What is Colostrum?

Colostrum is a pre-milk fluid made by mammals 48 – 72 hours following the birth of their young. It gives life assisting immune and growth factors that help to ensure the health and vigor of the newborn. Colostrum can also be often called foremilk, first milk, immune milk, or beestings

Colostrum looks very similar to the milk that follows its output, but is really a lot thicker and has a yellow tinge to it. Colostrum is loaded with concentrated nutrients, protein, minerals and antibodies that are all essential for the initial few hrs of life to stimulate the necessary operations within the body, such as development of the immune system and also the development of important body structure. Bovine colostrum has got the same forms of components as human colostrum and because of this is commercially produced for human consumption.

Colostrum has been used for centuries by many cultures because of its healing and well being properties. Due to the mix of immune and growth factors (including immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and insulin-like growth factor) colostrum has numerous beneficial properties; antibacterial, antifungal and enhancing the body’s defence mechanism. Recently colostrum has grown to be well known in the athletic community as a dietary supplement which accelerates the process of recovery and assists in the rise in lean body mass.

A few of the advantages of colostrum supplements: Attributes to and helps sustain overall good health and well-being. Helps a strong immune system. Greater resistance to colds and ‘flu along with other prevalent health conditions. Antibacterial activity in opposition to a few widespread bacteria eg. E.coli. Antiviral activity. Antifungal activity. Helps improved wound, cell and tissue recovery with reduced scaring. Increases gut wellbeing, helping to mend and heal some gastric problems.

When shopping to buy colostrum powder as a health supplement you have to ensure that the raw product is not mixed with other materials in order to ‘fill’ out the product. Also the ideal source of colostrum originates from healthy pasture fed animals which are hormone, pesticide and anti-biotic free. The more an animal is open to the natural environment and the less ‘additives’ it receives, the more it’s reliant on its own immune system and this strength is passed on into its colostrum. Another critical factor is the processing from the raw product as excessive treatment can rob the colostrum of many of the benefits.

If you are looking to buy colostrum powder or other colostrum supplements you need to make sure you have the facts. To get more information on colostrum you should take a look at www.biovitesnz.com, Biovites New Zealand is a company dedicated to ensuring that you get the best advice on quality products available.. Also published at What is Colostrum?.