Colostrum and Allergies
What is an Allergy
An allergy is a disorder of the immune system which is caused by sensitivity to an environmental substance known as an allergen. Examples of allergic reactions are eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma, food allergies and reaction to the venom of stinging insects, such as wasps and bees. The mechanism of allergies is caused by an activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells, and basohphils, a type of immunoglobulin, know as IgE, which results in a strong inflammatory response.
Type of allergens
An allergen could be a food, an inhalant such as pollen, mould, dust, animal dander or hair, chemicals as well as additional types of allergies
- Food allergies - milk, wheat, nuts, soya
- Environment - hay fever, dust allergies, pollution
- Chemicals - paint fumes, pesticides
- Animals - fur, hair
Most common allergies are eczema, hives, hay fever and asthma
What are the symptoms
Mild allergies, like hay fever (watery eyes, runny nose, sinus stuffiness, etc.) are highly prevalent in humans. An allergic reaction may manifest itself as asthma, hives, eczema, high blood pressure, abnormal fatigue, abnormal hunger, stomach cramps, vomiting, anxiety, depression, constipation, dizziness, hyperactivity, insomnia, stomach ulcers, headache etc.
How our holvita™colostrum can help people with allergies
Colostrum contains Proline-Rich- Polypetide (PRP), a powerful regulator of the immune system. It improves the permeability of the skin vessels, it is proved that it cant help to regulate the over-reaction of the immune system to allergens. [It is also thought to be potentially useful for other autoimmune conditions (see autoimmune), such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and MS. According to Staroscik, PRP has the same ability to regulate activity of the immune system as do hormones produced by the thymus gland. It can stimulate an under-active immune system into dealing with disease-causing organisms and it can also suppress an over-active immune system which results from autoimmune disorders and allergic reactions.
Lactoferrin in colostrum is another powerful inmmune system regulator with anti-inflammatory properties. It is able to control an immune response and reduce inflammation caused by an reaction to allergens.
Our holvita™ colostrum contains high concentrations of PRPs and Lactoferrin due to the removal of fat from the colostrum and process which ensures highest level of bio-activity. Our colostrum can help people who are frequently suffering with allergies and can help to relieve or reduce the symptoms with long term colostrum supplementation. holvita™ Liquid extract is recommended over capsules.
References:
Staroscik K, Janusz M, Zimecki M, Wieczorek Z, Lisowski J. Immunologically active nonapeptide fragment of a proline-rich polypeptide from ovine colostrum: amino acid sequence and immunoregulatory properties. Mol Immunol. 1983 Dec;20(12):1277-82. Link Here
Collins, AM, et al. Bovine milk, including pasteurized milk, contains antibodies directed against allergens of clinical importance to man. International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology 96:362-367 (1991). The presence of antibodies against many of the most common allergies in man, including ryegrass pollen, house dust mites, Aspergillus mold and wheat gluten, were detected in bovine colostrum.
Delespesse, G. Polypeptide factors from colostrum. US Patent #5,371,073 (1994). IgE (the immunoglobulin involved in allergic response) binding factors (IgE-bf) and IgE suppressor activity (IgE-SF) obtained from colostrum have been successfully used to treat allergies
Keech, A.M., Peptide Immunotherapy: The Use of Bovine Colostrum Proline-Rich Polypeptides in Cytokine Modulation for the Alternative Relief of Allergic Symptoms. 2007 AAAAI Annual Meeting, San Diego, February 23-27 (to be published)
LeFranc-Millot C, Vercaigne-Marko D, Wal J. -M, et al. (1996) Comparison of the IgE titers to bovine colostral G immunoglobulins and the F(ab')2 fragments in sera of patients allergic to milk. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 110:156-162.