The effectiveness of oral goat colostrum in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Our preliminary experience

Introduction. The properties of colostrum were recognized and investigated more thoroughly in the first half of the eighties, when the immune factors and growth factors it contains were pointed out. Numerous studies show that the administration of colostrum benefits the subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus as it gradually regulates appetite, improves utilization of nutrients, especially glucose, and leads to a significant decrease in body fat. Materials and Methods. The following study is aimed at verifying a possible reduction in the use of insulin in 27 subjects with type 2 diabetes, treated with goat colostrum in the form gastro-resistant tablets of 300 mg (4/die). Results. In subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin, the administration of colostrum has obtained a significant reduction of insulin dosage and normalization of blood glucose levels. Conclusions. The effects of colostrum are presumably linked to increased levels of IGF-1 that improves the utilization of glucose, stimulates glycogen and protein synthesis.