Editing Colostrum (section)

=== Potential applications ===
[[File:Colostrum cakes.JPG|thumb|Solidified colostrum in a sweet stall, Salem, [[Tamil Nadu]].]]
[[File:Molozyvo.jpg|thumb|''Molozyvo''—a traditional dish of [[Ukrainian cuisine]]. It is a sweet cheese made of cow colostrum.]]

Although bovine colostrum has been consumed by humans for centuries,<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-809868-4.00001-7 |chapter=Health Benefits of Bovine Colostrum in Children and Adults |title=Dairy in Human Health and Disease Across the Lifespan |year=2017 | vauthors = Buttar HS, Bagwe SM, Bhullar SK, Kaur G |pages=3–20 |isbn=978-0-12-809868-4 }}</ref> only in recent decades have we seen randomized clinical trials to test for health benefits. It is probable that little absorption of intact growth factors and antibodies into the bloodstream occurs, due to digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. However, two experiments, one using human pancreatic fluid and one using rats, suggested the presence of casein and other buffering proteins allows epidermal growth factor but not transforming growth factor α to survive degradation induced by human pancreatic fluid and allows epidermal growth factor to pass into the [[Lumen (anatomy)|lumen]] of the small intestine in rats, where it can stimulate repair, working via local effects.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Playford RJ, Woodman AC, Clark P, Watanapa P, Vesey D, Deprez PH, Williamson RC, Calam J | title = Effect of luminal growth factor preservation on intestinal growth | journal = Lancet | volume = 341 | issue = 8849 | pages = 843–848 | date = April 1993 | pmid = 8096559 | doi = 10.1016/0140-6736(93)93057-8 }}</ref> This provides a probable mechanism explaining reductions in gut permeability after colostrum administration in some published studies,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Davison G, Marchbank T, March DS, Thatcher R, Playford RJ | title = Zinc carnosine works with bovine colostrum in truncating heavy exercise-induced increase in gut permeability in healthy volunteers | journal = The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | volume = 104 | issue = 2 | pages = 526–536 | date = August 2016 | pmid = 27357095 | doi = 10.3945/ajcn.116.134403 | hdl-access = free | doi-access = free | hdl = 2160/43902 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Marchbank T, Davison G, Oakes JR, Ghatei MA, Patterson M, Moyer MP, Playford RJ | title = The nutriceutical bovine colostrum truncates the increase in gut permeability caused by heavy exercise in athletes | journal = American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology | volume = 300 | issue = 3 | pages = G477–G484 | date = March 2011 | pmid = 21148400 | doi = 10.1152/ajpgi.00281.2010 | author6-link = Mary Pat Moyer }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Playford RJ, MacDonald CE, Calnan DP, Floyd DN, Podas T, Johnson W, Wicks AC, Bashir O, Marchbank T | title = Co-administration of the health food supplement, bovine colostrum, reduces the acute non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced increase in intestinal permeability | journal = Clinical Science | volume = 100 | issue = 6 | pages = 627–633 | date = June 2001 | pmid = 11352778 | doi = 10.1042/cs1000627 }}</ref> while another study found colostrum promising as treatment for distal colitis.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Khan Z, Macdonald C, Wicks AC, Holt MP, Floyd D, Ghosh S, Wright NA, Playford RJ | title = Use of the 'nutriceutical', bovine colostrum, for the treatment of distal colitis: results from an initial study | journal = Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics | volume = 16 | issue = 11 | pages = 1917–1922 | date = November 2002 | pmid = 12390100 | doi = 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2002.01354.x | doi-access = free }}</ref> The effect of colostrum on extra-gastrointestinal problems has been studied in a small number of randomised double-blind studies.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Uruakpa F, Ismond MA, Akobundu EN |year=2002|title=Colostrum and its benefits: a review|journal=Nutrition Research|volume=22|issue=6|pages=755–767|doi=10.1016/S0271-5317(02)00373-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Playford RJ, Floyd DN, Macdonald CE, Calnan DP, Adenekan RO, Johnson W, Goodlad RA, Marchbank T | title = Bovine colostrum is a health food supplement which prevents NSAID induced gut damage | journal = Gut | volume = 44 | issue = 5 | pages = 653–658 | date = May 1999 | pmid = 10205201 | pmc = 1727496 | doi = 10.1136/gut.44.5.653 }}</ref><ref name="Carver-1996">{{cite journal | vauthors = Carver JD, Barness LA | title = Trophic factors for the gastrointestinal tract | journal = Clinics in Perinatology | volume = 23 | issue = 2 | pages = 265–285 | date = June 1996 | pmid = 8780905 | doi = 10.1016/S0095-5108(18)30242-2 }}</ref>

