Bovine Colostrum

Bovine colostrum is a milky fluid that comes from the udder of cows the first few days after giving birth, before true milk appears. This fluid contains proteins called antibodies. These antibodies may fight bacteria and viruses that cause diseases. Antibody levels in bovine colostrum can be 100 times higher than levels in regular cow's milk. Researchers have created a special type of bovine colostrum called "hyperimmune bovine colostrum." This special colostrum is produced by cows that have received vaccinations against specific disease-causing organisms and is high is specific kinds of antibodies.

Bovine colostrum is most commonly used for diarrhea and other infections.

Bovine colostrum is high in nutrients and antibodies. Hyperimmune bovine colostrum is collected from cows that have been vaccinated to produce specific antibodies that fight the bacteria that cause diarrheal disease. These antibodies appear in the colostrum that is collected as medicine. The hope is that these cow antibodies will help fight human disease. However, the cow antibodies don't seem to be absorbed well. So they might not be active in humans for many infections.

When taken by mouth: Bovine colostrum is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken appropriately by mouth. While most people don't experience any side effects from bovine colostrum, there have been rare reports of problems in HIV-positive people such as nausea, vomiting, abnormal liver function tests, and decreased red blood cells. There is also some concern about the possibility of catching "mad cow disease" (bovine spongiform encephalitis, BSE) or other diseases from products that come from animals. "Mad cow disease" does not appear to be transmitted through milk products. But it is probably wise to avoid animal products from countries where "mad cow disease" has been found.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bovine colostrum is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied into the eye: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bovine colostrum is safe or what the side effects might be.

When given as an enema (rectally): Bovine colostrum is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when given rectally as an enema.

When given in the vagina (intravaginally): Bovine colostrum is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when given in the vagina as a cream or tablets.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

• For airway infections caused by exercise: 10-20 grams of bovine colostrum daily for 8-12 weeks has been used.
• For diarrhea in people with HIV/AIDS: 10-30 grams of bovine colostrum powder has been taken 1-4 times daily for 10-21 days.
• For flu (influenza): 400 mg of a defatted freeze-dried bovine colostrum daily for 8 weeks has been used.

• For diarrhea: 7 grams of bovine colostrum three times daily for 14 days has been used. For preventing infectious diarrhea, infant formula containing 0.5 grams/kg hyperimmune bovine colostrum for one week has been used in infants. Also, 3 grams of bovine colostrum once daily has been used in children under 1-2 years-old, and 3 grams twice daily has been used in children 2-6 years-old, for 4 weeks to prevent infectious diarrhea or for 1 week to help treat infectious diarrhea.
• For diarrhea caused by rotavirus: 10 grams of bovine colostrum daily for 4 days, or 20-300 mL daily for up to 2 weeks, has been used.

Bovine Colostrum, Bovine Immunoglobulin, Bovine Lacteal Compounds, Calostro, Colostrum Bovin, Colostrum Bovin Hyperimmune, Colostrum Bovinum, Colostrum de Chèvre, Colostrum de Lait de Vache, Cow Milk Colostrum, Goat Colostrum, Hyperimmune Bovine Colostrum, Immunoglobuline Bovine, Lait Colostral, Protogala.

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