Two points of view.
For
Is Colostrum the new wonder ingredient that can offer you anabolic muscle growth, increased sports performance and increased immune function?
Back in 2001 – a scientific paper landed on my desk (1)........
It talked about a nutrient called Colostrum, which is the technical name for the first 72 hours of mothers milk, a product essential to their health and development of all babies, human and cows. It went on to conclude that colostrum was a “miracle natural food” - a rare observation coming from a scientific journal!
Since that review stacks of research now support the view that colostrum is a safe and potent natural anabolic muscle builder, performance enhancer and immune booster.
It should be noted that colostrum is cutting-edge – something that until recently has been reserved for the pharmaceutical industry in helping babies in intensive care and other serious areas to recover, develop and boost their immune system. Real colostrum (and that’s something we’ll talk about later) was very expensive and not affordable to be used at the optimum levels, unless you owned the manufacturing plant! If you're a serious gym trainer, athlete or body builder, this safe and natural anabolic ingredient could take your physique, muscle and size to new levels, at the very worst, you will find it increases your immune system, increases recovery and helps you work and train harder and longer.
Why is colostrum so special?
The first 72 hours of mothers milk, is specially designed to be extremely rich in amino acids, antibodies, and growth factors including Insulin-like GF1&2, Transforming GF 1&2 and Epidermal GF. These active ingredients then disappear as normal milk is produced. The first 12 hours of Colostrum is the strongest and most potent and it is possible to select 12hr grade colostrum for its unique potency – but many don’t want to pay the price and prefer to use the regular 72hr potency colostrum. Human colostrum is very similar to bovine colostrum from cows, but the latter is higher in nutrient levels – and this is the colostrums that is harvested and being used in todays products. Colostrum is easy to digest and once it's absorbed through the intestines, directly in to the blood stream – it displays impressive anabolic and immunological effects.
IGF-1: The active ingredient?
Scientists have known for some time that the anabolic hormone IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor ) is the bodys most potent naturally occurring muscle growth agent, alongside Testosterone. In fact, when sufficient levels of IGF-1 bind to intra-muscular receptor sites, muscle protein synthesis and growth is triggered. Now – the good news is that you can stimulate IGF-1 pretty easily – most notably lifting heavy weights and consuming whey protein and high GI carbs post-workout. However, this has its limits – and that's why the some elite athletes started using synthetic IGF-1 from experimental labs made during the more ‘experimental and liberal’ years of sport in the 90's – which saw some professional body builders and sprinters go beyond the norms of muscular development and performance.
Few of our customers desire the extreme results (and unknown side effects) of synthetic IGF-1 usage, nor the potential for serious side effects and issues of legality. However – what most serious weight trainers and athletes do want, is the ability to enhance their muscle development and strength, naturally and safely and finding ways to enhance their bodies own natural hormone levels safely. Few men would not want to know how to naturally boost their Testosterone levels, to aid their gym goals, performance and sexual vitality. IGF-1 is another vital, but less talked about naturally occurring hormone that offers real potential as a muscle builder.
In 1997, researchers found a dose:response relationship between 12hr colostrum supplementation and levels of IGF-I concentration (2). The study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, analysed the effects of colostrum versus a whey protein placebo, in 9 male sprinters and jumpers during a strength and speed training period. Post-training increases were noticed for serum IGF-I in the 25ml colostrum treatment and especially in the 125ml treatment, compared with whey.
As most serious body building experts will tell you – 'increase IGF-1 levels and you increase your potential for muscle growth!’ As a side note – for older trainers and athletes, increasing IGF-1 levels could be even more significant. Like Testosterone, as we age, IGF-1 levels continue to fall, leading to a loss of muscle mass and elevated body fat. Growth Hormone therapy is often prescribed to restore IGF-1 levels, because GH metabolism leads to IGF-1 production. Guess what though – colostrum allows you to directly naturally raise IGF-1, meaning some view it as an interesting alternative to growth hormone in the areas of ageing and long term health preservation.
Colostrum and IGF-1 – real world muscle growth?
