Colostrum and Peptic ulcers
About peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers can also be defined as mucosal erosions, which are bigger than half a centimetre and are localized in the gastrointestinal tract.
Causes
Most ulcers (up to 80%), are caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori), living in the acidic environment of the stomach. Ulcers can also be caused by drugs such as aspirin and other NSADIs (Non-Steroid-Anti-Inflammatory-Drugs).
H.pylori is the bacteria, living in the stomach of people free from ulcers, as well as of patients with acid peptic disease and gastric adenocarcinoma.
Most people do not suffer any symptoms; however, bacteria can cause chronic active, and chronic persistent and atrophic gastritis in adults and children.
Other types of ulcers
- Gastric ulcer - are found in the stomach
- Duodenal ulcer - are found in the duodeum
- Oesophageal ulcer - are found in the oesophagus
Symptoms
The major symptom is heartburn caused by acid in the oesophagus. It causes burning discomfort behind the breastbone. Inflammatory changes in the oesophageal lining (mucosa) called oesophagi cause difficulties in swallowing and chronic chest pain. Patients with ulcers can experience more symptoms such as coughing, hoarseness, voice changes, chronic ear ache, burning chest pains, nausea or sinusitis.
How can colostrum help people with peptic ulcers
One of the components effective against bacterial infections is the protein called lactoferrin. Most of the biological functions of lactoferrin are related to the importance of iron. Lactoferrin has a very high affinity to iron. Evidence shows that lactoferrin has a function in the primary defence system. Various reported biological functions attributed to lactoferrin are regulation of intestinal iron absorption, antimicrobial activities, growth stimulation of various cell lines, modulation of the inflammatory-immune response and antioxidant activity.
Studies at the Department of Clinical Pathology, Hospital for Sick Children (Bitzan), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, showed the benefits of bovine colostrum for ulcers caused by H.pylori.
They showed that bovine colostrum can block the binding of Helicobacter (see about Helicobacter pylori here) species to select lipids and that binding inhibition occurs. Colostral lipids may interfere with adhesion of H.pylori to the lining of the stomach and intestinal tract, therefore inhibiting infection.
Researchers at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan, showed bovine lactoferrin has a direct anti-bacterial effect on H.pylori.
Studies at the University of Texas-Houston Medical School also found antibiotic properties of bovine lactoferrin against H.pylori and stated that lactoferrin should be further investigated for possible use in human H.pylori infections and peptic ulcers.
Our holvita™ colostrum's anti-bacterial properties and healing growth factors can help to repair damage in the gastro-intestinal tract caused by ulcers.
References:
Bitzan MM; Gold BD; Phillpott DJ; et al; Inhibition of Helicobacteria pylori and Helicobacter mustelae binding to lipid receptors by bovine colostrum. J Infect Dis 1998 Apr; 177[4]:95506d1.
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.
Dial EJ.; Hall LR; Serna H; Romero JJ; Fox JG; Lichtenberger LM; Antibiotic properties of bovine lactoferrin on Helicobacter pylori. Department of integrative biology, The University of Texas- Houston Medical School. Dig Dis Sci 1998 Dec: 43[12]: 2750-6.
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.