Lactoferrin, abbreviated as LF in English, is commonly found in mammalian milk and other tissue fluids (such as tears, bile, synovial fluid and neutrophils), and is the most in colostrum, and gradually decreases with the extension of lactation time.
Lactoferrin is a non-heme iron-binding protein, belonging to the transferrin family, and it is one of the nutrients that new life obtains immune protection for the first time. Lactoferrin has the following effects on human health:
1. Enhance resistance
Babies who eat breast milk are not easy to suffer from various infectious diseases, because breast milk contains immune substances such as lactoferrin, immunoglobulin and lysozyme, which can protect the body from harmful microorganisms. Lactoferrin is beneficial to the development of mucosal immune system on the surface of organs and tissues, which is also the first immune barrier of human body. Lactoferrin is well-deserved as the first line of immune defense for health.
At present, the research progress shows that lactoferrin has good effects in treating recurrent respiratory tract infections in infants, preventing rotavirus gastroenteritis, treating low birth weight and premature septicemia.
2. Adjust immunity
Lactoferrin can regulate the activity of macrophages and stimulate the synthesis of lymphocytes, regulate the production and secretion of immunoglobulins and antibodies, and promote the maturation of T cells in immune cells.
3. Promote the absorption of iron
The relationship between lactoferrin and iron, like vitamin D and calcium, is that the former promotes the absorption of the latter. Lactoferrin can combine divalent iron ions and trivalent iron ions to help the intestine absorb iron and prevent iron deficiency anemia. When supplementing iron, if lactoferrin is involved, it can reduce the stimulation of iron to the intestine and reduce the intake of inorganic iron ions.
4. Anti-virus
Viruses can generally combine with target cell membranes and then invade cells to cause infection. Lactoferrin can hinder this combination and achieve antiviral effect.
Step 5: antibacterial
Because lactoferrin can bind iron ions, compete for the iron needed for bacterial reproduction, and achieve the effect of inhibiting bacterial reproduction.
6. Antifungal drugs
Experiments show that lactoferrin can kill fungi (Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida albicans), but the mechanism of action needs to be studied.
7. Promote intestinal growth
A baby who is breast-fed at birth will suddenly grow a intestine in a few days. Studies have shown that the growth rate of intestinal tract of infants who eat ordinary milk powder is relatively slow, but adding lactoferrin to formula milk powder can improve the growth rate. If there is no lactoferrin in the formula, it can be supplemented appropriately.
8. It is beneficial to the proliferation of Bifidobacterium.
Lactoferrin can compete for iron needed by harmful bacteria and viruses and inhibit the reproduction of harmful microorganisms. Therefore, it can promote the reproduction of Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria and maintain a healthy intestinal microecological environment.
9. It has oxidation resistance.
Lactoferrin can inhibit thiobarbituric acid and malondialdehyde produced by iron-induced lipid peroxidation. It has ribonuclease activity and can inhibit the formation of superoxide ions. Therefore, it can reduce the damage of free radicals in human body to elastin in arterial wall and play a certain role in preventing atherosclerosis.
10. Synergy with drugs
Lactoferrin can cooperate with various antibiotics and antiviral drugs to reduce the dosage of drugs and reduce the damage of antibiotics or antifungal drugs to human liver and kidney function. At the same time, it enhances the sensitivity of microorganisms in the body to drugs.
In a word, lactoferrin participates in iron transport, and has powerful biological functions such as broad-spectrum antibacterial, antioxidant, immune system regulation, and body resistance enhancement. At present, it is also considered as a new antibacterial and anticancer drug and a food additive with great development potential.