Just as important, there were no toxic effects to intestinal epithelial tissues. Yet another study found lactoferrin to be very effective at suppressing the growth of human pancreatic cancer cells. It's referred to as hololactoferrin in its iron bound form and apolacroferrin in its iron depleted form. Directly related to lactoferrin's previously mentioned ability to suppress certain health degrading bacteria in the intestine, lactoferrin is a powerful anti-microbial that inhibits a wide range of pathogenic bacteria and other microbes. Finally, lactoferrin is an antioxidant that scavenges free iron, helping to prevent uncontrolled iron based free radical reactions, thus protecting certain cells from peroxidation.
Several studies suggest lactoferrin reduces oxidative stress.
Diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, and AIDS are all closely related to oxidative stress either as a causative factor or as a factor in progression of the disease. There is little doubt that lactoferrin is a major find and a potential breakthrough as a natural nontoxic treatment in an array of human ailments. William D. Brink is a well known medical,fitness and health writer for a variety of publications. Results from earlier research they had conducted in a rat model, showed a lower incidence and number of adenocardnomas in bLF-fed animals. It's believed to exert its anti-carcinogenic activity possibly by helping to bind both fatty acid and bile acid in the colon and keeping them from interacting with and irritating the colon lining.