Our immune system keeps us alive.

It prevents and fights infections, speeds healing and recovery, and helps remove abnormal cells that become senescent or cancerous.^1,2

But immune function weakens with age, resulting in higher rates of infectious disease, cancer, and other illnesses.³

Scientists have found in preclinical and clinical studies that the protein lactoferrin can provide much-needed support to immunity, helping to maximize protection.^2,4-6

Lactoferrin has been shown in published studies to help bolster immune defenses by:

• Preventing viruses from entering cells,^2,7
• Activating key immune cells and increasing their numbers,^6,8,9 and
• Increasing production of interferons, and immune regulators tied to antiviral defenses.^6,7,10,11

Taken orally, lactoferrin may help support a healthy immune system that can defend against infections and promote healthy aging.

A Defender of Health

Lactoferrin is a protein found in milk and most body secretions, such as saliva and tears. It is produced by many cell types, including cells of the immune system.²

It is one of the key components of breast milk that helps guard infants against infections while their young immune system is still developing.¹²

In the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, lactoferrin may support mucosal defense systems, which help prevent the entry of potentially harmful bacteria and viruses into body tissues.^2,4,13 Left unchecked, these pathogens can cause illnesses like the common cold, flu, and gastroenteritis ("stomach flu").⁷

One of lactoferrin’s greatest potential benefits is its ability to target a wide range of threats.^2,7 It shields against many viruses and bacteria that can cause disease. It also has activity against cells that can become cancerous.^14-16

Some of the specific ways lactoferrin benefits immunity, shown in preclinical studies include:

• Blocking viral entry into cells. Lactoferrin has been shown to prevent viruses from entering cells by binding to viruses directly and by blocking features on the surfaces of cells that viruses use to gain entry.^2,7,10 By impeding viruses from entering cells, infection risk can be reduced.
• Boosting immune cell function. Lactoferrin activates, increases the number, and enhances the function of key immune cells. This includes antibody-producing B cells, NK (natural killer) and T cells. The immune system uses the activity of these cells to target cells infected with viruses and other pathogens.^8,14
• Activating interferon production. Lactoferrin stimulates the synthesis and release of immune mediators including interferons, which direct immune cells to target and kill viruses and cells that can become cancerous.^7,10
• Blocking virus reproduction. When viruses enter cells, they hijack their machinery to turn the cell into a virus production factory, pumping out new virus particles that infect other cells. Lactoferrin can prevent viruses from reproducing in this way.^7,10,17

Supporting Immune Function

Human studies have confirmed that lactoferrin intake can aid immune function and reduce the frequency and severity of common infections like colds and flu.^8,18-20

Part of this benefit may be explained by lactoferrin’s effect on dendritic cells, which are a critical component of immunity, involved in identifying infectious pathogens and activating immune responses to eradicate the threat.^11,21 Their activity often dwindles in older age, increasing susceptibility to illness.²¹

In clinical studies of healthy adults and elderly subjects, lactoferrin intake improves the activation and responses of dendritic cells.^8,9

One of these studies found that this improvement correlates with protection from infection.

Adults who took 200 mg of lactoferrin daily for 12 weeks had reduced respiratory and body-wide symptoms, including sore throat, fever, congestion, sneezing, and runny nose, compared to a placebo group.⁸

What You Need To Know

Defend Against Infections

• With age, our immune system can deteriorate, increasing the risk and severity of infections and age-related disorders.
• Lactoferrin is a protein found in milk and other body secretions and tissues. It helps support healthy immune responses and defends against viruses and bacteria that can cause respiratory and digestive tract infections.
• Human studies confirm that lactoferrin intake can reduce risk for infectious illnesses including the common cold, the flu, the stomach flu, and others.

Defense Against Common Pathogens

Clinical research projects have shown that lactoferrin has benefits against a variety of infectious illnesses.

For example, multiple viruses can cause colds, flu, and other respiratory infections. Clinical studies show that lactoferrin intake can help reduce risk of respiratory infections and reduce their severity and duration when they do occur.^8,18-20,22

Human studies have also shown that lactoferrin may help prevent or reduce the severity of gastroenteritis symptoms caused by various pathogens, including norovirus and rotavirus.^7,22-25

Clinical studies have also found that lactoferrin combined with traditional treatment is more effective than traditional treatment alone in managing H. pylori infection (a bacterial infection associated with gastritis and ulcers).^26,27

In a clinical study to assess prevalence and duration of infectious diseases in summer, 310 healthy participants were randomized to receive, for 12 weeks, a daily dose of:²⁰

• 200 mg lactoferrin,
• 600 mg lactoferrin, or
• Placebo.

At the end of 12 weeks the treatment group had a dose-dependent reduced duration of summer colds.²⁰

These and other studies provide evidence that lactoferrin can help provide protection against a number of viral and bacterial illnesses.

Summary

Lactoferrin acts in multiple ways to support healthy immunity and defend against common pathogens.

Human studies have shown that lactoferrin intake boosts immune function, even in older adults. It helps support healthy aging by helping to reduce the impact of infections such as the common cold, flu, and stomach flu.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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