Colostrum as immune system booster

MANILA, Philippines - Colostrum, the first milk coming out from a mother after delivery, has been well known to provide immunoglobulins, which are antibodies to help boost children’s immune system in combating various infections.

With the season of rains and floods around, dengue and other forms of respiratory and intestinal infections cannot be far behind. The administration of colostrum preparations from cows (bovine colostrum) may help in warding off infections associated with a depressed immune system.

Dengue fever is one common infection prevalent during the rainy season. Even highly respected Australian scientist Prof. Scott O’Neill, who came to Manila last July to discuss an innovative way to dramatically reduce the Aedes aegypti mosquito population, said, “Coming here today was quite an adventure, with the flash-flooding. As I’m driving here, I am struck by the many places that the mosquito can breed in a city like this. And as the rains come, dengue follows after.”

According to one pediatrician, more cases of dengue are expected if the rainy season continues, and the increase in number can be significant enough for them.

If one already had dengue before, it does not confer any immunity on the person. “There are four dengue virus strains so if you had dengue before, you can still have it again,” she said.

Although the availability of a dengue vaccine is in the horizon, a reliable way to combat dengue is to build up one’s resistance or immune system. One good way to achieve this is by a chewable tablet preparation of bovine colostrum (Colostramax), which contains antibodies that can help boost one’s immune systems against many types of infections such as dengue.

Immunoglobins or antibodies are the most important components of colostrums. These are proteins produced by the body to combat foreign substances (antigens), including infectious microbes.

“That’s why we are pushing for breastfeeding because of colostrums,” said the pediatrician.

And true to what they say, controlling dengue truly requires a conscious effort of everyone, not only the government. While the statistics are far from encouraging, people can do something to combat this disease.

“If we look at the number of admissions, it is really dengue. It is in the top 10 always. The peak season for us last year was October. August, September, October, and then it will wane already. That would be the time that our chairman would be very, very busy. So now, it’s still starting,” she said.

Bovine colostrums (Colostramax) have also been shown to help in cases of infectious diarrheas which can be another problem during the rainy season with water sources getting contaminated. Colostramax is available as 500-mg chewable tablets that may be taken by children and adults.

Maintenance dose is one to three tablets daily, but in the presence of an infection, the dose can be increased to six to 10 tablets daily. Colostramax is available in Mercury Drug and leading drug stores nationwide.