What is Lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin is a milk protein. There are two different protein families in milk: one is whey protein and the other is casein protein. Whey protein is also referred to as milk serum protein. These proteins can be obtained if milk is filtered after being boiled. Casein proteins are the proteins found in the residue that remains after the milk, which is colloquially called "curd" (curd), is boiled and filtered.
The name lactoferrin comes from "lacto" and "ferrin," as can be understood from its etymological root. Milk and iron. The name was created based on where lactoferrin is obtained and what it carries: an iron-binding protein that comes from milk.
Where is Lactoferrin Found?
Lactoferrin is one of the most important proteins in the first milk, also known as colostrum, which is given by the mother to her offspring in the first 4-5 days after birth. The amount of lactoferrin in colostrum can reach nearly 8 grams.
Lactoferrin and the Immune System
It plays an important role, especially in laying the foundations of and strengthening the baby's immune system after birth. Lactoferrin also assists in the proper and sufficient functioning of immunoglobulins, which are parts of the immune system.
Lactoferrin and Iron Balance
The beneficial properties of lactoferrin listed above are actually due to its contribution to the regulation and proper functioning of iron balance in the body. Iron is a vital mineral for our body. Iron helps red blood cells, which are responsible for energy production, transport oxygen; helps remove carbon dioxide from the body; plays a role in the production and function of our immune system proteins; plays a role in the destruction of pathogens; and is involved in the structure of enzymes. Furthermore, iron acts as an antioxidant, supporting the body in coping with stress and inflammation.
Everyone needs iron, but in some cases, the need for iron may increase. The need for iron may be higher in adolescent girls, pre-menopausal women, pregnant women, athletes, and those following a vegetarian diet.
It is logical to think that lactoferrin may also be effective in any situation where iron plays a role in the body. However, the properties of lactoferrin are not limited to these.
Antimicrobial and Antiviral Properties of Lactoferrin
With its very strong antimicrobial property, lactoferrin can stop the growth of bacteria or kill them. It does this by binding the iron that harmful bacteria (pathogens) need for their development. It has also been shown to interact with the cell walls of pathogens (a structure innately present on bacteria to protect themselves), causing this wall to deteriorate and break down.
Lactoferrin exhibits a very strong anti-viral property. For viruses to enter human cells, they must attach to certain structures on these cells. This attachment process occurs when the projections (ligands) on the surface of the virus adhere to the receptors on the human cell. Lactoferrin prevents the entry of the virus into the human cell by both blocking the receptors on the human cell against the virus and by adhering to these projections on the virus. Furthermore, even if the virus enters the human cell, during the replication phase, lactoferrin brings the virus's self-replication under control by affecting certain mechanisms within the cell.
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Lactoferrin
Lactoferrin shows high anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation, the event we colloquially call "inflammation," is actually a reaction shown by body tissue against pathogens or its own structures at the moment of injury. This reaction is quite normal. However, when this reaction occurs in unwanted and unnecessary situations, it can harm the organism, i.e., the body itself. Lactoferrin plays a role in minimizing and ending this damage.
Lactoferrin is a very strong antioxidant. During our body's energy production, some unwanted molecules that can harm the body are produced. Our body can easily cope with these molecules under normal circumstances. However, in cases where it cannot cope, these molecules attack other body tissues/structures, causing their integrity to deteriorate and leading to disruptions in body functioning. Lactoferrin takes part in neutralizing and eliminating these molecules.
Lactoferrin and Gut Microbiota
You may have heard that our intestines have recently been called the second brain. One of the reasons for this is the share of our little friends living in our intestines. These friends are called beneficial bacteria. The nutrients they produce are used by our body cells, can cross the blood-brain barrier to regulate brain functions and affect our mood changes, and ensure the health of our own intestinal cells. As a result of these little friends multiplying much more than normal and becoming harmful to us (too much of a good thing can be harmful), our cells in the intestine are affected, and the spaces between our intestinal cells, which are tightly connected and protect us from the outside world, gradually open up. As a result of this opening, the bacteria that we think are beneficial pass through here and cause harmful effects in our body. Lactoferrin helps ensure the control of the bacterial population in the gut flora, thereby helping to repair the permeable sections between intestinal cells. In this way, it can treat all diseases and psychological conditions that may occur, both in the acute period and beforehand.
In Which Areas is Lactoferrin Being Researched?
Due to these beneficial effects we have listed above, lactoferrin can be used in many areas. There are many beneficial studies ranging from stress to Alzheimer's, from acne to problems that may occur in the stomach and intestines, from iron deficiency anemia to sepsis in infants, from strengthening the immune system to Covid and bone health; as years pass, studies are being conducted for it to be used in even more areas, and its beneficial effects are being observed.
References:
1) Mulder AM et al. Bovine lactoferrin supplementation supports immune and antioxidant status in healthy human males. Nutrition Research. 2008;28(9):583–9.
2) Mizuki M et al. Eects of lactoferrin on prevention of acute gastrointestinal symptoms in winter: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial for sta of Kindergartens and nursery schools in Japan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020;17(24):9582.
3) Kim J et al. Dietary eect of lactoferrin-enriched fermented milk on skin surface lipid and clinical improvement of Acne Vulgaris. Nutrition. 2010;26(9):902–9.
4) Shinjo T et al. Oral lactoferrin in-uences psychological stress in humans: A single-dose administration crossover study. Biomedical Reports. 2018;
5) Serrano G et al. Liposomal lactoferrin as potential preventative and cure for covid-19. International Journal of Research in Health Sciences. 2020;8(1):08–15.
6) Mohamed WA et al. A pilot study on the eect of lactoferrin on alzheimer’s disease pathological sequelae: Impact of the P-AKT/PTEN pathway. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2019; 111:714–23.
7) Nappi C et al. Efficacy and tolerability of oral bovine lactoferrin compared to ferrous sulfate in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia: A prospective controlled randomized study. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 2009;88(9):1031–5.
8) Paesano R et al. Oral administration of lactoferrin increases hemoglobin and total serum iron in pregnant women. Biochemistry and Cell Biology. 2006;84(3):377–80.
9) Rezk M et al. Lactoferrin versus ferrous sulphate for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 2015;29(9):1387–90.
10) Ochoa TJ et al. Randomized double-blind controlled trial of bovine lactoferrin for prevention of diarrhea in children. Journal of Pediatrics. 2013;162(2):349–56.
11) Manzoni P. Bovine lactoferrin supplementation for prevention of late-onset sepsis in very low-birth-weight neonatesa randomized trial. JAMA. 2009;302(13):1421.
12) Chen K et al. Dose eect of bovine lactoferrin fortification on iron metabolism of anemic infants. Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology. 2020;66(1):24–31.
You can visit the Functional Molecules for the Immune System page to examine Fonksimol's immune-related products according to their ingredients.
