increase endurance & capacity, and at the same time speed recovery. What this means to the athlete is simple – they can train harder, longer, and recover faster thereby increasing their respective level of athletic performance.

How Does It Work?

It has long been established that both milk and hyperimmune milk contain peptide growth factors, which stimulate growth and differentiation of mammalian cells. The predominate growth factor activity though is typically concentrated in the colostral phase. A number of growth factors have been described in bovine hyperimmune milk. These include Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1, IGF-2, and -3N:IGF-1), Transforming Growth Factor ( TGF-B1 and TGF-B2), and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF). Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) is found in relatively high concentrations in hyperimmune milk and is of specific interest in regard to athletic performance.

Specifically, this growth factor mediates the growth or metabolic effects of Growth Hormone. On a molecular level IGF-1 functions to stimulate muscle and bone cell proliferation and development - helps to build muscle and strong bones. In a recent study it was shown that oral supplementation with bovine hyperimmune milk enhances the recovery process following physical exercise or exertion. Thus it allows harder training with improved recovery. Two further studies have shown that bovine hyperimmune milk has positive effect on maximal power output - increases vertical jump performance and improves rowing performance in elite female rowers.

Improves Recovery

Physical exercise and training cause muscle damage. Recovery from this damage is necessary or subsequent exertion will be limited. Bovine hyperimmune milk has been shown to help in this recovery process. It has been demonstrated in laboratory studies that IGF-1 can promote an increase of up to 15% in muscle mass and a 14% increase in strength. Oxidative stress in the form of training and exercise

contributes to muscle fatigue. Glutathione and its precursors, present in hyperimmune milk, have been shown to increase the capacity of exercise prior to the onset of fatigue. There is an ever increasing amount of evidence that suggests free radicals play a very important role in muscle damage and inflammation. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant and as such is a powerful scavenger of free radicals.

 In a study involving Olympic skiers it was shown that athletes taking hyperimmune milk were less fatigued and showed improved performance, compared to their counterparts who were given a placebo. Creatinekinase is a critical enzyme involved with muscle metabolism and has been shown to be a marker of muscle cell damage. Elevated circulating (blood) creatine levels are often associated with significant muscle damage. In this study the athletes who consumed hyperimmune milk had, following exercise, approximately half the circulating creatine levels of the control group.

Speeds Healing

Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) are also found in relatively high amounts in hyperimmune milk. Both these growth factors stimulate tissue repair & wound healing. Digestive disorders are associated with a number of contributing factors: stress, medications, infectious agents, diet , and in the case of the athlete – over training. The use of bovine hyperimmune milk has been proved effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders caused by aspirin and other non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).  

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Associated with physical exertion and strenuous exercise is inflammation. In fact at the Sydney Olympics the second most common medication taken by the athletes were anti-inflammatories, being only surpassed by vitamins. Though typically this inflammation is centred in the joints, it is also observed in the digestive tract. In hyperimmune milk and milk there are two principle molecules (proteins) that have been implicated as natural anti-inflammatory agents:  Lactoferrin and Secretory Component of the

secretory IgA molecule. Both proteins are abundant in bovine hyperimmune milk Inflammation is a complex localized event in response to either injury, invasive foreign substance (pathogen) or in some instances to internally produced substances (rheumatoid arthritis). This is a protective adaptation that serves to isolate, destroy, and rid the infected area of both the injurious agent and the injured tissue. Prostaglandins (PG) and leukotrienes (LT) play an important role in mediating the process of inflammation by increasing histamine-mediated vascular permeability.

It is predominately this action, which causes the discomfort, associated with inflammation. The common anti-inflammatory analgesic and antipyretic drugs, such as corticosteroids, aspirin, and indomethacin, inhibit PG and or LT synthesis. In fact most, if not all, of the anti-phlogistic actions of steriodal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) action by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. The anti-inflammatory effect of aspirin and indomethacin is inhibition of cyclooxygenase, whereas those of corticosteroids are thought to inhibit the release of fatty acids from phospholipids either by inhibition of phospholipase A2 or by interfering with the release of membrane phospholipids. It has been shown by in vitro studies that the secretory component of secretory IgA inhibits phospholipase A2 activity and therefore prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis by limiting the release of arachidonic acid.

