Overview
Lactoferrin is a protein found in cow milk and human milk. Colostrum, the first milk produced after a baby is born, contains about seven times more lactoferrin than is found in milk produced later on. Lactoferrin is also found in fluids in the eye, nose, respiratory tract, intestine, and elsewhere. People use lactoferrin as medicine.
Lactoferrin is used for diarrhea, swelling (inflammation) of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (hepatitis C), low levels of healthy red blood cells (anemia) due to iron deficiency, common cold, blood infection (sepsis), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Lactoferrin is used for diarrhea, swelling (inflammation) of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (hepatitis C), low levels of healthy red blood cells (anemia) due to iron deficiency, common cold, blood infection (sepsis), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Possibly Effective for
- Low iron levels in women who are pregnant. Some research shows that taking lactoferrin as a source of iron during pregnancy might be as effective as ferrous sulfate supplements.
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO RATE EFFECTIVENESS FOR…
- Helicobacter pylori infection (an ulcer-causing bacterial infection). There is conflicting research about the effectiveness of adding lactoferrin from cows (bovine lactoferrin) to standard ulcer treatments. Some studies show bovine lactoferrin improves the effectiveness of some prescription medications. Other studies show no benefit. However, studies do agree that treating Helicobacter pylori infection with bovine lactoferrin alone isn’t effective, even at high doses.
- Stimulating the immune system.
- Preventing damage related to aging.
- Promoting healthy bacteria in the intestine.
- Regulating iron metabolism.
- Fighting bacteria and viruses (antibacterial and antiviral agent).
- Use as an antioxidant.
- Other conditions.
