Lactoferrin immune system

Mother s milk is an often coined term for products that mimic the natural mother s milk contents. Actual human mother s milk contains about 40-50% casein and 50-60% whey, and about 17% lactoferrin with no beta-lactoglobulin. As I said earlier, mother s milk contains alfa lactoglobulin. This is very different from cow s milk which contains about 80% casein and 20% whey with 1% lactoferrin being average. Lactoferrin has anti-viral activity, and is a potent immune system booster. Obviously this is an advantage for new born human (rug rats) since they lack complete immune system functions. Remember the fact that human mother s milk dominant protein fraction is alfa-lactalbumin Well, there is a research project on going which claims acid folded alfa-... 

Strengthens the immune system enhances lactoferrin tolerance against viruses, bacteria, and fungi regulates keratinization, hematopoiesis, production of neutrophils, erythrocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes, as well as influence on immunoglobulin, TNF-a, TGF- 5, INF-y,... 

The interaction between an antimicrobial and a pathogen in the laboratory does not take normal host defense systems into account. Humoral and cell-mediated immune systems play a major role in pathogen eradication their contribution is underestimated in susceptibility reports. Antimicrobial agents act in concert with endogenous microbial inhibitors such as immunoglobulins, T lymphocytes, phagocytes, complement components, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase and lysozymes. 

Novel foods include those providing protein (soy and dairy), and those that are intended to improve cardiovascular health (stanol esters, P-glucan, bioactive peptides, and n-3 fatty acids), bone and joint health (calcium, glucosamine, and chondroitin), eye health (lutein), the immune system (milkmicronutrients, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, and colostrum), gut health (probiotics and prebiotics), body fitness (conjugated linoleic acid, amino acids, and glyco-macropeptide), energy level, and for beauty. 

The ocular surface is the domain of the mucosa-bonded immune system [24]. This system plays an important role in combating infections by killing micro-organisms. It consists of the lachrymal gland, conjunctiva and related structures. Besides immunoglobulins, enzymes and bactericidal components are present IgA, lysozyme, lactoferrin, lipocalins, cathelicidine and probably beta-defensins [25]. Lipocalin is considered the most important component in eliminating toxic (phospho)lipids and fatty acids from the ocular surface [26]. Elimination is necessary, otherwise only partial hydration of the corneal epithelium will occur, which could result in ulceration [27]. 

Debbabi, H., Dubarry, M., Rautureau, M., and Tome, D. 1998. Bovine lactoferrin induces both mucosal and systemic immune responses in mice. J. Dairy Res. 65, 283-293. 

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