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In a baby's first critical days of life, a mother passes her immune knowledge to her baby through her first milk called colostrum. This immune knowledge (like an immune library) contains mother's immune memory to help her newborn grow up healthy and strong.

Equipped with mom's immune memory, the baby's naive immune cells are able to function better when faced with health threats. Mom's immune memory cells help educate baby's immune cells to recognize, respond to and remember its enemies; bacteria, viruses, etc. These immune memory cells are also called transfer factors because of their unique ability to transfer information.

It will take a couple of months for the baby to build its own immune system. In the mean time, borrowed immune knowledge from mom is best!

Watch this video to learn the difference between transfer factors and colostrum

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What are Transfer Factors?

Vital components of the immune system, transfer factors work to enhance the effectiveness of immune cells, making them more sensitive, smart and focused at identifying and killing the body's enemies; viruses, bacteria, etc. Years of research coupled with new technology has enabled scientists to isolate transfer factors and study them more closely.

Here's what science discovered

1. The Immune Library

Transfer factors are made up of 40-44 amino acids (amino acids are the building blocks of protein). They are made by immune cells and stored in immune cells. Their main function is to sensitized and educate immune cells, increasing their speed and accuracy at identifying and responding to a threat. They contain information (like an immune library) to help immune cells function smarter.

2. Can be shared between people

Studies have shown that transfer factor's unique ability to enhance immune activity can be transferred from one person to another. The information stored in transfer factors can be shared between people.

Reference: Fudenberg, H. and H. Fudenberg. 1989, Ann Rev Plharmacol Toxicol, Vol. 29, pp. 475-516

3. Can be shared across species barrier

In addition, because of their structure, transfer factors can be transferred across species without losing their function. For example, transfer factors from cows are structurally analogous to transfer factors in humans and research shows that though they are different in origin but in terms of physiological activity, they are equivalent. In short, transfer factors from cows can be transferred to humans while retaining their potency.

References: Dwyer, John M. 1–3, 1996, Biotherapy, Vol. 9, pp. 7-11, Wilson, G.B., R.T. Newell, and N.M. Burdash. 1, 1979, Cell Immunol, Vol. 47, pp. 1–18, Radosevich, J.K., G.H. Scott, and G.D. Olson. 4, 1985, Am J Vet Res, Vol. 46, pp. 875-8.

Why transfer factors from cows?

This is ground-breaking for many reasons. Your immune system can now leverage on other sources to stay smart and sharp. Picture a cow grazing in a muddy pasture surrounded by swarms of flies. Surely it's exposed to a multitude of germs but somehow remains unperturbed. Why?  Here's a fact; cows have got resilient immune systems. Were they born with it? Maybe but early in life most of their resilience come from immune blocks (including transfer factors) passed from mother cows to their young through colostrum. Later, the calves build their own resilience through daily exposure to germs in the paddock and pasture.

The last two decades brought technological advancement that enabled transfer factors from cow colostrum to be extracted (without harming mother cows or depriving their calves) and processed into capsules for human consumption. They look like milk powder in capsules but are actually concentrated transfer factors.

Oral transfer factor is just as effective

While most clinical studies involved recipients receiving transfer factors through injection, several studies tested transfer factors given by oral route. Results from the latter showed that transfer factor activity is not affected by stomach acid nor gastrointestinal enzymes. In fact, these studies concluded that when possible, oral route is preferred because it's convenient and the least invasive route.

Reference: Kirkpatrick, C.H. 1–3, 1996, Biotherapy, Vol. 9, pp. 13-6

3,000 scientific reviews over 50 years

This is a just really brief explanation on transfer factors. There are over 3,000 scientific reviews spanning over 50 years. You will notice that most of these used the injectable form of transfer factors. Transfer factors from cow colostrum were only available recently with the introduction of new technology. Nevertheless, scientific evidence points to improved immune function with transfer factors.

A solution worth considering if you want a sharper and smarter immune system!

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Are you a transfer factor novice or expert? Test your transfer factor IQ with these 7 statements. In the last 20 years, transfer factors have gained credibility and popularity as one of the most valuable and versatile immune support you can give your body daily.

