An Ancient Food for Modern Times Exercise performance and body composition

Colostrum could be the most important natural substance to help athletes (from weekend warriors to professional athletes) achieves their
desired results. Research shows that colostrum can help to increase strength and endurance, build lean muscle mass, burn body fat, boost immune function, which typically dips after strenuous exercise, shorten recovery time and accelerate healing of injuries. Colostrum contains the growth factors that help build lean muscle, including insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I & IGF-II) and growth hormone (GH). IGF-I, which is found naturally in colostrum, is the only natural hormone capable of promoting muscle growth by itself. The IGFs in humans and cows are identical, but bovine colostrum actually contains a greater concentration of IGF-I than human colostrum.

This fact makes bovine colostrum attractive to bodybuilders, athletes and others seeking to gain muscle mass. According to a study conducted in
Finland, IGF-1 induces protein synthesis, which leads to an increase in lean muscle mass without a corresponding rise in adipose (fat) tissue. The
growth factors in colostrum “shift fuel utilization from carbohydrate to fat. It mean that body will burn more fat, including fat made from the carbohydrate
and protein that are consumed, producing fuel more efficiently.

IGF 1 found in colostrum is capable of promoting muscle growth by itself. IGF 1 is in higher amounts in bovine colostrum as compared to HC.
According to study conducted in Finland, IGF 1 induces protein synthesis which leads to increase in lean body mass without a corresponding rise in
adipose tissue.

The IGF-1 in colostrum increases uptake of blood glucose and facilitates the transport of glucose to the muscles, which keeps energy levels up. Together with growth hormones, IGF-1 also slows the rate of protein breakdown (catabolism) that occurs after a vigorous workout. It speeds up
protein synthesis, which results in lean muscle mass without an increase in the amount of stored fat. Colostrum improves the assimilation of nutrients,
which leads to improved energy levels andperformance. Also, the immune factors in colostrum help athletes to minimize their susceptibility to infections while being able to keep up with their training schedules. As the IGF 1 in bovine colostrum, structurally identical to that found in human6. Since
IGF 1 has anabolic effect and is involved in the regulatory feedback of growth hormone. It is said that when athletes are in intense period of training,
many athletes develops gut problem – runner trots.This is caused by combination of stress and by raising their body’s core temperature by about
two degree, which seems to increase gut permeability. There istendency to leakiness increases 2- 3 fold during intense training like Olympics. But when bovine colostrum supplements were given for 2 weeks prior to exercise, it is seen that leakiness was completely prevented. This is because the colostrum contains growth factor that strengthens the gut lining.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial on the effects of bovine colostrum on performance and body composition was conducted on 13 elite female rowers. Six subjects received 60g Bovine colostrum daily and seven subjects received a similar amount of whey protein concentrate as a placebo during nine weeks of precompetition training. The distance covered and work performed during a four-minute maximal rowing effort was significantly greater in the group receiving bovine colostrum. These results suggest supplementation with BC improves certain aspects of rowing performance in elite female rowers.

A study reported that eight weeks of colostrum supplementation resulted in an improvement in cycling performance. These findings were presented at the Pre-Olympic Sports Medicine Conference in Brisbane. Compared to their initial performance eight weeks earlier, the group taking 20 grams of colostrum per day completed the time trial 158 seconds faster whereas the group taking whey protein improved their performance time by only 37 seconds.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled study investigated the effect of eight weeks of supplementation with bovine colostrum on body composition and exercise performance in 17 female and 18 male elite field hockey players. Subjects received either 60g BCdaily or a whey
protein concentrate as a placebo. While improvements in sprint performance occurred in both active and placebo groups, a significantly
greater improvement was observed in subjects receiving bovine colostrum compared to placebo. No statistically significant improvement in vertical
jump performance was observed as a result of bovine colostrum supplementation. No significant changes in body composition or measures of
endurance were observed between the two groups

Another growth factor of colostrum, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) helps to stimulate the production of other growth factors, including IGF-1. Other growth factors in colostrum that help in the healing of injuries include growth hormone (GH) shown to accelerate bone regeneration, TGF α and TGF β shown to regulate cellular migration, proliferation and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) shown to be a powerful stimulator of angiogenesis and a regulator of cellular migration and proliferation. Cytokines also show great potentials in future clinical application, as they have been shown to accelerate tendon repair. A last minute illness is a real fear for athletes and colostrum seems to give immune system a boost that can reduce the
risk.Supplementation of 60grams of bovine colostrumdaily containing 75% protein and 15% IgG improved athletic performance. And 20grams
of bovine colostrum, containing 80% protein said  to improve body composition.