If you look into it, you will often find IgG as a prominent value in connection with colostrum, such as IgG 10, IgG 20 or – in the case of armacura® – IgG 40.
In this article you can read what the so-called IgG factor means, why it can vary between colostrum products and what the factor has to do with quality.
What IgG factors mean for colostrum
If you find IgG 10, IgG 20, IgG 30 or IgG 40 on a colostrum product, you must first classify it. This section gives you everything you need to know and explains the value step by step.
What are immunoglobulins?
Immunoglobulin, abbreviated “Ig”, is a synonym for antibodies. These are protein structures that are part of the acquired immune defense. Immunoglobulins are produced in the body by the so-called B cells or plasma cells after the first contact with pathogens and serve to recognize and bind them upon renewed contact and thus render them harmless.
Immunoglobulin G and other types
There are different types or classes of antibodies – IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE and IgD. Immunoglobulin G is the most abundant. In the body, it is present in high numbers both in the blood and in tissue. In other words, it is a systemic, general part of the immune defense – in contrast to the other types, which have more limited functions. IgA primarily protects the mucous membranes, IgM is mainly involved in allergic reactions, IgE is also involved in immediate allergic reactions and parasite defense and IgD mainly plays a role in the activation of B cells.
What IgG factor 40 means for colostrum
The indication “IgG factor 40” is intended to provide a comparative value.
The figure indicates that the colostrum product contains 40 times as much immunoglobulin G as the same amount of human breast milk. Human breast milk (not human colostrum) contains approx. 0.09 % IgG, whereas armacura® Colostrum contains 3.6 % – hence the factor 40.
Why does cow colostrum contain IgG in such large quantities?
Unlike in humans, there is no nest protection in cows. Human babies receive their first immunoglobulins before birth via the placenta, whereas calves only receive them after birth via the colostrum supply. This is why the concentration of immunoglobulins (especially IgG) in cow colostrum is naturally much higher. As humans and cows have shared the same habitat for a long time, they are confronted with the same environmental influences and the immunoglobulin G is correspondingly similar – ideal to use for our purposes.*
(*Unfortunately, as a manufacturer/distributor of foodstuffs, we are prohibited from making healing statements regarding the effects of colostrum products on humans. We must therefore refer to worldwide medical publications and studies or to the relevant specialist literature).
Processing and IgG factor
The processing of the colostrum raw material has a decisive influence on the IgG content of the end product. Fat and casein are removed on the way from the raw material to the end product, making the liquid clear and the IgG significantly more usable (bioavailable) for the human body. This is because the IgG is then less bound. A special, gentle concentration process ensures that each ampoule (6 ml) of armacura® Colostrum contains 200 mg of pure IgG.
Colostrum: IgG factor as a quality criterion?
The IgG factor is certainly a helpful orientation value, because it says something about the concentration of a central colostrum component. This makes all the difference, especially with liquid preparations, as highly specialized processes are required to achieve a high concentration of bioavailable ingredients.
Further quality criteria for colostrum
Origin
The origin of the raw material is a key quality feature. This is because the husbandry, hygiene and health of the animals have a direct influence on the quality of the colostrum.
Processing
High-quality colostrum requires the gentlest possible processing. This is because bioactive components such as immunoglobulins react sensitively to unsuitable processing conditions, particularly in terms of temperature. Colostrum products from armacura® are not sterilized by pasteurization, but by gentle cold filtration and – in the case of powder – freed from liquid by freeze-drying.
You can read more about this here:
Purity & additives
Thanks to the aforementioned processing, armacura® does not require any preservative additives, while the ingredients remain fully intact. When buying, also look out for fillers, flavorings or additives and avoid products in which these are used. A pure natural product that has been carefully processed is still the best choice.
Conclusion: What colostrum IgG values tell us
The IgG factor describes the concentration of the important antibody immunoglobulin G in colostrum compared to human breast milk. Colostrum with an IgG factor of 40 therefore has 40 times as much IgG as the same amount of human breast milk.
In addition to the origin of the raw material, the processing is decisive for this factor and the quality of the product as a whole. Only highly specialized processes such as those used by armacura® can ensure that the valuable natural ingredients such as IgG are preserved and remain bioavailable, i.e. usable by the body.
Would you like to deepen your knowledge? Find out more here:
Ähnliche Artikel
Colostrum IgG factor: What does it mean?
If you look into it, you will often find IgG as a prominent value ...
Liquid colostrum and other forms
Colostrum is consumed in liquid or powder form as a food supplement. In this ...