Frequently Asked Questions
The Laureate Bird’s Nes
1. Why is consuming edible bird’s nest produced by swiftlets considered to be beneficial?
Edible birds nest, an expensive functional food, have been consumed thousands of years by the Chinese and is known for beauty and skin cell rejuvenation then. It does contain Epidermal Growth Factors (EGF) that helps in the growth and repair of cells Beauty aside, currently, studies have shown that it is a miraculous remedy for nourishing the lungs cures phlegm, replenishes energy and improving immunity. Birds nest is also good for the stomach, kidneys and brains. Bird nest have also been considered for the prevention of Alzheimer’s.
2. What is the component in edible bird’s nest that gives such great benefits?
Edible bird’s a large amount of protein (55%) and 18 different amino acids. Of special mention is Sialic acid (9%). This is only available in higher concentrations in colostrum or the first ten days of breast milk production and the edible portion of the bird’s nest.
3. What does Sialic acid do?
Sialic acids effectively promote the development of functional and repair of cells especially nerve cells. In fact, the membrane of brain cells contains 20x more sialic acid than other types of membranes. Studies on sialic acid extract have shown that it increases active mitochondrial activity which is especially vital for neuron based activity. With such studies, pregnant ladies who consume edible bird’s nest during the ingestion period are found to have great effects on the baby’s brain cell development.
4. What has consuming edible bird’s nest to do with Covid-19?
A recent study by UKM had indicated that the anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties of edible bird’s nest has a great impact in influenza and Covid-19 infections. Very little studies have been done on this but theirs indicated that:
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the existing host calls reduces viral replication
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secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines
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reorientate the cytoskeletion of infected cells
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increase the lysosomal degradation of viral materials.