1. Transfer Factors make your immune cells smarter

Answer: FACT

Transfer factors are small protein molecules that are made by the immune system and stored in immune cells. They help speed up the time taken by your immune cells to recognize the enemy (bacteria, virus, etc) and respond correctly. So, your immune system can be precise and quick!

Reference: Lawrence HS, Borkowsky W. "A new basis for the immunoregulatory activities of transfer factor – an arcane dialect in the language of cells." Cell Immunol. 1983; 82: 102-16

2. Transfer Factors can be shared between people

Answer: FACT

In 1950's, H.S Lawrence, an immunologist from New York University made a landmark discovery. He researched, experimented and discovered that immunity can be transferred from a one person to another (donor to recipient) through leukocyte (white blood cell) extract that contains protein called transfer factors.

Reference: Fudenberg, H. and H. Fudenberg. 1989, Ann Rev Plharmacol Toxicol, Vol. 29, pp. 475-516​

3. Transfer factors can be found in the blood, first milk and egg yolk

Answer: FACT

Researchers and scientists have successfully extracted and isolated transfer factors from the blood and colostrum (first milk) for all mammals and human as well as the egg yolk of birds.

References: 1. Wilson GB, Paddock GV. Process for obtaining transfer factor from colostrum transfer factor so obtained and use thereof. 2. Hennen WJ, Lisonbee DT. Methods for obtaining transfer factor form avian sources, compositions including avian-generated transfer factor, and methods of use. 3. October 22, 2002, Xu YP, Zou WM, Zhan XJ, et al. Preparation and determination of immunological activities of anti-HBV egg yolk extraction. Cell Mol Immunol. 2006;3(1):67�71.

Watch the video to learn the difference between transfer factors and colostrum

4. Transfer factors can be taken orally because they are not destroyed by stomach acid or gastrointestinal enzymes

Answer: FACT

Studies have shown that transfer factors are able to maintain their function and effect when taken orally. These small protein are able to resist stomach acid and gastrointestinal enzymes.

Reference: Kirkpatrick, C.H. 1–3, 1996, Biotherapy, Vol. 9, pp. 13-6

5. Transfer factors from cows can be shared with humans

Answer: FACT

Many studies have concluded that transfer factors are not species-specific. Their function and effect can be transferred irrespective of the biological species of donor or recipient. This means that transfer factors from cows can be transferred to humans whilst maintaining their effectiveness.

References: 1. Dwyer, John M. 1–3, 1996, Biotherapy, Vol. 9, pp. 7-11 2. Wilson, G.B., R.T. Newell, and N.M. Burdash. 1, 1979, Cell Immunol, Vol. 47, pp. 1–18, 3. Radosevich, J.K., G.H. Scott, and G.D. Olson. 4, 1985, Am J Vet Res, Vol. 46, pp. 875-8.

6. Transfer Factors can increase your immune cell activity by 283%

Answer: FACT

In a study done by the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, transfer factors extracted from cow colostrum and chicken egg yolks were able to increase the activity of immune cells by 283%.

7. Transfer Factors are given to patients in hospitals in Russia.

Answer: FACT

In 2004, the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation approved the use of transfer factors in patients undergoing immunorehabilitation after infectious-inflammatory and somatic disease.

View the Russian Methodological Letter

Congratulations! You have level up your transfer factor IQ.

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3 Ways Transfer Factors Make Your Immune System Smarter

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3 Ways Transfer Factors Make Your Immune System Smarter

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Turning Point for Transfer Factors

By the 1990's and 2,000's researchers and scientists have discovered the method of extracting transfer factors from chicken egg yolks and cow colostrum. This was a turning point in transfer factor history.

For the last 50 years, transfer factors were extracted from blood leukocytes and were given via injection or oral (sublingual). The oral route is viable because transfer factors are able to withstand stomach acid and digestive enzymes whilst retaining their function.

Billions of Different Transfer Factors

Science has also proven that transfer factors are not species-specific. Evidence shows that these tiny protein molecules are able to exert their immune enhancing effects across species; such as from chicken to mice, cow to mice, human to monkeys, human to guinea pigs, etc.

