Colostrum consumption, both in healthy subjects and high-risk cardiovascular patients, showed beneficial effects in preventing flu episodes and flu-like symptoms (Cesarone et al, 2007).
In this trial the researchers looked at the ability of bovine colostrum to help reduce influenza infections. The study was conducted with a healthy adult population between the ages of 30-80 and placed them into one of four groups:
Group 1: participants did not receive the flu vaccine nor consumed bovine colostrum
Group 2: participants did not receive the flu vaccine and were given 400mg per day bovine colostrum
Group 3: participants received the flu vaccine but did not consume bovine colostrum
Group 4: participants received both the flu vaccine and 400mg per day bovine colostrum
The participants who consumed bovine colostrum took 400mg per day for two months. At the end of two months they looked at average number of flu episodes per person and the relative cost per each participant due to any flu episodes. What they found was an impressive ability for bovine colostrum to reduce the number of flu episodes and the overall relative costs (primarily loss of workdays) associated with the flu. Interestingly, bovine colostrum was more e ective than the vaccine in this trial, highlighting the multi-faceted approach of colostrum’s immune health benefit.
Download as a pdf: Immune Health – Influenza | Cesarone et al, 2007
