Supports iron absorption & antioxidant protection
- Superior immune system support
- Clinically proven safe in infants, the elderly, and the immune-compromised
- Improves iron absorption
- Manages inflammatory response
Details
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein found in human and bovine milk that has powerful immune boosting effects. Its multifunctional role also encompasses antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, and immune-regulating activities. Neonatal units successfully use lactoferrin to help reduce infection in hospitals, and baby formulas manufactured in China are now being supplemented with lactoferrin. Being an immunomodulator, lactoferrin helps manage the inflammatory response. Inflammatory conditions that can benefit from lactoferrin include high cholesterol, gastrointestinal inflammation, respiratory tract inflammation and acne. Lactoferrin may also stimulate the cells responsible for bone growth, and helps improve the absorption of iron from the diet for people with iron deficiency.
AOR Advantage
AOR sources Lactoferrin-250 from dairy, however it is lactose-free with little to no casein. Lactoferrin-250 is a stand-alone formulation, so you get the dosage you need to boost immunity and nothing else. It treats acne without drying the skin, and without causing inflammatory side-effects.
Label Information
NPN
80034612
Discussion
Lactoferrin-250 is an iron transporter protein sourced from bovine milk. Lactoferrin is naturally found in mammalian milk, tears and saliva and provides important antioxidants for the maintenance of good health.
Guarantees
AOR™ guarantees that all ingredients have been declared on the label. Contains no wheat, gluten, corn, nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, sulphites, mustard, soy, eggs, fish or shellfish.
Adult Dosage
Take one to six capsules daily in divided doses with meals and a few hours before or after taking other medications, or as directed by a qualified health care practitioner.
Cautions
Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are allergic to dairy products.
Main Applications
- Immune support
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Iron deficiency
- Antioxidant
-
Anti-tumor
Disclaimer
The information and product descriptions appearing on this website are for information purposes only, and are not intended to provide or replace medical advice to individuals from a qualified health care professional. Consult with your physician if you have any health concerns, and before initiating any new diet, exercise, supplement, or other lifestyle changes.
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: One Capsule
Lactoferrin (from bovine milk)250 mg
Non-medicinal Ingredients: sodium stearyl fumarate. Capsule: hypromellose.
Research Facts:
Background
A Miniscule but Mighty Molecule
Lactoferrin is an iron transporter glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin family, originally isolated from bovine milk. It has a very high affinity for iron and 1 g of the protein can bind 1.4 g of iron. It is present in epithelial secretions and in neutrophils. Human colostrum has the highest concentration of lactoferrin followed by human milk and bovine milk. Bovine milk contains 1% lactoferrin while mother’s milk contains up to 15% of the protein. It is the second most abundant protein found in colostrum. Bovine lactoferrin is capable of interacting with human lactoferrin binding sites. The activity of lactoferrin is conferred by the 52 first amino acids in the peptide sequence. The sequence is identical for bovine and human lactoferrin.
First-Line Defense
Lactoferrin is important for the proper development of the intestinal flora, skeletal structure and the immune system of the newborn. Lactoferrin is also extremely resistant to degradation in the gastrointestinal tract, being effective both in acidic or alkaline pH, and is absorbed by a specific receptor found in the intestinal brush border. It is part of our defense system, especially at mucous membranes and supplementation leads to immuno-stimulation.
Immunity
There are several pools for lactoferrin in the body: the neutrophils in serum, mucous membranes and in various biological fluids. Evidence suggests that supplementation with lactoferrin increases the phagocytic activity of immune cells known as leukocytes and stimulates the production of natural killer cells and cytokines in the immune system. Lactoferrin also modulates the inflammatory response, which is part of the immune system.
Anti-Bacterial
Neutrophils contain lactoferrin to bind iron, an essential nutrient for bacterial growth. Lactoferrin’s anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activities come from its capacity to bind iron. The combined action of transferrin and lactoferrin restrict the amount of free iron available. Levels become insufficient for bacterial growth. This suppresses free radical formation (free iron is an oxidant) and deprives bacteria of a mineral essential for their growth and multiplication. The action of pepsin on lactoferrin leads to the formation of compounds that have an even greater anti-microbial activity.
Antiviral
Lactoferrin’s antiviral activity is thought to be caused by the molecule itself and not by the molecule’s affinity for iron because no other transferrin molecule with an affinity for iron exhibits antiviral activity.
Iron Transportation
Lactoferrin is a useful transport molecule for the supplementation of iron and is helpful when combined with iron supplements or foods high in iron when trying to avoid deficiency. Lactoferrin can also act as an iron chelator.
Bone Health
Lactoferrin stimulates the proliferation of chondrocytes and the activity of osteoblasts, which contributes to bone growth.
Research
Bone Health
Lactoferrin was shown to increase bone formation through the stimulation of osteoblasts. The molecule increased osteoblast differentiation and reduced osteoblast cellular death by 50-70%. Studies have shown that lactoferrin binds to cultured osteoblastic cells and leads to their proliferation and cellular division.
Infections
The consumption of lactoferrin assists the body with its ability to fight infections. According to research studies including one conducted by the Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd., it has been shown that that lactoferrin can not only help to prevent infections in the digestive system but also in other parts of the body. The study showed that the consumption of lactoferrin is able to combat infections caused by hepatitis C and the Heliobacter pylori bacteria. Other studies have shown that Lactoferrin inhibited the infection of human embryonic lung cells by both herpes and cytomegaloviruses.
In a study using mice, 70% of the lactoferrin-pretreated mice survived the intravenous administration of E coli if they were 1st given lactoferrin, in the control group, only 4% of the animals survived.
Inflammation
Lactoferrin is able to reduce inflammation due to its unique and potent inflammatory properties. As an essential protein with multiple functions, lactoferrin provides the immune systems with a first line of protection. At local infection sites, the protein has proved that it can reduce inflammation in both the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.
Acne
Reduced levels of lactoferrin may fuel the inflammatory processes involved with acne. According to research studies, it was found that patients who were affected from seborrheic blepharitis and acne rosacea, possessed a lowered concentration of lactoferrin within their tears. Blepharitis is an itchy, inflamed condition that causes red eyelids along with the presence of scales appearing like dandruff on the eyelashes. If lactoferrin prevents the bacteria causing the acne from receiving necessary iron, the bacteria starve and acne shows an overall improvement.
Market Trends
Lactoferrin is most commonly used for enhancing the immune system. It is found in small concentrations in whey proteins and breast milk.
Recently, the Chinese market for lactoferrin has skyrocketed as baby formula companies have been adding lactoferrin to their products due to its proven health benefits. Lactoferrin’s safety and effectiveness has been proven by its use to prevent infections in hospital neonatal units.