The gut can be affected by ulcers, inflammation, and infectious diarrhea.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Baumgart DC, Dignass AU | title = Intestinal barrier function | journal = Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care | volume = 5 | issue = 6 | pages = 685–694 | date = November 2002 | pmid = 12394645 | doi = 10.1097/00075197-200211000-00012 }}</ref> There is currently much interest in the potential value of colostrum for the prevention and treatment of these conditions.,<ref name="Playford2000" /> As pointed out by Kelly, inconsistency between results in some published studies may be due in part to variation in dose given and to the timing of the colostrum collection being tested (first milking versus pooled colostrum collected up to day 5 following calving).<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kelly GS | title = Bovine colostrums: a review of clinical uses | journal = Alternative Medicine Review | volume = 8 | issue = 4 | pages = 378–394 | date = November 2003 | pmid = 14653766 }}</ref>

Some athletes have used colostrum in an attempt to improve their performance,<ref name="pmid12500989">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hofman Z, Smeets R, Verlaan G, Lugt R, Verstappen PA | title = The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on exercise performance in elite field hockey players | journal = International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism | volume = 12 | issue = 4 | pages = 461–469 | date = December 2002 | pmid = 12500989 | doi = 10.1123/ijsnem.12.4.461 }}</ref> decrease recovery time,<ref name="Bovine colostrum supplementation du"/> and prevent sickness during peak performance levels.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Marchbank T, Davison G, Oakes JR, Ghatei MA, Patterson M, Moyer MP, Playford RJ | title = The nutriceutical bovine colostrum truncates the increase in gut permeability caused by heavy exercise in athletes | journal = American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology | volume = 300 | issue = 3 | pages = G477–G484 | date = March 2011 | pmid = 21148400 | doi = 10.1152/ajpgi.00281.2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Berk LS, Nieman DC, Youngberg WS, Arabatzis K, Simpson-Westerberg M, Lee JW, Tan SA, Eby WC | title = The effect of long endurance running on natural killer cells in marathoners | journal = Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise | volume = 22 | issue = 2 | pages = 207–212 | date = April 1990 | pmid = 2355818 }}</ref> Supplementation with bovine colostrum, 20 grams per day (g/d), in combination with exercise training for eight weeks may increase bone-free [[lean body mass]] in active men and women.<ref name="pmid12500989" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Antonio J, Sanders MS, Van Gammeren D | title = The effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women | journal = Nutrition | volume = 17 | issue = 3 | pages = 243–247 | date = March 2001 | pmid = 11312068 | doi = 10.1016/s0899-9007(00)00552-9 }}</ref>

