Diabetes

IGF-1, a growth factor which closely resembles insulin, has been shown to help prevent diabetes in those susceptible to developing it. IGF-1 is present in colostrum in large quantities.

• Autoimmune diabetes (type I diabetes) has been linked to leaky gut and an overactive gut immune system¹⁵⁶
• IGF-1 stimulates glucose transport in skeletal muscle but not in obesity or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)¹⁵⁷
• IGF-1 delays the clinical onset of diabetes, reduces the occurrence of beta cell destruction, and reduces the likelihood of the occurrence of clinical diabetes when administered to those at risk of developing type I diabetes^158-160. Combining the IGF-1 with IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) has been found to be even more effective¹⁶¹
• Diabetic autonomic neuropathy, a condition found in diabetics in which nerve cells of the autonomic nervous system die, may be ameliorated by IGF-1, which has a neuroprotective effect that prevents damage to neurons from the high glucose levels in the blood that are associated with poorly controlled diabetes¹⁶²