Bovine Colostrum 101: The Gut-Healing Supplement That Should Be On Your Radar

Many moms are familiar with colostrum: the first form of milk produced from the mammary glands during the end of pregnancy and the first few days postpartum.

While it is biologically necessary for newborns, there is a lot of developing research on how colostrum and its vital nutrients can be beneficial throughout your entire life. No, I am not saying you need to go out and buy breast milk online. (Yes, that’s a thing!) These days, supplements are usually derived from bovine colostrum: colostrum from cows. Although bovine colostrum is slightly lower in nutrients than human colostrum, it still contains growth factors, immunoglobulin antibodies (IgA), and lactoferrin that support optimal health.

Even though it may be a seemingly new concept for us today, adults have used bovine colostrum for thousands of years, particularly in the field of ayurvedic medicine. And after all, in reality bovine colostrum is just a more nutrient-dense version of what we have been encouraged to drink for years—you know, to achieve strong bones and all that.

The lactoferrin in bovine colostrum is an uber-powerful inflammation moderator. In fact, lactoferrin levels in our bodies rise during times of increased inflammation and can help bring down the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-61. Doctors even look at lactoferrin levels in stool to help diagnose inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) and C. diff2.

Lactoferrin is responsible for helping regulate the defense response against pathogens by boosting immune-balancing T-cells and increasing natural white blood cells. To examine just how powerful lactoferrin’s immune boosting abilities are, researchers in one study8 gave oral lactoferrin to mice with suppressed immune systems due to chemotherapy and lab-induced autoimmune conditions. Afterward they found that their immune systems were not only strengthened, but the state of their autoimmune condition actually improved as well.

Additionally, lactoferrin is a natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. It has the ability to inhibit pathogenic growth9 by actually binding the bacterial and viral cells in order to prevent their entry into the body’s cell.

Ultimately, this is just the tip of the iceberg for bovine colostrum's benefits. As colostrum continues to create more buzz in the wellness world, there will undoubtedly be more studies done to examine the direct effects of supplementation for adults. If you are interested in taking a colostrum supplement, look for ones derived from grass-fed cows or ones not treated with artificial growth hormones. As of now there is no recommended daily dosage or known side effects of supplementation.