Benefit and clinical uses of colostrum in human and animal health : a review

This paper reviews the biological role of bioactive constituents of colostrum and the use of this “first” milk in prevention and treatment of various disorders in human and domestic animals. Colostrum is a biological complex fluid richer in antimicrobial peptides, immune-regulating compounds and growth factors than the subsequent mature milk. The biological value of colostrum is documented by thousands of scientific studies and clinical trials carried out both in vitro than in human and animals. The main functions of colostrum include a defensive action, the modulation of immune response, the balancing of intestinal microflora and provides to the growth and repair of several tissues. Colostrum is safe, has not contraindications also to high dose levels and the reported side effects of clinical relevance are limited. Recent advances in food technology of industrial dairying allow continuous availability of ruminants colostrum. For all these reasons, unsurprisingly, pharmaceutical companies are moving in the market by producing supplements of colostrum. In conclusion, in the next future, supplements based on colostrum may have a complementary role to synthetic drugs in the prevention and treatment of several human and animals diseases.