COLOSTRUM - MILK IS MILK, but !
THE WAY FORWARD - WITH ECO-VET

Colostrum
Following the birth of a baby the mother's mammary glands produce a secretion called colostrum. This is very different to the secretion called milk that will develop by twenty-four to forty eight hours after the birth.
Colostrum is colostrum, while milk is milk!.

This is the means whereby the mother is capable of transferring information that she has gained during her lifetime. She is able to concentrate these compounds into a pre-milk substance called colostrum containing immune and growth promoting factors, among others.
It is these factors in combination with acidophilus bacteria that are able to kick into gear the immune system of the newborn giving immediate protection against the viruses and other infectious agents that the newborn contacts even before it hits the ground.
This first meal transmits more than fifty different factors capable of not only acting quickly, but in some cases of giving lifelong assistance.

Colostrum has been used historically for thousands of years:
- In India where Ayurvedic physicians and the Rishis' were convinced of its medical importance,
- In Scandinavia and other Eastern countries special cakes are made from colostrum to celebrate the birth of a calf.
- In the US colostrum was used as an antibacterial agent before the advent of antibiotics,
- Colostrum was used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis,
- Dr Sabin found that bovine colostrum contained antibodies against polio and refined these to produce the first anti-viral vaccine.

Historical perspective
Humans have used colostrum for thousands of years. There have been literally thousands of scientific studies and human and animal clinical trials that have proved colostrum to be effective and safe. This research has now established that colostrum was worth re-discovering.
In colostrum we have a completely natural product, capable of taking its place in modern society as the single most important substance available for tissue repair and immune balancing. Colostrum is for today; and tomorrow.

How it is harvested
In the early stages of the development of colostrum it is interesting that very quickly doctors turned away from the possibility of using women as donors for human treatment. There are more problems with difficult mothers, including substance abuse with alcohol, cigarettes etc. The question then centered on where to find alternative animal colostrum supplies. The immune and growth factors have to be transferable, stable and safe. Dairy cattle provided the perfect answer to the problem.

Japanese workers established that IGF-1 and TgFA and TgFB are identical in molecular construction to the human equivalents. Virtually all other animals accept colostrum from cows. In 1979 Sandhol et al demonstrated that bovine colostrum is richer in immune factors than human colostrum with human colostrum containing 2% IgG as compared to bovine at 20%. One of the reasons for this is that human immunity is passed on through the placenta, while this is not the case in the bovine. Thus the cow has been established as being a universal donor to humans and most other animals.

ECO-VET colostrum is harvested within the first four hours after calving from "triple A" classed dairy herds. These farms have severe restrictions on the use of antibiotics, anthelmintics and parasiticides. These herds are monitored by the FDA for other criteria including hygiene.

It is important to remember that the earlier colostrum is harvested, the more concentrated are the desired substances and the less total volume is available. Many manufacturers are happy to harvest colostrum at a later time to gain the maximum volume. These products are considerably less expensive to produce but do not contain nearly as much immunoglobulin per gm.

Cows colostrum contains a special trypsin inhibitor, a glycoprotein that prevents colostrum from being broken down in the gut. These inhibitors are themselves only present in colostrum during the first twenty-four hours after calving.

HEALTH FACTORS IN COLOSTRUM
Immunoglobulins: These are the most important and abundant immune factors found in colostrum. These are large, saline soluble, protein molecules composed of amino acids.
IgA - operates in tears, saliva and blood
IgD - antiviral
IgE - antiviral
IgG - most numerous. In lymph and circulatory systems. Neutralises toxins
IgM- antibacterial

Lactoferrin: One of the most powerful antiviral and antibacterial substances, which is not species specific yet is found naturally only in bovine colostrum. This iron-binding protein also plays a significant part against cancer cells. By locking on to iron, lactoferrin prevents bacteria from reproducing, then plays a part in releasing this iron to red cells for tissue respiration. Lactoferrin receptors have been identified on most immune cells. It is involved in the release of

Cytokines: Has been shown in clinical studies to be more powerful than immunoglobulins in its anti-microbial function. Has an inhibitory action on Candida sp. Can block cytomegalovirus infection. Lactoferrin has marked super antioxidant activity by blocking free radicals.