The fact that hyperimmune milk is a natural food that has no contraindications or negative side effects suggests that it is an ideal supplement to be used to counter inflammation. The adverse side effects associated with certain antiinflammatory agents limits their use. In the case of corticosteroids the potential side effects include the elevation of blood pressure, water and salt retention, increased calcium and potassium excretion, gastric upset and possibly peptic ulceration. In addition, the use of these compounds may also aggravate diabetes mellitus. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds (salicylates) are synthetic biochemical substances that can be toxic athighdoses.

The possible side effects associated with these substances include gastric upset and gastric bleeding, prolonged clotting time, and hepatic injury. Though the number of various anti-inflammatory agents is great so are the potential side effects and adverse reactions associated with these compounds. It is in this regard where hyperimmune milk has also been shown to be of direct benefit. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (DSAIDs) are very effective agents for treatment of inflammation but unfortunately they cause gastric injury. Hyperimmune milk has been shown to be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal injury caused by NSAIDs. Further hyperimmune milk has been shown to be beneficial in treating not only ulcerative conditions but also other diseases of the gut.

Supplementation

It has recently been reported that for top class Olympic athletes the variation in their respective performance of as little as 1% can be the difference between winning and losing. Hyperimmune milk in conjunction with proper nutrition and training can just be that little extra tool that only helps the athlete perform better but also keep them healthier. In a recent survey involving 463 sports coaches in the USA it was revealed that 87% of the coaches believe that “dietary supplements are a safe and effective means of improving performance.” It was also reported that some 80% of these coaches routinely advised their athletes on nutrition and some 40% recommended specific products. Dietary supplementation has a long been associated with sport and athletic performance. The increasing number of research and clinical information on the benefits of hyperimmune milk is substantiating the fact that hyperimmune milk supplementation enhances athletic performance.

Hyperimmune milk and Olympic Committee

Hyperimmune milk is a completely natural substance that has been used as a food for hundreds of years. Everything in colostrums is also found in hyperimmune milk, although at a much lower level. As such hyperimmune milk has been labelled by the IOC as being a “strong milk” and the IOC does not consider hyperimmune milk to be a prohibited substance. Further bovine hyperimmune milk supplements are not on the banned drug lists of the IOC or any other sports governing body.

Safety of Hyperimmune milk 

The efficacy and safety of hyperimmune milk supplementation in humans and animals has long been established in the form of clinical trials. Currently there are agrowing number of either hyperimmune milk or hyperimmune milk derived products available that are registered for therapeutic use. There are no known contraindications to use of bovine hyperimmune milk supplements in athletes. As with all supplements individuals who are pregnant, lactating or who have an intolerance to dairy products should consult with their health professional.

New Zealand Hyperimmune milk

It is well accepted worldwide that New Zealand hyperimmune milk is the world standard. All dairy products in New Zealand are certified to be hormone, pesticide, and antibiotic free. New Zealand hyperimmune milk is derived from certified disease free non-immunized New Zealand pasture fed cows. There has never been a case of BSE in New Zealand and the NZ Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has certified that the country is free of not only BSE but Foot and Mouth disease as well. Due to the temperate climate and the wide diversity in fauna present in NZ pastures hyperimmune milk sourced from New Zealand is assured to be high in specific antibody to a wide range of microbes.

In Summary

Hyperimmune milk is a very complex mixture containing manybioactive substances that have yet to fully appreciated. Among these substances so far identified are immunoglobulins, growth factors, immune factors, and antioxidants. An important feature, which must be pointed out, is the synergistic actions of a highly complex mixture like hyperimmune milk. The general belief is that this synergism is paramount for the true benefits of hyperimmune milk to be experienced. In regard to the athlete, it has been shown that hyperimmune milk is an effective, safe, and legal supplement, which can have a very positive influence on performance.