Benefits of Lactoferrin you need to know about
You might have heard “lactoferrin” before. Even if not, don’t worry we are here to answer all your queries regarding what lactoferrin is and the benefits of lactoferrin.
What is Lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin is a protein found in mammalian milk. Lactoferrin is mainly found in colostrum which is the first type of breast milk produced in the mammalian as soon as their baby is born. Lactoferrin has many other names like Apolactoferrin, Bovine Lactoferrin, Lactoferrina, Lactoferrin, Lactoferrine Humaine, etc.
How does Lactoferrin work? What does it do?
Lactoferrin aids in regulating the absorption of iron in the intestine and delivering iron to the cells. It also helps protect us against bacterial infection, perhaps by avoiding the growth of bacteria by denying them the essential nutrients or killing the bacteria directly by destroying their cell walls. Not only bacterial infection but Lactoferrin is also effective against infection caused by viruses or fungi.
Lactoferrin also takes part in the regulation of bone marrow function (myelopoiesis), boosts the body’s immunity system, and has a role in the production of blood.
Being rich in antioxidants and having anti-inflammatory benefits, people choose to consume lactoferrin supplements. Researchers suggest that lactoferrin could play a major role in solving global health problems such as iron deficiency and severe diarrhea.
Health benefits of Lactoferrin
Lactoferrin and lactoferrin supplements have been studied in depth by many researchers. Here are some benefits of lactoferrin found
Fights Infections
Lactoferrin protects the body from pathogenic microorganisms which cause bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Researchers analyzed the available research on lactoferrin’s antiviral properties and found that lactoferrin may have the ability to boost the body’s immune function.
Protects against H.pylori
Lactoferrin also helps protect the body against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, a type of infection that is known to cause ulcers.
researchers have analyzed the previous clinical trials on the use of fermented milk and several of its protein parts (including lactoferrin) against H.pylori infection. Results disclosed that lactoferrin, when sourced from cow’s milk may help kill the bacteria and reduce the infection rate.
Defends against Hepatitis C
There is some evidence that lactoferrin may compress hepatitis C infection. Scientists have discovered that treatment with lactoferrin increases the levels of interleukin-18, an immune-system protein which plays an important role in fighting off hepatitis C.
Other studies have verified the benefits of lactoferrin on particular stages of the growth of hepatitis C in humans. However, contradictory data regarding the ability of lactoferrin to prevent the access of the hepatitis C virus into the victim cells have also been published.
Prevents Acne
In a study conducted in 2010, participants of the study drank either fermented milk with 200 mg(milligrams) of lactoferrin or fermented milk daily for 12 weeks.
At the end of the study period, those participants who drank the lactoferrin-supplemented milk had a decrease in acne lesion count, inflammatory lesion count, acne grade, and amount of sebum compared to those who drank the other. Researchers also observed a decrease in triacylglycerols (a type of fat) in the surface of the skin.
Builds bone strength
Even though study on the bone-building benefits of lactoferrin is very limited, initial study suggests that lactoferrin may support the prevention of osteoporosis. Laboratory tests have determined that lactoferrin functions with the mineral hydroxyapatite to help facilitate the growth of bone-forming cells known as osteoblasts.
Researchers have also examined the use of a lactoferrin supplement on bone health in postmenopausal women. At the end of the research, those who consumed the lactoferrin supplement had a notable reduction in bone resorption and an increase in bone formation compared to those who didn’t.
Other Uses
Lactoferrin is well known as a remedy for a large range of health purposes including:
Preventing tissue damage related to aging
Promoting healthy bacteria in the intestine
Treating diarrhea
Cancer prevention
Preventing cancer
Insufficient data and research
Helicobacter pylori infection (H.pylori, an ulcer-causing bacterial infection), there is contradicting research about the significance of adding lactoferrin to basi. ulcer treatments. Some studies indicate lactoferrin improves the effectiveness of some prescription medications. Other studies show no advantage. However, studies do agree that dealing with H.pylori infection with lactoferrin alone is not helpful, even at increased doses.
Conclusion
Lactoferrin indeed has numerous benefits, as well as maintaining an important antibacterial and antiviral role. Lactoferrin has been researched for a long time for its many protective activities for which the protein has been evolved in animals and humans. In addition to this, there is evolving information of certain immunomodulatory activity of Lactoferrin in adults and newborns where, beyond the famous nutritional immunity, Lactoferrin is of special significance for the improvement of the immune system.
