In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleNutritionHealth BenefitsShould You Take It?Safety and PrecautionsFAQs
In This ArticleView All
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In This Article
Nutrition
Health Benefits
Should You Take It?
Safety and Precautions
FAQs
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In the nutrition world, when an ingredient gets publicized into a “superfood,” likecolostrum powder(the supplement form of colostrum), companies jump on the bandwagon to create products to meet the demand. But, is colostrum powder worth the hype? And, most importantly, what’s really happening to your body when you take it? We’ve asked nutrition experts to get the facts and latest science on this emerging trend before you spend your hard-earned money on it.
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Nutrition Facts
Contrary to the fresh colostrum that newborns consume, colostrum in supplements for adults comes in dried or powdered form. As for its nutrients—well, that’s not so clear. “The nutrition of supplemental bovine colostrum will vary depending on the brand and form of the supplement taken,” saysMelissa Groves Azzaro, RDN, owner of The Hormone Dietitian. Supplemental bovine colostrum may contain the following nutrients and compounds in varying quantities:
Bovine colostrum and regular cow’s milk differ in nutrients, research shows. For instance, colostrum is richer in protein, immunoglobulins (antibodies) and antimicrobials (substances that fend off infections). However, it’s important to note that these differences are seen in the liquid form of bovine colostrum, not the powdered form in supplements.
Potential Health Benefits of Colostrum
Considering the lack of data available on colostrum powder, both Wallace and Azzaro suggest being cautious about supplementing until we have more research. Here’s what you need to know about how it may affect your health.
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Should You Take Colostrum Supplements?
Unless under the care of your doctor or registered dietitian, Azzaro does not recommend adding a colostrum supplement to your routine. “It is not appropriate for all people to take,” she says. Plus, with the data lacking, it’s difficult to recommend that someone buy colostrum supplements. At the time, we don’t know if it’s worth the price or if you’d be literally flushing your money away.
In addition, clinical trials often give people an unusually high dose that you wouldn’t otherwise find in a supplement. Studies that have used colostrum supplementation in adults report roughly dosages of 20 to 60 grams per day for up to 8 weeks.Compare that to the typical suggested daily dosage of supplemental colostrum, which is usually 1 to 2 grams.
Now, should you and your medical team decide it’s worth a try, be sure to purchase from brands that areindependently verified. You want to be sure that what’s on the label is actually in the bottle and that the formula is free of contaminants.
Also keep in mind that colostrum supplements contain dairy. “Anyone who is allergic to or intolerant of dairy or lactose should not take colostrum,” Azzaro says. In addition, there is not enough research to support its safety in those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have a hormone-sensitive cancer, talk to your provider about whether colostrum use is safe for you, she recommends.
The Bottom Line
While social media may have you thinking taking colostrum powder will be your golden ticket to optimum health, nutrition experts advise to proceed with caution before adding this supplement to your routine. While the current dosages of supplemental colostrum powder likely pose no serious harm for healthy individuals, further research is needed—including clinical human trials—to discover the true benefits of taking the supplement long-term. In the meantime: “Don’t waste your money,” says Wallace.
Frequently Asked QuestionsRight now, it’s not clear what—if any—benefits there are to taking colostrum powder. While there may be promise when it comes to gastrointestinal health and immune support, many experts are skeptical. “I doubt colostrum supplements have much to offer,” says Wallace.Unfortunately, there’s just not enough data to say who should and who should not take colostrum supplements. Since the research is evolving in this area, Azzaro recommends consulting with a registered dietitian nutritionist or your health care provider before incorporating this supplement into your routine.There’s more research to support takingcollagenin terms of benefiting skin health, including improving elasticity, hydration and cellulite.“Collagen can be used long-term and supports connective tissue, like hair, skin, nails, bones. I recommend collagen in my practice multiple times more often than I recommend colostrum,” says Azzaro.Collagen powderis a common way to consume it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Right now, it’s not clear what—if any—benefits there are to taking colostrum powder. While there may be promise when it comes to gastrointestinal health and immune support, many experts are skeptical. “I doubt colostrum supplements have much to offer,” says Wallace.
