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1. What is lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin (LF), also known as lactotransferrin(LTF), is a glycoprotein widely represented in various secretory fluids including milk such as saliva, tears, mucus, and bile. Lactoferrin is found in highest amounts in colostrum, the first type of breast milk produced after a baby is born. Lactoferrin’s main functions in the body include binding with and transporting iron. It also helps to fight infections.
Lactoferrin is part of the immune system and has antimicrobial activity. In addition to the main functions of combining and transporting the iron ,Lactoferrin also has the functions and attributes of antibacterial iron, antivirus,resistance to parasites, catalysis, cancer prevention and fighting against cancer, allergy and radiation protection. Some people take lactoferrin supplements to gain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
In industrial agriculture, lactoferrin is used to kill bacteria during meat processing.
2. Lactoferrin powder benefits
Lactoferrin is used for treating stomach and intestinal ulcers, diarrhea, and hepatitis C. It is also used as an antioxidant and to protect against bacterial and viral infections. Other uses include stimulating the immune system, preventing tissue damage related to aging, promoting healthy intestinal bacteria, preventing cancer, and regulating the way the body processes iron.
Stimulating the immune system.
Preventing damage related to aging.
Promoting healthy bacteria in the intestine.
Regulating iron metabolism.
Diarrhea.
Cancer prevention.
3. How Lactoferrin Improves Immune System?
Mediates between Adaptive and Innate Immune Functions
For the innate immune response, lactoferrin acts in several ways. For instance, it enhances the activities of the natural killer cells (NK) and neutrophils. The protein boosts phagocytosis and causes an increase in macrophages.
For the adaptive response, LF aids in the modulation of the T-cells and B-cells. In the case of inflammatory signaling, both innate and adaptive immune functions will merge to counter the occurrence.
Lactoferrin regulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and interleukin 12, which exhibit defensive properties against intracellular pathogens.
Mediates in the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)
The role of lactoferrin powder in suppressing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been fundamental in studying its relation to inflammation and cancer development. An increase in ROS translates to higher risks of inflammatory conditions due to apoptosis or cellular injury.
Immunity Against Microorganisms
The anti-microbial properties of lactoferrin cuts across bacterial, viral, parasite, and fungal infections.
Microbes thrive and depend on iron for growth and survival. When they invade the host, LF thwarts their iron utilization potential.
During the initial phase of infection, lactoferrin (LF) steps in to counter the foreign stimuli in two definite ways. The protein will either block the cellular receptors or bind to the virus, hence, preventing its entry into the host. Other anti-microbial actions of lactoferrin include destabilizing the cell way of the pathogen or blocking their carbohydrate metabolism.
Several studies corroborate lactoferrin powder uses in the management of Herpes virus, HIV infection, Human hepatitis C and B, influenza, and hantavirus. Besides, the supplement inhibited the proliferation of the alphavirus, rotavirus, human papillomavirus, and several others.
In some cases, Lactoferrin may not flush out all the infections but you can be sure that it will reduce the severity of the existing viral load. In previous studies, LF had been effective at curbing the SARS pseudovirus. Since SARS-CoV-2 falls in the same class as SARS-CoV, there’s a possibility that lactoferrin may decrease the virulence of COVID-19.
Although medics hold that boosting your immune functions does not protect one from coronavirus, lactoferrin supplementation will aid in the fight. After all, the same practitioners have observed that the aged and people with low immunity are at a high risk of contracting COVID-19.
