MIP Colostrum for increased performance in sport
Colostrum builds lean muscle
One of the real problems with achieving muscular development lies, not just in harnessing anabolism (growth) but in preventing catabolism (breakdown).
Colostrum contains two important compounds that work together to accomplish the building of lean muscle mass. The first of these, called IgF-1, is a small peptide with a more potent anabolic effect than any known compound - including all the steroids. Research has shown that during exercise, IgF-1 is the signal which triggers muscle cell proliferation. IgF-1 works hand in hand with growth hormone (GH) for the building of lean muscle mass.
Colostrum helps the body use energy efficiently
Athletes require strength and stamina to compete. Anything that will enhance endurance and maximize fuel is certainly an asset.
During heavy workouts and in times of hunger the body burns its own protein instead of fat. Studies have shown that Colostrum shifts fuel utilization from carbohydrate to fat, actually preventing the body from burning glucose for energy.
The additional growth factors in Colostrum keep concentrations in the body high enough so that protein (muscle) is not compromised during heavy workouts. It also stimulates glucose transport in the muscle, making more efficient use of the available fuel. Athletes and body builders often report that they lose weight while gaining inches.
Colostrum promotes fast recovery after exercise
Each time we exercise strenuously, we cause minor injuries to muscle tissue. The muscle-building factors in Colostrum, repair this damage and strengthen the muscles. The benefits of Colostrum extend to nearly all structural cells of the body.
IgF-1 is the best-known compound for synthesis and repair of cartilage. Other compounds known as Transforming Growth Factors A and B are known for their ability to enhance healing and in the synthesis and repair of both RNA and DNA.
“Colostrum is the only natural source of these vital growth and healing factors and cannot be laboratory reproduced. It is the natural, safe source of essential growth and immune factors necessary for our survival”.
Edmund Burke, Ph.D. reports on research involving the Finnish Olympic Ski Team (Nutrition Science News in May of 1996):
The athletes worked out extremely hard and their blood creatine-kinase levels were monitored over a seven day period. Creatine-kinase is a critically important muscle-cell enzyme that has been shown to be a marker of muscle-cell damage if detected in the blood. Thus, when blood creatine levels rise, it is often a sign of significant muscle damage. Compared to team members who drank placebos, the athletes who consumed Colostrum showed roughly one half the blood creatine-kinase levels four days after acute exercise.”
They also said that they were less fatigued and that their performance seemed to have improved.
”The benefit to anyone working out is quicker recovery after exercise”
Colostrum supports the Immune System
Athletes and body builders are more prone to infections and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This is because heavy workouts and strenuous competition temporarily depress the immune system.
Factors contained in Colostrum can make a remarkable difference for athletes:
- The quicker recovery time shortens the period of vulnerability and allows the immune system to build up critical T-cells to fight invading organisms.
- The antibodies in Colostrum can provide passive immunity to many pathogens.
- Both growth factors and immune factors continually work to strengthen the immune system so that suppression after a workout doesn’t last as long.
- GH is considered an immuno-stimulant because it helps the body produce antibodies, T-cells and white blood cells. Together with IgF-1, GH has been used quite successfully to fight off infection. Both growth factors and immune factors in Colostrum support an athlete’s temperamental immune system, helping to compensate for the stress from heavy workouts.
Colostrum helps with Nutrient Uptake
- Colostrum enhances assimilation of nutrients through the intestines and thus increases the efficiency of carbohydrate and amino acid uptake.
- Growth factors in Colostrum help “seal” the lining of the small intestine and provide protection from invading organisms and from ulceration, so more of the nutrients from the food you eat can be utilized as fuel for exercise, whether of the cardiovascular or muscle-building variety.
This partially accounts for the increased levels of energy that users of Colostrum report.
Study on Running Performance
Australian scientist John Buckley presented a paper at the Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, in Adelaide, on the benefits of bovine colostrum supplementation for sports performance. Titled, "Effect of an Oral Bovine Colostrum Supplement on Running Performance", the following extract summarises the effects of this supplement on athletic performance.
After an initial familiarisation period in the two weeks prior to commencement, 39 males, aged 18-35 years, completed an eight-week running program (3 x 45 minutes/week at lactate threshold) while consuming 60 g/day of Intact bovine colostrum or whey protein. All subjects followed dietary guidelines provided by the researchers and kept food diaries throughout the study period for subsequent dietary analysis. Subjects completed two incremental treadmill running tests to exhaustion (10 km/hr, incremented 1% grade every 3 min) separated by 20 minutes of recovery at weeks 0, 4 and 8.
The investigators found that there were no differences in plasma IGF-1 concentrations between the groups at week 0 . In fact, plasma IGF-1 concentrations did not change in either group during the entire study period. There were no differences in the distance covered (m) or work done (kJ) during the first or second treadmill runs at week 0.
Distance covered and work done during the first treadmill run increased in both groups, but at similar rates. During the second treadmill run both groups exhibited similar increases in the distance covered and work performed from weeks 0 to 4 but, from weeks 4 to 8, the Intact colostrum group continued to improve while the performance of the placebo group plateaued, such that by week 8 the colostrum group ran further (colostrum 4662 ± 251 m, placebo 4237 ± 323 m) and did more work than the placebo group (colostrum 150.7 ± 17.1 kJ, placebo 124.2 ± 18.9 kJ).
There were no differences in dietary intakes between the two groups. The researches concluded:
These results indicate that oral supplementation with bovine colostrum improves treadmill running performance over a longer period of time. In other words, don't expect Colostrum to show its effects within a week of its use. It will take several weeks of supplementation before it may assist the athlete.
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