Sébastien GUERIN
Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein found in most biological fluids, and in especially large quantities in colostrum and milk. This article explores the health benefits of lactoferrin in child nutrition and the relevant scientific studies.
Bovine lactoferrin is 70% homologous to human lactoferrin, and has been used as a supplement in research and studies (Lauterbach, 2016). Lactoferrin has a number of health benefits. In infants and associate study models, the best-studied effects include lactoferrin's antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator properties, as well as its effect on gut flora and maturity and nervous system development (Wang, 2016).
Further reading: But what is lactoferrin?
LACTOFERRIN'S POSITIVE EFFECTS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Recent clinical studies of premature babies show good tolerance and ease of administration of bovine lactoferrin in this target (Barrington, 2016).
Healthy body defence mechanism and cognitive and nervous system development are crucial to infant health.
Several studies have shown that bovine lactoferrin can play a key role in gut flora and boosting resistance to infections (Chen, 2016).
Bovine lactoferrin regulates gut flora by increasing Bifidobacterium concentration levels and reducing Clostridium concentration levels in infants (Tomita, 2009). These variations in gut flora partially explain lactoferrin's immunomodulator effects.
In new-born piglets, bovine lactoferrin inhibits mesenteric lymph node and spleen immune system cell reaction to inflammatory stimulation. These results prove that lactoferrin plays a key role in triggering immune response in immune-compromised new-borns (Comstock, 2014).
In addition, lactoferrin equips full-term new-borns against lower respiratory tract infections (primarily wheezing) at nine months (King et al., 2007).
INFANT MILK AND LACTOFERRIN
In underweight new-borns, infant milk enriched with lactoferrin (with or without probiotics) reduces the risk of delayed-onset septicaemia (bacterial or fungal) (Manzoni, 2009).
In-depth analysis of the results showed that the bovine lactoferrin reduced infection rather than preventing the fungus from spreading. This suggests that lactoferrin is able to prevent fungal infections from developing into systemic disease (Manzoni, 2011).
A recent article explained the beneficial role played by bovine lactoferrin on brain and cognitive system development in new-borns, particularly during growth spurts. Bovine lactoferrin can permeate the blood-brain barrier via specific receptors, and improve neuroprotection, neurodevelopment and learning capacities in mammals (Wang, 2016).
References
Barrington K et al, The Lacuna Trial: a double-blind randomized controlled pilot trial of lactoferrin supplementation in the very preterm infant, J Perinatol. 2016 Aug;36(8):666-9.
Chen K et al, Effect of bovine lactoferrin from iron-fortified formulas on diarrhoea and respiratory tract infections of weaned infants in a randomized controlled trial, Nutrition. 2016 Feb;32(2):222-7
Lauterbach R et al., Lactoferrin - a glycoprotein of great therapeutic potentials, Dev Period Med. 2016 Apr-Jun;20(2):118-25.
Wang B et al, Molecular Determinants of Milk Lactoferrin as a Bioactive Compound in Early Neurodevelopment and Cognition.J Pediatr. 2016 Jun;173 Suppl:S29-36.
If you want to know more about our products, reach out to our experts
