The benefits of colostrum to the human body – from boosting the immune system to promoting cell repair are continually being researched and discovered. To benefit fully from colostrum’s healing properties, your supplements should be of the highest purity – from a company that you can trust to collect only the freshest colostrum, and meticulously test for bioavailability.

Scientists and researchers have tested the healing properties of colostrum supplements with over 2,000 scientific studies:

• Colostrum has been shown to prevent NSAID induced gut damage. NSAIDS are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs given for the treatment of pain. They are a common cause of gastritis. Colostrum has also been shown to possibly have value in the treatment of other ulcerative conditions of the bowel.
• Colostrum has been shown to enhance serum IGF-I, IgG, hormone and saliva IgA during athletes’ training. In clinical trials, IGF-1 is known to have strong anabolic effects on muscle tissue, as it is able to mimic most of the actions of growth hormone. Colostrum appears to aid strength and speed in athletes, plus increase insulin, which has anabolic effects.
• Antibodies from colostrum in oral immunotherapy have aided treatment of various human infections, including those caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria.
• Insulin-like growth factors I and II have been found in bovine colostrum. They stimulate the immune system; promote cell repair and growth; and affect how the body uses fat, protein and sugar. IGF-I is of benefit to athletes, body builders and people concerned about weight because it can help burn fat and encourage lean muscle tissue. IGF-I also has been shown to have improved blood sugar profiles in type II diabetics.
• The immunoglobulins from colostrum were used successfully to treat diarrhea in HIV infected patients.
• Bovine immunoglobulin concentrate may provide a new approach to the treatment and prevention of C difficle antibiotic associated with diarrhea and colitis.
• Colostrum was used successfully to treat a Helicobacter pylori infection in infants in rural Bangladesh with immunoglobulins from hyper immune bovine colostrum.
• Studies showed the efficacy of bovine milk immunoglobulin concentrate in preventing illness after Shigella flexneri Challenge. Most who are infected with Shigella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps after they are exposed to the bacterium.

FAQS

1. What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the first lacteal secretions produced by a mammal prior to and just after giving birth. Colostrum is full of rich nutrients and immune factors that set babies on the path to health.

2. Why bovine colostrum?
Bovine colostrum is extremely similar to human colostrum in terms of digestibility and nutrients. At the same time, scientific studies have shown that colostrum’s highly prized immune and growth factors are found in greater quantities in bovine colostrum than in human.

3. Why is “first-milking” colostrum so important?
Colostrum taken from first-milking is colostrum that has been taken within the first day after the mother cow has given birth. First milking colostrum is critical because the number one factor for the quality of your colostrum is bioactivity – how much of the vital nutrients are complete. After 24 hours, the nutrient levels of colostrum drop considerably, as the secretion becomes closer to the composition of milk. In order to obtain the highest quality of nutrients, you need to collect the colostrum within a very careful time frame.

4. What are Grade “A” dairies?
Grade “A” dairies are dairy herds that follow the standards that the United States Department of Health sets down in the Milk Ordinance. Grade A dairies follow special standards in handling, processing and evaluation of their products all the way from raw to final product.

5. Do pasture-fed dairy cattle produce inferior colostrum, when compared to cows that are fed a healthy well balanced diet?
Successful U.S. Grade A dairies supply their cows a well balanced diet that includes multiple grain sources along with vitamin and mineral supplements. These diets definitely help to ensure that the colostrum and milk that is produced is of the highest quality. On the subject of pasture-fed cattle, we have not found any research that claims that pasture-fed cattle produce inferior colostrum. It’s important to note though, that with pasture-fed the possibility of environmental contaminants is a concern (such as pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides).

6. Is there any difference between powder and capsules?
Colostrum provides benefits whether taken in either powder or capsule form. The key is not the form that it comes in, but the bioavailability of the colostrum.

7. What is IgG?
IgG is one of the five main classes of immunoglobulins (Ig) or antibodies that participate in immune function. It is an antibacterial, antitoxic, and antiviral protein, and is the only class of antibodies to transfer through the placenta. High concentrations of IgG are present in quality colostrum, like Colstramax, which is concentrated through the removal of fat, casein, and lactose to contain a minimum of 25% IgG by total dry weight. It is important to note that IgG is just one of many valuable immune factors supplied in supplemental colostrum.

8. How is the potency of ADVAGEN’s colostrum compare with other products on the market?
The immune potency of colostrum is often determined by its IgG level, although many other important immune factors are also present in high-quality colostrum. For example, Colstramax, provides a minimum of 30% IgG by total dry weight. However, many colostrum manufacturers may claim 30% IgG, meaning that 30% of the total protein content is in the form of IgG (immunoglobulins are a type of protein). This can translate into as little as 20% IgG by total dry weight. Our colostrum is able to contain such high IgG concentration by removing the fat, casein, and lactose.

9. How can I find out quickly if the colostrum is of high quality?
You can do a taste test. Taste the colostrum powder and if it has a strong milk taste, then it is probably not quality colostrum since it contains high amounts of milk.

10. Will colostrum interfere with my other supplements or medications?
We have not uncovered any studies that show side effects with other medications. But it’s always a good idea to talk with a medical professional for advice regarding your medications and any changes to your regimen.

11. What quality control guidelines are followed for the collection and processing of colostrum?
There is a complete cGMP and HACCP program, which applies stringent controls on the dairies from which we collect our colostrum. CGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Plan) are systems to help guarantee the safety of products. For more details, read about our quality control in Quality Processing.

12. Do I have to worry about possible pesticide or antibiotic contamination of the colostrum?
No, we are fortunate to draw all of our colostrum from U.S. dairies, whose safety and product quality are models for the rest of the world. Pesticide contamination of Grade A dairy cattle feed is tightly monitored and is not an issue for colostrum produced in the U.S. (Pesticide contaminated colostrum may be a concern for products produced outside the US). Antibiotic usage, especially beta-lactam usage (a form of antibiotics), is also tightly monitored. Beta-lactams are not allowed into the human milk supply, and hence not allowed in the human colostrum supply.