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From the chart above, it is very obvious how fast the relationship of the biologically active components in bovine colostrum changes after birth of the calf. Recognizing this changing relationship is extremely important in defining what bovine colostrum really is and in assuring that it contains the maximum amount of biologically active substances.
Protein
Complete bovine colostrum contains a numerous amount of proteins. These proteins can have significant health benefits for humans. Before birth, these beneficial proteins are carried in the bloodstream of the mother cow; however, the mother cow begins to reabsorb these proteins after six to eight hours after her calf is born. This makes the first milking of colostrum the key in obtaining the highest amount of proteins available by the mother cow. 24 hours after birth casein and albumin are the only beneficial proteins found in the mother’s milk.
Colostral Fat.
Although some people disagree, the milk fat in the ?first milking? is very important and also contains the necessary protein, casein. Some companies choose to remove the milk fat from their colostrum claiming it deteriorates their product faster and doesn’t have any purpose They claim the substitute fat they add is more digestible. On the contrary, the casein found in the milk fat of true colostrum serves a very important purpose. In the stomach it breaks down into absorbable peptides and amino acids. These peptides and amino acids create a cottage cheese-like curd that is used to create new muscle protein in the stomach. The ?first milk? colostrum contains that important protein, casein, as well as other significant biologically active substances and should be left in the colostrum product.
20-30% of the ?first milking? colostrum is milk fat. Some beneficial biologically active substances found in that milk fat are corticosteroids, steroid hormones, some growth factors, vitamins A, D, E and K and insulin.
Lactose (Milk Sugar)
Bovine colostrum contains 10-15% lactose. When lactose is broken down in the saliva and the stomach of the calf, it creates an immediate metabolic energy source for the calf. The mother’s milk increases in its lactose content as the calf develops. 6 hours after the birth of the calf the lactose content is half of the lactose content 12 hours after birth and a third of the lactose content 24 hours after birth.
Humans also have the lactase enzyme in their stomach and in their saliva. So when the enzyme is broken down it also gives humans an immediate metabolic energy. Some people are lactose intolerant due to their bodies producing none or very little of the lactase enzyme. Most of these individuals need not worry about using colostrum as a dietary supplement.
Additional Compositional Considerations
The benefits of ?first milking? colostrum verses milk can be found as follows:
Vitamin A is found to be 10 times greater in colostrum than milk.
Colostrum has 3 times the amount of vitamin D than milk
Colostrum contains at least 10 times more iron than milk.
Colostrum has more magnesium, phosphorous and calcium than milk.
The biologically active components.
The ?first milking? colostrum biologically active components can usually be divided into categories. Most components fit into these basic categories: Growth Factors, Immune Factors and Metabolic Factors. Sometimes different suppliers of colostrum will give claims of their interpretation of results found in studies rather than the facts found by the scientific investigator. It is important to keep that in mind as you examine different colostrum suppliers.
Dr. Kleinsmith is considered one of the world’s leading experts on colostrum products. He is sought-after for media appearances; he travels worldwide in his continuing efforts to educate people about colostrum everywhere. His first book sold over half of a million prints worldwide. Learn more about the benefits of colostrum at www.ImmuneTree.com