Let’s be honest though - no one really cares about 'IGF-1', unless it translates into real-world muscle gains! However, in the case of colostrum, increased IGF-1 levels does appear to equal muscle mass!
One study published in 2001 in the Journal of Nutrition [3], looked at the effects of 8 week's 12hr colostrum supplementation (20g/day) versus whey, in subjects performing heavy-resistance training. After 8 weeks, the whey group experienced a significant increase in body weight (2.11 kg), whereas the colostrum group experienced a significant increase in 'bone-free lean body mass'.
Note that colostrum increased 'bone-free lean body mass'.
For the non-physiologists among you – that translates as pure muscle. The fact that IGF-1 is responsible for binding to muscle receptors and triggering growth when combined with your weight training, seems to indicate that colostrum may aid muscle growth due to the effects of IGF-1.
Colostrum – a performance enhancer
Colostrum has potential as a safe and natural muscle builder, but can it help you train and perform with more intensity in the gym or during competition? Well, in reality – high quality colostrum has been used by those professional athletes, ‘in the know’ and with deep pockets for well over a decade, but scientific data is now available to see the empirical facts – and they speak for themselves!
One study looked at the effects of colostrum on rowing performance in a 8 elite female rowers from the South Australian Sports Institute, during 9 week's training [4]. The study split the rowers in to two groups (colostrum versus whey). At week 0 and 9, the rowers performed a low-intensity rowing test, followed by a 4 minute maximum intensity row, separated by 15 minute's rest. After 9 weeks, the colostrum group covered significantly more distance in the maximal rowing test. One vital finding was the presence of higher buffer capacity with colostrum – suggesting it may enhance high intensity performance by increasing the ability to combat fatigue and recovery between bouts of exercise.
In fact, this has been supported by a similar study, looking at the effects of colostrum on repeated endurance running performance [5]. Thirty-nine healthy males, aged 18-35, completed 8 week's running training, consuming either 60g/day of bovine colostrum or whey. The subjects were put through 2 progressive treadmill running tests to exhaustion, separated by 20 minutes of recovery at weeks 0, 4 and 8. Now it gets interesting – because while both groups displayed enhanced performance during weeks 0-4, during weeks 4-8 the colostrum runners continued to enhance their repeated run times, while the ‘whey only’ group's performance plateaued. By week 8, colostrum was boosting performance by a clear 2%!
These research studies offer a wide range of athletes the prospect of enhancing performance. Taken at face value, body builders/weight trainers could enhance recovery between sets, runners could cover greater distances at high intensity, and team sports players could recover and perform better after the half-time interval.
A way to combat training stress and boost immunity?
If you're a serious competitive or recreational athlete, play sport at an intense level or hit the weights hard in the gym – then you've probably experienced the effects of 'over-training' and immune suppression; with increased infections, coughs and colds, sore throat, feeling run down, poor recovery and general malaise. Of course, this is not ideal, when the whole purpose of training is to improve ones health and physique. Over training and poor recovery is the fastest way to kill your gains in the gym or in your chosen sport. However, this is where colostrum really comes into its own.
Remember what colostrum is fundamentally meant to do; stimulate the weak immune system of newborns. This goal is accomplished thanks to high level of immunoglobulins, most notably IgG, IgM and IgA, which researchers believe power-up key parameters of immunity. However, what's important to serious trainers is the evidence that colostrum intake in adults retains its immune boosting capacity. For example, in 2001, researchers looked at the immune response of high potency colostrum lozenges in 40 male students, for 2 weeks at dosages of 20g and 40g (1). After the 2 week protocol, subjects taking colostrum displayed significantly higher levels of immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA. What's more – higher immune strength was still evident 2 weeks after supplementation.
Importantly, just like hard training individuals, the students had low to moderate immune strength – and the researchers suggest that colostrum is beneficial in up-grading immunity in such populations.
Colostrum – rare and exclusive.
