Colostrum and Coeliac's disease
What is Coeliac's disease
Coeliac disease is an auto-immune condition of the small bowel that occurs in genetically predisposed people, caused by antibodies attacking its own cells and it is not an allergy. In the case of colic disease the attack is provoked by gluten, a protein found in grains (wheat, barley and rye). People with coeliac condition can also react to oats.
Coeliac disease is not an allergy. It is an auto-immune disease, which means that the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues. For people with coeliac disease this attack is triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. The enzyme tissue called transglutamin modifies the gliadin (a gluten found in wheat), and the immune system attacks the bowel tissue causing an inflammatory reaction. The tissue of the small intestine is flattened and this interferes with the absorption of nutrients.
It is recommendedthat gluten be avoided to calm down the inflammation, but while this condition is caused by a reaction to wheat protein, it is not a wheat allergy.
Symptoms of Coeliac's disease
Bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, wind, tiredness, constipation, anaemia, mouth ulcers, headaches, weight loss, hair loss, skin problems, short stature, depression, infertility, recurrent miscarriages and joint/bone pain.
Some symptoms may be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or wheat intolerance, while others may be put down to stress, or getting older. As a consequence, it can take some time before an accurate diagnosis is sought, or made. Following diagnosis and commencement of the gluten-free diet these symptoms cease.
Because of the inflammation and changes in the bowel, the body cannot absorb nutrients, minerals and the vitamins soluble in fat such as A, D ,E, and K. This could lead to development of further symptoms like anaemia and calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and vitamin D malabsorption.
How holvita™ colostrum can help people with Coeliac's disease
Colostrum contains over 82 components working together to support our body. One from the group of immune-factors with anti-inflammatory properties is lactoferrin (LF), also known as lactotransferrin (LTF); it is a multifunctional, iron-binding protein with anti-pathogenic properties and it provides immediate defence, mainly at musoses[linings of the intestine]. It has calming effect on the inflamed intestinal wall and it helps to improve the intestinal flora and uptake of nutrients.
People with coeliac disease may benefit from taking colostrum because it may help them with the inflammation and improve the uptake of nutrients in the case of malnutrition.
Proline-Rich-Polypeptide (PRP), another immune-factor in colostrum, is a powerful regulator of the immune system; it can help people with coeliac disease, caused by over-active immune system, decrease its attacks on the intestinal wall. By calming down the immune system the swelling of intestinal lining reduces and the utilising of nutrients will increase. This may lead to improvement in energy level and lessen the pain.
(Dr Zoltan Rona)
Growth factors (IGF I and II – insulin like growth factors) found in colostrum help all cells regenerate; they may help people with coeliac disease to regenerate the cells in the intestinal wall, damaged by inflammation and increase the uptake of nutrients. Growth factors also helping with regeneration of all body cells, improving thefunction of all other organs. (Playford RJ)
Taking holvita™ colostrum may be beneficial to people with coeliac disease as it can help to reduce inflammation and help with regeneration of the digestive system as well as regulate the immune system resposne to allergens.
References
Dr. Zoltan Rona; "PRP from colostrum can work as a regulatory substance of the thymus gland. It has been demonstrated to improve or eliminate symptomatology of both allergies and autoimmune diseases (MS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, myasthenia gravis). PRP inhibits the overproduction of lymphocytes and T-cells and reduces the major symptoms of allergies and autoimmune disease: pain, swelling and inflammation." The American Journal of Natural Medicine, March 1998.
Playford RJ, Macdonald CE, Johnson WS; American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 72, No. 1, 5-14, July 2000. Colostrum and milk-derived peptide growth factors for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Link here
Purup, S, Vestergaard, M, Pedersen, O, Sejrsen, K. (2007) Biological activity of bovine milk on proliferation of human intestinal cells. Journal of Dairy Research 74(1):58-65. Bovine milk contains a number of biologically active components that affect growth development of human intestinal tissue. The degree of activity depended on the stage of lactation.
Ghosh S, Playford RJ. Bioactive components for the treatment of gastroinstwestinal disorders. Clinical Science (London, England : 1979). 2003 June; 104(6): 547-56. Review.
Drs. Tortora, Funke & Cast; Microbiology "Clinical studies show that IgE (Immunoglobulin), found in bovine colostrum, may be responsible for regulating allergic response."