Bovine Lactoferrin Health Benefits and as Treatment for H. Pylori by Jeffrey Dach MD

A number of studies (see references below) show Lactoferrin added to Triple Therapy plus Bismuth (quadruple therapy) improves the eradication rate for H. Pylori infection in the stomach demonstrated by repeat H. Pylori breath test. The addition of probiotics is also useful.

What is Lactoferrin?

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein found in milk, especially colostrum. It is usually derived from bovine milk and popular for immune and digestive support. Lactoferrin is also present in saliva, tears, and nasal secretions. Lactoferrin is in the transferrin family of proteins and binds iron, regulates iron absorption in the gut and deprives bacterial pathogens of iron. Lactoferrin is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating.

Lactoferrin supports the innate immune system, promotes beneficial gut bacteria, and may be useful as add on in iron deficiency anemia, respiratory infections, gut health, and even skin issues like acne.

Lactoferrin for Treatment of Acne

Lactoferrin, vitamin E (tocotreinol) and zinc is a good combination for acne treatmentto reduce inflammation, decrease sebum production (oil), and fight bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes.  Lactoferrin helps decrease skin oil (sebum) and specific skin surface lipids (like triacylglycerols) that contribute to breakouts. Lactoferrin is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobia, targeting Propionibacterium acnes (now Cutibacterium acnes), the bacteria associated with acne. Lactoferrin regulates oil production in sebaceous (oil) glands. Studies using lactoferrin-enriched fermented milk or supplements (often with Vitamin E & Zinc) have shown significant reductions in inflammatory and total acne lesions. (see references below)

Jarrow Formulas freeze-dried apolactoferrin product (often 250mg per capsule) has good efficacy for iron regulation and immunity, and preservation of the protein’s structure. Buy on Amazon.

Pure Encapsulations Colostrum 40% IgG

Buy Pure Encapsulations Colostrum, derived from USDA certified dairy farms in the US, is standardized to contain 40% IgG (immunoglobulins) and is a concentrated source of lactoferrin.

Suggested Instructions: (PPI) proton pump inhibitor 30 min before breakfast and dinner, the Antibiotics and Bovine Lactoferrin 30 min after breakfast and dinner, and the Probiotic supplement 1 h after breakfast and dinner.

Potent Anti-Obesity Effects of Lactoferrin and reduction in CRP

Ono, Tomoji, et al. “Potent anti-obesity effect of enteric-coated lactoferrin: decrease in visceral fat accumulation in Japanese men and women with abdominal obesity after 8-week administration of enteric-coated lactoferrin tablets.” British journal of nutrition 104.11 (2010): 1688-1695.

They were given 300 mg of enteric coated lactoferrin per day for 8 weeks (or placebo). After 8 weeks, the lactoferrin group LOST weight (-1.5 kg or 3.3 lb) while the control group GAINED weight (+1 kg or 2.2 lb). Those taking lactoferrin also saw greater waist + hip circumference loss than the control. Most striking of all was that the lactoferrin group markedly shed visceral fat. They lost over 12% of their visceral fat, while the control lost under 2%. Total fat area was reduced by more than double in the lactoferrin group. CRP DROPPED in the lactoferrin group by 1 mg/L, while it increased in the control by nearly 3.

Other Benefits of Lactoferrin:

1. Lactoferrin binds to and inactivates LPS. Thus, along with Berberine prevents “leaky gut” , insulin resistance, inflammation, and obesity.

Drago-Serrano, Maria Elisa, et al. “Lactoferrin-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding as key to antibacterial and antiendotoxic effects.” International immunopharmacology 12.1 (2012): 1-9.

2. Lactoferrin has direct anti-inflammatory effects (inhibits NF-κB, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, etc.). Inflammation directly promotes insulin resistance and fat gain.

Yami, Hojjat Allah, et al. “The immunomodulatory effects of lactoferrin and its derived peptides on NF‐κB signaling pathway: A systematic review and meta‐analysis.” Immunity, inflammation and disease 11.8 (2023): e972.
lactoferrin and its derived peptides can be considered potent prophylactic and therapeutic candidates against inflammation‐associated diseases by targeting the NF‐kB pathway.

• Antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
• Reduces fatty liver caused by high fat diet [7]
• Protects against alcohol induced liver injury [8]
• Reduces histamine release [9]
• Reduces fatty liver caused by high fructose diet [10]
• Protect against Endotoxin, Septic Shock, Cytokine Reaction [12] [17]
• Viral inhibition [15]
• Alleviates  constipation [16]

Header Image: Cows at Ashridge Park, Hertfordshire, England. October 25, 2025. Author: Simon Burchell. CC 4.0 Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Links to Articles with Related Interest:

Colostrum is More Effective Than Flu Va<<ine

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Caused by H. Pylori

Jeffrey Dach MD
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Links and References:

1) Di Mario, Francesco, et al. “Use of bovine lactoferrin for Helicobacter pylori eradication.” Digestive and Liver Disease 35.10 (2003): 706-710.

