Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Lactoferrin is a multifunctional glycoprotein found in milk and other secretory fluids, and it has attracted attention for its potential antiviral properties. Scientific studies suggest that lactoferrin exerts antiviral effects through several mechanisms: it can bind to viral particles or host cell surfaces, preventing the virus from entering cells; it also modulates the immune response, enhancing antiviral defense. Experimental data indicate that lactoferrin can inhibit a variety of viruses, including herpes simplex virus, HIV, hepatitis C virus, and some coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, particularly in cell culture and animal studies. Human clinical trials are more limited but have shown some benefits in reducing the duration or severity of certain viral infections, such as the common cold and gastroenteritis, especially in children.

However, the overall quality of evidence remains moderate. While laboratory and animal studies are promising, well-designed, larger-scale human trials are relatively few and show mixed results. Safety data for lactoferrin supplementation are generally favorable, but its efficacy as a stand-alone antiviral treatment in humans is not yet firmly established. Thus, lactoferrin is supported by a growing body of scientific evidence for its antiviral effects, but more robust clinical trials are required to confirm its therapeutic potential in viral infections.

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