Low [[IGF-1]] levels may be associated with dementia in the very elderly, although causation has not been established.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Arai Y, Hirose N, Yamamura K, Shimizu K, Takayama M, Ebihara Y, Osono Y | title = Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 in centenarians: implications of IGF-1 as a rapid turnover protein | journal = The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences | volume = 56 | issue = 2 | pages = M79–M82 | date = February 2001 | pmid = 11213280 | doi = 10.1093/gerona/56.2.m79 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Malnutrition can cause low levels of IGF-1,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Caregaro L, Favaro A, Santonastaso P, Alberino F, Di Pascoli L, Nardi M, Favaro S, Gatta A | title = Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a nutritional marker in patients with eating disorders | journal = Clinical Nutrition | volume = 20 | issue = 3 | pages = 251–257 | date = June 2001 | pmid = 11407872 | doi = 10.1054/clnu.2001.0397 }}</ref> as can obesity.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Rasmussen MH, Frystyk J, Andersen T, Breum L, Christiansen JS, Hilsted J | title = The impact of obesity, fat distribution, and energy restriction on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF-binding protein-3, insulin, and growth hormone | journal = Metabolism | volume = 43 | issue = 3 | pages = 315–319 | date = March 1994 | pmid = 7511202 | doi = 10.1016/0026-0495(94)90099-x }}</ref> Although IGF-1 is not absorbed intact by the body, some studies suggest it stimulates the production of IGF-1 when taken as a supplement<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Mero A, Kähkönen J, Nykänen T, Parviainen T, Jokinen I, Takala T, Nikula T, Rasi S, Leppäluoto J | title = IGF-I, IgA, and IgG responses to bovine colostrum supplementation during training | journal = Journal of Applied Physiology | volume = 93 | issue = 2 | pages = 732–739 | date = August 2002 | pmid = 12133885 | doi = 10.1152/japplphysiol.00002.2002 }}</ref> whereas others do not.<ref name="The Effect of Bovine Colostrum Supp"/>

Colostrum also has [[antioxidant]] components, such as [[lactoferrin]]<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wakabayashi H, Matsumoto H, Hashimoto K, Teraguchi S, Takase M, Hayasawa H | title = Inhibition of iron/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation by an N-terminal peptide of bovine lactoferrin and its acylated derivatives | journal = Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry | volume = 63 | issue = 5 | pages = 955–957 | date = May 1999 | pmid = 10380640 | doi = 10.1271/bbb.63.955 | doi-access = free }}</ref> and [[hemopexin]], which binds free heme in the body.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Gutteridge JM, Smith A | title = Antioxidant protection by haemopexin of haem-stimulated lipid peroxidation | journal = The Biochemical Journal | volume = 256 | issue = 3 | pages = 861–865 | date = December 1988 | pmid = 3223958 | pmc = 1135495 | doi = 10.1042/bj2560861 }}</ref>

The [[Isle of Man]] had a local delicacy called "Groosniuys", a pudding made with colostrum.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=1991|title=Cooking and Food|url=https://www.gov.im/lib/docs/mnh/education/manxfarmingcountrylife/9%20COOKING%20AND%20FOOD.pdf|journal=Manx Farming and Country Life|volume=9|access-date=2017-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215091118/http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/mnh/education/manxfarmingcountrylife/9%20COOKING%20AND%20FOOD.pdf|archive-date=2010-02-15|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In Finland, a baked cheese called [[Leipäjuusto]] is traditionally made with either cow colostrum or reindeer milk.

A sweet cheese-like delicacy called 'Junnu' or 'Ginna' is made with colostrum in the south Indian states of [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Telangana]]. It is made with both cow and buffalo milk; in both cases milk produced on the second day after birth is considered ideal for preparing this pudding-like delicacy. Colostrum is in very high demand in these states, resulting in product [[adulterant|adulteration]].<ref>{{Cite news| vauthors = Bhumika K |date=2017-05-18|title=The milky way|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/the-milky-way/article18485560.ece|access-date=2021-04-21 }}</ref>

Bovine colostrum has also found application in oral and dental care. Some formulations, such as protective tooth gels designed for children, utilize colostrum's natural immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and growth factors to support gum tissue regeneration and strengthen mucosal immunity.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} 

One such example is a Turkish dental care brand that incorporates bovine colostrum into its pediatric protective dental gel formulations. These products are marketed as being free from synthetic preservatives and commonly used additives like SLS and parabens, focusing on biocompatible oral health support.<ref>{{cite web |title=Protective Tooth Gel with Colostrum |url=https://bonnytiny.com/kolostrum-nedir-kolostrum-altin-damlalar/ |website=Bonny Tiny |access-date=2025-05-15}}</ref>