Proline-rich Polypeptide (PRP) This is the regulating hormone for the thymus gland. It has a potent balancing effect in auto-immune disease and allergies.

Insulin-Like Growth Factors (IGF-1) and Transforming Growth Factors (TGF) have a direct stimulating effect on T-cell production. IgF-1 accelerates healing, reduces insulin needs, stimulates muscle regeneration and increases the metabolism of fat into fuel.

Leucocytes stimulate interferon production thereby slowing down viral reproduction and inhibits cellular wall penetration.

Lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate, Peroxidase, Xanthine Oxidase Enzymes These oxidise bacteria by generating the release of hydrogen peroxide.

Lysozyme This acid resistant, hydrolysing agent is capable of destroying bacteria and viruses on contact. It is being added to commercial baby foods.

Cytokines: These are made up of interlukins for the regulation of the duration and intensity of immune responses. They have a part to play in cell to cell responses. They boost T-cell activity and are antiviral and anti-tumour. Interleukin-10 has a marked anti-inflammatory effect in arthritic joints and during injury.

Glycoproteins and Trypsin Inhibitors: These prevent colostrum from being digested in the gut, and have a part to play in gastric ulceration by inhibiting Helicobacter pylori.

Lymphokines are peptides involved in mediating the immune response. Oligo Polysaccharides and Glycoconjugates Sugars in colostrum attract and bind to pathogenic bacteria, preventing them from entering the body's mucosal membranes. Have been shown to block pathogens such as those associated with leaky gut syndrome, Salmonella, Cryptosporidia and Clostridia.

Orotic Acid An important mediator that can prevent the formation of pyramidine nucleotides, thereby preventing the onset of haemolytic anaemia.

Others: Specific immune helpers, B-Lactoglobulin, Lactoglobulin,
Lactoferrin, Albumin, Prealbumin, Alpha 1-Antitripsin, Alpha, 1-Fetoprotein, Alpha 2-Macroglobulin, Haemopexin, Haptoglobin, Beta 2-Microglobulin, Alpha, 2-AP Glycoprotein, C3, C4 and Orosomucoids.

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Pregnancy: The ideal supplement to enhance the immune system of the dam to ensure that her own colostrum will be at optimal levels at parturition.
Neo-nates: There are too many problems associated with young kittens and puppies, where we cannot give an actual disease classification. Most breeders would agree that particularly with small kittens, too many die, too many develop weekly, and that there are too many other associated problems. By administering ECO-VET nutritional supplements containing colostrum to babies from the second day of life, encouraging reports on better survivability and the production of more robust babies is being seen.
Juveniles: The growth of maturing puppies is encouraged by colostrum and every indication exists that there are fewer limb problems, even in the giant breeds. Clinically we are already convinced that fewer puppies develop degenerative joint disease problems associated with elbows and hips.
Working: Dogs used for all manner of sports activities are recovering better while maintained on colostrum supplements. This allows them to work to their full potential.
Viral, bacterial and fungal infections: Much of the work that has been done on colostrum clearly highlights the influence that it has on various microbial disease. The evidence for cross transference of protection in all animals and humans against a wide variety of disease agents is scientifically proven.
Anti-aging: The role of growth factors in the aging process has been well established, as has the effect of colostrum in reducing the rate of aging.
Cancer: Boston medical center has produced scientific evidence in the ability of colostrum to reduce the rate of growth of cancer cell. Proper scientific studies have yielded excellent results in the treatment of many cancers including osteosarcoma.
Arthritis and Auto-Immune response: Naturally occurring sulphur compounds such as glucosamine sulphate and MSM have a beneficial role to play in counteracting the crippling effects of arthritis. Colostrum is one of the richest known sources of these substances. Combine these with PRP in colostrum for its immune regulatory effects and we have an excellent treatment for arthritis.

For more information visit www.ecovet.co.za