He says its considered one of the most complete foods made by nature, from a nutrient perspective.

While these nutrients are essential during the first stages of life, are they necessary for adults?

Is it safe, or even beneficial, to take colostrum supplements as an adult?

alt

While colostrum has beenstudied as a supplement since 19972, the research on its benefits are limited and mixed.

Its very nutrient-dense

Colostrums claim to fame is its abundance of essential vitamins and nutrients.

A lower lactose content may be appealing to those who are intolerant yet want to up the protein.

Collage graphic of the best shoes for standing all day according to nurses, with the top pick being FIGS New Balance 3447 Zip shoes in gray, black, and white against a pink and orange background

registered dietitian and owner ofMPM Nutrition

Keep in Mind

Just because a supplement is considered nutrient-dense, doesnt mean you have to take it.

These antibodies are transferred from mother to baby during those initial feeding sessions.

More evidence is needed to say whether the supplement truly prevents or treats these illnesses.

close up of person drinking a green smoothie that may cause their poop to be green

Additionally, bovine colostrum is also rich in antimicrobial peptidesincluding lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase.

But again, more evidence is needed to fully confirm this.

Some preliminary findings have associated bovine colostrum with improved gut lining and reduced inflammation.

alt

The former is thought to help with cell growth and repair and metabolism of certain macronutrients.

But does it help with muscle growth and repair too?

He says this is due to ingredients like antioxidants, prebiotics, and peptides found in colostrum.

cup of matcha green tea sitting on a wooden ledge

registered dietitian and owner ofMPM Nutrition

Still, human research needs to be done so you can better support these findings.

It may also help to buy colostrum sourced from grass-fed cows, or made in FDA-certified facilities.

They can offer guidance about whether or not taking colostrum will help.

LOS ANGELES - FEB 10: Patrick Schwarzenegger at the White Lotus Season 3 Premiere at Paramount Studios on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA

Mero, A et al.

1985)vol.

83,4 (1997): 1144-51. doi:10.1152/jappl.1997.83.4.1144

Playford, Raymond John, and Michael James Weiser.

Woman drinking a protein meal replacement shake in the kitchen

Bovine Colostrum: Its Constituents and Uses.Nutrientsvol.

& Technol.96, 133158 (2016).

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13594-015-0258-x

Mehra, Rahul et al.

4 Feb. 2022, doi:10.3390/nu14030659

Shin, Kouichirou et al.

Effects of orally administered lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase on symptoms of the common cold.International journal of health sciencesvol.

12,5 (2018): 44-50.

Dziewiecka, Hanna et al.

2022, doi:10.3390/nu14122512

Sienkiewicz, Micha, et al.

Supplementation of bovine colostrum in inflammatory bowel disease: Benefits and contraindications.Advances in Nutrition, vol.

533545, https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmaa120.

Blair, Merran et al.

Health Benefits of Whey or Colostrum Supplementation in Adults 35 Years; a Systematic Review.Nutrientsvol.

22 Jan. 2020, doi:10.3390/nu12020299

Davison, Glen.

The Use of Bovine Colostrum in Sport and Exercise.Nutrientsvol.

2021, doi:10.3390/nu13061789

Jogi, Reena et al.

Bovine Colostrum, Telomeres, and Skin Aging.Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDDvol.

20,5 (2021): 538-545. doi:10.36849/JDD.5851

Han, Geonhee et al.

The Potential of Bovine Colostrum-Derived Exosomes to Repair Aged and Damaged Skin Cells.Pharmaceuticsvol.

Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.