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New Image International:Ills and Chills

Ills and Chills

NutritionalMarch19

Stay naturally strong and healthy this winter with colostrum.

It is widely known that colostrum provides vital support for our immune system in our first few days of life, but it also provides benefits as we age, for older children and adults.

Colostrum is nature’s first food – the pre-milk fluid a breastfeeding mother provides her newborn to assist the baby’s healthy development. It contains a number of immune components, including immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies), growth factors, proteins, vitamins and minerals.

Immunoglobulins – what they are and why they’re important

Immunoglobulins (there’s more than one type) are the main part of our adaptive immune system that is responsible for responding to the various immune challenges we face every day. They also provide a second and equally important function - they form a memory of the organism that prompted the response and protect us from any later contact with the same organism. This is why once we have been exposed to a challenge, say, chickenpox for example, we then form immunity and usually won’t get sick even if we are exposed to it again.

The same immunoglobulins that are present in colostrum are also found in the human body, which is why colostrum from cows can benefit humans. The most abundant immunoglobulin in cow colostrum, and in fact in the blood of all mammals* is immunoglobulin G or IgG for short. Naturally found in concentrations of between 15-20% of total colostrum content, some commercial colostrum products have concentrated levels as high as 40% IgG.

The main function of IgG is to identify and protect against invading organisms, it also has the ability to impart systemic immunity. That means that the immunity formed by the exposure to specific immune challenges the mother has had can be passed on to the individual receiving her colostrum. In the context of this article, that would be the colostrum from cows that is used to make supplements for human consumption.

When ills and chills strike

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. With winter well and truly set in you will hopefully already be taking measures to keep yourself healthy and well, such as:

  • Getting plenty of quality sleep
  • Managing your stress levels
  • Eating a balanced diet to ensure intake of key immune nutrients – vitamins A, C, E, B-group vitamins, the minerals zinc and selenium
  • Providing daily support to your immune system with standard colostrum (15-20% IgG)

If after all of your best efforts – or intentions – you find yourself plagued with winter ills and chills you need to:

  • Rest up
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Give your immune system extra support with high potency colostrum (40% IgG)

Taken at the first sign of a sniffly nose or tingly throat, high potency colostrum can support healthy immune function and help to protect you from winter ills and chills.
High potency colostrum is the easy way to keep you naturally strong and healthy this winter.

*In human colostrum and milk is the most abundant immunoglobulin is IgA.

Keech A (2009), Peptide Immunotherapy: Colostrum: A Physician’s Reference Guide, AKS Publishing

Grabowski S & Torotora G (2003), Principles of Anatomy & Physiology, 10th ed, John Wiley & Sons, New York

Osiecki, H (2006), The Physician’s Handbook of Clinical Nutrition, 7th ed, Bio Concepts, Eagle Farm QLD