Components

The most abundant growth factors of bovine colostrum. These proteins are single chain polypeptides with amino acids. They play an important role in childhood growth and have an anabolic effect in adults.

• Primary structures are highly conserved across species and have identical sequences in humans17
• Heat and acid stable and widely distributed mediators of cell growth, development, and differentiation18
• Amino acid sequence of purified bovine IGF-I is identical to that of human IGF-I19,20
• Dietary IGF-I can stimulate cell proliferation in the gastrointestinal tract21,22
• Dietary IGFs may have a direct effect on the epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract and can be absorbed into circulation23

Plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. The EGF family of growth factors can help modulate development of the epidermis, mammary gland, and gut.

• Stimulates the repair process at the site of inflammation24
• Plays an important role in preventing bacterial translocation and stimulating gut immunity25,26
• Anabolic growth factor with possible differentiation-inducing factors for intestinal epithelium of newborns, suggesting possible applications of recombinant IGF and IGF analogs for repair of damaged gastrointestinal tissues27
• Supplementation with EGF may aid in the recovery of traumatized gastric and intestinal tissues28

Iron-binding glycoprotein. One of the antimicrobial components of the immune system that fights bacteria and fungi in the body. It binds metal ions which are necessary bacterial metabolites, making them unavailable for bacterial development. This anti-inflammatory glycoprotein binds free iron ions in biological fluids, transporting the iron to blood cells. Lactoferrin has been shown to inhibit the growth of specific microbes, like E. coli and Salmonella. Lactoferrin has additionally demonstrated antiviral effects.

• Lactoferrin is an 80 kDa iron-binding glycoprotein with antiviral and antimicrobial activity
• Shown to inhibit the growth of specific microbes including Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella, dysenteria, and Streptococcus mutans6,7,8
• Antiviral effects against herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and human cytomegalovirus9,10
• Plays an important role in iron uptake in the intestine and in the activation of phagocytes and immune responses3
• Immune mediator regulating target cells responses, including those involved in oxidative stress and systematic inflammatory responses
• Clinical studies show lactoferrin can inactivate LPS and inhibit dermal inflammatory cytokine production, indicating lactoferrin may have a potent anti-inflammatory effect11

Antibacterial enzymes that help to support the immune system by disrupting the cell walls of harmful bacteria. A special attribute of lysozyme is its interaction with other colostral components. It has been shown to work in a synergistic effect with lactoperoxidase, IgA and lactoferrin. With lactoperoxidase, lysozyme partly activates it by forming a complex. With IgA, it works in synergy to combat E. coli. And in the presence of lactoferrin, the antimicrobial effects of lysozyme are also enhanced.

• An enzyme that helps to support immune function by attacking specific bacteria and fungi
• Lysozyme interacts with other components in colostrum, like lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin and IgA, resulting in a synergistic blend of antimicrobials3
• The natural substrate of this enzyme is the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall and its degradation results in the lysis (breaking down of the cell wall) of the bacteria12