rawmilkandrubberboots

Mother’s milk is always best, especially those first precious sips.  For dairy calves mother’s first milk is called colostrum and is packed with proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals, immunoglobulins (Ig), and growth-factor like hormones.  Colostrum is short-lived, only lasting for generally 3 days.

Immunoglobulins are a type of protein that is important in increasing the passive immunity of the newborn, and colostrums are 100-fold higher in Ig than normal milk.

Growth factor, specifically IGF-I and IGF-II, help to stimulate cell growth and is associated with anabolic effects on muscle tissue and skeletal muscle.

So why am I writing about a liquid “PowerBar” meant for neonatal cows?  Remember back to my blog about pre- and pro-biotics.  We are knowingly consuming bacteria to benefit our body’s active intestinal microbial populations.

Colostrum MAY have is perks for humans as well.  The Ig’s found in colostrums have been shown to be similar to ones found in humans.  These Ig’s may especially be of interest for those of us that have suppressed immune systems or which to increase our immunity.

Similarly, the growth factors may have a positive effect on human tissues.  This is especially of interest to those of us (not me) that exercise extensively or have damaged muscle tissue.

Now (not writing on personal experience) I should warn you that colostrum doesn’t taste like a glass of ice cold chocolate milk, and has been shown to increase flatulence.  Nonetheless, humans that currently consume colostrum take between 20-60 g/ day.    

With the possibility of muscle enhancement maybe colostrum is next on the banned substances list for professional sports.  Hopefully Bonds and Clemons are lactose intolerant.

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