Transfer Factor™ FAQ

My child won't swallow capsules, what can I do?

What is the source of ThymuPro?

Is Transfer Factor Plus Gluten free?

Is iron absorption inhibited by IP-6 (inositol hexaphosphate) contained in Transfer Factor Plus?

Does 4Life Transfer Factor™ contain any extracts from blood?

Does anything in the Transfer Factor come from England?

Should I take Transfer Factor or Transfer Factor Plus for my specific condition and what is the difference between the two products?

Can pregnant women take Transfer Factor?

Is Transfer Factor Casein and Gluten free?

Does TF Kids contain less Transfer Factor XF™ than regular Transfer Factor™?

Is it safe to take multiple capsules of Transfer Factor a day?

Does Transfer Factor Plus™ contain yeast?

The NK cell study talks about in vitro, what does this mean?

Why do you choose cows as your source for Transfer Factor™?

Can you take transfer factors from one group of people and give them to another group of people?

How does ingesting transfer factors orally compare to injecting transfer factors from blood preparations?

Are there research studies available on transfer factors?

Can I discontinue taking Transfer Factor™ or is it necessary to take it continuously?

Is Transfer Factor™ effective on large animals such as horses? If so, what is the suggested serving?

Why do we need to use Transfer Factor™ if we received immune information when we were infants?

Will Transfer Factor™ or Transfer Factor Plus™ help my specific medically diagnosed condition?

Is there a Transfer Factor product created for topical application?

I have heard reports of people exceeding the recommended serving size of Transfer Factor. Is this safe?

Can a person use more than the recommended serving size of Transfer Factor Plus™?

How does Transfer Factor™ react to heat?

Can people who are lactose intolerant use Transfer Factor™?

Why do people use Transfer Factor Plus™ or Transfer Factor™ during treatments that severely weaken immune function?

My child won't swallow capsules, what can I do?
The Transfer Factor capsules can be opened and mixed with applesauce, ice cream, juice, ect. in order to make it easier to take. This makes it easy to give Transfer Factor to children so that they can have the immune support they need.

Where do the thymic factors in the Transfer Factor Plus come from?
These ingredients are bovine source, from the United States and Canada - two countries known not to have "Mad Cow" disease.

What is the source of ThymuPro?
The ThymuPro (formerly ThyRex) is derived from US and Canadian bovine thymus.

Is Transfer Factor Plus Gluten free?
No, there is a small amount of gluten from the oat b-glucan in Transfer Factor Plus. Those wishing to avoid gluten may want to use Transfer Factor since it is gluten free.

Is iron absorption inhibited by IP-6 (inositol hexaphosphate) contained in Transfer Factor Plus?
If taken alone, IP-6 can be attracted to iron molecules. However, the IP-6 in Transfer Factor Plus is bound already to calcium and magnesium so that it can not be affected by iron in the body. This allows for the body to absorb the IP-6 and not interfere with iron absorption or binding.

Does 4Life Transfer Factor contain any extracts from blood?
No. 4Life's Transfer Factor extract comes from colostrum.

Does anything in the Transfer Factor come from England?
No. All ingredients contained in 4Life Transfer Factor come from the US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

Should I take Transfer Factor™ or Transfer Factor Plus™ for my specific condition and what is the difference between the two products?
According to FDA regulations, 4Life cannot make recommendations for conditions that would in any way appear to be prescriptive in nature. We recognize these regulations limit the amount of information we can provide. Accordingly, we have provided information how the Transfer Factor™ and Transfer Factor Plus™ can boost the immune system in order for your body to naturally support the other systems of the body.

Transfer Factor™
If an individual should choose to use Transfer Factor™, their immune system may be supported in ways that it otherwise would not. Transfer factors work as instructors to the different members of the immune system. This instruction assists the function of the immune system in recognizing and fighting outside threats to your health. Transfer factors are immune modulators, which means that they are able to support healthy immune function by an Inducer Factor as well as a Suppressor Factor.¹ In addition, an independent study showed that 4Life's Transfer Factor™ was shown to increase the Natural Killer cell (NK) activity by more than 100%. This is an important discovery in that NK cells carry the immune messaging cytokines, which direct battle with outside threats. When NK cell count is increased the immune system is working more effectively.

Transfer Factor Plus™
Transfer Factor Plus™ is different from Transfer Factor™ in that it has additional ingredients. These ingredients include thymic proteins, cordyceps, IP-6, maitake mushrooms, beta glucan, zinc, and shitake mushrooms that help initiate a stronger stimulating immune response than that of Transfer Factor™. Transfer Factor Plus™ strengthens both the innate immune system (the immune information an individual is born with) and the adaptive immune system (the immune information an individual's immune system has obtained throughout life).2 For your individual condition, either or both of these products may be of benefit to you because of its supporting and strengthening. If you choose to use these products, please consult your physician to make sure there will be no complications or interactions associated with your current state of health. Greater information and detail is available through Dr. William J. Hennen's booklets entitled Natural Immune Booster: Transfer Factor and Enhanced Transfer Factor.

Can pregnant women take Transfer Factor™?
There have been no adverse responses reported while taking Transfer Factor during pregnancy. As with all supplements, consult a physician before use.

Is Transfer Factor™ Casein and Gluten free?
Yes, in preparing Transfer Factor™ the large molecular proteins are removed, casein being among the largest of the group. Casein may be responsible for some milk allergies. Gluten is another extracted protein and is predominately isolated from wheat, rye and barley. Because Transfer Factor XF is extracted from colostrum, gluten is not found in Transfer Factor™.

