Is lactoferrin safe?

Are you worried about the safety of lactoferrin? Do you lie awake at night wondering if this supplement is going to kill you in your sleep? Well, worry no more! We’ve done some digging and have all the answers you need. So sit back, relax and let us provide some reassurance on whether lactoferrin is safe for consumption.

What Is Lactoferrin?

For those who are not familiar with what lactoferrin is, it’s a protein that naturally occurs in milk (both human and bovine) as well as other bodily fluids such as blood, saliva and tears. The name comes from its ability to bind iron ions – ‘lacto’ meaning milk and ‘ferrin’ relating to iron. This wonder protein has been found to have numerous health benefits including aiding in immunity, bone formation and even acting as an antioxidant.

How Is Lactoferrin Made?

Lactoferrin can be extracted from cow’s milk or produced through recombinant DNA technology using bacteria or yeasts. Many supplements on the market label their lactoferrin as “bovine sourced” but don’t worry NO COWS ARE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS SUPPLEMENT (at least we hope not).

Why Should I Take Lactoferrin Supplements?

Ok so now that we know what lactoferrin is all about let’s get down to business – why should someone consider taking a supplement containing this protein? Well…

Boosts Immune System

Studies show that consuming lactoferrin can increase immunity by helping activate immune cells while decreasing inflammation (“show me your war face!”). It also helps regulate bacterial flora which reduces infection susceptibility. With flu season always lurking around the corner I think everyone could use a little boost!

Helps Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia

As mentioned earlier lactoferrin’s name originates from its ability to bind with iron. Many people suffer from Iron Deficiency Anemia and a supplement containing Lactoferrin can help increase the absorption of dietary iron, providing much-needed relief.

Aids in Bone Formation

It’s common knowledge that calcium is important for strong bones however an often overlooked nutrient required for bone growth and maintenance is… drum roll please…. iron! And you guessed it – lactoferrin helps regulate the distribution of iron to various parts of the body including our bones so they’re nice and sturdy.

Antioxidant Properties

If there’s one thing we know pretty certainly about antioxidants it’s that – they’re good! Lactoferrin has been found to have potent antioxidant abilities that protect cells against damage caused by free radicals (“take that Batman villains!”). This means less likelihood of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease or Alzheimer’s (knock on wood).

Is Lactoferrin Safe?

This is where things start getting juicy. The million-dollar question – is lactoferrin safe? Let us break it down for you…

General Safety

Lactoferrin supplements are generally regarded as safe when taken appropriately. It does not appear to interact with any medications, nor produced any severe side effects (maybe just some gas).

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

Some sources suggest consulting healthcare providers before taking this supplement while pregnant or breastfeeding especially since there hasn’t been sufficient research conducted into how lactoferrin affects babies.

That being said if given the go-ahead by your doctor then go ahead mama chug away!

Autoimmune Diseases/Sensitivity

For those with autoimmune diseases such as Lupus or arthritis, taking supplements containing lactose may further irritate existing symptoms causing joint pain or digestive issues (ouch!) . Have no fear dairy-free alternatives are available!

Even for those without autoimmune diseases, lactose intolerance may be an issue. Lactoferrin supplements can contain small amounts of lactose but in most cases not enough to cause problems but watch out if you’re sensitive.

Final Thoughts

We hope our funny and informative analysis brings a little light into this murky and technical world. Are there risks associated with taking lactoferrin? Possibly, for those with certain conditions or medication prescripts but as we stated before general safety is pretty good. All-in-all it seems that the benefits outweigh the costs (cheers!) so feel free to tip back a glass of ‘ol Bo-Peep’s milk on your way out!

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