Bovine Colostrum and Type II Diabetic Patients

Byron's Comments:

Significant improvement in metabolism of blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerdies from colostrum in type II diabetic patients.

Study Title:

Health-promoting effects of bovine colostrum in Type 2 diabetic patients can reduce blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and ketones.

Study Abstract:

Bovine colostrum (BC) has been reported to enhance immune function, reduce fat accumulation and facilitate the movement of glucose to the muscle. However, very few attempts have been made to examine its anti-diabetic effects in diabetes patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether BC decreases blood glucose, as well as cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and ketones levels, which can be elevated by obesity and stress in Type 2 diabetic patients. Sixteen patients (men=8, women=8) with Type 2 diabetes were randomized into the study. Each ingested 5 g of BC on an empty stomach every morning and night for 4 weeks. Blood glucose, ketones (β-hydroxybutyric acid), total cholesterol and TGs were measured every week. In both the men and women, blood glucose levels at 2 and 8 h postprandial decreased continually during the experimental period. The rate of decrease in blood glucose at 8 h postprandial was not different between the men and women, but was higher in the women (14.25±2.66) than in the men (10.96±1.82%) at 2 h postprandial. Total cholesterol and TG levels decreased significantly in both the men and women after 4 weeks. Also, β-hydroxybutyric acid level decreased with BC ingestion, but this was not significant. These results suggest that BC can decrease levels of blood glucose and ketones, as well as reduce cholesterol and TGs, all of which may cause complications in Type 2 diabetic patients.

Study Information:

Jun Ho Kima, Wan Sik Jungb, Nag-Jin Choic, Dae-Ok Kimd, Dong-Hoon Shina, Young Jun Kima. Health-promoting effects of bovine colostrum in Type 2 diabetic patients can reduce blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and ketones. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 2009 April Volume 20, Issue 4, Pages 298-303.
Department of Food and Biotechnology, Korea University, Jochiwon, Chungnam 339-700, South Korea.

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