Does TF Kids™ contain less Transfer Factor XF™ than regular Transfer Factor™?
Yes, TF Kids™ contains 150 mg of Transfer Factor XF™ per tablet where Transfer Factor™ capsules contain 200mg each capsule. Because of the weight differential between adults and children, TF Kids™ contains less Transfer Factor XF™. Instructions concerning serving size may be found on the TF Kids™ labels.

Is it safe to take multiple capsules of Transfer Factor™ a day?
There is no known toxicity level associated with Transfer Factor™.

Does Transfer Factor Plus™ contain yeast?
Transfer Factor Plus™ contains a component derived from baker's yeast called beta glucans. Transfer Factor Plus™ does not contain whole yeast however.

The NK cell study talks about in vitro, what does this mean?
In vitro, means "out of the body". This means that substances are tested on extracted cells that have been removed from the body. In vivo means that substances are placed into the body and the results are measured "in the body".

Why do you choose cows as your source for Transfer Factor™?
4Life™ extracts Transfer Factor™ from cow colostrum because it is an immense and available source. Transfer factors are non-species specific, meaning they can be used in humans even if the original source is a different mammal.

Can you take transfer factors from one group of people and give them to another group of people?
This process is how Dr. Lawrence discovered transfer factors. He took the white blood cells (leukocytes) from a previously infected tuberculosis patient, who has regained their health, and injected these white blood cells into a recently infected patient. The white blood cells from the "old" TB patient contain information on how the immune system fights against the disease and transferred this information to the "new" patient.

How does ingesting transfer factors orally compare to injecting transfer factors from blood preparations?
Generally, the effects are very similar no matter how transfer factors enter the body. Because transfer factors originate in the blood, the source of transfer factors is identical whether they reenter the body in concentrated form such as 4Life™ Transfer Factor™, or by injection.

Are there research studies available on transfer factors?
4Life has made available three booklets containing condense information from the volumes of research available on transfer factors and the components that were brought together in Transfer Factor Plus™. The first booklet is Transfer Factor by William Hennen, Ph.D. the second is called Enhanced Transfer Factor, also by Dr. Hennen. A third booklet by Rita Elkins, MH, is also entitled Transfer Factor, and is written in layman's terms so the general population can gain additional knowledge. Each of these booklets contains hundreds of references.

Can I discontinue taking Transfer Factor™ or is it necessary to take it continuously?
Ideally Transfer Factor™ should be used daily to continually work to support the immune system. If you discontinue taking Transfer Factor™ your immune system will miss out on its daily support.

Is Transfer Factor™ effective on large animals such as horses? If so, what is the suggested serving?
Yes, Transfer Factor™ can be given to animals, including horses. TF Pets™ is available for canines and felines, but regular Transfer Factor™ can be taken by any animal. Remember when you are calculating serving size for animals that they have a much more "heroic" and responsive immune system. Animals, especially the grazers, are much more immunologically responsive and can get by with less Transfer Factor™ per pound. Serving sizes for larger animals do not always correspond to weight entirely, especially when you are dealing with grazers. Start your animal on a minimal amount and continue to increase the serving over time, if necessary.

Why do we need to use Transfer Factor™ if we received immune information when we were infants?
The transfer factors we received as infants are just purposeful as those available in Transfer Factor™. As infants, mother's colostrum gave immune information while our immune systems were not fully developed, but the transfer factors were absorbed into the bloodstream and eventually were used up to become part of the functioning immune system, consisting of lymphocytes, natural killer cells, macrophages, etc. The information provided at birth was to work against the specific threats experienced by your mother at that time; after years of life new threats to the immune system exist. By using oral transfer factor we are providing the same type of immune information we received at birth.

Will Transfer Factor™ or Transfer Factor Plus™ help my specific medically diagnosed condition?

Unfortunately, 4Life™ is unable to prescribe specific supplements for identified conditions; we are only able to describe system function that may be supported through supplementation. Overall, Transfer Factor and Transfer Factor Plus are designed to support normal immune function. Additional information is available in Transfer Factor or Enhanced Transfer Factor by William Hennen, Ph.D., two booklets available through our Order Entry Department.

Is there a Transfer Factor product created for topical application?

Yes, TF Renewall has been formulated for external application to support the body's first line of immune defense: the skin. Please consult with a physician for information on specific skin conditions.

I have heard reports of people exceeding the recommended serving size of Transfer Factor. Is this safe?

Transfer Factor has been consumed for many years with no reported side effects. Studies have shown no toxicity. The recommended maintenance amount is 3 capsules a day.

Can a person use more than the recommended serving size of Transfer Factor Plus™?

Some individuals do use more for added immune support during short duration. The best and safest way to begin using Transfer Factor Plus™ is to use the recommended serving size as listed on the product label.

How does Transfer Factor™ react to heat?

Long-term exposure to high temperatures can degrade potency and possibly neutralize Transfer Factor™ activity. Transfer Factor should be stored in a cool, dry environment.

Can people who are lactose intolerant use Transfer Factor™?

Yes. The large proteins, such as lactose, are filtered out during the extraction process. Are transfer factors made of sugars, proteins or fats? Isolated transfer factors have been determined to be a chain of small peptides consisting of 44 amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.

Why do people use Transfer Factor Plus™ or Transfer Factor™ during treatments that severely weaken immune function?

The immune system is challenged during times of stress. Because of this, additional support through supplementation may promote a healthy immune system. When the immune system is working effectively, recovery occurs at an ideal pace. The use of Transfer Factor™ or Transfer Factor Plus™ is appropriate at anytime you feel your immune system has been compromised.

1. Hennen, William J., Ph.D. Transfer Factor. Pleasant Grove, UT: Woodland Publishing, 1998. 8-9.

2. Hennen, William J., Ph.D. Enhanced Transfer Factor. Pleasant Grove, UT:Woodland Publishing, 2000. 20-1.