Mustapha Muhammad Nasiru’s team, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, concludes that BC offers a natural, affordable, and multifunctional strategy to enhance immunity, resist disease, and promote healthy aging.
This review outlines the nutritional and bioactive composition of BC, underscoring its uniqueness compared to mature milk. BC contains elevated proteins (up to 140 mg/ml), fats (up to 67 mg/ml), and immunoglobulins such as IgG, IgA, and IgM, which provide passive immunity against bacterial, viral, and enteric pathogens. Unlike mature milk, colostrum also carries high concentrations of lactoferrin—an iron-binding glycoprotein with potent antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. These immunological and antioxidant agents position BC as a natural immunomodulator. Beyond immunoglobulins, the review highlights growth factors including IGF-I, IGF-II, TGF-β, and EGF, which stimulate tissue repair, bone regeneration, nerve recovery, and wound healing. Their roles extend to metabolic regulation, muscle growth, and lowering risks of chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes. Enzymes such as lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, and ribonucleases further contribute by aiding digestion, defending against pathogens, and supporting gut health. Cytokines and interleukins in colostrum regulate immune responses, balancing pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways. This makes BC potentially valuable for managing gastrointestinal inflammation, arthritis, allergies, and even neurodegenerative conditions. Lactoferrin’s documented ability to inhibit tumor growth and enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy illustrates its translational medical potential. The review also emphasizes BC’s accessibility: it is already available worldwide as powders, capsules, and functional foods. Given the high cost of synthetic drugs, particularly in low-resource settings, colostrum represents an affordable nutraceutical strategy to improve resilience against infections, promote recovery from disease, and enhance quality of life. The authors note that further research is needed to validate BC’s clinical applications in areas such as viral infections, including COVID-19.
This review concludes that BC, through its unique mix of immunoglobulins, growth factors, and bioactive proteins, represents a versatile natural product capable of strengthening immunity, combating pathogens, and supporting healthy aging. With rising global interest in nutraceuticals and functional foods, BC stands out as a safe, accessible, and affordable resource. Future investigations into its clinical efficacy, especially for viral diseases and chronic conditions, may pave the way for integrating colostrum-based therapies into mainstream health management.
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References
DOI
10.48130/animadv-0025-0001
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.48130/animadv-0025-0001
About Animal Advances
Animal Advances is an open-access journal which published by Maximum Academic Press in partnership with Nanjing Agricultural University. The journal is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge discoveries and progress in animal sciences to a diverse audience, encompassing scholars, academicians, and practitioners in the industry.