Colostrum against cold and influenza
About colds and influenza
The influenza or “the flu”, as it is commonly called, causes by infections in the respiratory tract. In comparison with a cold, influenza virus can cause more severe complications and symptoms and even death. Influenza viruses are changing constantly, usually by mutation. This enables the virus to attack the immune system of its host so that people are susceptible to the influenza virus throughout their life. Recovery from the flu takes from one to two weeks and most people recover completely, however some people can develop serious and potentially life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia.
Symptoms
Typically symptoms of influenza are high fever, respiratory problems such as a cough, sore throat, runny and stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and fatigue; other symptoms can be nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and gastrointestinal symptoms, but these are rather rare. Some people can develop flu related serious complications such as pneumonia; the most at risk groups are the elderly, children and the people with chronic health problems.
Do antibiotics work?
No. Antibiotics are designed to fight against bacterial infections; because colds and flu are viral, antibiotics really cannot affect them. The overuse of antibiotics has led to the growth of many strains of common bacteria, which are now antibiotics resistant. Sometimes infection caused by a virus can be followed by infection caused by bacteria and this should be treated by antibiotics, but generally, the use of antibiotics should be limited to only necessary cases.
How colostrum can help agains colds and flu
To protect against the flu many people are recommended the flu vaccine, but there are so many strains of flu virus that it is impossible to create a vaccine to immunize people against all of them. To have a vaccine is not without risk. They are made using dead or weakened viruses and bacteria and they can have serious consequences.
Taking colostrum before the winter period can strength the immune system naturally; it may also help to take colostrum with the first symptoms of an oncoming cold or flu for reduction of some of them. Colostrum helps to fight viruses by giving support to the immune system. Colostrum's anti-viral properties include Lactoferrin, Cytokines and Leukocytes. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Cytokines help to boost the production of antibodies important in fighting viral infections and they regulate the intensity of the immune system response.
Leukocytes are white blood cells that invade and destroy foreign pathogens, including viruses.
Recent research has shown:
“Two month supplementation with oral colostrum was compared to anti-influenza vaccination in the prevention of flu. Colostrum was at least three times more effective than vaccination in preventing flu.” (Cesarone, MR)
Our holvita™ colostrum can help to boost immunity and offer support against viral infections such as cold and flu.
References:
Cesarone, MR, Belcaro, G, Di Renzo, A, Dugall, M, Cacchio, M, Ruffini, I, Pellegrini, L, Del Boccio, G, Fano, F, Ledda, A, Bottari, A, Ricci, A, Stuard, S, Vinciguerra, G. (2007) Prevention of influenza episodes with colostrum compared with vaccination in healthy and high-risk cardiovascular subjects: the epidemiologic study in San Valentino. Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis 13(2):13-6. Two month supplementation with oral colostrum was compared to anti-influenza vaccination in the prevention of flu. Colostrum was at least three times more effective than vaccination in preventing flu.
Aabakken. Lam.; short term effect of bovine colostrum in patients with throat angina. A placebo controlled study. Statistical Report No. 309, Vuramed. Norway. Norges Apatekares tidsskritt, 98 nr 22. April 1990.
Urban, T. The Oponizing ability in antibodies from some healthcare products containing bovine colostrum. State Laboratory, State Phanaceutical Company. Stokholm. Swedish Phanaceutical Asociation. Yearly Congress 1990.
Shortridge, KF, Lawton, JW, Choi, EK. Protective potential of colostrum and early milk against prospective influenza viruses. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 36(2):94-95 (1990).
Rump JA, Arndt R, Arnold A, Bendick C, Dichtelmuller H, Franke M, Helm EB, Jager H, Kampmann B, Kolb P, et al. Treatment of diarrhoea in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with immunoglobulins from bovine colostrum. Clin Investig. 1992 Jul;70(7):588-94.
Palmer, E.L ET., 1980, Journal of Medical Virology. 5 pp 123-129. “Antiviral activity of Colostrum and Serum Immunoglobulins A and G.” Colostrum has an enteric secretory virus antibody that acts against virusal invaders. A wide range of antiviral factors were acknowledged to be present in colostrums. This research was done in the US Government’s Center for Disease control in Atlanta, Georgia.