Colostrum is a very expensive ingredient, which is open to abuse and therefore if you are going to invest in this product, you must be sure it is the real stuff and no cut with any cheaper ingredients. When I came across colostrum years ago, I was sceptical of its benefits after trying it. I soon realised that it was not real colostrum but a tiny sprinkle mixed with whey protein, which is very similar in taste and flavour. Of the stuff that claimed to be ‘the finest’, it was cheap unfiltered colostrum that offered little active ingredients and offered minimal if any benefits.
A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the largest harvestor and ISO certified producers of colostrum in Europe - after they had finally got permission to sell it into the EU as a functional food, without the need for a medicinal license. They even filed something called an article.13 health claims dossier for it, allowing companies to be able to make functional food/health claims for it, without any issues, due to the high level of peer reviewed research that existed. I was impressed by the quality and due diligence that went into making this potency of colostrum. Every farm was certified, checked, and approved, with the end result being very fews farms were allowed to offer this stuff legally for sale in Europe.
This colostrum is hand collected and each batch must come from the finest cows free of all hormone treatment and illness and fed a special nutrient dense diet. Each batch is immediately frozen within 24hours, ultra filtrated and low temperature spray dried and instantised. Every batch is able to be fully back traced to the exact farm and cow, due to the product being provided to the pharmaceutical industry. I was so impressed by my due diligence and level of detail they undertook, that I advised Maximuscle to secure the entire batch for Europe, of which there was only 7 tonnes available for next year. (It is bought in advance on a first come first served basis.) This means there is only around 250-300 tubs per month available. It will not be available to the trade, but only available direct to select customers and elite sponsors, due to the price being too high and the profit margin being minimal. This is a premium product for those serious gym and sport enthusiasts that demand the best from their nutrition and training.
To make the product more affordable, Maximuscle have launched two version. Provite extreme, which is the strongest and most potent 12hr colostrum with the highest levels of active ingredients, especially for the serious gym users, bodybuilders, etc.. and normal Provite, which is 72hr colostrum for those who are more sports focused and need higher levels of Immune Support and recovery. I can 100% guarantee, that you will not find a stronger and purer colostrum product anywhere. There are only two raw ingredient companies in the world that sell high quality colostrum and we have secured supplies from both. Do not be fooled by cheap prices, it is just not possible to buy cheap colostrum unless it has been ‘cut’ with other ingredients, such as normal whey or milk powder. It was decided that as many people will want to add it to their own drink as required, no flavour or sweetner would be added, but the purity is such, that it is not needed in any case.
Personally I have now used Provite Extreme for about 6 months and during that time I have been impressed by the ability to work long hours, combined with intense training sessions and plane travel throughout the world without getting your typical ‘plane sickness and winter flu’. My recovery from training sessions appear faster, with strength and power being noticeably greater. Many training friends who received sample tubs have all noticed similar benefits. This is special stuff.
So lets summarise - Colostrum Q & A:
What colostrum dosage is needed to see effects?
From the research available, 20g of the 12hr colostrum (Provite Extreme) appears to be the maximum effective dosage required for anyone wanting increased muscle growth, strength, size, recovery, performance and immunity benefits.
20g of the 72 hr colostrum (Provite) is suitable and effective those seeking increased endurance, recovery, immune function and other benefits.
Both version have little or no flavour (a slight cheese smell is normal) and can be easily added and mixed with your favourite nutrition drinks, such as; Promax, Progain, Cyclone, viper, Recovermax, etc.. Some users choose to add 5/10g throughout the day to ensure that each drink is ‘turbo charged’ with Colostrum.
How safe is colostrum?
Very – no negative side-effects have been reported from 20-40g colostrum taken over extended periods. Remember colostrum is the first food of new borns and the naturally occurring active ingredients are all essential to human health and optimum function.
What should you look for in a colostrum supplement?
A colostrum product that guarantees colostrum collected within 12hours of birth will be the strongest. Make sure it is free of any additives, sweetners, flavours, etc… If it is priced the same as whey protein, it is not real or has been ‘blended’. Avoid taking ‘combined’ products with undeclared levels of colostrum – the classic sprinkle technique of offering an exclusive product, with such tiny levels of active ingredient, it does not work.
