Lactoferrin — The antiviral protein packs a punch to COVID-19

Lactoferrin, a hardworking protein found in breast milk and other bodily fluids, is one of your body’s defenses against invading viruses. Now studies are suggesting that lactoferrin can prevent COVID-19 infection and reduce COVID’s long-term neurological effects. Can you supplement with lactoferrin? You bet!

What is Lactoferrin?

Lactoferrin is a protein found in milk from humans, cows, and other mammals.  It is also found in several other body fluids including tears, saliva, mucus and bile.  It is found in the highest amounts in colostrum, the first type of breast milk produced after a baby is born.  Lactoferrin’s main functions in the body include binding with and transporting metals like iron, reinforcing innate host defense, and promoting prebiotic activity. Scientists have only recently suggested that the protein also plays a protective role against various viral infections, including COVID-19.  Emerging data suggests that lactoferrin may likely benefit the long-term health of those who contracted and survived COVID-19.

Let’s Talk Virology

Several studies over the last decade have demonstrated that lactoferrin can effectively inhibit the attachment of viruses (like influenza or the common cold) to cells in the body.  The protein also has the ability to halt replication of viruses within cells by inducing certain signaling molecules known as interferons.  Interferons release signals nearby cells to heighten their antiviral defenses. There is fairly convincing new evidence that lactoferrin acts in this exact manner to protect us against COVID-19.

Several recent reviews in the scientific literature summarize findings from across the globe.  Antiviral assay polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technology has been used to show a reduction of COVID-19 replication in human cells by about 68%.  Oral supplementation of lactoferrin to COVID-19 patients resulted in fast recovery in 100% of individuals within the first 4- to 5-days.  The relative absence of transmission of COVID-19 from the mother to fetus has been suggested to be due to the increased presence of lactoferrin in the placenta, amniotic fluid, and breast milk.

Hundreds of millions of people have been infected with COVID-19.  Long-term consequences of COVID-19 span from muscle fatigue and weakness to impaired cognition.  COVID-19 has demonstrated the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (a selective border that prevents many unwanted things from entering the brain) and inflict many neurological manifestations.  Infection seems to aggravate and accelerate cognitive conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s dementia, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, and depression, among others.  Lactoferrin is not only produced by specific neurons in the brain, but supplemental doses have been shown to be transported across both the intestinal lining and blood-brain barrier.  This allows the protein to diminish disturbances and protect the functionality of the brain and central nervous system.  Our recent review in the Journal of Dietary Supplements describes the neuroprotective effects of lactoferrin post COVID-19 infection.

What to Consider When Purchasing Products

While we wait for more clinical trials to confirm lactoferrin’s effects on COVID-19, it is safe to take lactoferrin supplements to enhance your immune system.

Beware – to maximize lactoferrin’s benefits, it is important to be savvy when purchasing lactoferrin supplements.

Many products on popular platforms like Amazon market low-quality formulas.  The sourcing, processing, and activation of lactoferrin makes all the difference. For example, avoid lactoferrin sourced from milk-derived whey because it has undergone acid-treatment – acid denatures the protein. Avoid lactoferrin that has been heat-processed – excessive temperature deactivates the protein. To overcome these limitations from lactoferrin treatment, some manufacturers offer higher doses – a poor formulation tactic which may overburden the liver and provides no real health benefit. The right supplement should be sourced from pure milk, processed in cold-temperature, and properly dosed with the appropriate cofactors.  A novel treatment for contaminant reduction can also be used to greatly enhance the beneficial properties of lactoferrin, be it in preserving the integrity and density of the intestinal microvilli that are vital for nutrient absorption, or its protective effects on viral infections.  Even though some products may be more expensive, it’s definitely worth the difference in effectiveness and quality.

There is currently no standard dose for COVID treatment or prevention. In the clinical trial mentioned above, patients with active COVID-19 infections were given 4-6 32mg doses per day while healthy family members were preventively treated with half that amount.

Interested in learning more?  Check out my online educational courses here.  All recommended products can be found on my Amazon store. Particularly, for a healthy digestive system and immune support, I recommend taking bioQuad Lactoferrin Gold tablets.