For many years, colostrum for dogs and cats has been a celebrated health supplement for our adored beasts – and for good reason!
Colostrum is the first form of breastmilk that is released by the mammary glands after a mammal gives birth. It’s nutrient-dense and high in immunoglobulins to build a newborn baby’s immune system. It changes to breast milk within two to four days after a baby is born.
For animals, the health supplement is bovine colostrum – taken from momma cows.
But what if we told you colostrum isn’t the only substance that delivers those valuable benefits – namely the immunoglobulins?
And what the heck are immunoglobulins?
The Power of Immunoglobulins
One of the things that gives colostrum for dogs and cats (and any animal) its power is immunoglobulins (AKA antibodies).
There are 5 primary classes of immunoglobulins, and each class has a different structure and a slightly different function, including things like protecting against bacterial and viral infections and encouraging homeostasis in the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts.
Immunoglobulins are present in almost every organ or tissue in the body. They latch on to invaders (bacteria, viruses, toxins, etc.), preventing them from entering cells, and then the body eliminates them. See ya harmful invaders – don’t let the door hit you on the way out!
Colostrum contains, on average, about 20-25% immunoglobulins. And that’s a lot.
But that alternative we mentioned above, it contains more than 50%!
So, what is this alternative we keep eluding to?
A Unique Alternative to Colostrum for Dogs
As mentioned, colostrum is the milk produced by mothers in the first few days after birth. It provides babies with valuable immunoglobulins that protect them and help them develop strong immune systems from the get-go.
But no animals consume colostrum after those first few days. Mother Nature didn’t intend for it to be a regular part of an animal’s (or human’s) daily intake.
You know what is normal for daily intake, at least for carnivores and omnivores? Blood. Carnivores and omnivores regularly consume blood when they eat their prey.
And you know what there is a lot of in blood? Immunoglobulins…
That got us thinking… and researching. What did we discover? Serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin (SBI).
What is Serum-derived Bovine Immunoglobulin?
Serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin (SBI) is a bovine plasma isolate.
SBI contains more than 50% immunoglobulins. In fact, it contains the highest concentration of naturally sourced immunoglobulins available. That’s darn impressive if you ask us.
Because of this, it actually binds to a greater number of harmful bacteria (more common pathogens), helping to promote the body’s innate resistance to these harmful pathogens, antigens, yeast, mold, and endotoxins.
And those immunoglobulins provide a whole host of benefits:
- Help maintain normal histamine levels
- Support for seasonal skin allergies
- Support immune system function
- Support healthy digestion
- Help maintain a normal inflammatory response
- Promote the body’s innate resistance to pathogens
- Promote vital homeostasis in the body
Plus, it does not contain milk products such as lactose, casein, or whey – which can be really helpful for those animals with lactose sensitivities!
And it is very ethical and eco-friendly!
Three Really Important (& Positive) Points
Important Point #1: SBI is non-systemic.
This means it doesn’t encourage the production of immunoglobulins in the body. You don’t want too many, as this can cause the immune system to become overreactive. (If you’re not sure why this is so important, an overactive immune system is one of the leading causes of allergies and autoimmune disease!)
Instead, SBI gives the body immunoglobulins to use, rather than having to produce them! Being non-systemic and inhibiting pathogens from crossing the gut barrier leads to little-to-no reaction from the immune cells.
Important Point #2: SBI protects the lining of the gut.
If you’ve heard of leaky gut before, this will spark your interest for sure. (If you haven’t, it might make you sit up and take note!)
The lining of the gut is like a fine cheesecloth. When it’s healthy, those tiny holes stay tiny, containing food and other substances to the gut until they are secreted. When the lining becomes damaged, however, those tiny holes become inflamed, stiffen, stretch, and get bigger.
This damage allows antigens (undigested food particles, toxins, bacteria, etc.) to “leak” through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. The immune system then reacts to these foreign particles, leading to inflammation and a host of other health issues, including everything from allergies, autoimmune disease, and cancer to digestive disorders and joint issues.
Since antigens damage the gut lining, and SBI binds to antigens, carrying them out of the body before they can do damage, it helps to maintain the integrity of the gut lining! That’s huge!!
Important Point #3: SBI promotes homeostasis.
If you’re not familiar with the term, think of homeostasis like the perfect balance.
When a body is in perfect health, there is homeostasis. It’s the process by which the body regulates and helps sustain optimal health (and thus, survival).
The body has the innate wisdom to know when things are not as they should be. It knows to recognize when things are too high, too low, too fast, too slow, etc. That’s what the body is doing, constantly. And when it recognizes a threat or a challenge (bacteria, viruses, toxins, etc.), it should have the ability to defend and regulate the systems of the body to maintain balance.
However, homeostasis is easily threatened by things in our environment (environmental pollutants, toxins, low-quality food, pesticides, stress, drugs, etc.) and by damage in the body (trauma to the gut, dysbiosis, leaky gut). And when these things overwhelm the body’s ability to maintain balance, it becomes vulnerable, and the disease process begins.
By promoting homeostasis, SBI helps maintain the health of the whole body!
In the End…
We know that there are many, many amazing health supplements for our animals out there. And we know that many, many of these are backed by research that shows their benefits. In the case of colostrum for dogs and cats, that’s undeniably true.
But there are also alternatives that provide the same (or in this case, even greater) benefits. With SBI, you’re getting those same powerful immunoglobulins that you get from colostrum, but in a far greater number – meaning it can defend the body even more – and in a way that’s closer to what Nature intended and more species-oriented. And that’s always a bonus in our book!