When should colostrum be taken and for how long?
Most research suggests you should consume colostrum on a daily basis. On training days, after training is recommended. Long-term use of colostrum is recommended, particularly if you're seeking anabolic (muscle growth) effects. You can also use colostrum specifically during intense training cycles. Taken during the day in smaller dosages up to a maximum of 20g is popular, mixed with your regular protein, weight gain, energy, recovery drinks.
Who can benefit most from colostrum?
Any serious gym user, body builder or athlete. Note – colostrum is for people who take their training and nutrition seriously – it is a cutting-edge product.
In summary – there's increasingly impressive research suggesting that colostrum has the ability to safely elevate maximise your anabolic hormone levels, stimulate muscle growth, boost performance and enhance immunity. Considering that colostrum is 100% natural and safe – it truly does appear to be a “miracle natural food” and now we have secured the finest quality batches for your immediate use – strictly on a first come, first served basis.
References:
1. Ragab, Afifi (2001) Bovine Colostrum: its dietary supplementation role in improvement and modulation of human immune indices
2. Mero, Miikkulainen, Riski, Pakkanen, Aalto, Takala (1997) Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on serum IGF-I, IgG, hormone, and saliva IgA during training. J Appl Physiol 83(4): 1144-51
3. Antonio, Sanders, Van Gammeren (2001) The effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women. Nutrition 17(3): 243-7
4. Buckley, Brinkworth, Bourdon, Gulbin, Stilwell, David, Myers (1999) Oral supplementation with bovine colostrum (INTACT™) improves rowing performance in elite female rowers. 5th IOC world Congress on sport sciences
5. Buckley, Abbott, Martin, Brinkworth, Whyte (1998) Effect of oral bovine colostrum (INTACT™) supplement on running performance. Australian conference of science and medicine in sport
Against
Over the past few years, we have all been hearing wonderful, healthful things about colostrum. Do we even understand what colostrum is? Is it really that good for us? Every now and then, we get asked, “Why doesn’t CNP formulate some products with colostrum?”
Colostrum is the “first” milk produced by mammal mothers after a baby is born. Colostrum doesn’t look like milk. It is a yellowish liquid with a strong smell and a high immunoglobulin and growth factor content. This first milk, colostrum, is only secreted for about 72 hours after the birth of a baby. The best colostrum, by far, is the colostrum secreted within the first 12 hours after birth. The colostrum of the first 12 hours after birth has a nutrient profile and immunological composition that is substantially different from that of regular milk. After the first 12 hours, through 72 hours after birth, the chemical and protein make-up of colostrum changes to become more similar to regular milk.
Why is colostrum important? All newborn mammal babies are born without a functioning immune system. Newborn mammals acquire immunity to certain common infections that could prove fatal from their mother’s colostrum until their own immune system kicks in. Colostrum plays a much more important role in baby cows, calves, than it does in human babies. For that reason, much attention has been paid to bovine (cow) colostrum. Many claims of growth factors and immune system strengthening have been promoted for bovine colostrum. Do these claims have any validity?
First, let’s examine what type of bovine colostrum is generally made available for sale to the health food and sports nutrition market. Is it the healthful colostrum from the first 12 hours after the calve’s birth or is it the colostrum from the second or third days? The answer is firmly that it is not the colostrum from the first 12 hours that is sold to the public. That early colostrum is given to the calf. Over the years, farmers have tried to give calves synthetic colostrum preparations, but they don’t work. As we have already stated, baby cows are born without a fully functioning immune system. Feeding colostrum provides the calves with a source of pre-formed immunoglobulin, some of which is actively absorbed intact into the calves’ blood and provides protection against systemic disease. If a calf does not receive its mother’s colostrum for at least the first 12 hours after birth, its survival chances decrease significantly. Farmers spend too much money on cows to watch them die in infancy because of a poorly functioning immune system. Therefore, every farmer will feed a newborn calf its mother’s colostrum for about 24 hours after birth. No farmer is crazy enough to risk the life of a valuable newborn calf just to make a little extra money selling the early (12 hour) colostrum. The colostrum that they then have available to sell for human consumption is second and third day colostrum – a “milk” that contains significantly less immunoglobulin and growth factors than the colostrum of the first 24 hours.
