Lactoferrin

What is Lactoferrin?

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein (a type of protein) that can be extracted from cow's milk for use in supplements. It is also found in high concentrations in human breast milk (especially in colostrum) and horse milk. It is also found in saliva, tear fluid, mucous membranes and bile, among others.

Iron-poor Apolactoferrin

There are two forms of Lactoferrin: apolactoferrin and hololactoferrin. Apolactoferrin is very low in iron and hololactoferrin is high in iron. The form used in supplements is always apolactoferrin. Breast milk also contains mainly this iron-poor apolactoferrin.

What contains Lactoferrin?

The highest concentrations of this particular protein are found in colostrum in breast milk. However, relatively large amounts are also found in cow's milk and horse's milk.

Lactoferrin is so prevalent in breast milk because of its great importance to newborn babies.

It is also found a lot in whey protein products because it is part of them. However, because the vulnerability of Lactoferrin is not taken into account in the production of whey protein, there is a good chance that the proportion of undamaged Lactoferrin is small.

Is it also in our diet?

It is obviously in milk, but heating it changes the structure and action of the Lactoferrin present.

This means that only good quality supplements are a reliable source of higher doses of Lactoferrin.

Effects of Lactoferrin

The action of Lactoferrin depends on the amount used and the quality of the supplement. It is a fragile complex protein consisting of 703 amino acids. And if it is damaged during the manufacturing process, then its beneficial effect is lost.

When is the best time to take Lactoferrin?

Standard Lactoferrin supplements are best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach. Because while the iron-saturated form hololactoferrin resists stomach acid and digestive enzymes well, the iron-poor apolactoferrin does not. This form is partially cleaved by the acid and enzymes in the stomach.

Bonusan Lactoferrin may indeed be taken during meals. This is possible because of the DRcaps® that Bonusan uses. These special vegetarian capsules are gastric acid resistant, so the Lactoferrin reaches the intestines intact.

How long should and/or may you use it?

Lactoferrin is among the safest dietary supplements and may be used long-term. Best results are achieved with daily use for several weeks to months.

Recommended Dosage

Smeets & Graas has Lactoferrin in dosages from 150 mg to 300 mg per capsule. Scientific studies use dosages up to 750 mg per day.

Which dosage is best for you personally depends on what it is used for. You can ask us for advice or consult another expert.

Lactoferrin experiences

Lactoferrin has long been a promising substance, but the results of scientific research in recent years show that Lactoferrin has even broader uses than previously thought.

It is important, however, to choose a supplement like the one from Bonusan, where the Lactoferrin reaches the intestines intact. Splitting Lactoferrin in the stomach does produce the, also, active ingredient lactoferricin B, but research shows that fully intact Lactoferrin is even more effective.

Enteric coated Lactoferrin (gastric acid resistant)

These studies have also shown that enteric coated Lactoferrin (in stomach acid-resistant capsules) and the iron-saturated form hololactoferrin are by far the most effective. Because unlike the form currently used in all supplements (apolactoferrin), iron-saturated Lactoferrin does not break down/split down in the stomach and small intestine.

In fact, the degree to which Lactoferrin resists breakdown by digestive enzymes is proportional to the degree of iron saturation. The only problem is that this degradation-resistant form (hololactoferrin) is not yet readily available. Therefore, until it becomes available in supplement form, the only solution is to use gastric acid-resistant capsules.

Bonusan Lactoferrin

Bonusan Lactoferrin is among the best Lactoferrin supplements: LPS-free Lactoferrin in stomach acid-resistant DRcaps® capsules. These enteric-coated vegetarian capsules only disintegrate in the small intestine, allowing the Lactoferrin to be absorbed intact in the intestines.

They are available in two dosages: 150 mg and 300 mg per capsule.

LPS-free

Both are also free of LPS (lipopolysaccharides). These are molecules found in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. It is important that Lactoferrin does not contain LPS because this substance has a negative impact on its function. Bonusan's two Lactoferrins are checked in a laboratory by LCMS (liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry).

Lactoferrin side effects

The risk of side effects from using Lactoferrin is small. It is a very safe substance, which we also produce ourselves in small amounts. With the exception of mild complaints that can occur with any supplement and any food such as stomach upset, there are no known side effects.

Milk allergy

Do not use Lactoferrin if you are allergic to milk. Because most Lactoferrin comes from cow's milk.

People who buy Lactoferrin also view:

• Colostrum
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin C
• garlic
• Organo
• Astragalus
• Cat's Claw
• Immune-system