Bovine Colostrum Applications in Sick and Healthy People: A Systematic Review

Guberti, M. and Botti, S. and Capuzzo, M. T. and Nardozi, S. and Fusco, A. and Cera, A. and Dugo, L. and Piredda, M. and De Marinis, M. G.

Nutrients (2021) 13:

DOI: 10.3390/nu13072194

Abstract

Colostrum is the first secretion of mammalian glands during the early period after birth giving. Its components are biologically active and have beneficial effects on new-born growth and well-being. Bovine colostrum has the highest concentration of these substances and its supplementation or application may provide health benefits. This systematic review was conducted to update current knowledge on bovine colostrum effects including all administration routes on healthy and sick subjects. Full texts or abstracts of twenty-eight papers as reports of systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, observational studies and case series were included after searches in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Cinahl databases. The full texts of selected studies were assessed for quality using validated tools and their results were summarized in different categories. Studies were highly heterogeneous as regards to population, intervention, outcome and risk of bias. Bovine colostrum topical application was shown effective on vaginal dryness related symptoms limitation. Its use as food supplement showed interesting effects preventing upper respiratory illness in sportsmen, modulating immune system response and reducing intestinal permeability in healthy and sick subjects. Conflicting results were provided in pediatric population and little evidence is available on its use with older adults. Further studies are mandatory to better understand all factors influencing its activity.

Citation

Guberti, M., Botti, S., Capuzzo, M. T., Nardozi, S., Fusco, A., Cera, A., Dugo, L., Piredda, M., & De Marinis, M. G. (2021). Bovine Colostrum Applications in Sick and Healthy People: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 13(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072194 Animals, Male, Adult, Aged, Female, Humans, Child, Pregnancy, immune system, Cattle, milk, whey, systematic review, *Dietary Supplements, *Colostrum, bovine colostrum, food supplementation, health improvement, Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, physical performance

Keywords

• Animals
• Male
• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Humans
• Child
• Pregnancy
• immune system
• Cattle
• milk
• whey
• systematic review
• *Dietary Supplements
• *Colostrum
• bovine colostrum
• food supplementation
• health improvement
• Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
• physical performance