The Effect of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation in Older Adults

University of Saskatchewan

Status: Completed

Conditions: Osteoporosis; Sarcopenia

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Whey protein; Dietary Supplement: Bovine colostrum

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT01792297

12-255

Details and patient eligibility

About

Bovine colostrum is the initial milk secreted by cows during the first day after calving. Colostrum is high in protein and contains a number of substances that have potential to be beneficial for the immune system. Preliminary studies about effects of colostrum supplementation show its potential for increasing human exercise performance; however, more evidence across the lifespan is required to confirm effects and to understand mechanisms of action. The objectives are to determine the effect of 8 weeks of bovine colostrum supplementation, compared to whey protein supplementation on the following dependent variables in men and women 50 years and older while participating in a resistance-training program:

• muscle mass
• strength
• blood levels of growth factors and markers of inflammation
• urine levels of muscle and bone catabolic markers
• tests of cognitive ability It is hypothesized that bovine colostrum supplementation will result in greater increases in muscle mass, strength, blood IGF-1 levels (an anabolic hormone), and cognitive ability, and greater reductions in inflammation, and markers of muscle and bone catabolism, compared to placebo.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Men or women 50 y or older

Exclusion criteria

• Milk allergies
• Contraindications to exercise as indicated by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Bovine Colostrum

Experimental group

Description:

60 g/d bovine colostrum in powder form to be mixed with drinks. The dose will be spread out 3 times per day (20 g per dose)

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Bovine colostrum

Whey protein

Active Comparator group

Description:

60 g/d whey protein powder mixed into drinks. It is to be divided into 3 daily doses (20 g per dose)

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Whey protein