What is the difference between first milking colostrum and transitional colostrum?
The majority of colostrum sold on the market is transitional colostrum. Transitional colostrum is colostrum that is harvested 2 to 3 days after birth. During this phase colostrum gradually changes into milk until the 72nd hour, when it is proclaimed to be milk by the health department. Thus, in purchasing 48 to 60 hour colostrum you might be purchasing as much as 50% or more milk. This results in elevated levels of lactose (milk sugar) that can trigger allergic reactions in those individuals who are lactose intolerant. When colostrum moves into the transitional phase, beneficial factors, such as immune and growth factors, are diluted. Transitional colostrum is often denatured when lactase (an enzyme that aids in the digestion of milk) is added to neutralize lactose. The first colostrum milking contains the richest and highest levels of immune factors and growth factors. To obtain superior, “first milking” colostrum, a company should not use any milkings from the 2nd or 3rd day in their
