What Happens When You Start Taking Colostrum Supplements?

Colostrum supplements have gained popularity as a “superfood” with immense health benefits. These supplements are made from colostrum or “first milk.” This is the first liquid a mammal produces in its mammary glands after it gives birth. Here is more information on the colostrum supplement and the impacts it may have on your body.

What Is Bovine Colostrum?

When a mammal, such as a cow or human being, gives birth, it produces a fluid similar to but not quite regular milk. This “first” breast fluid is called colostrum and is highly nutritious. Colostrum contains high levels of growth hormone and antibodies. When consumed by a newborn child or animal, it stimulates growth and heightens the newborn’s immunity.

While all mammals produce colostrum, the colostrum supplement you may purchase today is more likely made from bovine colostrum. The bovine colostrum is pasteurized, dried, and packed into pills or packaged as a powder that can be mixed into a drink. Bovine colostrum is very similar to human colostrum, but compared to regular milk, it contains more elevated levels of nutrients and antibodies. It typically smells and tastes like buttermilk.

What Are the Benefits of Taking Colostrum?

Bovine colostrum is loaded with helpful hormones and nutrients that promote growth in newborns and help their bodies fight disease. Researchers have looked into the possible benefits of colostrum supplements for adults and found that they may:

Improve Your Gut Health

Multiple animal and human studies demonstrate that bovine colostrum may strengthen the gut and prevent digestive tract disorders. Colostrum contains growth factors and lactoferrin, which can stimulate the growth of intestinal cells, preventing permeability and strengthening the gut wall. One study of 12 athletes with an increased risk of intestinal permeability found that their susceptibility fell by 80 percent after taking 20 grams of bovine colostrum daily.

Boost Your Immunity

Bovine colostrum can strengthen your immunity and help your body fight pathogens. This effect, which is more pronounced in athletes, results from the high concentration of antibodies in colostrum. Colostrum contains IgA and IgG antibodies, which heighten the body’s defenses against germs and illness.

Prevent Diarrhea

Taking colostrum can also settle your digestive system. One study of 87 adults experiencing HIV-associated diarrhea found that taking 100 grams of colostrum supplements every day alongside traditional medication improved the subjects’ symptoms by 21 percent. This effect is more prevalent in diarrhea cases resulting from viral and bacterial infections.

Promote Healthy Hair and Skin

Colostrum can also improve your skin health. Colostrum contains hormones that may stimulate collagen and elastin production, improving your skin’s elasticity and wound healing properties. The compounds present in colostrum can also reactivate your hair follicles and improve or reverse hair loss caused by aging or illness.

Promote Muscle Growth

Lastly, taking colostrum may help you grow muscle. Bovine colostrum contains IGF-1 and IGF-2. These insulin-like growth factors stimulate muscle growth and help you gain lean body mass. They can also alleviate the muscle damage and inflammation that follows a strenuous workout, allowing you to recover faster.

Are There Any Downsides to Taking Colostrum Supplements?

Like any supplement or food, colostrum may not agree with everyone. Avoid taking this supplement if you are allergic to milk or soy, which is sometimes used as an additive. It is also currently unknown whether this supplement is safe for breastfeeding or pregnant women.

Because colostrum is necessary for a newborn’s health, some people worry about the ethics of sourcing bovine colostrum and whether it deprives calves of this much-useful nourishment. You can alleviate this concern by only purchasing your supplements from a reputable provider. Most reputable sources only collect colostrum after the newborn calf has been fed.

Should You Take Colostrum Supplements?

Colostrum is rich in antibodies and growth hormones that may boost your immunity, improve your hair and skin, help you grow muscle, and improve your gut health. Research has shown that supplements containing colostrum are generally safe for humans and can offer immense benefits. However, consult your doctor about whether they are ideal for you before adding them to your diet.