"Transfer factors which are made of 8 amino acids can combine to form billions of different transfer factors. Transfer factors extracts contain an estimate of 200 or more individual transfer factors. They work together to help enhance, correct and balance the immune system"

Dr. C. H. Kirkpatrick a key researcher of transfer factors.

Why Transfer Factors from Chicken and Cow?

The process of extracting transfer factors from chicken egg yolks and cow colostrum are both patented (US6468534 and US4816563). What's the significance of this discovery? The large quantities of transfer factors present in cow colostrum (and to a certain extend chicken egg yolks) provides a readily available and inexpensive source for otherwise rare and expensive material. The extracts can be freeze-dried and stored for later use. Today, they are available as oral supplements.

Read more about the processes here:

1. Transfer factor from colostrum extract

2. Transfer factor from avian sources

Your Immune Cells with Transfer Factor

So, if you are wondering what exactly happens to your immune system with transfer factors, watch the video below. Bear in mind, your body already produces transfer factors. But new and naive immune cells are produced every day. Hence, having additional transfer factors circulating in your body will help these new immune cells swing into action more quickly.

Click video below

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Interview With An Expert On Transfer Factor

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Interview With An Expert On Transfer Factor

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We have written a few articles on transfer factors and have a couple of questions that only an expert in the field could give good answers. So, when we heard that Dr. David Vollmer, Chief Scientific Officer of 4Life Research would be in town, we jumped on the opportunity to do a quick interview with him.

4Life Research is the wellness supplement company which focuses on transfer factor products. They have developed and patented the technology of extracting transfer factors for human consumption. Below are eight questions we asked Dr. Vollmer. Scroll down to see his answers.

1. How is transfer factor different from other supplements in the market?

Well, when I think about other supplements in the market, I usually think about vitamins, minerals and herbs but transfer factor is not anything like that at all. Transfer factor are highly sophisticated colostral extract of bioactive peptides and proteins. You don’t see this in most dietary supplements.

The unique aspect of transfer factor is unlike any herbs or minerals or vitamins. Transfer factor actually educates our immune cells to know when to go out and find the target that’s going to have a negative health consequence. That’s unlike any other ingredient that’s out there in the market.

2. How safe is transfer factor as a supplement for kids and elderly people?

Transfer factor is a natural product. It comes from cows and chicken and so its very nature is very safe as an ingredient in a dietary supplement. However, what 4Life has done is a number of studies to demonstrate its safety. These are called toxicology studies. These are studies to support regulatory studies around the world. In one of the studies we did on toxicity, we actually couldn’t find a level, so, we were giving higher and higher levels of transfer factors. We couldn’t find a level of transfer factor that would elicit a toxicological response that would give any sense that transfer factor is not safe.

From these studies and from the fact that we’ve been selling transfer factors for twenty years now and we have people taking over millions and millions of capsules and we’ve never really had any serious types of adverse events. So, all through the history of consumption, we can say with a high degree of certainty that transfer factor is very safe for a child, adult or elderly person.

3. How can transfer factor help us overcome the many heath challenges we have today?

Well, transfer factor is an immune health ingredient. We know that the immune system touches so many areas of health in our body. So, if we have an optimal immune system, an immune system that is in balance, we know that generally we’re going to be pretty healthy. As we start to take transfer factors more and more, we see the benefits of an optimal immune system and our overall health will be much better.

4. Transfer factor is so good but why have we heard so little about it compared to vitamins, minerals and herbs?

That’s an interesting question because people don’t think about transfer factor when they think about colostrum or eggs. But we know colostrum and eggs have wonderful benefits. Colostrum is given to calves to support their immune system. It’s also given to babies and newborn to help support their immune system. For the longest time people didn’t know what it was in colostrum or eggs that yielded that benefit. And it’s only been the last thirty years that we’ve realized that these transfer factors that were discovered a long time ago (almost seventy years ago) were actually contained in colostrum.

A lot of the research that’s been done in the last three years have identified transfer factors as small active bio peptides that confer these immune benefits. In some ways, we knew there were benefits in the sources of transfer factors. We just didn’t know they were transfer factors. So, the knowledge on transfer factor is only in the last few decades compared to vitamins; their discovery go back to the early 1900. And of course, botanicals. They have been around for centuries. Think about Traditional Chinese Medicine or Ayurvedic ingredients. Those have been around for centuries. People recognize those very readily. Transfer factors as it pertains to colostrum and eggs have only been around in the last few decades.

