Colostrum: The World’s Oldest Healing and Nutritional Secret
Colostrum, also known as “first milk” or “early milk,” is a special type of milk produced by mammals, including humans, during the first few days after giving birth. It's a super-concentrated and nutrient-rich substance that’s crucial for the newborn’s survival and healthy growth.
Packed with biologically active compounds like antibodies, immune factors, growth factors, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, colostrum is essential for strengthening the newborn’s immune system, protecting it from infections, and supporting the development of vital organs.
Thanks to its numerous health benefits, colostrum has garnered a lot of attention in modern medicine. It’s often sold as a dietary supplement to help people improve their overall health and even fight off serious illnesses.
Colostrum in History
A remedy as old as humanity itself: In ancient Egypt, colostrum was seen as a gift from the sun god Ra and was reserved exclusively for the Pharaohs and high priests. Ancient temple frescoes in India show colostrum as the “gift of the gods” in the land of holy cows. There’s also evidence that the Incan sun kings enjoyed it as a royal delicacy. In ancient Greece, colostrum was given to top athletes as a performance booster. Among the ancient Germanic tribes and Celts, colostrum was used as a “holy drink” with divine powers before going into battle!
During the Middle Ages, colostrum was sold as a miracle cure to wealthy landowners. Doctors and officers even used it as an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing agent during the American Civil War for tactical advantage. The last recorded mention of colostrum came from Dr. Christof W. Hufeland, a royal court physician and the founder of modern macrobiotics, who counted Goethe, Schiller, Herder, and Wieland among his patients.
Colostrum and Modern Research
Colostrum was largely forgotten for nearly 100 years after the rise of modern medicine, until it was rediscovered in 1955 as an anti-rheumatic. Since then, it's been heavily researched. Scientists found that it contains non-specific inhibitors that can block a wide range of diseases like asthma, hay fever, and particularly influenza viruses. Colostrum has gained a reputation for its unique ability to fight potentially deadly outbreaks of Asian flu viruses caused by animal-human mutations.
In recent years, colostrum has become increasingly significant in cancer therapy, as studies have shown it greatly helps the body in fighting and recovering from cancer.
Types of Colostrum and How It’s Harvested
There are currently three types of colostrum on the market:
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Cow Colostrum: Contains four times as many immune factors as human colostrum. Newborn calves are born without an immune system, so they need way more first milk compared to sheep and goats. Cow colostrum is almost identical to human colostrum.
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Sheep Colostrum: Has the highest fat content and the lowest protein content compared to cow and goat colostrum. The whey and casein proteins are less diverse, making it easier to digest and reducing intolerances.
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Goat Colostrum: Only available in small quantities because most of it is needed by the newborn goats. Goat colostrum is considered a rare and exclusive product. Its properties are similar to cow colostrum, but the concentrations vary. Goat milk proteins (casein molecules) are much smaller, which makes goat colostrum easier for people with lactose intolerance to digest. It’s also hypoallergenic.
Regardless of the type, only the surplus colostrum from the first 48 hours after birth is used in production. The largest share of the market comes from cow colostrum, as cows produce more than twice the amount needed for their calves, so no harm is done when the excess is used.
What’s Inside Colostrum
Colostrum is packed with a variety of powerful ingredients:
- IgA, IgG, IgM: Key antibodies that fight off viruses, bacteria, and toxins, and help build long-lasting immunity.
- Growth factors (GH, IgF-1, EgF, TgF A & B): These help grow and regenerate tissues, speed up wound healing, and boost muscle growth.
- Lactoferrin: A potent antiviral and antibacterial protein that stops the growth of bacteria and fends off infections.
- Proline-Rich Polypeptides (PRP): Help regulate the immune system and fight autoimmune diseases.
- Cytokines and Interleukin-10: Boost the immune response and help prevent inflammation.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Including Vitamin A, B-complex, C, D3, E, plus trace elements like selenium, zinc, and magnesium.
How Colostrum Works
Colostrum is easy to digest, low in fat and sugar, and helps balance out deficiencies in the body. It shortens illness duration, speeds up injury recovery, and supports the immune system.
Colostrum helps:
- Defend against viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
- Build antibodies and renew the immune system.
- Restore gut flora.
- Turn fat into energy.
- Regulate blood sugar levels.
- Improve concentration and protect against premature cell aging.
Colostrum in Modern Medicine
Studies show that colostrum is effective in treating conditions like thrombocytopenia, anemia, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and more. It has also been shown to provide protection against cancer and herpes viruses.
What to Look for When Buying Colostrum
No matter the type of colostrum, it should always come from European farms and carry an organic certification. Countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Scandinavia have the strictest standards for animal welfare and milk production.
When it comes to colostrum in capsules, here are a few things to watch out for:
- Compare the amount of colostrum per capsule; many products only contain 250 to 350 mg. The recommended daily dose is around 1000 mg.
- Check the Immunoglobulin (IgG) content: Fresh colostrum naturally has about 20-25% IgG, but this can be increased to 60% without quality loss by blending fresh colostrum whey during the drying process. Aim for colostrum capsules with at least 40% IgG.
Warning! The IgG Trap
Some products advertise IgG levels of 70% or higher at prices far below production cost. How’s that possible? If you check the ingredients, you'll often find that either regular colostrum was used or artificial immunoglobulins were added. These artificially enhanced products may look good on paper, but they can be harmful to the body. Artificial immunoglobulins can act like a catalyst and cause lasting damage to the body. Always check the ingredients! Reputable sellers will provide information on IgG content in their product details. You can even ask for an analysis certificate if you’re unsure.
