Christine Crooks

Citation

Thesis Title
The effect of a bovine colostrums supplementation on levels of s-lgA in elite athletes, non-exercising controls and non-exercising older adults.

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Ms Crooks investigated the effect of a bovine colostrum dietary supplement on the immune defence system of three groups: athletes, students and healthy older adults. Ms Crooks examined the effect of the dietary supplement on antibody levels in saliva and blood and assessed dietary intake, activity and wellness. She found that there was no effect on antibody levels in any of the groups studied. Fewer athletes reported upper respiratory symptoms when consuming colostrum, compared with those consuming a placebo. However there was no difference in the reportage of symptoms in the students or older adults. This suggests that the effect of colostrum is not universal in all groups of people. Results from the older adults also suggest the effect on autoimmunity should be studied.Ms Crooks’ study showed that further research is required to identify the potential benefit of colostrum to the health of athletes.

Supervisors
Professor Marlena Kruger
Professor Aj Ali