Breastmilk wonder ingredient found to fight off common colds - now everyone can take it

Lactoferrin, a crucial ingredient in breast milk, is one of the first nutrients we receive at birth. Now, this multi-functional protein is being sold as a supplement, with experts praising its immune-boosting and virus-fighting abilities.

"Scientists are calling it the Swiss Army Knife of our defence system as it does so much," nutritionist Emma Davies remarked. "It's so clever. Lactoferrin is found in the body naturally, particularly breast milk and colostrum, and something that we make ourselves is always going to have more than one benefit."

Colostrum, the thick, creamy substance produced by mammary glands shortly after childbirth, is often referred to as liquid gold and boasts seven times the lactoferrin content of regular mother's milk, which arrives three to five days postpartum. "Breast milk is very rich in nutrients including lactoferrin, which is a glycoprotein that the body uses to help prime and develop the baby's immune system," Emma explains.

Yet, lactoferrin isn't just beneficial for newborns. Our bodies continue to produce it throughout our lives as part of our natural defence against germs and viruses. Present in saliva, tears, and mucus membranes, lactoferrin springs into action when we encounter someone with a cold, fighting off the invaders through our eyes, nose, and mouth.

In the eye-opening study "The Lactoferrin Phenomenon," Polish researchers have hailed it as a wonder molecule due to its impressive range of properties. They stated: "Lactoferrin has numerous beneficial properties that may play an important role in maintaining health from fetal life to old age."

Echoing their findings, Dr Younas Dadmohammadi, a research associate at Cornell University in the US, is on board. He's part of a team collaborating with Oxford University and visiting Professor Michael Zimmerman on a project aimed at boosting iron absorption via lactoferrin, with a hefty £6m in grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation backing them.

Dr Younas said "Lactoferrin is a multi-faceted molecule. The literature shows it is antimicrobial and antiviral. Specifically after Covid, it supports the immune system, anti-inflammation and wound healing by enhancing the tissue repair process."

However, our ability to produce lactoferrin can take a hit when we're stressed, run down, or neglecting proper sleep and nutrition, making us more susceptible to infections and diseases. And while lactoferrin is found in some dairy products, you'd have to consume them in enormous amounts to reap any real benefits, meaning it's not a nutrient easily obtained through diet alone.

However, lactoferrin can be sourced from cow's milk, and the market is seeing an increase in supplements containing it. It's crucial to consult your GP before taking any supplements or making dietary changes, especially if you have a health condition, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. And always ensure you're getting them from a trusted supplier.

Busy mum-of-two Stephanie Drax gave lactoferrin a go back in 2018 after a scientist pal recommended it. "I'd been on the hunt for a natural remedy to stop the endless colds that came home from nursery with my two young sons," she explains.

"We took it at the first sign of a tickle in the throat or a runny nose and found it worked." So wowed by its effects, she launched her own brand, Leapfrog Remedies, two years later, introducing a chewable tablet packed with lactoferrin. It's quickly become a favourite among wellness aficionados, with celeb fans like Anthea Turner and health expert Liz Earle singing its praises.

The inaugural product, Leapfrog Immune (£34.99; leapfrogremedies.com), packs 250mg of lactoferrin alongside zinc citrate and Vitamin C. The suggested daily intake is 250mg for general prevention when you're feeling slightly under the weather or low on energy, and 500mg at the first hint of an impending bug.

Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein that aids our immune system, gut and skin, has been hailed by Georgie Cleeve, founder of Oskia Skincare. "I probably first came across lactoferrin about 30 years ago and have used it ever since," she reveals. "I've got an amazing immune system and I'm sure it has got something to do with it. It has lots of different benefits, obviously to the immune system but also to gut health, which is key to skin health. They completely tie together."

"Research indicates that lactoferrin promotes beneficial bacteria in the gut while inhibiting harmful ones. It's a fantastic anti-inflammatory and helps reduce a particular oil in your sebum," Georgie explains. "It reduces this particular triglyceride [a type of fat in your blood] by about 33 per cent and is particularly good for acne because of this. It makes your skin less oily, less susceptible to bacteria and clearer. It sees a reduction in acne lesions too."

"There's also this amazing data that it kickstarts cell regeneration. It's fantastic for skin health. Oskia's Lactoferrin+ Food Supplement (£66; oskiaskincare.com) also includes the amino acid L-Glutamine. "It's like giving an espresso shot to your immune system. It gives you that energy back," Georgie adds.

Lactoferrin is well-known for its iron absorption qualities, which are beneficial for gut and immune health. Dr Younas explains: "We know lactoferrin has a great iron-binding affinity. It helps iron transport through the body and helps it to be sequestered [hidden] from bugs. We are focusing on it specifically for anaemia, focusing on low and middle income countries in Africa. We are trying to use the lactoferrin as a carrier so we can deliver more iron.

Lactoferrin is pretty stable in an acidic environment in the gut, and it can carry iron all the way to the duodenum, the top part of the intestine. That is a great location for iron to be absorbed. For those seeking help with anaemia, Life Extension Lactoferrin Caps (£57.54 for 60; bigvits.co.uk) is made with apolactoferrin, a form of lactoferrin that is chemically altered to make it particularly good at boosting iron absorption."

Airline pilot Charlie Hogan has been taking lactoferrin for several years. "I've taken lactoferrin when I've had a cold coming on," he shares. "I've been a pilot for a major airline for almost 10 years and so obviously travel all over the world as part of my job. It's always a challenge to stay healthy with shift work, time zone changes and being around lots of different people and environments crew, passengers, dirty airports and hotels."

"After Covid everyone started coughing and spluttering and getting colds. While on a layover, I picked up a nasty bacterial throat infection, was hospitalised and had to have antibiotics. The infection returned four times in the following five months and required another few doses of antibiotics."

"I had a ski trip coming up and really didn't want to get sick again so, my mum recommended I try lactoferrin as a precaution as she had been taking it herself. Since then, I've always kept a couple of packs of Leapfrog Immune with me and if I'm feeling especially run down or with flu/cold symptoms starting up, I take them."

It's not a cheap supplement to buy and you'll struggle to find a low-cost one on the market. That's because, explains Dr Younas, extracting lactoferrin in the first place is an expensive process. In the States lactoferrin costs about £600 a kilo," he says.

But for Kirsty Hitch, a company director from Hertfordshire, the high price point is worth it. "I started subscribing to Leapfrog Immune after trying it and this was the first winter I've not had one single illness," she says. "I spend about £30 a month but most women would spend that on a cream or a night out with friends. It's not the cheapest supplement but it's worth it because I don't get sick. I feel that, slowly and surely, it pays for itself."