Bovine colostrum is the nutrient-rich, pre-milk fluid that is secreted by the mammary glands of female mammals to nourish their young. Most often, this fluid is taken in the first twelve hours of a newborn's life. Colostrum contains the essential nutrients for a young cow to grow and develop. Bovine colostrum is practically identical to human colostrum; however, bovine colostrum contains nearly four times as many immune factors than human colostrum.
Possible Advantages Of Bovine Colostrum
Bovine colostrum contains immune factors that can help maintain balance and stability in your body leading to a stronger immune system. A stronger immune system is beneficial to anyone. It is especially important to a bodybuilder because it will reduce the risk of missing a workout due to sickness, and contribute to overall health.
Bovine colostrum is also thought by many to assist in regeneration and improve normal growth of aged or injured muscle, bone, cartilage, skin collagen, and nerve tissue. This would prove especially essential for the over-40 baby-boomer bodybuilder.
The growth factors in colostrum may affect the brain's mood by regulating certain chemicals inside the brain, which could result in a better mood.
It is possible that bovine colostrum may help the body burn fat for fuel instead of muscle tissue in times of diet, and build and retain lean muscle when not dieting.
In addition to immune factors and growth factors, colostrum contains vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals are nutrients that are essential for normal metabolism, growth, and development. They act as coenzymes, enabling biochemical processes in the body.
Vitamins and minerals are indispensable for the maintenance of health. Bovine colostrum contains vitamins E, A, C, B-6, and B-12, as well as calcium, chromium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc.
Colostrum also contains an abundance of both essential and nonessential amino acids. It is known to contain the following nonessential amino acids: arginine, cystine, glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine, glycine, proline, aspartic acid, and serine. While each amino acid serves its own purpose, together they can help the body become bigger and stronger.
Many people take bovine colostrum just to be healthier and to remain feeling and looking younger. As we age, our bodies produce less growth and immune factors. This increases the signs of aging, and it makes it more difficult for us to fight disease. Colostrum may also help restore the body's ability to function properly. More research needs to be done, however.
- Buckley, J. D., Butler, R. N., Southcott, E., & Brinkworth, G. D. (2009). Bovine colostrum supplementation during running training increases intestinal permeability. Nutrients, 1(2), 224-234.
- Buckley, J., Brinkworth, G., & Abbott, M. (2003). Effect of bovine colostrum on anaerobic exercise performance and plasma insulin-like growth factor I. Journal of Sports Sciences, 21(7), 577-588.