Lactoferrin changed immune markers without establishing protection against infection
The study measured immune-cell responses and inflammatory markers in healthy older adults, leaving effects on actual respiratory illness unestablished.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Lactoferrin altered some laboratory immune responses, but a measured antiviral signaling response did not differ between groups. Blood inflammation markers were lower with the higher dose than with the lower dose, without a corresponding difference from placebo. These findings do not establish that either dose prevents infection or improves health.
The abstract reports laboratory markers over a short intervention, without reporting respiratory infection rates, illness severity or other clinical benefits. Changes in these markers cannot establish protection from infection.
What researchers found
Virus-stimulated interferon-gamma release
After 4 weeks, comparing the high-dose, low-dose and placebo groups using cells exposed to rhinovirus or influenza outside the body.
A laboratory response
Researchers exposed participants' immune cells to respiratory viruses outside the body and measured signaling responses. Some cell populations and responses changed, but interferon-gamma release showed no detected difference across the treatment groups.
The comparator changes the interpretation
Plasma IL-6 and C-reactive protein were lower with the higher dose than with the lower dose. Neither was reported as lower than placebo, which limits the claim of reduced systemic inflammation.
The original publication
Oral lactoferrin reduces systemic inflammation, enhances anti-viral responses and modulates immune cell profiles: a randomised controlled trial in healthy, older adults.
Berthon BS, Williams EJ, Williams LM et al.
Br J Nutr · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41634901
- Record checked
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