You’ve probably heard the buzz about colostrum by now. It’s all over the wellness world, and for good reason.
Honestly, colostrum lives up to the hype. This special milk made for newborns is jam-packed with immune-boosting and gut-healing nutrients. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just for newborns anymore.
People of all ages, especially adults, are starting to use colostrum supplements. They drink it for immune support, to improve gut health, and to speed up recovery.
...and the benefits don’t stop there.
Let’s break down the top colostrum benefits for immunity, gut health, and more. I'll also cover what to look for in a high-quality bovine colostrum supplement.
First, we need to know what exactly colostrum is.
In This Article:
• What is Colostrum?
• Bovine Colostrum Benefits
• Why Choose Grass-Fed Colostrum
• Frequently Asked Questions About Bovine Colostrum Supplements
• Final Thoughts: Is Colostrum Worth It?
What Is Colostrum?
Colostrum is the first milk a mother produces after giving birth. It’s thick, yellowish, and different from regular milk. Why? Because it’s loaded with nutrients that help a baby grow strong and healthy.
This goes far beyond the milk that gets produced after colostrum. It’s made to protect, heal, and kickstart a brand-new immune system, and it works quickly.
While humans make it, supplements are made from cow’s milk (bovine colostrum). Don’t worry, though, bovine colostrum has almost all the same stuff inside, and it works great for humans!
In fact, research shows that bovine colostrum benefits adults in some big ways. This is especially true when it comes to immunity, digestion, and recovery (1).
Bovine Colostrum Benefits
There are tons of colostrum supplement benefits, and yes, I’m talking about for adults.
Colostrum is packed with nutrients that help support immunity, improve gut health, and boost recovery. It contains antibodies, growth factors, and proteins that help protect your body and support health and wellness.
Let’s dive deeper into those colostrum benefits!
Colostrum Benefits: Immune System Support
If you need immune support, colostrum might be one of the best natural supplements out there.
Colostrum is packed with antibodies called immunoglobulins. These are the proteins your body uses to fight off invaders like bacteria and viruses.
Regular milk has some of these too, but nowhere near the amount you’ll find in colostrum. Colostrum has a much higher concentration of these immune-boosting antibodies.
There are three main types of these antibodies found in it:
IgG – the most abundant antibody that protects many parts of the body.
IgA – helps guard your lungs, nose, and digestive tract.
IgM – your first defense when facing a new infection.
These little immune fighters work together to help your body recognize threats. They attack them fast, and even remember them in case they come back.
Colostrum also contains lactoferrin, which many call a “miracle molecule”. It’s an iron-binding protein with strong antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties.
It plays a huge role in keeping your immune system balanced and ready for battle. All of these together can have a profound impact on your immunity (2).
If you tend to get sick often and need immune support, colostrum supplements could be a great idea. They might just give your immune system the support it needs.
Colostrum Benefits: Gut Health and Digestion
Did you know 70-80% of your immune system actually lives in your gut (3)?
That’s why gut health is such a big deal. Well, that’s one reason at least. Our gut does quite a bit more than just house the immune system.
It’s also responsible for digesting and absorbing food, producing hormones, and more. The gut is like our second brain, and it's an extremely important part of our body.
Colostrum happens to be one of the best natural tools for supporting your gut health.
Here’s how:
Colostrum strengthens your gut lining, which helps protect against “leaky gut” (4). That means your gut walls become stronger, and fewer toxins sneak into your blood.
It contains prebiotics, which feed the good bacteria in your gut. Having good bacteria in the gut plays a HUGE role in our overall health (5).
It delivers digestive enzymes to help break down food and absorb nutrients better. This can help ease distress in the gut by making it easier to break down food.
If you have leaky gut, bloating, or digestion issues, colostrum may be worth trying out. There's a lot of promise in these colostrum supplement benefits.
Colostrum Benefits: Muscle Recovery and Athletic Performance
Athletes love colostrum, and not just for the immune support.
Bovine colostrum is rich in growth factors, like:
IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1) – helps promote muscle growth and reduce muscle loss (6).
TGF (Transforming Growth Factor) – supports wound healing and muscle repair (11).
These growth factors work to repair muscle and promote lean muscle growth (14). So if you’re someone who works out regularly, colostrum could be an awesome supplement for you!
Some studies even suggest colostrum can improve sprint performance (7). So not only can colostrum help enhance recovery, but it may even improve your performance too.
In my field, we’re all about getting people results in fitness. It’s hard enough as it is, but when we find something that makes it easier, we take full advantage of it.
I mean, why would you not?!
Colostrum Benefits: Skin Health and Anti-Aging
Colostrum may be one of nature’s best-kept secrets for skin health.
Thanks to its high levels of growth factors, antioxidants, and vitamins (like A, D, and E), colostrum helps (8):
• Stimulate collagen production
• Reduce signs of aging
• Speed up wound healing
• Improve skin elasticity and hydration
Colostrum may also support skin regeneration and reduce damage from oxidative stress (8). That means it helps fight off things like sun damage and pollution that speed up skin aging.
So if your skin health is important to you, this is another potential benefit you should keep in mind.
Additional Colostrum Benefits
Aside from all the benefits I just covered with you, colostrum still has more to offer.
Here are a few more colostrum supplement benefits for adults:
Supports Hormone Balance
Gut bacteria can influence hormone levels (9), and colostrum can help support a healthy gut. Plus, it may help maintain higher testosterone levels during exercise (10). So when it comes to your hormones, colostrum seems to help in multiple ways.
May Improve Mood and Brain Health
Gut health is tied to brain health (1), and colostrum may help with both. It has even been shown to benefit cognitive function in older adults (12). Not only that, but it may help those with depression symptoms as well (13).
