Our defenses can be depleted for various reasons, such as stress or lack of some nutrients. It is vitally important to take this into account and learn to take care of our immune system to avoid infections and other problems, as well as to help fight them if they have already appeared. To do this, it is necessary to take care of our diet and, even, we can consult with our doctor ways to strengthen our immune system, such as taking supplements or food complexes to enhance the presence of some nutrients in our body. For example, have you heard of lactoferrin? Are you not very clear about what it is or what it is for? It is a protein that helps strengthen the immune system, among other benefits.
What is lactoferrin
Lactoferrin, which is also known by the name lactotransferrin, is a type of transferrin protein. Specifically, it is a multifunctional glycoprotein that is produced by glandular epithelial cells of a variety of mammalian species. For example, it is found in milk, but also in other fluids in the body.
This protein is able to bind to iron ions and transport them through the blood throughout the body. Mainly, lactoferrin helps in the regulation of iron levels and in the reinforcement of the immune system.
Main benefits of lactoferrin
Among the main benefits of lactoferrin we can indicate:
- It is a protein that favors homeostasis or self-regulation of the organism, providing balance in it.
- It binds to iron molecules and helps transport them through the blood, so it helps in iron metabolism.
- It is an antioxidant protein.
- Improves skin, hair and nails.
- It helps in the action against bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites and yeasts.
- Promotes the regulation and stimulation of the immune system.
- Recent studies have shown that with lactoferrin improvement can be seen in patients infected with COVID19, thanks mainly to its antimicrobial and immune-stimulating action. To know some details of these studies on the action of this protein to help treat SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection, you can enter the lactoferrin website indicated above and see publications such as the one indicated on Lactoferrin as potential preventive and adjunct treatment for COVID-19/ Int J Antimicrobe Agents/ 2020, 56(3):106118.
- It is anti-inflammatory.
- It favors the intestinal and cutaneous microbiota.
- It intervenes in the process of cell proliferation and its differentiation.
- It has also been detected that it is very likely to have a relevant role in different diseases, as is the case in cancer.
How to take lactoferrin
Free lactoferrin is found naturally in milk, colostrum, neutrophils, blood, saliva, tears, gastrointestinal juices, and other fluids. However, we currently also have encapsulated lactoferrin, which is the glycoprotein derived from bovine milk. It can be taken to obtain this protein in more quantity than otherwise, since this encapsulated protein has a greater absorption than the free one. It strengthens the natural defenses by stimulating the immune system, has antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, among other properties and other benefits, as we have seen before.