Why are farmers willing to stop feeding colostrum to newborn calves after 24 hours? Because numerous studies have demonstrated that the health value of colostrum to any newborn mammal is in the absorption of intact molecules of immunoglobulins and growth factors into the baby’s blood. A newborn mammal baby is born with a trypsin inhibitor in the stomach that prevents the stomach from hydrolyzing, or tearing apart, the immunoglobulins and growth factors in the colostrum. As a result, these anabolic molecules empty from the stomach intact and are able to be absorbed into the blood intact, as a bioactive molecule. However, numerous studies have also shown that about 24 hours after birth, the trypsin inhibitor disappears and the mammal baby then begins to hydrolyze the immunoglobulins and growth factors in the stomach during digestion. Within 36 hours after being born, a calf is only able to absorb about 7% of the immunoglobulins that it is fed. The rest are “digested” and of no use for immune system support. Farmers have figured out that it is useless and a waste of money to feed a calf colostrum past 24 hours after birth. The same holds true for mature human beings. Our digestive system will hydrolyze colostrum components in the stomach so that very little of the healthful benefits make their way into our blood. Colostrum ceases to be of benefit to a human baby after 4 or 5 days of life.
If that last statement is true, why then do so many people make health claims for colostrum? We really can’t figure that out. It is a little known fact that the original formulations of ProPeptide and Pro MR did contain colostrum. We, like everyone else, thought that that colostrum had some anabolic benefits. When we searched scientific literature for proof of those benefits, however, we couldn’t find any proven benefits. As a result, we took colostrum out of the formula. There was no sense in making our customers pay top dollar for an ingredient that had no scientific backing. There are quite a few studies, on the other hand, that show no anabolic value for colostrum. Here are just a few:
1.) In elite level athletes (17 female and 18 male field hockey players) a study by Hoffman et al published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in 2002 (Volume 12, pages 461-469 entitled, “The Effect of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Elite Field Hockey Players”) found that supplementation with colostrum had no influence on endurance performance and was not found to improve body composition when compared to a whey protein concentrate control.2.) Nine male track athletes participated in a double blind, placebo trial where Colostrum supplementation was compared to supplementation with an equivalent amount of whey on serum IGF-1 (Intrinsic Growth Factor) levels over a period of 8 days. The results of the study were published by Mero et al in the Journal of Applied Physiology in 1997 (Volume 83, pages 1144-1151 entitled, “Effects of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Serum IGF-1, IgG, Hormone, and Saliva IgA During Training.”) After 8 days, the actual IGF-1 in blood serum was similar in the two groups and no significant difference in IGF-1 was found between whey supplementation and colostrum supplementation. In fact, baseline levels in the placebo group (whey) were higher than the ending values of IGF-1 in the colostrum group.3.) These same researchers looked at changes in insulin, testosterone, growth hormone, and cortisol levels in the nine track athletes over the same 8 day period. No significant differences in insulin, testosterone, growth hormone, or cortisol levels were observed among the groups. No significant differences in secretory Immunoglobulin A or serum Immunoglobulin G were observed. Jumping performance was also examined and no measurable differences were observed.
From previous studies, and fortified by the results of the above studies, we concluded that colostrum supplementation provides no better anabolic benefit to a human athlete than supplementation with a whey protein concentrate. Because these studies pointed out that supplementation with colostrum does not lead to the market hype increases in growth hormone, testosterone, immunoglobulins, or any anabolic hormones, we decided to remove colostrum from the ProPeptide and Pro MR formulas and save our future customers their hard earned money. We only use ingredients that are proven to work. We will not get carried away with unscientific marketing hype. Unless an ingredient has real, valid scientific studies that show its benefit to human beings, it is a waste of your money to consume it. That is why we won’t stoop to adding hyped up colostrum to our list of ingredients.
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