Resumo
Objetivo: Revisar as características e aplicações do colostro bovino (CB), explorando seus aspectos zootécnicos, composição química e nutricional, evidências de saúde relacionadas ao consumo humano, além do cenário regulatório brasileiro. Revisão bibliográfica: O CB, primeira secreção láctea pós-parto, possui composição nutricional diferente do leite maduro, sendo rico em proteínas, peptídeos bioativos (imunoglobulinas, lactoferrina, fatores de crescimento), vitaminas (A, E, complexo B) e minerais (cálcio, fósforo, potássio, sódio e magnésio). A qualidade é influenciada por fatores zootécnicos, enquanto sua segurança e estabilidade são dependentes de processos como resfriamento, congelamento ou desidratação. O CB possui amplo uso internacional como medicamento ou suplemento alimentar. No Brasil, a Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) regulamentou seu uso como ingrediente em suplementos alimentares, limitado ao máximo de 4 g/dia para indivíduos com idade igual ou superior a 19 anos. Estudos clínicos em humanos indicam potencial ergogênico, modulação da resposta imune e anti-inflamatória, além de proteção intestinal. Considerações finais: O CB constitui uma matriz complexa de componentes bioativos com relevância nutricional e potencial terapêutico. Contudo, o desenvolvimento de pesquisas complementares, sobretudo por meio de ensaios clínicos, é fundamental para caracterizar as evidências de saúde e racionalizar seu uso como suplemento alimentar para humanos.
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