BOVINE COLOSTRUM HAS IMMUNO-BOOSTING EFFECTS IN ATHLETES
When it comes to protein supplements there are many choices, but you may want to consider including small amounts of colostrum to your daily protein plan. Colostrom is a fluid produced by mothers that contains a host of nutrients that protect and nourish her new born. Among these nutrients are various immune factors, growth factors, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, lipids, and enzymes. The application for promoting a healthy environment for optimal recovery in athletes is tremendous. A recent study assessed the effects of bovine colostrom supplementation on immune function in trained athletes. Trained cyclists were provided 10 g of bovine colostrum for 10 weeks while undergoing intense cycling training. Blood samples were collected and a time trial performance test performed before and after supplementation. Several markers of immune status including several immunoglobins improved after colostrums supplementation compared to placebo. The colostrums group also had 50% fewer incidences of upper respiratory tract infections, and exercise performance was improved as well. The results provide evidence that relatively small amounts of colostrums can provide a significant immuno-boosting effect in athletes undergoing intense training.

Shing C, Coombes J, Jenkins D, Peake J, Suzuki K, Okutsu M, Pereira R, Stevenson L. Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on exercise performance and immune parameters: 896: 3:45 PM - 4:00 PM. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006 May;38(5 Suppl):S75.

Anyone used it?

What you think of it? I know it's expensive...

One of those things I've um'd and ah'd about.

I know of a few guys that swear by it though.

no-one else?

saw a lot of research papers on this whilst in oz,
it is expensive- and would the cost justify the benefits?

if money was no object, for sure.......but would you not sooner take extra EAA and antioxidants/immuno modulators.

it's not the immuno-boosting properties per say that I'm after... well, I mean I am, but it's their effect on the body, basically a very anabolic one. Anything that boosts your immune system is anabolic. Colostrum seems like a great example... just v expensive as you say

BOVINE COLOSTRUM DOES NOT ALTER INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I

Kuipers, H., van Breda, E., Verlaan, G., & Smeets, R. (2002). Effects of oral bovine colostrum supplementation on serum insulin-like growth factor-I levels. Nutrition, 18, 566-567.



"OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether supplementation with 60 g/d of bovine colostrum affects blood levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3 in relation to doping testing. Nine endurance-trained men ingested 60 g/d of bovine colostrum for 4 wk. METHODS: Blood and urine were sampled before starting supplementation. After 4 wk urine and blood samples were taken after an overnight fast and 2 h after ingestion of the last portion to study possible acute effects. RESULTS: Blood IGF-I levels before supplementation were (mean ± standard deviation) 31 ± 13 nM/L, and no acute effects were observed after 4 wk of supplementation (33 ± 9 nM/L). Levels of IGF-binding protein-3 were 136 ± 11 nM/L before supplementation and 135 ± 16 nM/L after 4 wk of supplementation. Two hours after ingestion of the last portion, the level of IGF binding protein-3 was 131 ± 19 nM/L, which was not different from baseline values. Drug testing in a laboratory accredited by the International Olympic Committee did not show any forbidden substance before or after 4 wk of supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Daily supplementation with 60 g of bovine colostrum for 4 wk does not change blood IGF-I or IGF binding protein-3 levels and does not elicit positive results on drug tests".

Implication. Bovine colostrum does not alter insulin-like growth factor-I or IGF binding protein-3. It should not be considered an ergogenic substance.

COLOSTRUM HAS NO EFFECT ON GROWTH HORMONES

Kuipers, H., Verlaan, G., & Smeets, R. (2001). Colostrum has no effect on growth factors and on a doping test. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 1899.

Bovine colostrum is rich in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It might stimulate protein synthesis. Some studies suggest it might improve performance. Since IGF-1 is on the IOC banned drug list, this study assessed the effect of colostrum on IGF-1 levels and to see if it provoked a positive drug test. Males took 60 gm/day of colostrum for four weeks. At termination, blood was taken after an overnight fast and two hours after consuming the supplement.

The doping test did not show any positive result. Neither IGF-1 nor human growth factor changed as a result of taking the supplement.

Implication. Colostrum does not alter growth factors in the blood and does not prompt a positive doping test result.

FEMALES RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO MALES WITH BOVINE COLOSTRUM SUPPLEMENTATION

Mero, A. A., Nykanen, T., Rasi, S., & Leppaluoto, J. (2002). IGF-1, IGFBP-3, growth hormone, and testosterone in male and female athletes during bovine colostrums supplementation. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(5), Supplement abstract 1687.

Differences between genders were examined for IGF-1, IGFBP-3, growth hormone, and testosterone undergoing bovine colostrum supplementation during two weeks of in-season training. Males (N = 10) and females (N = 9) were supplemented with 20 gm of bovine colostrum daily for two weeks. Blood samples were drawn four times over the duration of the study.

Females had significantly higher average IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and growth hormone readings than males, whereas males had higher testosterone readings. Both genders increased similarly in IGF-1 (19%) over the two weeks. IGFBP-3 decreased in both genders but growth hormone only decreased in females. Testosterone did not change in either group during the study.

Implication. Females respond differently to males with bovine colostrum supplementation. However, the IGF-1 factor response is similar in both groups. The decrease in growth hormone in females suggests the supplementation might be less than beneficial for females.

I've got a mate who's in the olympic rowing development squad and he swears by this stuff for keeping away colds. He suffers from them quite abit...i told him to eat more veg and stop over-training.

Anyone have links to decent sources of product?

The effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women.

Antonio J, Sanders MS, Van Gammeren D.
University of Delaware, Sports Science Laboratory, Newark, Delaware 19176, USA.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 8 wk of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women. Subjects were randomly assigned to a placebo (whey protein) and colostrum group (20 g/d in powder form). Each subject participated in aerobic and heavy-resistance training at least three times per wk. Body composition was assessed via dual x-ray absorptiometry analysis. Treadmill time to exhaustion, one repetition maximum strength (bench press), and the total number of repetitions performed during one set to exhaustion at a submaximal load for the bench press (50% and 100% of body weight for women and men, respectively) were ascertained. The whey protein group experienced a significant increase (P < 0.05) in body weight (mean increase of 2.11 kg), whereas the colostrum group experienced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in bone-free lean body mass (mean increase of 1.49 kg). There were no changes in any of the other parameters measured. Thus, supplementation with bovine colostrum (20 g/d) in combination with exercise training for 8 wk may increase bone-free lean body mass in active men and women.

PMID: 11312068 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]