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Lactoferrin is a milk glycoprotein that is found
naturally in milk, tears, mucous, blood and saliva. It acts as a
non specific defence against pathogens. The
name Lactoferrin is derived from its affinity to bind with iron
(lacto = milk; ferrin = iron).
In fact, Lactoferrin binds iron over a hundred fold more strongly
than Transferrin - the major iron transport protein in the body.
The highest known concentrations of Lactoferrin are found in human
Colostrum, or "first milk", where levels measure as much
as 0.7dg/liters.
It's concentration in human milk is 5-10 times higher than in bovine
milk. Its high concentration in colostrum indicates that it helps
to complement and boost the newborn's immune defense system.
Natural Occurrence of Lactoferrin
| Colostrum
breast milk |
7mg/ml
|
| Mature
breast milk |
1-2mg/ml
|
| Tear
fluid |
2.2mg/ml
|
| Syrovial
fluid |
10-80ug/ml
|
| Saliva |
7-10ug/ml
|
| Bovine
milk |
20-200ug/ml
|
Lactoferrin's
biological activities include:
•
Anti oxidant properties
•
Control of good gut flora
•
Prevention of cell or tissue damage (anti aging)
•
Regulate iron metabolism
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