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An immune deficiency disease can develop when part of the immune system is absent or its function is in some way impaired. This can result from either from a defect in the cells of the immune system, or from an environmental or external agent that causes damage to these cells (as in AIDS).

Because one of the most important functions of the immune system is to protect the body against infection, patients with immune deficiency diseases usually become more susceptible to secondary infections that the immune system is unable to control. For this reason, sometimes the most important or immediate goal in the treatment of immune deficiency diseases is to boost immune system function overall, and supplementation with colostrum can be very effective in doing this.

Colostrum contains several substances that actively participate in various immune system processes. Collectively called immune factors, these substances are the key to colostrum's ability to boost immune system function and strengthen immune response.

Immunoglobulins

One type of immune factor in colostrum exceptional in its ability to boost immune system function falls into a category called immunoglobulins. These are ready-made antibodies, immediately available to boost immune system function by combating a number of different bacterial pathogens.

The most abundant immunoglobulin component in both colostrum and milk is called Secretory Immunoglobulin-A (IgA). The function of secretory IgA is unique because it mostly adheres to the interior walls of the intestines, *painting* them with a localized immunity that prevents infectious organisms from entering the body proper.

Bovine colostrum also contains high concentrations of another type of immunoglobulin called IgG. Immunoglobulin-G is especially effective in treating a form of diarrhea called cryptosporidiosis. Caused by microscopic parasites in the intestine, cryptosporidiosis can be deadly for people with severely weakened immune systems. Through both its IgA and IgG components, bovine colostrum can provide immediate relief for the symptoms of cryptosporidiosis and many other forms of diarrhea by largely eliminating the parasites or bacteria that cause them.

Lactoferrin and Transfer Factors

Two other immune factors in colostrum are important contributors to its ability to boost immune system response. These are called lactoferrin and transfer factors. Lactoferrin helps deprive bacteria of the iron they need to reproduce, and it releases iron into red blood cells for enhancing oxygenation of body tissues.

Several studies have shown that lactoferrin has the ability to neutralize viral activity in a non-specific way, regardless of the types of viruses present. Transfer factors are *directions* for particular immune responses that can be transferred from one species or individual to another. They further boost immune system function by chemically communicating information about specific antigens.

This information enables the recognition of target antigens by the immune system, and the deployment of an effective immune response.