The period we are going through at the moment is marked by an unprecedented politicization and financialization of medicine. It seems that, in the general panic, we forget that the starting point of our health remains our immune system . Governments, accustomed to applying unilateral solutions, try to replace doctors who are considered overwhelmed, unable to cope and find solutions.
But fortunately, every day scientists around the world prove us the opposite. This is particularly the case of Dr. Hamid Merchant of the University of Huddersfield in the United Kingdom and his team, in their promising study devoted to the benefits of lactoferrin in the fight against respiratory diseases , and in particular COVID-19. A brief overview of what the researchers discovered.
Lactoferrin, a well-known molecule in our body
This name may not mean anything to you, yet lactoferrin is nothing foreign to the human body. This protein is present in human and cow's breast milk, as well as in the bodily fluids of the eyes, nose, esophagus and intestine. It has a key role in regulating the activity of the immune system : by preventing pathogenic cells and other bacteria from accessing iron, an essential element for their survival, lactoferrin blocks the cell multiplication process.
Concerning its action on viruses, lactoferrin partly blocks access routes to cells via the cell membrane, thus making virus penetration more complicated.
The starting hypothesis, which Dr. Merchant's team had set itself, was therefore that lactoferrin, used as a dietary supplement, could reduce the risk of developing respiratory diseases , and that Covid-19 could be sensitive to it. also. Indeed, even if the benefits of this protein are well documented, it was unknown until now if taking this molecule in the form of a supplement also had a beneficial value.
The promising results of lactoferrin
The study carried out by the researchers, available here , makes Professor Merchant and his team optimistic about the possibilities offered by this protein, taken as a dietary supplement. Indeed, the results show significant differences between the test groups who consumed lactoferrin as a dietary supplement and those who did not.
“Given the importance of hospital-based respiratory tract infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, we sought to systematically review interventional randomized clinical trials of the effectiveness of bovine lactoferrin in preventing the onset of respiratory infections ," said Dr. Syed Hasan, another university researcher involved in the study.
"The administration of lactoferrin has shown promising efficacy in reducing the risk of respiratory disease and may also have a beneficial role in symptom management and patient recovery," he added.
It is its antiviral and antibacterial properties that make lactoferrin an excellent dietary supplement to use against COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Although these results are still preliminary and deserve to be confirmed by a larger controlled and randomized trial, it seems that the way is clear for lactoferrin to become a major supplement in the fight against respiratory infections, with vitamin D and Zinc.
But that's not all : "Current evidence is also supportive of fortifying lactoferrin in infant formula - it won't be long before parents can find lactoferrin fortified infant formula on the shelves." , added Dr. Merchant.
It therefore seems that the absorption of lactoferrin in greater quantities, especially during winter periods and as has been done for a long time with the vitamins present in supermarkets, is a simple, inexpensive and effective way of strengthening our immune defences.
Lactoferrin, a simple way to boost your immunity
We know that our first line of defense (and not just against COVID) is our immune system. Strengthening it and taking care of it is the best way to do without medication, to avoid illnesses but also, if necessary, to ensure rapid recovery, through the production of effective antibodies . In the 21st century, particularly because of air pollution , respiratory tract infections are on the increase. Taking lactoferrin in addition to a healthy diet is a simple way to ensure that your immune system is working at maximum efficiency at all times, avoiding most complications and the chemical “fixes” that follow.
