Lactoferrin-BT, 60 capsules

Lactoferrin-BT from Vitals contains the Biotis® lactoferrin from FrieslandCampina Ingredients

FrieslandCampina is a prestigious dairy co-operative that unites Dutch, Belgian and German dairy farmers. However, it is a little-known fact that the FrieslandCampina Ingredients division produces special dairy ingredients for baby food, sports nutrition and health-related products for adults and that FrieslandCampina is a world leader and expert in lactoferrin. Lactoferrin, which is found in breast milk among other things, is recognised as one of the most valuable milk proteins. The difficulty lies in extracting this sensitive substance as gently as possible from fresh cow's milk. This is the only way to retain the optimal properties for which it is known. Lactoferrin-BT from Vitals contains 200 mg of the highest quality lactoferrin, packaged in a special enteric capsule to ensure that it reaches its destination in the body undamaged.

What is lactoferrin actually?

Lactoferrin, a protein from the whey proteins in milk, is made up of a long chain of up to 700 amino acids. Breast milk is the most abundant natural source of lactoferrin. It is also found in smaller quantities in other body fluids such as saliva and tears. Cow's milk is the second richest source of lactoferrin, which is why it is often used as a starting material for the production of lactoferrin in food supplements and as an additive in infant formula. The name of this protein is made up of the Latin terms "lac" (for milk) and "ferrum" (for iron). The latter refers to the pronounced ability of lactoferrin to bind iron. There are of course two variants: hololactoferrin and apolactoferrin. Hololactoferrin is the form that is more than 80 % saturated with iron, while apolactoferrin has a minimal amount of iron (less than 5 %). As it is not technically possible to produce a pure form of apolactoferrin, a mixed form is generally used in food supplements. However, it is advisable to choose an iron saturation percentage that is as low as possible. This allows the iron-binding capacity of lactoferrin to be utilised to the full. Lactoferrin-BT from Vitals is a high-quality lactoferrin preparation with a low iron saturation (around 10 %).

High quality

The quality of lactoferrin is determined by various factors. The most important point, however, is the preservation of the spatial structure of the molecule, as this is decisive for the properties and activity of proteins in general. Apart from the low iron saturation. Under special conditions (e.g. high temperature or low pH value), a process known as "denaturation" can occur. Protein denaturation is an irreversible process; therefore, it is of utmost importance in the lactoferrin production process to handle this precious substance with the utmost care. Laboratory analyses can confirm the preservation of the spatial structure. Comparative studies have shown that not all lactoferrin on the market performs equally in this respect. This may sometimes be due to the fact that the lactoferrin is derived from whey that has already undergone several processing steps and where denaturation may occur, rather than from fresh milk. The production of Biotis® Lactoferrin in Vitals' Lactoferrin-BT is made from fresh cow's milk using a highly refined and gentle process. This ensures that this precious protein retains its natural properties. Lactoferrin is also sensitive to a low pH value, which is why Vitals uses a special capsule for this product that does not dissolve in the acidic environment of the stomach, but only opens in the small intestine.

Lactoferrin purity is also an important aspect.

The value should be at least 95%. Lactoferrin should of course also have a low content of harmful substances such as heavy metals and dioxins. A specific criterion that is often mentioned in connection with the quality of a lactoferrin product is its lipopolysaccharide (LPS) content. LPS form the outer membrane of certain types of bacteria. Contrary to popular belief, the possible presence of LPS is not specific to products containing lactoferrin. It is contained in numerous foods. Some harmless types of bacteria that are normally found in our intestines also produce these substances. Therefore, the LPS content in a lactoferrin supplement should be considered primarily as an indicator of the presence of (dead) bacteria. It indicates how fresh the cow's milk is that serves as a source of lactoferrin. The less fresh the milk is, the more bacteria are growing or the more dead bacteria are present in it. The cow's milk used for Vitals' Lactoferrin-BT is processed within 24 hours of arriving at the production site. The production process is carried out under very strict hygienic conditions and includes several quality controls. To summarise: Lactoferrin-BT from Vitals is characterised by high purity and quality as well as a very low content of impurities such as LPS. In addition, Lactoferrin-BT has a maximum lactose content of 0.01% (0.02 mg per capsule).

More about FrieslandCampina Ingredients

FrieslandCampina was created through the merger of Friesland Foods and Campina. A special feature of FrieslandCampina is that it is a so-called co-operative. This means that the dairy farmers manage the company themselves. A major advantage is that the farms are run with a real passion for dairy farming and the income from the products goes to the farmers. FrieslandCampina (under the company name FrieslandCampina Ingredients) offers various types of dairy products as well as high-quality single ingredients made from milk. Cow's milk provides a wide range of important nutrients, including vitamins and minerals as well as proteins such as lactoferrin. FrieslandCampina Ingredients is the division that focuses on the development and scientific research of high-quality dairy ingredients. This includes working closely with renowned researchers at Wageningen University. FrieslandCampina began extracting cow's milk lactoferrin around 25 years ago and has been a pioneer in this field ever since. Initially it was used as a supplement for infant formula (as lactoferrin is also an important component of breast milk), but later also for other applications such as food supplements. At that time, Biotis® Lactoferrin was the first product in the world to receive a positive quality assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and this quality became the benchmark for other lactoferrin producers on the market. In the meantime, FrieslandCampina has continued to optimise the production process and has not waited idly by. The construction of a new, ultra-modern production facility in Veghel (Netherlands), dedicated exclusively to the production of lactoferrin, is the latest milestone. Vitals is pleased to partner with this world-class manufacturer to bring you the highest quality lactoferrin on the market!

Valuable ingredients

* No reference quantity according to LMIV
Biotis® is a registered trade mark of FrieslandCampina Ingredients.

Ingredients

Lactoferrin (from fresh cow's milk), vegetable capsule (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, pectin), bulking agent (microcrystalline cellulose [cellulose gel]).

Recommended intake

Take 1-2 capsules per day with water with a meal. In a special gastro-resistant capsule to protect the lactoferrin so that it can unfold its effect in the body at the right time.

Storage instructions

Store in a cool, dry place away from light (not in the refrigerator).

Legal information

The recommended daily intake must not be exceeded. Food supplements are no substitute for a balanced and varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. Store out of the reach of small children.