By Ikenna Nwokedi
Stakeholders in the medical field and scholars have emphasized the importance and nutritional values of Colostrum to the growth and rapid development of new born babies.
The emphasis was made during the one-day seminar organized by Smartex Pentum Global in collaboration with the Centre for Occupational Health Safety and Environmental Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.
The seminar which was held at the Seminar Hall of the Ekwueme Centre for Multidisciplinary Research (ECMR) UNIZIK has its theme as, “Colostrum: Nature’s First Gift.”
In his address, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu highlighted the importance of Colostrum for new born babies which he described as the richest part of the milk produced by lactating mother’s which helps the immune component of new infants in their early growth and development.
Prof. Ikechebelu stated that the development of a technology geared towards harvesting colostrum in animals is a welcome development. He commended the producers of IgCo Skim Milk Powder and Natural Colostrum for their innovations and efforts both in production and marketing of the products while also affirming the institution’s support towards the project.
In his remarks, the Seminar Host, Prof. Samuel Meludu stated that the seminar is geared towards revealing and educating the University community and the public on the nutritional values of the Colostrum for new born babies and why it is essential that administering of the Colostrum is vital for the growth and development of babies. The scholar thanked all and sundry who turned out in their numbers towards ensuring that the seminar was a success.
Also speaking, the Manager of Smartex Pentum Global, Godwin Onwujekwe described Colostrum as the first milk from the mammary gland in both humans and animals that provides the necessary antibodies and nutients for a child to grow. Onwujekwe informed that IgCo as a company conducted some researches and discovered that there is a particular breed of cows that have almost the same colostrum that is found in humans.
He disclosed that the colostrum was therefore extracted and produced in powdered form and processed in such as way that both infants and adult can take the colostrum which is why the seminar is organized to educate the general public on the nutritional values of Colostrum as well as market the company’s product.
Delivering the first lecture during the seminar titled, “Colostrum nature’s free gift”, a scholar in the Department of Nursing Science, UNIZIK, Dr. Florence Tochukwu Sibeudu informed that pregnancy hormones like progesterone produced by the placenta prompt the body to commence creating colostrum which starts between 12 and 18 weeks of pregnancy.
Dr. Sibeudu stressed that when a child is born, the mammary gland releases the colostrum for breastfeeding which flows for 3 to 5 days offering ideal nutrition for a new born, strengthening immune system, helping tissue growth, fighting harmful bacteria and reducing the chance of jaundice. The scholar also revealed that infants who received delayed breastfeeding are 33 percent at risk of neonatal mortality.
Former Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, UNIZIK, Prof. Nkiru Meludu in her lecture titled, “Colostrum: The first organic food,” described Colostrum as a milky fluid produced by the mammary gland of mammals in the first few days of post-delivery. The scholar stated that Colostrum with significantly higher nutrient profile has shown to promote immunity, help fight infections and improve gut health throughout life. Prof. Meludu highlighted challenges faced by organic food industry while also enumerating the prospects of organic nutrition for the future.
On her part, Dr. Helen Obioma Agu who spoke on the topic, “Colostrum: It’s presence, safety uses and long term effect,” stated that Colostrum is an essential part of breast milk and plays a part in every mammal’s immune system. She offered that Colostrum is rich in immunoglobulin, antimicrobial peptides and other bioactive molecules.
Re-echoing the views of Dr. Agu while delivering a lecture on the topic: “Colostrum and the child’s immunity,” Dr. O.C. Ezeigwe informed that infants feed with human colostrum have lower incidence of gastrointestinal infection and have high resistance to harmful bacteria.
Other highlights of the seminar was audiovisual interlude to showcase IgCo products and endorsements as well as an award to UNIZIK Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ikechebelu for his immense contributions to the health sector especially in his field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
