Long ago, colostrum was perceived by people as a source of nutrients that has a truly healing effect on the body, because it has no analogues among other products of animal origin. This liquid is produced in cows only in the first few days after calving, and at this time it is critically important for the calf, as it is the only product suitable for the newborn organism. Composition, benefit and harm, as well as features of the use of colostrum will be discussed in the article.
What it is
Colostrum (colostrum gravidarum) is the special secret of the mammary glands of absolutely all mammals (including humans), which begins to be produced several weeks or days before delivery and is released the first time after the birth of offspring.
Did you know? In women in the first days after birth, 10-100 ml of colostrum is released.Colostrum differs significantly from milk both in composition and in appearance: it is fatter, viscous and thick, has a yellow tint, and is also distinguished by its salty taste and smell. It is possible to use this cow product for food purposes without fear of cheating a calf - a newborn organism needs only 1/3 of the total volume produced by the female "first milk". Colostrum from a cow at 4-7 lactation is considered the most useful.
How many days does the cow produce
The body of the borenka produces colostrum from 6 to 10 days after calving, however, the composition of the substance will differ significantly on different days. Already after 3 days, the level of protein, fat and other elements is sharply declining.
Read more about cow calving: how long it lasts, what signs of approach and how to properly care for a cow after giving birth.
Calorie and chemical composition
Colostrum is a unique blend of several hundred substances. Being a harbinger of milk, this product has a completely different composition with milk. They have different calorie, mineral and vitamin composition.
The ratio of BJU and nutritional value:
- proteins - 27 g;
- fats - 1.7 g;
- carbohydrates - 13 g;
- calorie - 190 kcal on the first day, 130 kcal on the third day.
The chemical composition of the product:
- vitamins: A, E, C, D, B groups (B1, B2, B6, B12);
- minerals: magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (Ph), calcium (C);
- immunoglobulins;
- cytokines (hormone-like proteins);
- growth factors (insulin-like, transforming, platelet and epithelial);
- 18 amino acids;
- interferons;
- lactoferrin (innate immunity factor)
- natural antibiotics (lysozyme);
- prebiotics.
Did you know? By chemical composition, colostrum has much more similarity with blood than with ordinary milk.
The benefits and harm to the human body
One of the main objectives of colostrum is an immunomodulating function. Factors of immune protection, as well as immunoglobulins effectively protect the body from bacteria, fungi, which usually inhabit the stomach, bronchi, intestines. Immunomodulatory property of cow's milk is effective for both calves and other mammals, so a person can use it safely. 
Turns out that For people who want to strengthen the immune system, cow colostrum will be a very useful product. Its use has a positive effect on the body, weakened by dysbacteriosis, chronic fatigue, chronic inflammatory processes, diabetes, headaches and depression, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, various injuries.
Useful properties of the product:
- increase the body's defenses;
- normalization of gastric microflora;
- strengthening the nervous system, the skeleton;
- body toning;
- protection from allergens;
- removal of toxins and slags from the body;
- improvement of hair, nails;
- rejuvenation;
- normalization of the digestive system.
Important! Harm of colostrum can manifest itself for people with intolerance to dairy products and allergies to them.The product will be useful for people of different ages, and especially for children, the elderly, athletes, people with difficult physical conditions. To refrain from excessive consumption of this fluid is for people suffering from problem skin, as well as for overweight, given the high caloric content.
Food use
Next, consider how to use the product with the maximum health benefits.
How to drink to a person
"First milk" has a specific taste and smell, because not everyone may like it unprepared, liquid, that is, natural. Since this is a product of high concentrations of various substances, they should not be abused. If you buy it in the form of the drug (colostrum), the dosage will depend on the age:
- babies from 6 to 12 months - 10 g in the morning and evening;
- 1-3 years - 10-15 g twice a day;
- 3-6 years - 15 g twice a day;
- pregnant women and adults - 15 g twice a day.
Find out why cow's milk is useful, what determines its fat content, and why cow's milk tastes bitter when souring.
Additive can be diluted with hot water (about 50 ° C) or added to cereals, drinks and other dishes. 
Cow colostrum casserole
What can you cook
The most common, simple and universally favorite dish of colostrum remains casserole, that is, the "first milk", baked in the oven with sugar and eggs. You can keep such a treat in the refrigerator, chopped into pieces in its own juice, for a week. If you put the dessert in the freezer, the shelf life will increase to 6 months.
Important! It is impossible to use colostrum for the preparation of fermented milk products, butter, cheese due to its chemical composition and properties.
It can be used for baking, noodles, desserts. Gourmets should try to apply it when cooking meat dishes and bacon. For example, in Kazakhstan, yellow colostrum (liquid after the first feeding of the calf) is made into meat sauces.
For centuries, colostrum has been appreciated by people for centuries, it was even called “liquid gold” for its richness, healing properties and amazing delicate taste of desserts made from it. You can use this product without fear to people of different ages and in various diseases.
Video: How to make colostrum
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