Today I received a comment on a post of mine from October 19, 2006. It dealt with the importance of Immune system for recovery.  http://biest-blog.typepad.com/biest_blog/2006/10/if_milk_can_do_.html#comment-27987994

The question in this comment is whether IGF-1 has an relevance for recovery and whether there is any  scientific evidence. Yes, there is, definitely. IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) is an indispensable partner of the hormone insulin to get the glucose transported into the cells. Glucose is the pivotal vehical needed to bring energy substrates like energy-enriched phosphates into the cells metabolism, and thus, keep the cell going. This is especially of magnificent importance for the muscle cells of athletes. There are many studies prooving this process.

What I have to outline here is that IGF-1 is not only essential for recovery, it as crucial for performance. You have probably heard that IGF-1 is used for doping. In this case it is injected in doses steep above the physiological levels. It makes muscles grow faster, and not only the also other organs like the liver and the heart etc.. IGF-1 in high doses can be extremely harmful!

Biestmilch contains IGF-1 in physioligical amounts. In Finland the Mero et al. performed a study looking at IGF-1 blood levels after the intake of biestmilch. The results demonstrate that IGF-1 levels increase but remain within physiological limits. But we can draw the conclusion that one of the reasons why biestmilch fosters performance and recovery is due to IGF-1.