Colostrum supplements have become increasingly popular lately. Widely discussed on social media for improving gut health, boosting immunity, enhancing skin and hair quality, and aiding weight loss, bovine colostrum has entered many people's wellness routines in powder or pill form. But is this supplement, known as "liquid gold," truly a superfood as claimed, or just a wellness trend that lacks scientific basis? We've researched everything you need to know before taking colostrum supplements.
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the first milk-like fluid secreted from the mammary glands of a mammal after birth. Highly nutritious, colostrum contains more protein and antioxidants than regular milk. For example, bovine colostrum contains 15% protein, while regular milk contains only 3%. Its fat content is also much lower. In all mammals, mothers naturally produce colostrum after birth to strengthen their babies' immune systems. However, humans have a slightly lower chance of receiving colostrum directly from their mothers compared to other mammals. This is where colostrum supplements come into play.
The closest formulation to human colostrum is found in bovine colostrum . Due to its cross-species bioactivity, bovine colostrum can actually nourish not only calves but also all other mammals, including humans. Since cattle are large animals, they produce significantly more colostrum than humans. Containing abundant growth hormones, natural antibiotics, immunoglobulins, fatty acids, digestive enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, bovine colostrum is pasteurized and dried to be converted into supplements in pill or powder form.
What are the benefits of colostrum supplementation?
When colostrum supplementation is mentioned, the first benefit discussed is its effect on the immune system. Since colostrum received in infancy provides significant immune support, it is thought that bovine colostrum has a similar effect in adults. However, more research is needed on this benefit of colostrum supplementation.
Colostrum supplementation can also support gut health; it can be used in addition to treating intestinal problems. It is thought to do this by reducing intestinal permeability . It is also believed to help reduce inflammation in the intestines due to its high antibiotic and antioxidant content.
According to another study, bovine colostrum may also reduce the risk of contracting upper respiratory tract infections. It is thought to do this by repairing the mucous membranes in the upper respiratory tract and providing antibiotic support to immune cells.
Another interesting benefit of colostrum supplementation is related to athletic performance . According to research, professional cyclists can achieve higher performance when using bovine colostrum supplements, while footballers can recover more quickly from exercise.
Finally, it is also said that bovine colostrum supplementation supports skin repair, facilitates weight loss, and may even reverse the natural aging process. However, there are very few studies that provide evidence of these benefits . Therefore, much more comprehensive, long-term, large-scale research on bovine colostrum is needed to reveal its true benefits.
Who is colostrum supplementation suitable for and how is it used?
In summary, research on colostrum supplementation shows a wide range of results. According to current studies, bovine colostrum, thanks to its bioactive components, can indeed help improve the gut health of adults, provide extra protection against certain diseases, and enhance athletic performance. However, scientists repeatedly state that there is still much we don't know about bovine colostrum supplementation. They point out that a scientific consensus has not yet been reached on its safety, effectiveness, and optimal dosage because there is not enough evidence . They also emphasize that most supplement brands have not yet been subjected to specific standards and controls in how they produce their bovine colostrum.
This situation essentially leaves the decision of whether or not to use this supplement up to us, the consumers. The benefits that can be obtained by using bovine colostrum supplements include better gut health, more beautiful skin, and a stronger immune system, which can also be achieved by following the Mediterranean Diet, consisting of real and nutritious foods . Probiotics and fermented foods, various types of mushrooms, and bone marrow also help strengthen the immune system at least as much as bovine colostrum. To meet protein needs , fish, lean meat, legumes, eggs, and whey protein powder can be preferred.
If someone's budget allows them to try bovine colostrum supplementation and observe its benefits firsthand, that's perfectly fine! However, following a healthy diet requires more sustainable holistic health support than relying on occasional colostrum supplementation.
Are there any side effects of colostrum supplementation?
Colostrum supplementation does not pose any health problems for the majority of the population. However, only two groups of people should absolutely avoid colostrum supplementation: those with milk allergies and those with compromised immune systems . Although colostrum does not exactly resemble milk, it contains low amounts of lactose and can trigger an immune response in individuals allergic to milk/dairy products. Because it contains large amounts of antibiotics and growth hormones, it can also lead to health problems in individuals with compromised immune systems.