Study: Adding lactoferrin to 7-day triple therapy achieved 100% H. pylori eradication vs just 76.9% with antibiotics alone (23% improvement in cure rate) The mechanism: lactoferrin binds iron that H. pylori needs to survive → disrupts bacterial biofilms → enhances antibiotic penetration → kills H. pylori → protects beneficial bacteria → prevents relapse Dose: 200mg lactoferrin, 3x daily (600mg total – must be 95%+ purity)

2) Choe, Yon Ho, et al. “Lactoferrin sequestration and its contribution to iron-deficiency anemia in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric mucosa.” Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 18.8 (2003): 980-985.
The lactoferrin sequestration in the gastric mucosa of HPIDA , H. pylori gastritis, and coexisting iron-deficiency anemia (HPIDA; n = 26) was remarkable, and this finding seems to give a clue that leads to the clarification of the mechanism by which H. pylori infection contributes to iron-deficiency anemia.

Husson, MARIE-ODILE, et al. “Iron acquisition by Helicobacter pylori: importance of human lactoferrin.” Infection and immunity 61.6 (1993): 2694-2697.

Okuda, Masumi, et al. “Bovine lactoferrin is effective to suppress Helicobacter pylori colonization in the human stomach: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” Journal of infection and chemotherapy 11.6 (2005): 265-269.

Hablass, Fahmy H., Sameh A. Lashen, and Eman A. Alsayed. “Efficacy of lactoferrin with standard triple therapy or sequential therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A randomized controlled trial.” The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology 32.9 (2021): 742.
Bovine lactoferrin could hasten the effectiveness of the proton-pump-based triple therapy or sequential therapy for H. pylori eradication.

Ciccaglione, Antonio Francesco, et al. “Bovine lactoferrin enhances the efficacy of levofloxacin-based triple therapy as first-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: an in vitro and in vivo study.” Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 74.4 (2019): 1069-1077.

Yuan, Yuping, et al. “Recombinant human lactoferrin enhances the efficacy of triple therapy in mice infected with Helicobacter pylori.” International Journal of Molecular Medicine 36.2 (2015): 363-368.

Zullo, A., et al. “Quadruple therapy with lactoferrin for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a randomised, multicentre study.” Digestive and liver disease 37.7 (2005): 496-500.

Lu, Jacky, et al. “The innate immune glycoprotein lactoferrin represses the Helicobacter pylori cag type IV secretion system.” Chembiochem 22.18 (2021): 2783-2790.

Tolone, Salvatore, et al. “Evaluation of Helicobacter Pylori eradication in pediatric patients by triple therapy plus lactoferrin and probiotics compared to triple therapy alone.” Italian journal of pediatrics 38.1 (2012): 63.

Wang, Nannan, et al. “Bovine lactoferrin inhibits resistant Helicobacter pylori in vitro and protects gastric mucosal injury in vivo.” International Dairy Journal 147 (2023): 105770.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

De Bortoli, Nicola, et al. “Helicobacter pylori eradication: A randomized prospective study of triple therapy: Versus: Triple therapy plus lactoferrin and probiotics.” Official journal of the American College of Gastroenterology| ACG 102.5 (2007): 951-956.

Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) in the diagnosis and therapy of various gut disorders (4, 5). BLF, a multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein that is found in the milk, mucosal secretions (e.g., saliva, tears, bile), pancreatic and seminal fluids, and specific granules of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes in humans and bovines appears to be an
important factor in the host’s defence against a wide range of
bacteria.

Probiotics (Pbs) are also now widely accepted as useful agents in the prevention and treatment of pathological conditions such as infections of the small and large intestine. Temporary colonization of the gut with an appropriate probiotic strain promotes the state of eubiosis and can have a favorable immunomodulatory effect. Controlled clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of Pbs as first-line therapy for pathological conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and gut virus infections (6).

One possible application that has attracted increasing interest
is the use of Pbs against H. pylori infection (7–10).

Patients were instructed to take the proton pump inhibitor 30 min before breakfast and dinner, the antibiotics and bLf 30 min after breakfast and dinner, and the Pb supplement 1 h after breakfast and dinner.

OBJECTIVES: Helicobacter pylori is causally associated with gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases. Recent data (meta-analysis) have demonstrated that triple therapy with amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and a proton pump inhibitor has an eradication rate of only 74–76% and new therapeutic protocols may be necessary. The aim of this study was to examine whether adding bovine lactoferrin (bLf) and probiotics (Pbs) to the standard triple therapy for H. pylori infection could improve the eradication rate and reduce side effects.

