I M M U N E - T R E E — T H E C O L O S T R U M O P T I O N
Immune-Tree Colostrum Offers Protection Against NSAID-induced Gastrointestinal Tract Damage
Aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, piroxicam, and
The Immune-Tree Colostrum Option
naproxen. Painkillers such as these are known as
Because irritation to the stomach lining is so commonly
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
associated with this broad family of drugs, many informed
These are the most commonly used drugs worldwide to
doctors now recommend that consumers also take
treat pain and inflammation. The use of NSAIDs is routine
Immune-Tree Colostrum.
therapy for arthritis and many other musculoskeletal dis-
Two important recent studies demonstrate how highly
orders, as well as many other inflammatory conditions
beneficial supplemental bovine colostrum can be for any-
such as sinusitis, prostatitis and cystitis.
one using NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and other sim-
Most NSAIDs can be safely used for two to three days,
and many are sold as OTC drugs with reduced recom-
In an experimental study to examine whether colostrum
mended dosages. Obviously, instances occur when the
could reduce gastrointestinal injury caused by indomethacin,
use of these drugs is the best course of action. No one is
researchers administered the NSAID indomethacin together
calling into question their value in appropriate situations.
with colostrum. As noted in the May 1999 issue of the journal
However, using these drugs instead of and without trying
Gut, pretreatment with colostrum reduced gastric injury by
our alternatives is due to lack of healing insight; although
30 to 60 percent. Addition of colostrum to drinking water also
these drugs are anti-inflammatories; they do not stimu-
prevented villi shortening in the mouse model of small
intestinal injury. (Damage to villi, which are minute finger-
When these drugs are used for longer periods, virtually
shaped projections of the mucous membrane of the small
all patients suffer some complications, which can range
intestine that serve in the absorption of nutrients, is an early
from micro-bleeding and ulcers in the gastrointestinal
sign of NSAID damage.) “Bovine colostrum could provide a
novel, inexpensive approach for the prevention and treat-
In a sense “the cat has been let out of the bag.” More
ment of the injurious effects of NSAIDs on the gut and may
than 20,000 Americans per year die from complications
also be of value for the treatment of other ulcerative condi-
resulting from NSAID therapy. This is particularly true for
the elderly, and for anyone with a history of peptic ulcers.
In a more recent study, researchers examined whether
In any given year, it’s estimated that six percent of
bovine colostrum could reduce the rise in gut permeability
patients taking NSAIDs will get into serious trouble,
(a non-invasive marker of intestinal injury) caused by
NSAIDs in volunteers and patients taking NSAIDs for clinical
This fact was underscored again in December 1998
reasons. Seven healthy male volunteers participated in a ran-
when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
domized crossover trial comparing changes in gut perme-
approved the new arthritis pain-killer, Celebrex, the
ability before and after five days of 50 mg of indomethacin
first in a long-awaited new type of painkiller for mil-
three times daily together with colostrum or a placebo.
lions of arthritis sufferers that is said to be safe on the
In volunteers, indomethacin caused a three-fold increase
stomach. Initial sales reports on Celebrex show it sur-
in gut permeability in the placebo group, whereas no signif-
passed Viagra in sales during its first month. Yet,
icant increase in permeability was seen when colostrum
amidst all of the hype, the FDA cautioned its stomach-
safe benefits may have been overplayed. Celebrex will
This study provides “preliminary evidence that bovine
bear the same warning about side-effects as many of
colostrum, which is already currently available as an over-
the-counter preparation, may provide a novel approach to
Indeed, most recently Celebrex was linked to 10 deaths
the prevention of NSAID-induced gastrointestinal damage in
and 11 cases of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in its first
three months on the market, according to a recent reportin The Associated Press. Half of the 10 people who diedsuffered from gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers, accord-ing to reports submitted to the FDA that were obtained by
DID YOU KNOW? The Wall Street Journal under the Freedom of Information
Did You Know? Vitamin D Can Help
Act. Two other deaths were attributed to heart attacks,
Reduce Risk of Type I Diabetes
one to drug interaction, one to a kidney disorder and one
A new study in Lancet indicates that infants given 2,000 IU
with no cause of death listed. Another related painkiller
or more of supplemental vitamin D per day in the first year of their life had an 80% lower risk of developing type I diabetes, compared with infants who were given less than that amount. SOURCE: Hypponen, E., et al. “Intake of vitamin D and risk of type I diabetes: a birth-cohort study.” Lancet, 2001;358:1500–1503. 20 The Doctors’ Prescription for Healthy Living / Volume 6, Number 1
I M M U N E - T R E E — T H E C O L O S T R U M O P T I O N (continued)How Immune-Tree Helps Importance of First-Milking Colostrum
Immune-Tree Colostrum is a rich source of a wide range of
It is worth noting that researchers who use colostrum in
growth factors that aid in maintaining the integrity of the
clinical trials usually seek first milking colostrum because
they recognize that potency and quality are diminished
Growth Hormone (GH) is the single most abundant hor-
with time. To expect similar results with transitional milk
mone produced by the body, affecting almost every cell. GH
being marketed as colostrum would be unfair to those
levels are highest during teenage years and they fall rapidly
producers of true first-milking colostrum.
thereafter. GH increases metabolism, reduces fat and
Bovine (cow) colostrum is produced before birth, and can
increases muscle mass. It is involved in the regeneration of
only be collected for a short period of time without being
heart, lung and liver tissue, as well as many other organs
diluted by the subsequent production of milk. At the time
and tissues throughout the body. It stimulates protein syn-
of birth, potency is at its peak. The active elements such as
thesis, which is critical for the renewal of skin, bones and
immune factors, growth factors, antioxidants and anti-
inflammatory agents are at their highest concentrations.
