Colostrum
Bovine Colostrum
First milk rich in immunoglobulins, growth factors, and antimicrobial compounds that supports gut health, immunity, and recovery.
Colostrum is the first milk produced by mammals after giving birth, packed with immunoglobulins (especially IgG), lactoferrin, growth factors, and antimicrobial peptides. Bovine colostrum supplements support gut barrier integrity, immune function, and may enhance athletic recovery. Growing evidence supports its use for gut healing, infection prevention, and exercise performance.
Mechanisms of Action
Immunoglobulin Transfer
Provides ready-made antibodies
Gut Barrier Support
Repairs and strengthens gut lining
Recommended Dose
10-20g powder or 1-2g concentrated extract
Loading: Higher doses (20-60g) used in gut healing and athletic protocols
Optimal Timing
- On empty stomach or before meals
- Before/after exercise for athletes
Can be taken without food
Best Form
Whole colostrum powder (first-milking, minimally processed)
Alternatives: Concentrated IgG extract, Capsules
First-milking colostrum has highest immunoglobulin content. Liposomal forms may improve absorption.
Duration
Minimum: 4 weeks
Optimal: 12 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Empty stomach may improve immunoglobulin survival. Athletes often use before intense exercise to protect gut.
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Gut Healing
Improved gut barrier integrity
Immune Support
Fewer upper respiratory infections
Athletic Recovery
Reduced exercise-induced gut permeability
Avoid — contains milk proteins
Who Should NOT Take This
- Cow's milk allergy
Drug Interactions
May modulate immune function
Possible Side Effects
Tip: Start with lower dose
Tip: Reduce dose; take away from meals
Warnings
- Not suitable for those with cow's milk allergy
- Quality varies — choose reputable sources
- Athletes should check for banned substances in competitive settings
Top studies from 40+ peer-reviewed papers
Luo H et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2025)
“This study suggests that a range of dietary supplements, including caffeine, creatine, creatine + sodium bicarbonate, magnesium creatine chelate, carbohydrate + electrolyte, carbohydrate + protein, arginine, beta-alanine, bovine colostrum, Kaempferia parviflora, melatonin, and sodium pyruvate, can improve athletic performance in soccer players.”
Key Findings:
- Kaempferia parviflora (SMD: 0.46, small) was associated with a significant effect on enhancing muscular strength.
- Beta-alanine (SMD: 0.83, moderate), melatonin (SMD: 0.75, moderate), caffeine (SMD: 0.37, small), and creatine (SMD: 0.33, small) were associated with a significant effect on enhancing jump height.
- Magnesium creatine chelate (SMD: -3.0, very large), melatonin (SMD: -1.9, large), creatine + sodium bicarbonate (SMD: -1.4, large), and arginine (SMD: -1.2, moderate) were associated with a significant effect on decreasing sprint time.
- Creatine + sodium bicarbonate (SMD: -2.3, very large) and caffeine (SMD: -0.38, small) were associated with a significant effect on improving agility.
Chang YC et al. • Systematic reviews (2025)
“Acupoint stimulation may have beneficial effects on postpartum breastfeeding insufficiency.”
Key Findings:
- When compared to the control group, the experimental group exhibited improved volume of milk production (MD = 81.30; 95% CI = 58.94-103.67) and higher prolactin levels (MD = 41.90, 95% CI = 28.57-55.22).
- Colostrum time was shorter in the control group ([MD = - 7.26; 95% CI = - 10.69 to - 3.83] for continuous data; [RR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.38-2.08] for dichotomous data).
- Acupoint stimulation may have beneficial effects on postpartum breastfeeding insufficiency.
- However, the results should be interpreted with caution because of the presence of risks of bias and heterogeneity among studies.
Zhou HH et al. • International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism (2024)
“This trial was registered at International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews as CRD42022358766.”
Key Findings:
- Pre/postexercise and Night are key recommended times of protein intake to increase muscle mass and strength, respectively.
- Milk proteins are the preferred types of protein supplements for improving muscle mass and strength.
- Future randomized controlled trials that directly compare the effects of protein timing or types are needed.
- This trial was registered at International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews as CRD42022358766.
Anne RP et al. • Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition (2024)
“Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.”
Key Findings:
- The certainty of the evidence was high for the outcomes of culture-positive sepsis and mortality, moderate for NEC, low for time to full enteral feeding, and very low for feeding intolerance.
- However, scarcity of data from extremely premature infants limits the generalizability of these results to this population.© 2023 The Authors.
- Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.
Fu ZY et al. • International journal of nursing studies (2023)
“Oropharyngeal colostrum administration can reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, feeding intolerance and mortality, shorten the time to full enteral feeding, and lead to a faster recovery to birth weight in preterm infants.”
Key Findings:
- Oropharyngeal colostrum administration can reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, feeding intolerance and mortality, shorten the time to full enteral feeding, and lead to a faster recovery to birth weight in preterm infants.
- The appropriate oropharyngeal colostrum administration frequency may be 4 h, and the optimal duration may be 8-10 days.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Study Type Distribution
Goals This Supplement Supports
Related Goals
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement.