Solid compositions containing combinations of lactoferrin, colostrum, and citrus pectin

Abstract

A dietary supplement for mammalian consumption, and particularly human consumption, for the purpose of stimulating the immune system, inhibiting infection and increasing tissue repair and healing. Comprising colostrum, lactoferrin, and with modified citrus pectin as an optional component, the dietary supplement is administered in ‘mucosal delivery format’: a dosage form that promotes effective absorption through the lining of the oral cavity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to the field of natural dietary supplements. It relates particularly to dietary supplements that are able to aid the prevention or inhibition of infection, promote immunological stimulation or increase tissue repair or healing. It is directed particularly towards the supplementation of human diets, and provides for enhanced absorption of the proteinaceous active ingredients in the oral cavity. [0003] 2. Background of the Invention [0004] Nutrition is a critical determinant of immunological competence and of the individual's ability to resist infection and physiological stresses. The health of individuals is affected by poor decisions in society's management of new technology over the past five decades. In particular, the routine use of antibiotics, the consumption of processed foods and the pollution of the environment have resulted in multiple adverse influences upon health. Among these may b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a dietary supplement that combines lactoferrin and colostrum, which are both beneficial for health and well-being. When absorbed together, they provide greater benefits than either component taken alone, including promoting resistance to infection, stimulating immune function, and increasing tissue repair and healing. The supplement is designed for oral cavity absorption, such as through a chewable lozenge, and can be taken as needed. It is particularly useful for immuno-compromised individuals, diabetics, and the elderly. The inclusion of modified citrus pectin in the supplement offers potential protection from certain cancers."

Problems solved by technology

Yet these proteins are not only degraded rapidly by the acidic and enzymatic conditions of the stomach and intestine but they are also expensive to obtain, even in the quantities and formats used for experimental demonstrations: Lönnerdal & Iyer, 1995, Annu. Rev. Nutr., 15: 93-110.

Thus attempts to formulate an effective dietary supplement able to generate and maintain a state of immune stimulation in an individual have been unsuccessful.

Yet the cost and availability of human lactoferrin, purified from human breast milk, restricts its use to research.

Yet these authors note that the relative efficacy of using either lactoferrin from other species, or recombinant human lactoferrin for treatment of humans is unproven.

This is because adequate quantities of human lactoferrin have not been isolated to supply clinical studies, and recombinant human lactroferrin will not accurately reproduce the protein's glycan composition.

As reviewed by Lönnerdal & Iyer, 1995, Annu. Rev. Nutr., 15: 93-110, the species-specific glycosylation of lactoferrins from different mammalian sources may provide protection from proteolysis for lactoferrin ingested naturally from maternal milk, and cross-species administration of lactoferrin would be expected to be far less effective.

Small amounts of either cytokine or antigen may be recognized as antigen by a responsive cell, resulting in immune activation via initiation of the cytokine cascade, whereas large doses or extended administration may induce tolerance: studies have shown that interferon administered in large doses to humans may be less effective than minimal quantities.

In the light of such conflicting results and controversial hypotheses it could be considered counter-intuitive, and certainly unpredictable, to attempt to stimulate or potentiate an immune response by administering cytokinins and immunoglobins orally by means of a combination of prime colostrum and lactoferrin.