METHODS: H. pylori infection was diagnosed in 206 patients: in 107 based on an upper endoscopy exam and a rapid urease test, and in 99 by means of the H. pylori stool antigen-test and the C13 urea breath test
(C13 UBT). The patients were randomized into two groups: 101 patients (group A) underwent standard triple eradication therapy (esomeprazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin), while 105 patients (group B) underwent a modified eradication therapy (standard triple eradication therapy plus bLf and Pb). Successful eradication therapy was defined as a negative C13 UBT 8 wk after completion of the treatment. Results were evaluated by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis.

Data were evaluated and considered positive when P < 0.05.

RESULTS: At the end of the study 175/206 patients showed negative C13 UBT results. According to intention-to-treat analysis, the infection was eradicated in 73/101 patients from Group A and in 93/105 from Group B. PP analysis showed 73/96 patients from Group A and 93/101 from Group B to have been successfully treated. More patients from group A than from group B reported side effects from their treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that the addition of  bLf and Pbs could improve the standard eradication therapy for H. pylori infection—bLf serving to increase the eradication rate and Pbs to
reduce the side effects of antibiotic therapy.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9200282/
Nakao, K., et al. “Gastric juice levels of lactoferrin and Helicobacter pylori infection.” Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology 32.6 (1997): 530-534.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10144760/
Imoto, Ichiro, et al. “Antimicrobial effects of lactoferrin against Helicobacter pylori infection.” Pathogens 12.4 (2023): 599.

Lactoferrin (LF) may suppress bacteria growth by depriving them of iron and exerts bactericidal activity by enhancing the permeability of the bacterial membrane [33]. In addition, LF degradation by pepsin releases lactoferricin (LFcin), another potent antibacterial peptide [32,34]. Interestingly, LFcin was reported to inhibit the urease activity of H. pylori [32]. The production of ammonia by urease released by H. pylori is a critical factor that allows the bacterium’s survival in the stomach’s acid environment [35]. Reports also support the antiviral effects of LF. It may inhibit viral penetration into host cells by binding to cell surface proteoglycans, binding to viral proteins, or interfering with intracellular viral transport [26,33]. In addition to the direct effect of LF on H. pylori, its anti-inflammatory activity may also explain the therapeutic properties of LF in H. pylori-associated pathology including gastric injury [36,37,38,39]. LF may also modulate the inflammatory response by interacting with immune cell surface receptors, regulating intracellular signal pathways, and controlling the production of inflammatory cytokines and the oxidant activity of iron [40,41,42,43]. In addition, evidence suggests that LF may exhibit anticancer activity by inhibiting the migration and proliferation and inducing apoptosis of cancer cells [26,44,45].

Lactoferrin and Acne vulgaris

Kim, Jungmin, et al. “Dietary effect of lactoferrin-enriched fermented milk on skin surface lipid and clinical improvement of acne vulgaris.” Nutrition 26.9 (2010): 902-909.

Mueller, Edgar A., et al. “Efficacy and tolerability of oral lactoferrin supplementation in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: an exploratory study.” Current medical research and opinion 27.4 (2011): 793-797.

Chan, Heidi, et al. “A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of lactoferrin with vitamin E and zinc as an oral therapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.” International journal of dermatology 56.6 (2017): 6
86-690.

ALKady, O. H., et al. “Assessment of Serum Lactoferrin Level in Patients with Acne Vulgaris.” Benha Journal of Applied Sciences 5.5 part (2) (2020): 247-250.

 

Su, Yuanting, Wei Cui, and Hongquan Wei. “Influence of lactoferrin on Propionibacterium acnes‐induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo.” Dermatologic Therapy 33.6 (2020): e14483.

Hassoun, Lauren A., and Raja K. Sivamani. “A systematic review of lactoferrin use in dermatology.” Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 57.17 (2017): 3632-3639.

Su, Yuan‐Ting, et al. “Lactoferrin regulates sebogenesis and inflammation in SZ95 human sebocytes and mouse model of acne.” Journal of cosmetic dermatology 22.4 (2023): 1361-1368.

Faruga-Lewicka, Wioleta, and Marek Kardas. “The role of vitamin D, omega acids, antioxidants, berberine, probiotics, lactoferrin and inositol in acne.” Farm Pol 78.11 (2022): 667-672.

Jeffrey Dach MD
7450 Griffin Road, Suite 190
Davie, Fl 33314
954-792-4663
my blog: www.jeffreydachmd.com 
Bioidentical Hormones 101 Second Edition
Menopausal Hormone Replacement, Health Benefits
Natural Thyroid Toolkit by Jeffrey Dach MD
Cracking Cancer Toolkit ebook
Cracking Cancer Toolkit print version
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Published on December 28th, 2025 by Jeffrey Dach MD