In short, colostrum can help your body run better across the board. Those are just the benefits we know about. There are several other possible benefits we just haven’t studied yet!
Why Choose Grass-Fed Colostrum
Now that you know how great colostrum can be, let’s talk about quality.
Just like with every other supplement, not all colostrum is created equal.
If you really want to get the most benefits, look for 100% grass-fed bovine colostrum. Here’s why:
Grass-fed cows are healthier and raised more naturally. They eat a diet they were actually designed to eat. That means their colostrum will likely be more robust in these benefits.
Grass-fed milk has more nutrients like omega-3s and CLA (15). It only makes sense that the same would be true for the colostrum milk that comes out first.
There’s less risk of contamination from antibiotics or hormones. This is because grass-fed cows generally are healthier and don’t need as many antibiotics (16).
It’s also important to check the immunoglobulin content. The higher, the better. Some brands contain as little as 10%, while top-quality options have up to 40%.
Also, make sure the supplement has no fillers or unnecessary ingredients. You want it pure, simple, and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bovine Colostrum Supplements
Q: Is Bovine Colostrum Safe for Adults?
A: Yes, bovine colostrum is safe for most adults. It has several benefits, including strengthening your immune system and supporting gut health. As always, if you have health conditions or take medications, it’s smart to check with your doctor first.
Q: What Does Colostrum Do for Gut Health?
A: Colostrum can help strengthen your gut lining and support healthy digestion. It may even help reduce inflammation in the gut. It’s great for people who deal with bloating, gas, or discomfort after eating. The prebiotics in it also support a balance of healthy bacteria in your gut.
Q: How Quickly Does Colostrum Work?
A: Everyone is different, but most people notice benefits within the first few weeks. The first benefit you may notice is better digestion or a boost in immunity. For best results, it’s important to take colostrum consistently every day.
Q: Can I Take Colostrum Every Day?
A: Absolutely. Colostrum is meant to be taken daily. In fact, taking it every day is the best way to get the most benefits.
Final Thoughts: Is Colostrum Worth It?
If you’re looking for a science-backed way to support your health, colostrum might be the missing piece.
Here’s a quick recap of the top bovine colostrum benefits. Colostrum can help support:
• Stronger immune defenses
• Gut health and regeneration
• Muscle recovery and exercise performance
• Healthy, glowing skin
• Digestion and nutrient absorption
• Hormone balance
• Cognitive function
To me, taking a high-quality colostrum is a no-brainer. There are so many potential benefits, and to be honest, they’re quite profound.
Just remember, if you want the best, you need to know what to look for. Make sure it’s 100% grass-fed bovine colostrum. Also, make sure it has a high percentage of immunoglobulins.
The one I use is 1st Phorm’s Colostrum. It’s from 100% grass-fed cows, and has the highest immunoglobulin content I've found (at 40%). Also, colostrum is the only ingredient, so I don’t have to worry about any unnecessary ingredients.
If you have any questions in the meantime, don't hesitate to reach out. We have a full team of NASM Certified Personal Trainers and Nutrition Coaches right here in St. Louis, Missouri.
Just give us a call at 1-800-409-9732 or send us an email at CustomerService@1stPhorm.com any day from 6 AM to 10 PM Central. We'll be more than happy to help any way we can!
References:
(1) Yalçıntaş YM, et al. Revealing the Potency of Growth Factors in Bovine Colostrum. Nutrients. 2024;16(14):2359.
(2) Kowalczyk P, et al. The Lactoferrin Phenomenon-A Miracle Molecule. Molecules. 2022;27(9):2941.
(3) Wiertsema SP, et al. The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Treatment Strategies. Nutrients. 2021;13(3):886.
(4) Hałasa M, et al. Oral Supplementation with Bovine Colostrum Decreases Intestinal Permeability and Stool Concentrations of Zonulin in Athletes. Nutrients. 2017;9(4):370.
(5) Jandhyala SM, et al. Role of the normal gut microbiota. World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(29):8787-803.
(6) Yoshida T, Delafontaine P. Mechanisms of IGF-1-Mediated Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy and Atrophy. Cells. 2020;9(9):1970.
(7) Hofman Z, et al. The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on exercise performance in elite field hockey players. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2002;12(4):461-9.
(8) Han G, et al. The Potential of Bovine Colostrum-Derived Exosomes to Repair Aged and Damaged Skin Cells. Pharmaceutics. 2022;14(2):307.
(9) d'Afflitto M, et al. Association Between Sex Hormone Levels and Gut Microbiota Composition and Diversity-A Systematic Review. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2022;56(5):384-392.
(10) Shing CM, et al. A pilot study: bovine colostrum supplementation and hormonal and autonomic responses to competitive cycling. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2013;53(5):490-501.
(11) Cryan JF, et al. The gut microbiome in neurological disorders. Lancet Neurol. 2020;19(2):179-194.
(12) Duff WR, et al. The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation in older adults during resistance training. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2014;24(3):276-85.
(13) Durkalec-Michalski K, et al. Bovine colostrum supplementation as a new perspective in depression and substance use disorder treatment: a randomized placebo-controlled study. Front Psychiatry. 2024;15:1366942.
(14) Antonio J, et al. The effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women. Nutrition. 2001;17(3):243-7.
(15) Alothman M, et al. The "Grass-Fed" Milk Story: Understanding the Impact of Pasture Feeding on the Composition and Quality of Bovine Milk. Foods. 2019;8(8):350.
(16) Provenza FD, et al. Is Grassfed Meat and Dairy Better for Human and Environmental Health? Front Nutr. 2019;6:26.
