Visit COVID-19 pandemic we have been through has been marked by a politicisation 🏛️ and financialization. 💸 of medicine. In retrospect, we can see that, in the general panic 😱panic, we had forgotten that the real pillar of our health remains our system immune systemquite simply...
Faced with widespread panic, governments accustomed to applying unilateral solutions ⚖️, also largely underestimated the role of doctors - then seen as overwhelmed, powerless and inadequate.
Fortunately, scientists from all over the world 🌍 and continue to prove the contrary. Such is the case of Dr Hamid Merchant 👨🔬 from the University of Huddersfield in the UK.
With his team, this researcher has conducted a promising study 📊 on the benefits of lactoferrin in the fight against respiratory infectionsincluding COVID-19. Here's an overview of what the researchers discovered!
What we know about lactoferrin
A molecule well known to our bodies
The name may not ring a bell, but lactoferrin is nothing foreign to the human body. In fact, this protein 🧬 is present in the breast milk 🥛 (human and cow) 🐄), but also in various body fluids - from tears to secretions from the nose and digestive system [oesophagus, intestines] [1].
Key role in our immunity
The lactoferrin plays a crucial role in regulating our system immune system 🛡️. It fights intruders by blocking 🔒 their access to certain elements on which their development depends. This effectively prevents the proliferation of bacteria and other pathogens 🦠.
Good to know
Iron is one of the crucial elements on which many pathogens depend to multiply. Lactoferrin is able to bind to iron, depriving these micro-organisms of the element they need for growth.
Antiviral action
In terms of its action against viruses lactoferrin partially blocks the pathways by which viruses enter via the cell membrane.
To put it more simply, lactoferrin prevents viruses from entering our cells to infect them - bearing in mind that viruses can only survive via resources located within cells (they are "obligatory intracellular parasites").
Lactoferrin's promising results
Dr Hamid Merchant's team, in a study published in October 2021 in the prestigious journal Clinical Nutrition, explored the use of lactoferrin as a dietary supplement with the aim of reducing the frequency of respiratory 🫁 infections, including COVID-19 [2]. 🦠📉
Their initial hypothesis was based on the documented properties of this natural protein [lactoferrin], seeking to confirm whether its supplementation could also offer health benefits
Indeed, even if the benefits of lactoferrin are already well known, until now it was not known whether taking this molecule in supplement form 💊 molecule in supplement form also had any health benefits, particularly in the fight against infections respiratory infections 🫁 in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Dr Syed Hasan, one of the researchers involved in the study, puts it:
Given the importance, in the hospital setting, of respiratory tract infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, we sought to systematically review randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of bovine lactoferrin in preventing the onset of respiratory infections.
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Thanks to Dr. Merchant's meta-analysis, we were able to identify significant differences between individuals who took lactoferrin and those who didn't! According to this researcher 📢 :
The use of lactoferrin has revealed interesting potential for reducing the risk of respiratory disease and improving symptom management in patients.
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Antiviral and antibacterial properties
These are its antiviral and antibacterial properties that make lactoferrin such an excellent dietary supplement. for use against COVID-19 and other respiratory infections 🫁.
The future of lactoferrin
According to Dr. Merchant and his team:
Current data also support the idea of adding lactoferrin to infant foods, which will soon be a reality for parents.
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Although these results are still preliminary and need to be confirmed by a larger randomized controlled trial, it seems that the way is clear for lactoferrin to become a in the fight against respiratory infections. 🫁, alongside vitamin D and zinc.
In light of the promising results of this study, it appears that the addition of lactoferrin to our diet could be a simple and cost-effective way of improve our immune defences 🛡️, similar to the common use of vitamins.
More recent studies confirm the benefits of lactoferrin
As research continues to evolve, recent studies continue to support the potential of lactoferrin in the viral infections, in particular COVID-19studies that add significant weight to the understanding of how lactoferrin can play a crucial role as a natural barrier against viruses.
A study by Dr Erica Matino published in 2023 in the journal Nutrients revealed that lactoferrin could reduce the incidence of severe acute respiratory infectionswhile being well-tolerated by patients, reinforcing its safety and efficacy profile [3].
Other studies have examined lactoferrin's antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, showing promising results by inhibiting viral entry into cells. These discoveries are crucial, as they show that lactoferrin could be used to prevent the virus from spreading and entering host cells 🔒offering a potentially effective strategy for limiting viral transmission.
The immunomodulatory role of lactoferrin is also a key area of interest. Several studies have highlighted its potential to modulate the immune response, which could help reduce the severity of symptoms in patients suffering from COVID-19 [4].
Good to know
Lactoferrin can stimulate the activity of immune cells such as macrophages and T lymphocytes, improving the body's response to infections.
These recent studies reinforce the idea that lactoferrin has significant antiviral potential, which could be crucial for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies against COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections..
With these new data, the lactoferrin continues to emerge as a an essential dietary supplement in the prevention of infectious diseases.
Attention
Although promising, the efficacy of lactoferrin in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 has not been definitively proven and requires further research to confirm these preliminary results.
Lactoferrin, a simple way to boost immunity!
As we all know, 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 to do without medication 💊to avoid illness, but also, if necessary, to ensure rapid recovery, thanks to effective antibody production.
In the 21st century, in particular air pollution 🏭☢️, the respiratory tract infections multiply. The intake of lactoferrin in addition to a healthy eating habits is a simple way of ensuring maximum efficiency of the immune system at all times, avoiding most complications and the chemical "solutions" that follow.
FAQ
What is lactoferrin and what role does it play in the immune system?
Lactoferrin is a protein found in breast milk and various body fluids. It plays a crucial role in regulating the immune system, preventing the proliferation of bacteria and other pathogens through its ability to bind to iron.
How can lactoferrin help prevent respiratory infections, including COVID-19?
Studies indicate that lactoferrin could reduce the frequency of respiratory infections thanks to its antiviral and antibacterial properties, by blocking viral entry into cells and modulating the immune response.
What is the current scientific evidence supporting the use of lactoferrin against COVID-19 and other respiratory infections?
Recent research has highlighted the potential of lactoferrin in the fight against viral infections, notably through studies showing that it can inhibit the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into cells and help reduce the severity of symptoms in patients with COVID-19.
References
- Cao X, Ren Y, Lu Q, Wang K, Wu Y, Wang Y, et al. Lactoferrin: A glycoprotein that plays an active role in human health. Front Nutr. 5 Jan 2023;9:1018336.
- Ali AS, Hasan SS, Kow CS, Merchant HA. Lactoferrin reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 1 Oct 2021;45:26-32.
- Matino E, Tavella E, Rizzi M, Avanzi GC, Azzolina D, Battaglia A, et al. Effect of Lactoferrin on Clinical Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: The LAC Randomized Clinical Trial. Nutrients. Jan 2023;15(5):1285.
- Navarro R, Paredes JL, Tucto L, Medina C, Angles-Yanqui E, Nario JC, et al. Bovine lactoferrin for the prevention of COVID-19 infection in health care personnel: a double-blinded randomized clinical trial (LF-COVID). BioMetals. June 1, 2023;36(3):463-72.