Unfortunately, there’s just not enough data to say who should and who should not take colostrum supplements. Since the research is evolving in this area, Azzaro recommends consulting with a registered dietitian nutritionist or your health care provider before incorporating this supplement into your routine.
There’s more research to support takingcollagenin terms of benefiting skin health, including improving elasticity, hydration and cellulite.“Collagen can be used long-term and supports connective tissue, like hair, skin, nails, bones. I recommend collagen in my practice multiple times more often than I recommend colostrum,” says Azzaro.Collagen powderis a common way to consume it.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Playford RJ, Weiser MJ.Bovine colostrum: its constituents and uses. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):265. doi:10.3390/nu13010265Guberti M, Botti S, Capuzzo MT, et al.Bovine colostrum applications in sick and healthy people: a systematic review. Nutrients. 2021;13(7):2194. doi:10.3390/nu13072194Kowalczyk P, Kaczyńska K, Kleczkowska P, Bukowska-Ośko I, Kramkowski K, Sulejczak D.The lactoferrin phenomenon-a miracle molecule. Molecules. 2022;27(9):2941. doi:10.3390/molecules27092941Mehra R, Garhwal R, Sangwan K, et al.Insights into the research trends on bovine colostrum: beneficial health perspectives with special reference to manufacturing of functional foods and feed supplements. Nutrients. 2022;14(3):659. doi:10.3390/nu14030659NOW Foods Supplements.Colostrum Powder.Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA.Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Playford RJ, Weiser MJ.Bovine colostrum: its constituents and uses. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):265. doi:10.3390/nu13010265Guberti M, Botti S, Capuzzo MT, et al.Bovine colostrum applications in sick and healthy people: a systematic review. Nutrients. 2021;13(7):2194. doi:10.3390/nu13072194Kowalczyk P, Kaczyńska K, Kleczkowska P, Bukowska-Ośko I, Kramkowski K, Sulejczak D.The lactoferrin phenomenon-a miracle molecule. Molecules. 2022;27(9):2941. doi:10.3390/molecules27092941Mehra R, Garhwal R, Sangwan K, et al.Insights into the research trends on bovine colostrum: beneficial health perspectives with special reference to manufacturing of functional foods and feed supplements. Nutrients. 2022;14(3):659. doi:10.3390/nu14030659NOW Foods Supplements.Colostrum Powder.Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA.Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Playford RJ, Weiser MJ.Bovine colostrum: its constituents and uses. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):265. doi:10.3390/nu13010265Guberti M, Botti S, Capuzzo MT, et al.Bovine colostrum applications in sick and healthy people: a systematic review. Nutrients. 2021;13(7):2194. doi:10.3390/nu13072194Kowalczyk P, Kaczyńska K, Kleczkowska P, Bukowska-Ośko I, Kramkowski K, Sulejczak D.The lactoferrin phenomenon-a miracle molecule. Molecules. 2022;27(9):2941. doi:10.3390/molecules27092941Mehra R, Garhwal R, Sangwan K, et al.Insights into the research trends on bovine colostrum: beneficial health perspectives with special reference to manufacturing of functional foods and feed supplements. Nutrients. 2022;14(3):659. doi:10.3390/nu14030659NOW Foods Supplements.Colostrum Powder.Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA.Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16.
Playford RJ, Weiser MJ.Bovine colostrum: its constituents and uses. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):265. doi:10.3390/nu13010265
Guberti M, Botti S, Capuzzo MT, et al.Bovine colostrum applications in sick and healthy people: a systematic review. Nutrients. 2021;13(7):2194. doi:10.3390/nu13072194
Kowalczyk P, Kaczyńska K, Kleczkowska P, Bukowska-Ośko I, Kramkowski K, Sulejczak D.The lactoferrin phenomenon-a miracle molecule. Molecules. 2022;27(9):2941. doi:10.3390/molecules27092941
Mehra R, Garhwal R, Sangwan K, et al.Insights into the research trends on bovine colostrum: beneficial health perspectives with special reference to manufacturing of functional foods and feed supplements. Nutrients. 2022;14(3):659. doi:10.3390/nu14030659
NOW Foods Supplements.Colostrum Powder.
Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA.Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16.
