Key Ingredient
Lactoferrin
Lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein first discovered in cow's milk in 1939 and later isolated from human milk in the early 1960s. An iron-binding glycoprotein, it is found in various bodily fluids including milk, saliva, and tears. Human colostrum, the first milk produced after giving birth, contains the highest concentration of lactoferrin in human milk. Lactoferrin plays a key role in iron metabolism, helping to regulate iron levels in the body (both too much and too little iron is bad, making precise iron regulation critical for overall health). It is also known for its potential to support immune health and promote the body's defense against invading microorganisms. Lactoferrin has recently gained attention in the food and pharma industries because of its potential health benefits.*
From Cell to You
Lactoferrin, a remarkable iron-binding protein, begins its journey not from a seed, but within the intricate cellular machinery of all mammals. This powerful glycoprotein is naturally synthesized in the mammary glands and other exocrine tissues. Although it can also be found in all mammalian milk, lactoferrin is typically extracted and purified from cow's milk.
Traditional Uses
Long before its scientific discovery in 1939, lactoferrin was used for infection care. For example, in medieval Europe, knights used whey from colostrum (a compound high in lactoferrin) to clean wounds inflicted by weapons, leveraging lactoferrin’s natural properties to prevent infection. In ancient Mesopotamia, milk was used as a cleansing agent for wounds before applying other treatments.
Milk and dairy products are and have been associated with health and vitality around the world, including the Maasai of East Africa, Mongolian nomads, the Scandinavian countries, and the Indian subcontinent, indirectly associating tapping into lactoferrin’s multifaceted benefits. While these ancestors may not have identified lactoferrin specifically, their reliance on milk-based remedies reflects an intuitive grasp of its healing properties, setting the stage for the scientific exploration we see today.*
Why Formulation Matters
Everyone knows that chocolate and peanut butter are great alone, but that together they are better than their parts. Lactoferrin is amazing, but we rarely recommend it alone. Lactoferrin's impressive properties are enhanced when carefully combined with other ingredients for specific purposes. Our expert formulator with over 40 years of experience in enzymes and probiotics put together formulations for specific purposes, knowing how each of their parts would interact with each other.
Product with Lactoferrin
ImmunoSEB® is a powerful enzymatic formula designed to support the body’s innate defense system. It contains a potent blend of clinically studied proteolytic and antioxidant enzymes, proteins and antioxidants to support your body's immune function.*