What are transfer factors? Can these be taken as nutritional supplements and does this benefit our immune system? Via via I was handed a website that explains how transfer factors strengthen our immune system “incredibly”. I frown upon reading statements such as: “Transfer factors: • Help immune cells quickly recognize invading germs or other potential threats • Help the immune system respond more efficiently to an identified invader • Lend a hand in remembering how to handle each problem that your immune system can tackle, so your body knows exactly what to do next time.” etc. Is this, as I already suspect, peasant fraud or is there something to it?
Answer
Transfer factors are a very diverse group of substances found in white blood cells. It is claimed by some that these substances, extracted from white blood cells of healthy donors, after administration (transfer) to other individuals would increase their immunity against germs. However, this has not been proven to date. There are no controlled studies demonstrating that administration of such transfer factors enhances the immune system (studies in which one group is treated with placebo, and another group with the transfer factors without knowing which group one belongs to).
Answered by
Prof. dr. dr. Luc Bouwens
Biomedical Sciences
Avenue de la Plein 2 1050 Ixelles
http://www.vub.ac.be/
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