RESEARCH
Milk packs punch against flu By Gerald Piddock
We already know milk is good for the bones, but now research shows that drinking milk could help ward off the flu.
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ew research has found that a protein-based ingredient from milk is an effective antiviral agent against a common influenza virus species. The study commissioned by New Zealand company Quantec, and completed by an independent US laboratory, found that Immune Defence Proteins (IDP) was 120% more effective against the virus Influenza A when compared to the protein lactoferrin. Testing on the herpes simplex virus netted a similar result. The study showed that IDP’s formulation, which contains over 50 bioactive proteins, provided greater antiviral activity than lactoferrin, which contains a singular protein. Lactoferrin was used as a comparison in the study because studies have shown it to have antiviral activity. Influenza A is a virus commonly implicated with flu occurrences, and herpes simplex is implicated in the causation of cold sores. In the testing, IDP achieved IC50 2 based on 9.7mg/ml compared to Lactoferrin’s 21.8mg/ml, making IDP twice as powerful. IC50 is a way of defining the potency of a substance by scientists. This result showed it would take 21.8 mg/ml of purified lactoferrin to be as effective as 9.7 mg/ml of IDP. Quantec founder Dr Rod Claycomb says the results suggested that IDP could play an important role in protecting cells from influenza or herpes infections. “These are exciting results for IDP and they support our ongoing development of new products, based on the benefits provided by the powerful synergy in the IDP complex.
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“Nature created the bioactive proteins in milk to work together with the body’s microbiome to support the immune system,” Claycomb says. “We continue to extend our knowledge of the benefits of the IDP protein complex and its application to support immune health.” He says rather than killing the virus, it halts its progress by creating a barrier. Established in 2009, Quantec has developed, manufactured and commercialised IDP, which contains over 50 bioactive proteins that occur naturally in milk to protect the cow from infection and inflammation. Quantec patented the discovery that IDP’s proteins have significantly higher bioactivity than that of singular milk proteins, such as lactoferrin. The compound has already been proven to have anti-inflammatory,
Quantec founder Dr Rod Claycomb says rather than killing the flu virus, Immune Defence Proteins halt it.
antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. These properties make IDP particularly effective as an active ingredient for functional skincare and dietary supplements, due to its ability to work topically on the skin, oral and gut surfaces, Quantec chief executive Raewyn McPhillips says. “At Quantec we produce and market supplement ranges that feature IDP such as Milkamune, suitable for adults and children, and the skincare range Epiology, which uses IDP to prevent the spread of acne-causing bacteria,” she says. “IDP is also used as a key ingredient for food and beverage products in the form of powder sachets, protein beverages and chewable tablets that are currently sold in China and other Asian markets. “A key part of our approach to grow Quantec is to work with strategic partners in key markets. Our 20-year agreement with China-based Holon, a significant player in the Chinese supplement market with their brand Laitap, is an example of this.” Claycomb says their next step will be to test IDP on more viruses including covid-19. He also plans to begin clinical trials on humans in 2021. n
DAIRY FARMER
February 2021
