Peptide Immunotherapy

UPDATE: You can now download the first couple of chapters of the book (.pdf) at drkeech.com!

An Overview of: Peptide Immunotherapy – Colostrum – A Physician’s Reference Guide
by Andrew M. Keech, PhD
(with contributions from Michail V. Borissenko, BS MS; Steven Bock, MD; Kenneth J. Frank, MD)

Isagenix’s Isamune is made from Bovine Proline-rich Polypeptides from New Zealand.  (My kids love it!)  This book by Andrew M Keech, PhD opened my eyes to the incredible benefits and purpose of this product.  This posting will detail what I learned from reading the book.

What are Peptides and How Do They Work?
Peptides modulate, balance, regulate or initiate indirectly most of the biochemical processes in the human body.  They are significant natural substances relating to the immune system.  Colostrum is designed to maintain health and prevent disease rather that cure a disease that you already have.  In other words, it’s better to close the barn door before all hope is lost.  Here is how it works for adults and children older than babies:

Gut Health… Most disease originates in the gut yet gut health is mostly ignored unless suffering from diarrhea, indigestion or other GI problem.  One of the primary functions of colostrum is health of the gastrointestinal tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestines) due to potentially harmful materials that pass through it.  When the beneficial and harmful bacterias become out of balance, you can experience Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) where the permeability of the gut lining is increased so that toxins and pathogens normally excluded from passing through the gut lining now move freely through the body.  Autoimmune conditions such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus and most allergies and a number of serious health conditions are known to be associated with an abnormal gut permeability and can be traced to LGS.  Colostrum is the singlemost effective agent in restoring LGS to normal permeability levels.  Its growth factors and hormones help repair damaged intestinal lining.  It contains massive doses of immunoglobulins to control bad bacteria, fungi, candida and H. pylori which causes ulcers.  Colostrum heals the intestinal lining improving nutrient absorption and causes no known side effects.  LGS is a common disorder where abnormally large spaces present between the cells of the gut wall allow viruses, bacteria, fungi and other toxic materials to enter the bloodstream.  LGS is caused by inflammation of the gut lining and can be brought about by:

• Antibiotic use
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Food-borne parasites or bacteria, such as E. coli
• Chemicals (including dyes & preservatives) in fermented and processed foods
• Prescription corticosteroids & NSAIDS
• Intake of highly refined sugars and other carbohydrates in your diet (such as candy, cookies, soft drinks, white bread)

Poor gut health can lead to poor nutrient absorption and overeating.  Nutritional deficiencies can lead to systemic issues like fatigue, headaches, memory loss, poor concentration and irritability.

Immune System… Colostrum is unmatched as an immune system regulator whether you have an overactive or underactive immune system.

Colostrum can protect you from dangerous bacteria, like Salmonella and Streptococcus as well as help protect you against various viruses, like HIV, herpes, influenza.  It also protects against fungi like Candida and even protozoan parasites.  Not even antibiotics can deliver that broad protection.

A 1990 study suggests that colostrum would be beneficial in the treatment of diabetics, based on the fact that a key growth factor, IGF-I, can stimulate glucose utilization.  Researchers found plasma levels of IGF-I were lower in diabetics than in healthy individuals.  After administering IGF-I to patients, doctors noticed a two-fold increase in glucose to muscles.  The IGF-I in colostrum could do the job of daily insulin injections.  Of course, any change in insulin medication should be made under close doctor supervision.

Heart Disease… Diet and exercise are some of the best weapons to fight heart disease, but for many, the immune and growth factors in colostrum may be what are needed to win the war.

Altering immunity may be the hidden cause of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.  The American College of Cardiology recently reported a common type of Chlamydia bacteria to be associated with arterial plaque formation in over 79% of heart disease patients.  Another study concluded that heat disease is the result of immune sensitization to cardiac antigens.  So, once the heart tissue is damaged, the immune system creates antibodies to further harm itself.

Various components of colostrum can help turn down the immune system’s attack on damaged heart tissue and directly fight the Chlamydia bacteria, lower LDL-cholesterol, raise HDL-cholesterol, promote repair or regeneration of the heart muscle and coronary blood vessels.

Cancer… Numerous studies have shown bovine colostrum to prevent cancer development, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract.  It has been established that 1 in 3 people in Canada and the U.S. will get some form of cancer.

