Naturopathic Information - MICROgenics Cold and Immune Defence with Lactoferrin

Immune Health

Lactoferrin is a naturally occurring glycoprotein with a very high iron binding affinity found in milk, and secreted in most mammalian external fluids as well as in tears and saliva. Lactoferrin, made up of a single peptide chain is one of the major proteins in human colostrums. It is also found in the specific granules of neutrophil leucocytes. It is thought to act as a first line defence agent against infections by inhibiting the entry and growth of pathogenic bacteria/virus in the body owing to its wide presence in external fluids. Its highest natural food source is un-denatured (low temperature processed) whey proteins and colostrums. Lactoferrin is thought to exert a protective effect via modulation of the immune system and correction of cytokine imbalance . Lactoferrin caused significant induction of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, significant reductions in the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-1b .

• The highest concentration of lactoferrin in the body occurs during the acute phase of inflammation
• Lactoferrin prevents entry of viruses into host cells, either by blocking cellular receptors or by direct binding to the virus
• Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein, naturally found in the mucous secretions of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, reproductive tract and eyes, that can bind two ferric ions
• Lactoferrin is produced in neutrophils and stored in secondary granules for release during inflammatory responses to infections
• Lactoferrin binds iron and deprives iron-requiring bacteria of the iron needed for growth
• Lactoferrin damages bacterial membranes and has direct bactericidal activity against some types of gram negative and gram positive bacteria
• Lactoferrin modulates immune activity by activating natural killer cells and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity
• Andrographis has immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties