“There has been interest in using colostrum and the skin care benefits it can offer, but I don’t believe it has achieved the greatest interest in the media,” says Rifah Tasnim. mainstream media, that’s why cosmetic companies haven’t researched it further.” , a cosmetic chemist and the shining face behind @mynameisrifah on TikTok. “However, this growth is likely to accelerate over the next five to 10 years, as the cosmetic industry is always looking for innovative ways to deliver better and more effective skin care solutions.”
We asked Tasnim and Sarah Rahal, MD, a dual board-certified pediatric and adult neurologist and founder of ARMRA, a colostrum-based supplement company, to share more about their effects. Effects of colostrum on skin health.
What is colostrum?
Dr Rahal explains that colostrum is the earliest breast milk to start being produced in mammals (usually from around mid-pregnancy through the first days of a baby’s life). Often referred to as “liquid gold,” it is an effective first food for babies who have just been welcomed into a world full of disease and inflammatory particles.
But related story
“Colostrum is the first nutrient we all receive in life for growth, as it contains all the essential nutrients our bodies need,” says Dr. Rahal. “It is a food, but it is like Mother Nature’s vaccine for babies, because it contains all the bioactive compounds that cannot be found in any natural source. other. These compounds include things like antibodies, whole food growth factors, prebiotics and other live nutrients that help inform and optimize the development of all organ systems different in the body.
Dr. Rahal was initially interested in colostrum as a key ingredient for the infant formula she wanted to develop. As she delved deeper into the research, however, she found thousands of peer-reviewed studies showing that this “liquid gold” can work wonders over a lifetime—not just for humans. with infants. One of the main benefits is the impact on skin health as we age. She explains that colostrum heals the body from the inside out, sealing our mucosal barriers to protect our body’s immune system and respiratory tract from inflammation. This has a positive effect on the gut-skin axis, giving the user a truly glowing skin from within.
The effect of colostrum on skin health
“The exciting thing about colostrum and what we’ve learned from our customers along the way is that because it’s not a Band-Aid, the health benefits and impacts go far beyond,” said Dr. Rahal. Better gut health and stronger immunity.
She explains that there are several components of colostrum that have specific benefits for the skin and hair barrier. Because this ingredient seals the all-important mucosal barriers that protect everything from the lining of our intestines to our nasal passages, it blocks out chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, and more. Worms and other toxins are a major cause of inflammation and cell damage. Tasnim notes that a 2022 study in Korea shows the potential of colostrum as a powerful mechanism that can repair skin damage caused by UV rays.
Colostrum vs collagen
“There are several mechanisms by which colostrum is useful, especially for skin regeneration and hair growth,” says Dr. Rahal. “We have talked about this mucosal barrier and how colostrum blocks the entry of particles that cause cell damage and inflammation in the body, but it does so with compounds that go directly into the cells. , because colostrum is full of living nutrients, and they heal our existing skin and hair cells.”
The process is very different from collagen supplementation, explains Dr. Rahal, as collagen is simply providing your body with raw materials and amino acids to build new tissue instead of repairing what’s already there. Dr Rahal says that colostrum goes directly into your skin cells in response to pathways that stimulate and direct the growth of stem cells and collagen follicular cells, which is why people see such amazing results with ARMRA products. The potency of colostrum provides regenerative nutrients to the lips and skin for hydration, while anti-inflammatory to reverse redness and puffiness, Dr. Rahal explains. It just might make you skip Instagram filters, 12-step skincare routines, and other expensive supplements once and for all.
Current status of colostrum in skin care
The big idea is to drink colostrum, not use it in your face cream. “There is research showing that colostrum as a supplement can help treat or prevent infections of the gastrointestinal tract and immune system, thus making it a nutritional or functional food. capabilities and it could play an important role in the future of healthcare.” Tasnim said. “However, when it comes to topical application, research is limited and hasn’t been studied in depth enough to demonstrate significant skin care benefits.”
Tasnim explains that this lack of research doesn’t mean that colostrum-based skin care products don’t have functional benefits, but she says there’s still a lot of work to be done to harness the potential of colostrum. it in topical formulations. Tasnim notes that there are plenty of other ingredients (such as retinoids) that have been shown to help fight signs of aging, existing UV damage, acne, and other skin problems.
Dr Rahal says there are some interesting colostrum-based skin care items on the market today, but any topical product containing colostrum should always be considered a secondary supplement to milk. young to eat. In addition, you will enjoy other benefits throughout the process.
Is it ethical to use colostrum?
You may be wondering, how do skin care and colostrum companies supplement their products? Dr Rahal explains that every item on the mass market is made from bovine colostrum. Cows produce an average of 15 liters of feed, while their calves never eat more than half of their supply. The rest becomes a by-product of the dairy industry, so there’s a lot to rotate. If you are interested in adding colostrum to your skin care routine, you should contact the company that made the product to find out how they deliver the ingredient.
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