The Composition of “First Milk” Bovine Colostrum
Posted on October 30, 2009
Filed Under Fitness |
IMAGE
Once the calf is born, the biologically active components found in the ?first milk? colostrum change very quickly. With these changes in mind, it’s important to know what makes up that ?first milk? colostrum in order to get the most biologically active substances that are available in it.
Protein
Proteins can give the most significant health benefits and is one of the biologically active substances found in bovine colostrum. The highest amount of proteins found in the mother are a few hours before birth and six to eight hours after birth. After about 24 hours after birth the only two proteins found in the mother of nutritional worth are albumin and casein.
Colostral Fat.
Although some people disagree, the milk fat in the ?first milking? is very important and also contains the necessary protein, casein. Some companies choose to remove the milk fat from their colostrum claiming it deteriorates their product faster and doesn’t have any purpose They claim the substitute fat they add is more digestible. On the contrary, the casein found in the milk fat of true colostrum serves a very important purpose. In the stomach it breaks down into absorbable peptides and amino acids. These peptides and amino acids create a cottage cheese-like curd that is used to create new muscle protein in the stomach. The ?first milk? colostrum contains that important protein, casein, as well as other significant biologically active substances and should be left in the colostrum product.
Bovine colostrum contains 20-30% milk fat. Insulin, some growth factors, corticosteroids, steroid hormones, and vitamins A, D, E and K are some of the beneficial biologically active substances found in the milk fat of bovine colostrum.
Lactose (Milk Sugar)
Approximately 10-15% of all of the solid material in high quality complete first milking colostrum will be lactose.2 Lactose is extremely important to the calf as an immediate metabolic energy source when it is broken down to glucose and galactose by an enzyme (lactase) in the saliva and the stomach. Therefore, it makes good sense that the amount of lactose in transitional milk and mature milk increases as the calf develops rapidly during the early days of its life.
Humans also have the lactase enzyme in their stomach and in their saliva. So when the enzyme is broken down it also gives humans an immediate metabolic energy. Some people are lactose intolerant due to their bodies producing none or very little of the lactase enzyme. Most of these individuals need not worry about using colostrum as a dietary supplement.
More Compositional Considerations
The following comparative facts about colostrum and milk further stress the value of a complete first milking colostrum in maximizing the health related benefits.
Colostrum has 10 times the amount of vitamin A than milk.
Vitamin D is found to be 10 times greater in colostrum than milk.
Iron is found to be 10 times great in colostrum than milk.
Phosphorous, magnesium and calcium are found to be greater in colostrum than milk.
Biologically Active Components
The ?first milking? colostrum biologically active components can usually be divided into categories. Most components fit into these basic categories: Growth Factors, Immune Factors and Metabolic Factors. Sometimes different suppliers of colostrum will give claims of their interpretation of results found in studies rather than the facts found by the scientific investigator. It is important to keep that in mind as you examine different colostrum suppliers.
Dr. Anthony Kleinsmith is considered one of the world’s leading experts on colostrum products. He is in high demand for radio and television appearances; he travels worldwide in his continuing efforts to educate people about colostrum everywhere. His first book sold over 500,000 copies worldwide. Learn more about the benefits of colostrum at www.ImmuneTree.com
Comments
Leave a Reply