5. Are transfer factor extracted from blood and transfer factors extracted from cow colostrum the same?

As we start to learn more and more about transfer factor and study their mechanism of action, we also looked at transfer factor extracted from blood or dialysed leukocytes which are the same transfer factors Sherwood Lawrence looked at. We ran these in the same essays that we are running our transfer factors that is derived from colostrum. And it turns out, we get the same response out of all our essays. We have a natural killer cell essay that we measure an immune response.

When we looked at Sherwood Lawrence’s transfer factor derived from dialyse leukocytes and we looked at transfer factor derived from colostrum, we see the same response. That tells us that the immune response whether it’s coming from transfer factor out of blood or transfer factor out of colostrum or even egg is the same. That gives us confidence and surety that the same benefits Sherwood Lawrence saw in terms of transferring immunity from one person to another is the same benefit that we get when we take transfer factor from colostrum or from eggs.

6. Transfer factor that is injected into human beings and transfer factors that are consumed orally, are the results the same?

They can be. It’s a different delivery and mechanism. The prevailing thought about transfer factor that is orally consumed is that we have in our gut or digestive tract, the Peyers Patches. And Payers Patches is the way for transfer factors to be brought from the stomach into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream, they act like transfer factors that are injected into our blood.

There are different mechanisms for transfer factors to get to where they need to be. There’s still a lot of work to be done in that respect because when you are taking peptides and protein and ingesting them, there are a lot of things going on but the prevailing thought is transfer factors are being transmitted into the blood through the Peyers Patches.

7. Where do you see transfer factor will be in the next 10 to 20 years from now?

I think there is a lot of room for even more discovery. We have a lot of instrumentation now that we didn’t have back 10 even 15 years ago. It has allowed us to look at transfer factor at a molecular level. Back in the 1930’s and 1940’s when Dr. Sherwood Lawrence first discovered transfer factors, he didn’t know what they were. He didn’t know they were peptides or oligonucleotides. He had no idea what they were. He just knew they transferred immunity from one person to another. And they were contained in dialysate leukocytes.

A lot has changed since then. We now know what they are; they are small bio active peptides and protein. The next step in the characterization is knowing transfer factor at the amino acid level. As we learn more and more about that, we are able to characterize them at that level. We will learn a lot more new benefits. We may actually come out with new ingredients. We might have advancement in transfer factors in the next 5 or 10 years.

8. For the benefit of our readers, what advice would you give them on how to keep their immune system happy.

Well, they have to take transfer factors. That’s always what I would recommend to people. Beyond that we really have to look at fundamentally how the immune system works. How do we stay healthy.

So, if we take out transfer factor, we have to stay healthy by eating right. Having a healthy diet. Eating our fruits and vegetables and making sure we are getting all the vitamins and minerals that leads us to overall having a healthy state.

Aside from that, we need exercise. A lot of people in the United States don’t exercise. We see issues of obesity because their diets are poor and they don’t exercise. Exercise is a huge component in terms of overall health and immune system. We know that people who exercise more generally have healthier immune system.

The third component is getting adequate amounts of sleep. If you’re getting adequate sleep, that really helps the immune system. That’s really hard nowadays because everybody has a cellular phone. And the phone is by your bedside. If you can’t sleep, you start looking at your phone. And that stimulates your brain and you’re not able to sleep as well. As you decrease your amount of sleep, that decreases your immune system. When you put all this together, you are creating a weakened immune system.

My advice will be get adequate sleep, do adequate exercise and for most people adequate exercise is 30 minutes a day. And eat right. The normal recommendation for eating right in terms of fruits and vegetables is to get five servings a day. If you do those things and supplement with transfer factor to support your immune system or boost your immune system then I think you’ll have a very healthy immune system.

Dr. Vollmer held a science symposium entitled 'Transfer Factors And Your Immune System' at the Sheraton Hotel, Petaling Jaya in November 2018.