Colostrum Supplement: What You NEED to Know

Let’s explore a colostrum supplement- the benefits, potential side effects, and expert insights to help you decide what is best for YOU.

With the recent insurgence of health and over-consumerism it makes sense that use of supplementation has also grown. Why learn science-backed nutrition and make small, lasting changes when you can just buy a pill from a fun influencer?

Let’s take a look at what this supplement really is, how it can be beneficial or harmful, and leave you more educated to make the right decision for you.

What is a Supplement?

A supplement is something you can add into your diet to fill in any nutrition gaps you have with typical eating or due to certain circumstances.

You may have not heard of the term supplement but things such as multivitamins, energy drinks, and protein powders are all considered supplements.

What is Colostrum?

Colostrum is the first release of milk from a mother after giving birth to a child.

It is typically more of a yellow color, thicker, incredibly high in necessary nutrients, growth factor, immunoglobulins, and antimicrobial peptides for the child. After a few days the colostrum period ends and regular breast milk begins. It is very important in providing the child an immune system, support growth, and development!

What is a Colostrum Supplement? The Ingredients

So, we know there are many forms of supplements to fill nutrition gaps. But know that we know it is typical for a child to only receive a few days of colostrum at the very beginning of their life, is it necessary or beneficial to supplement later in life?

The ingredients in bovine colostrum supplements is typically just colostrum. This is similar to how you would see ‘milk’ on the ingredients of a gallon of milk. Depending on the brand, other additions may be immunoglobulin G or a proprietary blend.

Benefits of Colostrum Supplements

Many tote bovine colostrum as a great way to support your immune system but the current research shows there may be other benefits as well.

A systemic review found that when applied topically bovine colostrum can alleviate symptoms of vaginal dryness, reduce incidence of upper respiratory illness in athletes, modulate the immune system in both healthy and sick individuals, and support gut integrity.

With this, it must be shared that the studies that found these results were not too large, and the intervention and control protocols may include bias.

More research is needed to realize its efficacy.

Potential Colostrum Supplement Side Effects

Not exactly a side effect, but if bovine colostrum is not handled properly it can easily be altered. This is difficult to maintain when a product is being manufactured, shipped, and used by a consumer. Proper education and handling must be done by both the producer and consumer to ensure the product remains viable.

Just like taking other supplements there are always possible side effects. Bloating, diarrhea, nausea, an allergic reaction, medication interaction, and hormonal effects are all potential side effects. There are always side effects that may occur that have not been previously realized, which is why it is important to speak to your healthcare provider!

If you are intolerant or allergic to dairy you will want to avoid this supplement as it comes from cows.

Why Are People Taking Colostrum Supplements?

My opinion is that many people recently began taking these supplements due to influencers showcasing them. When an influencer receives payment to speak on a supplement highly it ingrains in their audience that to be like them they too need the supplement.

Beyond this many take these supplements for their toted health benefits. It is known that colostrum at the start of life is valuable for health and development so it can be inferred that additional colostrum may also be beneficial.

What to Do Instead of Taking A Supplement

If you are considering taking a bovine colostrum supplement, consider some other non-supplement options as well.

Start by altering your diet a bit. Be sure you are reaching your protein needs, including a variety of fruit and veggies, getting enough fiber, and having sweets in moderation.

Because colostrum supplements can be taken for a variety of reasons there are some different routes you can take based on your personal goals:

If you are hoping to boost your immune system opt for foods rich in vitamin C, D, and Zinc. Try having oranges, milk, and nuts. Don’t forget about the importance of a good night’s sleep, too!

If you are looking for some gut health get some pre and probiotics! These are the gut bacteria and food for your gut bacteria. Reach for foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains and fermented yogurt and kimchi.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

If your question hasn’t been answered so far you may find it here!

What are some reputable colostrum brands?

Surprisingly, there are already many brands producing colostrum supplements. With minimal amount of time on the market and research it is difficult to point to which one is the best. Everydayhealth created a list of which to choose based on your goals.

Who can benefit from taking colostrum supplements?

Potentially, athletes, those with digestive issues, aging adults, and those in need of an immune boost can benefit from taking a colostrum supplement.

Remember, always speak to a healthcare provider prior to starting a supplement.

How much colostrum supplements should I take in a day?

An exact recommendation is not yet found. Different studies use doses of 60mg, 100mg, 0.5g, 15g. This is not an exhaustive list yet you can see the dosage varies greatly.

A Word From a Registered Dietitian

It can be easy to let the internet persuade you that you need a supplement. Just like all other health decisions, this is something to consider between you and your healthcare provider.

For some, a colostrum supplement is simply an easy addition to their daily routine because they have the means to regularly purchase it and the appropriate health status and goals.

For others, this supplement may be a huge expense that can be a bigger detriment than its benefits provide.

Ultimately, this is simply another supplement option. This is good for some people, bad for others, and neutral to many. The great thing is, you can choose for yourself to take this or not!

Colostrum Supplement: Key Takeaways

• A supplement is something you can add to your diet to fill any gaps you are not getting from food.
• Colostrum is the nutrient dense first release of milk after birth.
• There are some studies done using Bovine Colostrum but not enough with large sample sizes intervention and control protocols to provide reliable and replicable results.
• Some potential health benefits are reduction of vaginal dryness, reducing the incidence of respiratory illness, modulate the immune system, and support of gut integrity.
• Potential side effects are nausea, bloating, medication interaction, allergic reactions, etc.
• There is currently no specific dose recommended.
• All in all, a colostrum supplement is another option available for you to choose to take or not.

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References

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7831509/#:~:text=Colostrum%20is%20the%20milk%20produced,and%20immunologic%20defence%20of%20neonates.
2. https://tryarmra.com
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8308243/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8840100/#sec6-nutrients-14-00659
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8255475/#s2

Disclosure

This is not medical advice. Always speak to your trusted healthcare professional prior to starting or ending any supplementation.