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Once the calf is born, the biologically active components found in the ?first milk? colostrum change very quickly. With these changes in mind, it’s important to know what makes up that ?first milk? colostrum in order to get the most biologically active substances that are available in it.
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.
High quality first milking bovine colostrum will contain 20-30% milk fat.2 The milk fat in colostrum is also a very important means to deliver some of its beneficial biologically active substances.1,3 Dissolved in or associated with the fat in colostrum are vitamins A, D, E and K; steroid hormones; corticosteroids; some growth factors; and insulin.
Lactose (Milk Sugar)
Approximately 10-15% of all of the solid material in high quality complete first milking colostrum will be lactose.2 Lactose is extremely important to the calf as an immediate metabolic energy source when it is broken down to glucose and galactose by an enzyme (lactase) in the saliva and the stomach. Therefore, it makes good sense that the amount of lactose in transitional milk and mature milk increases as the calf develops rapidly during the early days of its life.
Since most people have the same enzyme (lactase) in their saliva and their digestive system, the lactose in the colostrum that they use as a dietary supplement can provide the same ready source of metabolic energy. However, there are ?lactose intolerant? individuals who have problems digesting lactose because their body produces too little or none of the lactase enzyme. The amount of lactose in first milking colostrum collected within 6 hours after birth is about one-half of what it is at 12 hours after birth and one-third of what it becomes by 24 hours. Therefore, a high quality complete first milking colostrum collected within 6 hours after birth can be used as a dietary supplement by more people without potentially having them suffer the discomforts associated with lactose intolerance.
Additional Compositional Considerations
When colostrum and milk are compared, the following results are found:
Colostrum has 10 times the amount of vitamin A than milk.
Colostrum contains 3 times more vitamin D than milk.
Colostrum contains at least 10 times more iron than milk.
Colostrum has more magnesium, phosphorous and calcium than milk.
Biologically Active Components
Metabolic Factors, Growth Factors and Immune Factors are the major categories bovine colostrum can be divided into. When looking into bovine colostrum, be aware of companies’ interpretations of what these components do rather than what the original studies show.
Dr. Kleinsmith is considered one of the world’s leading experts on colostrum as a health supplement. He is in high demand 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. You can read more about the benefits of colostrum at www.ImmuneTree.com