Colostral lactalbumin has been found to cause selective death of cancer cells, leaving non-cancerous tissue unaffected.  Lactoferrin has similarly been reported to posses anti-cancer properties.  The incredible mix of immune and growth factors in colostrum can inhibit the spread of cancer cells or prevent the disease in the first place.   A series of Japanese studies showed lactoferrin prevented cancer from taking hold or prevented metastasis from established tumors.  Lactoferrin has been shown to boost cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells against blood and breast epithelial tumors.

AIDS (HIV)…We were told some exciting news at the Isagenix 2009 Celebration conference that the FDA has approved Isamune for the treatment of AIDS.  My guess is that this is why per the book:  HIV attacks the immune system, rendering it extremely vulnerable to invaders.  In cases of severe immune damage, a simple cold or flu can be deadly.  A Scientific America study indicated that lactoferrin inhibits HIV infection of certain body cells.  The immune factor in bovine colostrum was able to completely block Cytomegalovirus infection.  Lactoferrin is responsible for “turning on “ the immune system of AIDS patients.  Clinical studies have shown that HIV positive patients who were treated with certain growth factors , like in colostrum, were much less likely to develop full-blown AIDS.  These growth factors play an important role in preventing AIDS-associated wasting or severe weight loss and showed an increase in lean muscle mass of AIDS patients.

Studies have shown to reduce severe diarrhea which is one of the 1^st symptoms of AIDS.  A 1990 study stated that colostrum immunoglobulins have been able to treat opportunistic, diarrhea-causing infections in AIDS patients where no other treatment was effective.

Athletes & Fitness… Growth factors in bovine colostrum help burn fat and build lean muscle.  The use of colostrum shortens recovery time.  It helps protect athletes from getting sick after a vigorous workout when the immune system is temporarily disabled.  Some athletes and trainers use colostrum and call it the “new creatine”.  The 2000 and 2004 Australian Summer Olympic athletes used colostrum and stunned the world by earning more medals than China, a nation with over 100 times as many people.  By the way, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) did officially approve the use of colostrum for its athletes.

Components in colostrum “promote muscle growth by itself”, according to Steve Schwade, the Associate Editor of Muscle and Fitness.  Colostrum stimulates production and repair of RNA and DNA and repairs damaged muscle fibers, tendons and ligaments.  It also promotes skin elasticity, increases bone density, reduces fatigue, improves performance, promotes weight loss if needed, naturally detoxifies the body and slows down aging by combating free radicals.

How Do We Use Colostrum?
General Application… Colostrum promotes faster recovery for humans and pets from injury, illness or surgery as well as from allergies.  Used topically, it helps the body heal from burns, cuts, abrasions, ulcers, acne, gingivitis, canker sores, sensitive teeth and recover from dental work.

Daily Prevention…A Borissenko study showed that colostrum was best in killing 19 different bacteria ranging from food poisoning & strep to meningitis and MRSA as well as various viruses, like the flu.  Individuals who are pregnant or are organ recipients should not take colostrum for logical reasons explained in-depth in the book.

Disclaimer: Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the FDA.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.  The statements are for informational purposes only and are not meant to replace the services or recommendations of a physician or qualified health care practitioner.  Those with health problems or pregnancy are specifically advised that they should consult their physician before taking colostrum or any nutritional supplement.

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Now, I’m no doctor or scientist: so, you should definitely get the book if you want deeper info on T-cells, macrophages, Natural Killer (NK) cells, interleukins, interferons, growth factors, etc.  I gave just an average person’s review of the book and, from a cancer perspective, it appears to be in agreement with recommendations from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, but you and your doctor should be the judge!  Here’s a link to their web site:

http://www.cancercenter.com/conventional-cancer-treatment/biotherapy-immunotherapy.cfm?source=googlppc&c=GOOGLE_National_Core_Terms:Procedures_Immunotherapy:immunotherapy:Phrase&ef_id=1812:3:s_40873f5238224901636245ea1d29f79a_995603605:Sol1X9BbriYAAAxR0wMAAACA:20090817152103.

Also, check out this related article that discusses how colostrum (Isamune) is found to be 3 times more effective than the flu vaccine:  http://cleansenutrition.com/2009/08/colostrum-found-to-be-three-times-more-effective-than-the-flu-vaccine/

God be with you on your journey for better health!