Introduction :
PerCoBa™ may well be the only pure, unaltered and uncompromised bovine colostrum in the market today. Over forty years of product-specific studies present scientific evidence that support PerCoBa's safety, efficacy and health-related claims. Dr. Richard Cockrum, developer of PerCoBa, has dedicated himself to the science and research necessary to prove the many health benefits that true colostrum offers. He is considered the father of modern colostrum. His research revealed that 80% of all active biological components are captured in the first collection, within the initial six-hour window. After that small window, collections are transitional milk.

IMPROVEMENT AND MODULATION OF HUMAN IMMUNE INDICES 1*
OBJECTIVE : To assess the effects of PerCoBa bovine colostrum on general systemic immunity.

METHODS : Study subjects were forty healthy female volunteers, aged 17.5 to 19.4, without any history of serious disease and not receiving therapeutic drugs or food supplements for the term of this study (a total of four weeks) or the 6 months prior. Each subject was fully informed about the research protocol and agreed to participate. Study subjects were divided equally into two groups. Feeding Period: Group A received one 200mg PerCoBa colostrum lozenge daily and Group B received two 200mg PerCoBa colostrum lozenges daily (400mg/day) for the first two weeks. Post-feeding Period: during the third and fourth weeks neither group received any PerCoBa colostrum supplementation.

MEASUREMENTS : Five blood samples, 5ml each, were taken from each participant prior to receiving PerCoBa and at the end of each week. Each sample was centrifuged immediately. Serum was inspected for immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA using RID (Radical Immunodiffussion) test kits. T lymphocytes CD4 and CD8 were estimated using Immunoflourescense Specific Staining kits. The level of significant difference within the treatments was set at P<0.05.

RESULTS : As shown in the data displayed in Chart 1, PerCoBa produced a positive increase in the estimated titers of serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA for both groups. The 400mg dose of PerCoBa displayed the best improvement.

CHART 1

As shown in Chart 2, PerCoBa produced a positive effect for both groups when focusing on T-lymphocytes CD4 and CD8 as the parameters of cell-mediated immunity. The 400mg dose of PerCoBa displayed the best improvement.

CHART 2

CONCLUSIONS :

The human subjects were significantly influenced by oral supplementation of PerCoBa colostrum lozenges, with a daily dose of 400mg of PerCoBa colostrum showing the most improvement. There was a marked increase extending through the post-feeding period, suggesting that PerCoBa may promote the human immune system's production of its own native immunoglobulins (as suggested by Bulter; 1994 and Korhonen et al.; 1995 and 1998) and initiate the release of CD4 and CD8 (Leszek et al.; 1999). PerCoba has been shown to be effective in improvement and modulation of humoral and cell-mediated immune indices during the feeding (two weeks) and post-feeding (two weeks) durations. The findings suggest that incorporation of PerCoBa colostrum as a dietary supplement provides immunity enhancement and modulation, which could be especially beneficial for those who suffer from auto-immune diseases, offering both clinical and nutritional benefits.

ANTI-DIABETIC INFLUENCE 2*

OBJECTIVE : To assess the possible anti-diabetic influence of PerCoBa on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS : Adult Wistar rats were rendered hyperglycemic by a single inter-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin. Hyperglycemic rats with at least 2.5 times the normal blood glucose level were separated out one week later. Along with normal Wistar rats that had not been injected, the subjects were sorted into four groups: normal control (NC), normal on PerCoBa (NP), diabetic control (DC) and diabetic on PerCoBa (DP). For eight weeks, the PerCoBa fed rats were maintained on a diet consisting of 1.25% powdered PerCoBa colostrum while the control groups were not given any supplementation.

MEASUREMENTS : Blood was drawn and fasting plasma glucose levels were monitored every two weeks. Body weights and 24 hour urine samples were collected weekly. Urine measurements included volume, urinary glucose, proteins, urea and creatinine.

RESULTS : The PerCoBa colostrum in the supplemented diet did not produce any apparent changes in food intake by the animals. The blood glucose levels dropped significantly (P<0.001), as seen in Chart 3.

CHART 3

PerCoBa groups saw a progressive decrease in urine volume (18-45%) over the eight-week period. This was accompanied by a slight improvement in the body weights of the diabetic animals kept on the PerCoBa colostrum diet. The PerCoBa supplemented animals also excreted glucose at levels 1/4 th that of the control animals. Protein excretion did not appear to be affected by the PerCoBa supplemented diet, although those groups did produce a 60% lower amount (P<0.01) of urea excreted when compared to the corresponding controls. Supplementation resulted in a significant (P<0.01) decrease in creatinine excreted by the diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONS : PerCoBa colostrum was found to be remarkably beneficial, as indicated by reduction in hyperglycemia and glucosuria in diabetic rats fed a colostrum-supplemented diet. Dietary bovine colostrum also countered other metabolic alterations as revealed by lowering blood glucose levels and reducing excretions of urea and creatinine of diabetic animals. Given the evidence provided by this study, it may be concluded that daily supplementation of PerCoBa bovine colostrum could improve the general health conditions of diabetic patients.

CONTROLLING INFANTILE WATERY DIARRHEA ASSOCIATED WITH CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS 3*

OBJECTIVE : To investigate the anti-rotavirus potency of PerCoBa colostrum in conjunction with stimulation of immunoglobulin production.

