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Colostrum

Colostrum is the milk mammals produce shortly after birth. Supplements usually use bovine colostrum, collected from cows after calving.

Also listed as First Milk, Bovine colostrum

Gut HealthImmune SupportLongevityFitnessBone & Joint

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

InflammationStrongA3 studies
Gut healthStrongA3 studies
Gut IntegrityGut HealthStrongA3 studies
Immune responseImmune SupportModerateA3 studies
Immune SupportModerateB3 studies
Microbiome healthGut HealthModerateB3 studies
All 15 rated effectsGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

What is colostrum?

Colostrum is the milk mammals produce shortly after birth. Supplements usually use bovine colostrum, collected from cows after calving. It contains proteins, fats, minerals and biologically active components, including immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and growth factors. Its composition differs from mature milk and changes quickly after birth. 1

Why study a milk product for gut health?

The research starts with a plausible local action in the digestive tract. Colostrum contains antibodies that bind particular targets and compounds involved in tissue growth and immune signaling. The composition review also describes sugars that may influence gut microbes. These are reasons to investigate a complex food, not evidence that swallowing it transfers a newborn’s protection to an adult. 1 2

Human trials have explored respiratory symptoms during exercise training, intestinal permeability and selected illnesses. A 2021 systematic review found encouraging signals but substantial differences in participants, products and outcomes. The useful question is what changed in a particular trial, rather than whether colostrum broadly “boosts immunity.” 2

Key studies

The most recent publications linked to Colostrum's ratings.

Bovine Colostrum Increases Intestinal Permeability in Healthy Athletes and Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.2024A Review: The Effect of Bovine Colostrum on Immunity in People of All Ages2024Exploring the impact of colostrum supplementation on athletes: a comprehensive analysis of clinical trials and diverse properties2024Moderate Dose Bovine Colostrum Supplementation in Prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Medical University Students: A Randomized, Triple Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial2023Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergic Properties of Colostrum from Mothers of Full-Term and Preterm Babies: The Importance of Maternal Lactation in the First Days2023
All 26 studiesEvery publication linked to Colostrum

Why people take it

Immune Support24.5%
Essential Health18.9%
Gut Health18.7%
Energy11.4%
Longevity7.4%
Fitness6.6%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

What is in a colostrum supplement?

It contains a mixture from the first milk after calving, including proteins such as immunoglobulins, along with fats, sugars and other compounds. The composition changes with collection timing and differs between preparations. 1

Does colostrum help with bloating?

Gut-permeability studies provide an interesting signal, but the pooled tests did not establish relief from everyday bloating. Digestive-disease studies in the broader clinical review gave inconsistent results. 2 3

Does it strengthen the immune system?

Some exercising adults reported fewer respiratory symptom days. That specific finding is more informative than a general immune-strengthening claim, and the small, imperfect trials leave uncertainty. 4

Is colostrum lactose-free?

Not inherently. Colostrum contains lactose, though generally less than mature milk; the composition of individual preparations varies. 1

What is the best colostrum dose?

The trials used very different products and quantities. They do not establish one best daily amount for everyone. 2 5

Sources