| Our consumer society is becoming increasingly | | | | iron reduces the chances of the formation of |
| concerned with the chemicals used to see to our | | | | free-radicals and so helps prevent cell damage that is |
| everyday bodily needs. Lets take a look at the | | | | part of the aging process. |
| average persons grooming regime. You wake up in a | | | | |
| morning and you roll out of bed to face another | | | | Beneficial bacteria |
| thrilling day doing what you love (Love the life you | | | | Studies have also revealed the beneficial effect of |
| live). You make your way to the bathroom where | | | | lactoferrin on gut health. This protein helps maintain |
| resides your arsenal of self care products. | | | | optimum levels of beneficial bacteria such as bifidus in |
| Toothpaste, soaps, face and body washes, | | | | the intestinal tract and so prevents gastrointestinal |
| moisturisers, lotions, toners, clenasers, so on and so | | | | inflammations. |
| forth. The likelyhood is, that if your not selective in | | | | Lactoferrin does not target specific types of bacteria. |
| what you purchase to address your grooming needs, | | | | This nonspecific nature has proved to be a blessing in |
| then before you leave the house to travel to work in | | | | disguise (Many antibiotics are designed to counter |
| a morning you have exposed your delicate self to | | | | specific bacteria. They can become less effective |
| numerous potentially harmful chemicals. | | | | over time because bacteria are capable of developing |
| It is a fact that 70% of what is placed upon the | | | | strains that are resistant to the antibiotic. This is not |
| surface of your skin is absorbed into the body. It is | | | | the case with lactoferrin). |
| understandable then that we are becoming more and | | | | Lactoferrin has exhibited significant activity against |
| more selective in opting for natural products, which | | | | Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Staphyloccocus |
| contain natural ingredients to meet our needs (And | | | | aureus, Candida albicans, HIV, herpes simplex type 1, |
| rightly so). If you are unfamiliar with phrases like | | | | hepatitis C, cytomegalovirus and other pathogens in |
| "Paraben" and "SLS" then I suggest you use one of | | | | vitro (in a lab dish) studies. |
| the many available search engines on the net to | | | | Anti-Oxidant |
| educate yourself for the better. | | | | Its ability to carry iron without generating free |
| I am conscious of what goes into my body and I | | | | radicals is one form of antioxidant activity. This |
| greatly believe that nature in all her wisdom is capable | | | | antioxidant activity helps protect the body. |
| of providing us with all the protective, nourishment, | | | | Anti-mricrobial, Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal |
| and remedial substances the body could ever need. | | | | Lactoferrin helps protect the body against bacteria, |
| One example of natures magic substances is Aloe | | | | viruses, fungi and other infectious microorganisms, |
| Vera. Aloe, or Aloe vera (Latin), has been used | | | | which explains its presence in mucosal fluids. |
| medicinally for over 2,000 years. Ancient Egyptians | | | | Lactoferrin sequesters iron, leaving little available for |
| used aloe to treat skin problems, and modern | | | | the propagation of microorganisms. It can also inhibit |
| research has proven that aloe is effective as an | | | | the binding of bacteria or viruses to host cells, thus |
| anti-inflammatory. Natures list of beneficial substances | | | | preventing infections. |
| is extensive to say the least. Information on this | | | | Anti-Inflammatory |
| subject is bountiful on the internet and is there for | | | | Lactoferrin has been shown to reduce inflammation |
| the health conscious to utilise as they see fit. | | | | both in the skin and in the gut. It does this by |
| So, we are aware of natures wondrous creations | | | | inhibiting the production of the cytokine mediators |
| and how their functions when used to treat the body | | | | that lead to inflammation. It has also been shown to |
| can be of great benefit, and this leads me to the | | | | upregulate the proliferation of polymorphonuclear cells |
| star of this article, a lesser known substance named | | | | (PMNs). PMNs are the first responders to inflammation |
| Lactoferrin. | | | | and are responsible for clearing up any exudates |
| Lactoferrin is an isolated protein derived from milk. | | | | associated with inflammation. |
| Studies have shown that Lactoferrin has amazing | | | | Perhaps one of the most promising uses for |
| properties, that benefit our health when used both | | | | lactoferrin may be in its potential as a non-toxic, |
| internally and externally. | | | | anti-cancer agent. Extensive in-vitro and in-vivo |
| Currently commercial lactoferrin is derived from | | | | research with animals has shown lactoferrin to be a |
| bovine (Cows) milk, however it is also present in | | | | powerful anti-cancer agent. Multiple studies using both |
| greater levels in human milk (breast milk). Although | | | | rats and mice exposed to a toxic chemical |
| largely unknown, lactoferrin is being used in infant | | | | (azoxymethane) known to cause tumors throughout |
| formulas, food preparations, a small amount of | | | | the gastro intestinal tract, administered concomitantly |
| cosmetics and as a general immune boosting | | | | with lactoferrin, showed a large reduction in intestinal |
| supplement. | | | | polyp development throughout the intestinal tract. |
| Lactoferrin is biologically active (Bio Active). Defined | | | | One study found lactoferrin to be very effective at |
| this means, having an effect on a living tissue, | | | | suppressing the growth of human pancreatic cancer |
| organism or cell. The real appeal of Lactoferrin has to | | | | cells. So much so the researchers concluded that |
| be its bio active functions upon the body body. | | | | lactoferrin “…might become one of the new |
| Recent research points to the following suprising | | | | drugs of choice for the adjuvant therapy against |
| attributes of this natural substance. | | | | pancreatic cancer.” |
| Used Internally - Supplement form | | | | There it is then, one of natures secrets is being |
| The strong affinity for iron is the key to | | | | slowly utilised and is showing massive promise in |
| understanding lactoferrins beneficial properties. Since | | | | many areas of health and wellbeing. The properties |
| it binds readily with iron, it improves the body's | | | | of this natural milk protein are there for us all to |
| uptake of iron (bioavailability of iron) and so helps | | | | benefit. Used as a supplement to benefit general |
| prevent iron deficiency and anemia, which are | | | | health and protect against bacteria, used on the skin |
| nutritional disorders affecting around 20 per cent of | | | | to delay the aging process of cells and provide |
| the world's population. | | | | bacterial protection and a reduction of any |
| In binding with iron, it also deprives harmful bacteria | | | | inflammation. More so used as an agent to combat |
| of this essential resource and so inhibits their chances | | | | more serious health conditions. Nature gifts us in |
| of surviving and multiplying. | | | | many ways and Lactoferrin is yet another blessing. |
| Apart from this antibiotic property, the binding with | | | | |