METHODS : Fifty-three infants, ages 9-24 months, diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis induced diarrhea, were divided into four groups: Group A was a control group composed of 5 males and 6 females and groups B-D each consisted of 6 males and 8 females. All four groups received a rehydration solution. Group A did not receive any further treatment. Group B received one 5ml dose of liquid PerCoBa per day for one week. Group C received two 5ml doses (10ml) of liquid PerCoBa per day for one week. Group D received three 5ml doses (15ml) of liquid PerCoBa per day for one week. All groups were followed for an additional week after PerCoBa treatments. None of the groups received any anti-parasitic medications during the two-week study.

MEASUREMENTS : Stool samples were collected daily to measure the presence of cryptosporidiosis as well as the IgG, IgM and IgA titers. Blood samples were taken daily from each infant's right arm and immediately centrifuged to measure the serum immunoglobulin titer.

RESULTS : Most of the control group (73.3%) continued to have severe diarrhea and general weakness by the seventh day. The same was also noticed of group B, having only the 5ml/day dose, but to a lesser extreme. Groups C and D fully recovered, with the 15ml/day dose being the fastest and most effective dosage, as shown in the data displayed in Chart 4.

CHART 4

Fecal IgG, IgM and IgA titers rose regularly with all PerCoba treated groups. The increase directly corresponded with the dose of liquid PerCoba administered daily, with the control group seeing no change at all while the 15ml/day group saw maximum improvement over the seven days (+111.04 of IgG, +122.02 of IgM and +122.46 of IgA). Group D also saw a serum immunoglobulin titer increase of +132.92 by day seven.

CONCLUSIONS :

Cryptosporidium pavrum is recognized as the leading cause of severe parasitic gastroenteritis outbreaks. Along with the implications supporting an improved immune system (shown by the rise in immunoglobulins), PerCoBa was shown to be an effective treatment for children suffering from parasitic diarrhea. It is key to note the relationship between the daily dosage amount and the antiparasitic potency of PerCoBa . Complete recovery from Cryptosporidium parvum was seen earlier in PerCoBa colostrum infant groups that were treated with a higher daily dose. PerCoBa could be a useful tool as a complementary non-antibiotic treatment, along with a rehydration solution, to control childhood diarrhea associated with cryptosporidium infection.

PerCoBa

Caution: If pregnant or breast feeding, consult a physician before use.

Note: Milk contained, if any, is in trace amounts. People that have been diagnosed with lactose intolerance report that PerCoBa produces no negative reactions.

References:

•  Ragab, S.S.; Afifi,E.A.A.;(2001) Bovine colostrum: its dietary supplementation role in improvement and modulation of human immune indices. Bulletin of Egyptian Society for Physiological Sciences , Egypt. 21(2): 453-479.

•  Ragab, S.S.;(2002) Anti-diabetic influence of bovine colostrum in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Egyptian Journal of Nutrition. 17(2): 229-254.

•  Ragab, S.S.; Elkhalik, A.E.M.A.; Elrahman, T.M.A.;(2003) Role of Bovine Colostrum Ingestion in Controlling Infantile Watery Diarrhea Associated With Cryptosporidiosis. Egyptian Journal of Nutrition. 21(4).

Additional PerCoBa Studies

•  Ragab, S.S.; Body, E.A.; Antioxidant Activities of Dietary Bovine Colostrum and its Metabolites Lactoferrin and Lactoperoxidase. Food Science and Nutrition Department, Home Economics Faculty, Minufiya University, Egypt.

•  Ragab, S.S.; Mahmoud, M.A.; Elkhalek, A.M.; Role of Dietary Bovine Colostrum and its Bio-functional Active Fraction, Proline-rich Polypeptide (PRP) Supplementation in Improvement of Hormonal Status in Patients with Addison's Disease. Nutrition and Food Science, Home Economics Faculty, Minufiya University, Cairo, Egypt and Biochemistry Department, National Institute of Nutrition, Cairo, Egypt .

•  Ragab, S.S.; Shahin, K.A.; Role of Dietary Bovine Colostrum on Detoxifying Enzymes of Rats Fed a Carcinogen. Food Science and Nutrition Department, Home Economics Faculy, Minufiya University, Egypt.

•  Ragab, S.S.; Elkholy, E.A.; Elsaid, A.H.; Effects of Dietary Bovine Colostrum Drink on Serum Lipids in Men and Women with Hypercholesterolemia. Food Science and Technology Department, Home Economics Faculty, Minufiya University, Egypt and Food Science Department, National Institute of Nutrition, Cairo.

•  Sherif Sabry Ragab, Ahmad Goma Nasar. Effect of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Calcium Absorption and Bone Mineral Density in Girls, Food Science and Technology – Home Economics Faculty, Minuofiya University.

•  Sabry, S.; Abd Elkhalik A.; Attia F.A.; Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of bovine colostrum in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. National Institute of Nutrition, Cairo, Egypt, Internal Medicine Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Al Azhar University for Girls, Cairo, Egypt.

•  Sharif S. Ragab, Mohamed A. Mahmoud. Effect of Bovine Colostrum on Utilization of Calcium in Vitamin D-Replete and Vitamin D-Deficient Rats. Nutrition and Food Science Department, Home Economics Faculty, Minufiya University, Cairo, Egypt and Nutrition and Biochemistry Department, National Institute of Nutrition, Cairo.

•  (1998) Effect of daily intake of protein and iron on lactoferrin content of maternal colostrum as an antimicrobial agent. Egyptian Journal of Nutrition, Egypt . 13 (1): 61-32.

•  (1998) Chemical and microbiological and antimicrobial properties of maternal milk during one year of lactation. 3 rd Conference of Home Economics Faculty, Miufiya University, Egypt. 4: 111-133 .