Long-Term Bovine Colostrum Supplementation in Football Players.

2023-11-14
Nutrients 15(22)
- Mirosława Cieślicka
- Błażej Stankiewicz
- Radosław Muszkieta
- Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe
- Jacek Klawe
- Anna Skarpańska-Stejnborn
- Joanna Ostapiuk-Karolczuk

PubMed: 38004173
DOI: 10.3390/nu15224779

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 28 male football players
Methods: Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover protocol (24 weeks of colostrum/placebo) with standardized exercise test at baseline, 3 and 6 months; blood samples before and after exercise and after 3 hours recovery
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 6 months
Funding: Unclear

Rigorous Journal

Physical exercise, especially of high intensity, is a significant burden on an athlete's body. It should be emphasized that achieving high results in competitive sports requires the use of significant, sometimes extreme, exercise loads during training, which may result in homeostasis disorders, adversely affecting the fitness of athletes. This study aims to investigate the effects of 6 months of bovine colostrum supplementation on indicators of immune system functioning, selected parameters related to iron management, and anabolic/catabolic balance in young football players. Twenty-eight male football players completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover protocol (24 weeks of colostrum/placebo). A standardized exercise test was executed at the beginning of the trial and after 3 and 6 months of supplementation. Blood samples were taken before and after the exercise test and after 3 h of recovery. Markers of iron homeostasis, pro- and anti-inflammatory balance, and hormonal responses were determined. A significant increase in immunoglobulin G concentration was observed, accompanied by a decrease in inflammatory markers in supplemented athletes. Bovine colostrum supplementation had no significant effect on athletes' performance or on iron management and hormonal response. The use of bovine colostrum, which is characterized by a high content of immunologically active compounds, can be an element of a relatively mild and safe intervention for reducing inflammation induced by intense physical exercise.

Research Insights

Bovine Colostrum→Improved Athletic Performance
Bovine colostrum supplementation had no significant effect on athletes' performance
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified in abstract
Bovine Colostrum→Improved Hormonal Response
Bovine colostrum supplementation had no significant effect on athletes' performance or on iron management and hormonal response.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified in abstract
Bovine Colostrum→Improved Iron Homeostasis
Bovine colostrum supplementation had no significant effect on athletes' performance or on iron management and hormonal response.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified in abstract
Bovine Colostrum→Increased Immunoglobulin G Levels
A significant increase in immunoglobulin G concentration was observed, accompanied by a decrease in inflammatory markers in supplemented athletes.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified in abstract
Bovine Colostrum→Reduced Inflammatory Markers
A significant increase in immunoglobulin G concentration was observed, accompanied by a decrease in inflammatory markers in supplemented athletes.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified in abstract

Adverse Events Reported

Bovine Colostrum→Overall tolerability
The use of bovine colostrum, which is characterized by a high content of immunologically active compounds, can be an element of a relatively mild and safe intervention for reducing inflammation induced by intense physical exercise.
Finding
Reported