From the Guidelines
Colostrum offers numerous health benefits, particularly for newborns, due to its high concentrations of antibodies, growth factors, and nutrients that support immune function and development. The benefits of colostrum can be broken down into several key areas, including:
- Immune system support: Colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins (especially IgA, IgG, and IgM) that help protect newborns from infections while their own immune systems develop 1.
- Gut health: Colostrum helps establish beneficial gut bacteria, promotes intestinal development, and provides a natural laxative effect that helps expel meconium 1.
- Nutrient provision: Colostrum provides essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals in a highly concentrated form, supporting early growth and development 1.
- Bioactive compounds: Colostrum contains bioactive compounds including lactoferrin, cytokines, and growth factors that regulate immune responses, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair throughout the body 1.
Some of the key benefits of colostrum for infants include:
- Reduction of necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, chronic lung disease, retinopathy of prematurity, and improved outcomes 1
- Improved neurodevelopment 1
- Increased stooling, which increases bilirubin excretion in the stools 1
For adults, bovine colostrum supplements (typically 500-1000mg daily) may help:
- Support immune function
- Improve gut health
- Enhance athletic recovery
- Reduce upper respiratory infections
- Improve digestive disorders
- Accelerate healing of injuries
It is essential to note that the effectiveness of colostrum stems from its bioactive compounds, and the quality of the colostrum can vary depending on factors such as the stage of lactation and maternal health 1.
From the Research
Benefits of Colostrum
- Supports growth, development, and immunologic defence of neonates 2
- Maintains wellbeing, treats medical conditions, and is used in animal husbandry 2
- Promotes gut function and health in humans and other species 3
- Has antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects, reducing clinical complications related to preterm birth, infections, and gut disorders 3, 4
- May prevent and treat various gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhea, infection, growth-failure, and necrotizing enterocolitis 3, 4
- Has potential as a nutritional supplement for pediatric subpopulations, especially when immune and gut functions are immature in early life 3
- May reduce intestinal permeability and modulate immune system response in healthy and sick subjects 5
- Has immunomodulatory effects, contributing to an infant's immunity against allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease 6
Therapeutic Benefits
- Bovine colostrum supplementation has been shown to have therapeutic benefits for a wide range of indications, including maintenance of wellbeing and treatment of medical conditions 2
- Topical application of bovine colostrum has been shown to be effective in limiting vaginal dryness related symptoms 5
- Bovine colostrum supplementation as a food supplement has been shown to prevent upper respiratory illness in sportsmen and modulate immune system response 5
Safety and Efficacy
- Bovine colostrum is considered safe, with few side effects of clinical relevance reported 4, 5
- Exclusive bovine colostrum feeding is not recommended for infants due to nutritional imbalances relative to human milk 3
- Adverse effects, including allergies and intolerance, appear unlikely when bovine colostrum is provided as a supplement within normal nutrition guidelines for infants and children 3