Hay fever is an immune over-reaction. Pollen arrives at the mucosal lining, and rather than tolerating it, the body escalates: mast cells activate, histamine floods the tissue, and inflammation follows.
Most treatments block histamine after the fact. But research by immunologist Dr Marian Kruzel suggests lactoferrin may work earlier in the chain, reducing the inflammatory response before it takes hold.
Pollen grains are not inert. On contact with your airways, they release enzymes that generate reactive oxygen species. In the presence of free iron, those species become more aggressive, amplifying inflammation.
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein. It removes the free iron that fuels this escalation.
"Lactoferrin significantly decreases inflammatory cell accumulation in the airways ... lactoferrin also decreased allergic inflammation induced by [pollen] antigens."Kruzel ML et al., Immunology, 2006
In the study, lactoferrin was tested against ragweed pollen extract, one of the most potent seasonal allergens. It reduced oxidative stress in bronchial cells, lowered airway inflammation, and prevented the build-up of mucus-producing cells that drive the worst hay fever symptoms.
Separate research found lactoferrin is also a potent inhibitor of tryptase, an enzyme released by mast cells that drives allergic asthma.
"Our results suggest the utility of lactoferrin in human allergic inflammatory disorders."Kruzel ML et al., Immunology, 2006
"I have always suffered from severe hay fever, to the point where I have needed especially strong antihistamine prescriptions and periodic steroid injections. Taking Leapfrog IMMUNE has reduced my hay fever to the point where I no longer have symptoms."
Leapfrog IMMUNE
250mg lactoferrin per chewable tablet, with Vitamin C and Zinc. French dairy sourced. No antihistamine. No drowsiness. Suitable from age 4.
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- Kruzel ML, Bacsi A, Choudhury B, Sur S, Boldogh I. Lactoferrin decreases pollen antigen-induced allergic airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma. Immunology. 2006;119(2):159-166.
- Chodaczek G, et al. Iron-mediated dismutation of superoxide anion augments antigen-induced allergic inflammation: effect of lactoferrin. Postepy Hig Med Dosw. 2007;61:268-76.
- Elrod KC, et al. Lactoferrin, a potent tryptase inhibitor, abolishes late-phase airway responses in allergic sheep. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1997;156(2):375-81.
- He S, et al. The inhibition of mast cell activation by neutrophil lactoferrin. Biochem Pharmacol. 2003;65(6):1007-1015.
