Amelioration of Decline in Immune Function in Athletes after High-Intensity Training by Bovine Colostrum

Abstract

Long-term high-intensity training can cause a decline in immune function in athletes. In this study, we have explored whether bovine colostrum could improve the immune function in athletes undergoing intensive training. Thirty professional athletes were randomly divided into control group and bovine colostrum group; both groups received one month of intensive training. The control group received usual colostrum-free diet and the bovine colostrum group was fed bovine colostrum-rich milk every day. The venous blood was collected from both groups before and after the treatment period. The results showed that the lymphocyte population increased significantly in the bovine colostrum group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant change in CD4+ and CD8+ in the two groups (P < 0.05), but the CD3+ and CD4+/CD8+ of the bovine colostrum group were significantly higher than those of the control group. There were significant differences in albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin ratio in the control group (P < 0.05), but not in the bovine colostrum group after training. The bovine colostrum group had lower serum albumin and albumin/globulin (P < 0.05) and higher globulin (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in immunologic indexes before and after training in both groups (P > 0.05). The decline in the markers of immune function after high-intensity training was ameliorated by the intake of bovine colostrum.