A double blind study on the efficacy of a colostrum and egg yolk supplement vs. placebo to reduce frequency and duration of upper respiratory tract infections in healthy adults

Previous colostrum trials have been conducted with serum IgA levels and upper respiratory tract infections and reports document beneficial immunomodulatory effects after colostrum supplementation and no adverse effects. Having previously demonstrated that colostrum supplementation in athletes increased S-IgA levels, it was hypothesized that colostrum and egg yolk supplementation would decrease upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Twenty-five female subjects and 24 male subjects volunteered for the study and were randomly assigned into a placebo and a Transfer Factor group (n = 22 placebo, n = 26 Transfer Factor) to take two capsules every day for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, there was no difference between the placebo and Transfer Factor groups in S-IgA levels, days sick, severity of illness, and severity of symptoms. In conclusion, during a 6-week supplementation protocol with 600 mg/d (420 mg of colostrum, 180 mg of egg yolk) of Tri-Factor Transfer Factor, there was no increased salivary IgA and reduced frequency and duration of cold and flu symptoms compared to placebo in a sample of healthy young adults.