Uses of Colostrum

Colostrum is the thick, creamy liquid that a new mother produces after giving birth. When her newborn infant first nurses, he gets colostrum instead of milk. Colostrum is generally produced six hours after giving birth although it is also produced during pregnancy. It is considered "transitional" milk.

What It Is

• A pregnant woman may notice fluid leaking from her nipples. This is colostrum, which is produced throughout pregnancy and during the first days of breastfeeding. It tends to be sticky, and yellow to orange in color. Colostrum is rich in antibodies, proteins and carbohydrates but is low in fat. It is beneficial to the newborn baby and is easy to digest. Not a lot of colostrum is produced but it is so concentrated nutritionally that not much is needed. It can prompt your baby to have a bowel movement, which is good because it rids his body of excess bilirubin, which causes jaundice.

What It Contains

• Colostrum produces large quantities of living cells that help defend an infant against harmful agents. It is considered the perfect food for your newborn. The amount of immune factors in colostrum is significantly more than what is found in mature milk.

  It serves as a safe and natural vaccine because it contains IgA, which is an antibody that is new to the baby. Before birth, the baby benefits from IgG, an antibody that travels through the placenta and enters the unborn baby's circulatory system. IgA, on the other hand, which is found in colostrum, protects the infant's lungs, as well as the mucous membranes of the nose and the intestines, which are the areas that are most often under attack from germs.

Importance

• One of the most important jobs of colostrum is that it seals the holes in the baby's gastrointestinal tract, lessening its permeability. This creates a barrier that doesn't allow foreign substances to get in. Colostrum also contains leukocytes, which are protective white cells that destroy disease-causing viruses and bacteria.

Bovine Colostrum

• Bovine colostrum is used to improve digestive health, treat diarrhea, and boost the immune system. It contains antibodies, immunigobulins, proline--rich polypeptides, vitamins, minerals, growth factors and other elements that are beneficial. When the bovine colostrum is isolated and given, it can lower blood pressure and can result in intestinal and uterine contractions. Bovine colostrum is considered an immune-stimulant, which promotes muscles growth and enhances performance in athletes. It also serves as an antibody and fights off toxins including candida, pneumonia and the flu and allergens. Parts of the bovine colostrum work well as anti-viral and anti-cancer agents.