Important preface on colostrum & GcMAF

Bovine colostrum, although very good for you, is NOT a macrophage activator and does NOT contain GcMAF. There seems to be some confusion and misrepresentation from other products on the market in relation to this. Please be aware that any plain colostrum product eluding to being GcMAFpets is simply not true. Although we use bovine colostrum as a starting base to produce the pure GcMAFpets which is added to our creams and sprays, this is done so via synthesis in a GMP certified laboratory across multiple stages of production. Taking an inexpensive colostrum supplement alongside genuine GcMAFpets will help support overall health & wellbeing, but it does not activate macrophages to fight against cellular threats as part of immune response in the way GcMAFpets does. Please be aware of this if you are seeking the very specific benefits genuine GcMAFpets provides.

What is colostrum?

Colostrum is a fluid produced by all female mammals right before breast milk is produced. It is used to nourish the mammal’s baby in the first few days after birth. Colostrum is rich in nutrients that can help fight bacteria early on in a baby’s life. While colostrum is extremely important to a baby, as it promotes growth and health, certain colostrum supplements, such as bovine colostrum, may be beneficial throughout a human’s life.

How is bovine colostrum different?

Bovine colostrum is a sticky, milk-like substance produced by mother cows the first several days after giving birth to her calf. As with a human, the cow’s colostrum helps the calf grow and protects them from infection. Bovine colostrum has a different structure than human colostrum. It is high in protein, fat, and carbs. It contains large amounts of magnesium, cytokines, and vitamins A, B, C, and E, which can benefit a baby calf in the first few days of life. Bovine colostrum is also rich in growth hormones that help a baby calf grow strong, and it has high concentrations of antibodies that help calves fight bacteria and viruses.

Nutrients in bovine colostrum for human health

These same nutrients that can help a calf grow strong and prevent infection can also help protect humans. While the vitamins and minerals can benefit all humans, many of bovine colostrum’s benefits are linked to certain proteins it contains, which include:

• Lactoferrin. This is a protein that helps your body’s immune response when it’s called to fight infection caused by viruses and various bacteria.
• Growth factors. Growth factors are exactly as they sound — hormones that stimulate growth. While human babies remain helpless and largely dependent on their mother, baby calves must be able to stand and walk almost immediately after birth. Because of this independence, a baby calf must develop fast, hence these protein-based hormones are high in a cow’s colostrum.
• Antibodies. Just as with a calf, the human body can use these special proteins to fight bacteria and viruses. The high concentrations of IgA, IgG, and IgM— immunoglobulins found within the body — provide a big boost to the human body’s immune system.

Benefits of colostrum

Studies have shown that taking bovine supplements can provide several benefits to the human body. We mentioned that the high concentration of proteins can help boost your immune system, fighting off infections and diseases. Here are a few other reasons to consider taking this supplement.

Boost gut health. Bovine colostrum can help fight infections in your digestive tract and strengthen your gut. Studies have linked bovine colostrum to the stimulation of growth of human intestinal cells. This can prevent certain health conditions that allow molecules from your gut to leak into your body. Colitis, which is inflammation of the lining of the colon, may be treated by a colostrum enema, according to another study. These benefits appear to be extremely helpful to athletes that are susceptible to gut conditions due to heavy exercise factors. Bovine colostrum can also help prevent intestinal and gut damage due to taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Treat diarrhea. The antibodies and lactoferrin in bovine colostrum may help prevent and treat bacterial and viral diarrhea. Beyond this, cows can be given immunisations that cannot be given to humans. These immunisations can make the cow hyperimmune, allowing the colostrum from these cows to be used to treat E. coli and other bacteria. One study showed that healthy adults who took a 1,200 mg dose of this supplement were less likely to develop traveller’s diarrhea.

Athletic performance. Several studies have shown benefits to athletes, both in their performance and in their body’s response to fight infection. One study found that distance runners taking a supplement that contained bovine colostrum increased IgA antibodies by 79 per cent. This may help the body fight respiratory tract infections and strengthen the body’s immune system. Another study showed that taking a supplement can help prevent the decrease in immune cells that comes after heavy exercise sessions.

The bottom line

Colostrum can help boost the human immune system and help fight infections caused by viruses and bacteria. As long as you are not lactose intolerant, studies show bovine colostrum to be safe for most people. There are many benefits to be gained using a colostrum supplement alongside our GcMAFpets products, however plain colostrum is not a macrophage activator and should not be used to replace GcMAFpets treatment. As with any supplement, if you have any questions, talk to your doctor about it before taking the supplement. All information in this article should not be used to treat or diagnose an illness or treated as medical advice.