Insulin-like growth factors (IgF) I and II belong to a whole
However, in less than 12 hours, the concentration of
family of hormones contained in colostrum, called the IgF
these components is only half of what it was at the time of
super family. IgF-1 is considered to be the most potent. It
birth. This makes colostrum a limited commodity and yet,
functions like the captain of a ship, triggering the events that
because of the extensive dairy industry, sufficient quanti-
activate cell growth and reproduction, protein synthesis, and
ties are available for human use as a dietary supplement.
the release of energy (glucose metabolism). Because it is
It is difficult to determine where to draw the line
involved in so many major functions, it is found in associa-
between true colostrum and what has been called transi-
tion with almost all the cells in the body. It improves the func-
tional milk. At what point in time is colostrum no longer
tion of GH to build muscle and burn fat. It is also recognized
pure colostrum? According to Dr. Donald H. Lein, Chairman
for its ability to regenerate and repair cartilage and other
of Population Genetics and Diagnostic Sciences at the
internal bodily tissues. As we age, the cells in our body do not
College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, “Bovine
reproduce themselves as well and since IgF-1 is a primary fac-
colostrum is produced during the few weeks prior to birth
tor in the ability of cells to grow and reproduce, it is highly
of the calf and, due to hormonal changes in the mother, its
desirable for its many anti-aging and regenerative effects.
production stops at birth. Secretions collected at the first
Transforming growth factors A and B are helpful in
milking during the first 12-hour period after birth contain
healing wounds and in the synthesis and repair of RNA
complete colostrum with all of the beneficial components
and DNA. Fibroblast growth factor, among other things,
intact. Removal of even some of the colostrum results in
stimulates the growth of new blood vessels and con-
the release of a different material, known as transitional
tributes to tissue development and wound healing.
milk, that dilutes any colostrum still present and changes
Platelet-derived growth factor is involved in the healing of
vascular wounds. It is released in conjunction with blood
Since colostrum is such a limited commodity, it is easy
to see why anyone would want to stretch the collection of
REFERENCES
this valuable substance. This is why many widely-adver-
The Associated Press. “Report: Celebrex linked to 10 deaths.” April 20, 1999. “FDA approves new pain-killer for arthritis.” Associated Press, December 31, 1998.
tised colostrum products on the market today are
Fries, J., et al. “Adverse drug reactions, surveillance.” Arthritis, Rheumatology, 1991; 34:
obtained from the first 5 milkings—as far as 72 hours,
Lazarou, P., et al. “Incidence of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients; meta-
and definitely not complete colostrum.
analysis of prospective studies.” Journal of the American Medical Association, 1998; 279:1200-1204.
Playford, R.J., et al. “Bovine colostrum is a health food supplement which prevents
NSAID induced gut damage.” Gut,1999;44(5):653-658.
Playford, R.J., et al. “Co-administration of the health food supplement, bovine colostrum,
reduces the acute non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced increase in intestinalpermeability.” Clin Sci (Lond), 2001;100(6):627-633. The Doctors’ Prescription
Immune-Tree bovine colostrum is a cheap, readily available
source of growth factors. These growth factors have beenshown to reduce gastrointestinal injury in experimental andclinical studies. Use of Immune-Tree would also appear to bewarranted for a number of other gastrointestinal conditions,including ulcerative colitis, other inflammatory bowel diseases,and chemotherapy-induced mucositis.
We recommend Immune-Tree Colostrum because it is truly a
first-milking colostrum, one whose natural constituents have been preserved through expert processing (see “Importance ofFirst-Milking Colostrum” side bar).
While adults can use colostrum as both a capsule, powder or pineapple lozenge, children tend to love the strawberry chew-
ables. Immune-Tree Colostrum is widely available at natural health centers and from health professionals. But if you have anytrouble finding a source for it, call Immune-Tree toll-free at (888) 484-8671. Health professionals can call (800) 916-3681.
Volume 6, Number 1 / The Doctors’ Prescription for Healthy Living
Materiality and Immateriality Dr Paul Thomas; Senior Lecturer, Coordinator of the Studio Electronic Arts (SEA) at Curtin University of Technology & the Founding Director of the Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth Abstract In this paper I will examine materiality and immateriality in the expanding area of research within art as creative practice. Emerging technologies have created n