| The use of colostrum as a bodybuilding | | | | addressed by manufacturers of bovine colostrum |
| supplement is currently an area of active | | | | bodybuilding supplements are growth factors |
| research. Many studies aimed at addressing the | | | | immunoglobins, lactoferrin, cytokines, and vitamins. |
| overall benefits of colostrum for athletes have | | | | The results of several studies now suggest that |
| indicated promising links between supplemental | | | | IGF-1 and IGF-2, two important growth factors |
| colostrum and increased athletic performance, | | | | present in colostrum bodybuilding supplements, |
| including improved digestion, increased absorption | | | | may help in increasing lean muscle tissue and |
| of nutrients, and heightened immune systems | | | | stimulating overall muscle growth. |
| that are less compromised through increased | | | | Although the mechanisms for these effects are |
| physical activity. | | | | not yet fully understood, it has been hypothesized |
| More recent studies focused on the role of | | | | that the unique combination of proteins and IGF-1 |
| individual colostrum components in promoting | | | | present in colostrum bodybuilding supplements |
| overall athletic achievement suggest benefits | | | | serves to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. In |
| particularly relevant to bodybuilding, including | | | | addition, the IGF-1 may exhibit metabolic effects |
| decreased body fat, increased energy, and | | | | that increase overall muscular endurance through |
| increased muscle mass. | | | | an increase in free fatty acid levels in the blood. |
| Colostrum is a very concentrated type of breast | | | | Bodybuilding supplements containing colostrum |
| milk secreted only during the first few days of an | | | | have also been linked to reduced blood levels of |
| infant's life, before true lactation begins. During this | | | | creatine kinase, an enzyme released by muscle |
| time, the digestive and immune systems of | | | | cells when they are damaged. Since serum |
| newborns are changing very rapidly, and | | | | creatine kinase levels are often used as an |
| colostrum plays a crucial role in their continued | | | | indicator of muscular damage incurred through |
| development. | | | | excessive exercise and bodybuilding, their |
| The form of colostrum widely available for use as | | | | reduction in these studies seems to indicate that |
| a bodybuilding supplement is bovine colostrum, | | | | colostrum bodybuilding supplements also serve to |
| which is nearly identical to human colostrum in | | | | decrease the severity of muscle trauma usually |
| many respects. The most important components | | | | associated with these activities. |