What's News: Lactoferrin modulates immune function

Spring is about to be sprung upon us and with it an increase in the amount of pollens and other airborne allergens floating around. For some people this time can mean trouble with running eyes, itchy noses and even asthma.

Help may be on the horizon in the form of an isolated bovine milk constituent called lactoferrin. Research shows that lactoferrin may aid in preventing and or reducing the severity of these spring difficulties.

This clever milk protein is thought to inactivate immune messengers which are released in response to allergens such as dust from all that spring cleaning! These troublesome chemical messengers are responsible for the airway tightening and wheezing commonly experienced in allergic asthma sufferers.

Lactoferrin is also thought to interact directly with pollen grains subduing the oxidative molecules that produce the weepy eyes, incessant sneezing and dripping noses which signal hay fever season.

Food for thought for the legions of asthma and allergy sufferers bracing for months of sneezing and wheezing!

* Chodaczek et al 2011. Iron-Mediated Dismutation of Superoxide Anion Augments Antigen-Induced Allergic Inflammation: Effect of Lactoferrin