Is colostrum the next supplement you should add to your wellness routine?
Also known as “liquid gold,” colostrum is the milky fluid that is first released from the breast when a mammal is born. It’s nutrient-dense, higher in protein and lower in fat than mature milk, and packed with antioxidants and antibodies that help build an infant’s immune system.
While there is a limited window for humans to receive a dose of their mother’s colostrum, supplements made from the colostrum of cows allow humans to reap certain health benefits.
That bovine colostrum is similar in makeup to human colostrum.
“Bovine colostrum has many similar compounds including immunoglobulins and antibodies as well as a variety of fatty acids and lipids. It is also rich in growth hormones, digestive enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that have popularized it for human consumption in recent years,” Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES, a registered dietitian, told Health.
Bovine colostrum is pasteurized and dried into pills or powders that are mixed into a liquid.
TikTok influencers are turning to these supplements, available in both powder and pill form, for a variety of health claims. like gut health, increased immunity, and concentrated levels of protein and micronutrients.
Here’s what you need to know about colostrum, and whether or not you should add it to your wellness routine.
Getty Images / Kristina Shlimovich
Since colostrum is used to populate an infant’s immune system at birth, there is growing curiosity about the effectiveness of this in adults.
“Bovine colostrum has many incredible benefits for supporting healthy, skin, brain health, and even improving immunity after strenuous exercise,” Amy Archer, RDN, CLT, CHWC registered dietitian nutritionist and author of An Integrative & Functional Nutrition Approach to ADHD Management: Guidance for the Clinician told Health.
Research surrounding colostrum supplementation points to a few interesting ways it may impact someone’s immunity.
A 2020 study on colostrum’s impact on athletes and physically active people found that after supplementation of 10–25 g/day, participants saw little to no improvement in serum immunoglobulins, lymphocytes, and neutrophils—all health metrics that point to immunity.
This lack of efficacy is particularly surprising when the dose used in the study was much higher than the dose typically recommended by commercial suppliers (500 mg–1 g/day).
A 2014 study focused on how colostrum may boost the immune system of aging patients.
In the study on elderly patients with low natural killer cell activity, colostrum-derived lactoferrin was given twice daily for two months compared to a placebo.
A significant increase in natural killer cell activity was seen, however, it is difficult to discern to what extent the colostrum-derived lactoferrin was responsible for this effect and whether this was actually protective against infections.
“Individuals with compromised immune systems might benefit from colostrum supplementation to help fight infections and improve their immune response,” Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, adjunct professor of nutrition at NYU told Health.
Another popular claim is that colostrum supplements provide similar protection as vaccines for the flu and COVID-19.
Research from earlier this year on bovine colostrum and its antibodies shows that there is an increase in COVID-19 antibodies present in the colostrum after the start of the pandemic.
While results provide insight into the possible use of bovine colostrum as an adjusted preventative or therapy for COVID-19 in humans, evidence still points to vaccines as the most effective protection.
More robust, well-designed studies are needed before a clear consensus can be made on the clinical recommendation of bovine colostrum for immune-boosting purposes.
There are many claims involving colostrum’s impact on gut health and its ability to fight infections in the digestive tract.
A 2017 study shows that bovine colostrum supplements may promote the growth of intestinal cells and prevent intestinal permeability due to high concentrations of lactoferrin and growth factors.
This is promising news for those suffering from irritable syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and infectious diarrhea.
The gut’s primary function is digestion and absorption of nutrients from food. It is also home to billions of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi that are protected by the mucosal barrier, which prevents harmful pathogens from entering.
Unfortunately, pathogens and toxins are capable of breaching this barrier, contributing to the onset of gastrointestinal diseases. The gut epithelium has one of the fastest cell turnover rates in the body, so it is highly effective at healing. However, when needing some assistance, colostrum may provide a dose of growth factors and enhance epithelial restoration.
Colostrum supplements could also be a potential adjunct treatment option for individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.
A 2021 study found decreased inflammatory responses and improvement of symptoms in patients who took colostrum supplements along with medications compared to those who took medications alone.
Lastly, colostrum supplementation may help treat infectious diarrhea.
Considering that breastfeeding helps protect infants against diarrhea incidence, hospitalization, and mortality, this makes sense.
A 2021 study found that the high concentrations of immunoglobulins and antimicrobial agents in colostrum may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of infectious diarrhea, especially in those who are immunocompromised or malnourished.
While there is promising evidence for colostrum’s role in gut health, further studies need to be done before universal recommendations are made.
There is limited research on colostrum supplements, but the evidence suggests it’s safe for most people.
That said, it’s worth taking some considerations into account before purchasing the latest TikTok-recommended product.
Bovine colostrum supplements are expensive, ranging from $50 to $100 per 16 ounces. Further, colostrum supplements are not suitable for those with milk allergies and some also include soy additives.
“A small amount of people may have some side effects when they start taking colostrum, but typically they subside after a couple of days,” Archer said.
As with all dietary supplements, colostrum supplements are not regulated by the FDA so bioactive compounds found in them can differ considerably. This is based on many factors including the age of the cow, feeding intensity, and exact time after birth, as well as cattle breeds and specific processing methods.
Colostrum supplements on the market may differ in quality, quantity, and bioavailability, in fact, research showed that 60% of colostrum produced on US farms did not meet minimum immunological and bacteriological criteria.
If you are free from any gastrointestinal diseases and are not pregnant or breastfeeding, there is likely no harm in trying colostrum supplements.
“These supplements are expensive and they may not be necessary for your health,” Thomason said. “Before starting a new supplement like colostrum, check in with your healthcare provider first.”
