Invited review: Bovine milk fat globule membrane as a potential nutraceutical.

For the last 15 yr, a great deal of knowledge has been accumulated on health beneficial factors, protein and nonprotein, of bovine milk fat globule membrane (MFGM). Among the health-beneficial components of the MFGM are cholesterolemia-lowering factor, inhibitors of cancer cell growth, vitamin binders, inhibitor of Helicobacter pylori, inhibitor of beta-glucuronidase of the intestinal Escherichia coli, xanthine oxidase as a bactericidal agent, butyrophilin as a possible suppressor of multiple sclerosis, and phospholipids as agents against colon cancer, gastrointestinal pathogens, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and stress. All of the above compel us to consider bovine MFGM as a potential nutraceutical.