A Brief Overview: Breast Milk Colostrum Bioactives

Abstract

Colostrum is the basic nutrient that is secreted after birth and meets all the needs of the newborn. Colostrum is rich in nutritional micro and macronutrients and bioactive substances such as antimicrobial and growth factors, which are necessary for the development of the newborn's digestive and immune systems. Colostrum differs from mature milk in terms of appearance, amount, and content. It has higher levels of immunoglobulin A, growth factors, and other protective components. Colostrum has a lesser energy, protein, and carbohydrate composition than mature milk, but a higher fat content. This review summarizes the available information on the composition of human colostrum. Furthermore, it provides an overview of growth factors and immune factors found in colostrum.