Colostrum

Colostrum, also called first milk or “liquid gold,” is the very first milk that all mammals, including us humans, get from their mothers immediately after birth and during the first three to five days of life. Mother’s milk is always composed exactly as the young animal or baby needs it for its healthy development. Colostrum is characterized by the fact that it is particularly nutritious and compatible and acts like a first vaccination. The proportion of vital and protective substances is particularly high. In addition to a high amount of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, it also contains enzymes, hormones and growth factors, as well as many antibodies (immunoglobulins) and white blood cells (leukocytes), so that the newborn can form its own immune system and strengthen its defenses. Colostrum also differs in color and consistency from subsequent breast milk; it is thicker and yellowish to almost orange in color. Interestingly, the immune systems of all mammals function very similarly and their colostrum contains immune and growth factors that are not species-specific. Therefore, humans, for example, can benefit from the immunogenic competence of cow colostrum.