Colostrum
This article looks at the nutrition, benefits, and possible downsides of bovine colostrum supplements.
What is Colostrum?
It is an invaluable source of nutrients that promotes growth and fights disease in infants. However, it can also be consumed during other phases of life – typically in supplement form.
Even though all mammals produce colostrum, supplements are usually made from the colostrum of cows. Bovine colostrum is similar to human colostrum – it’s rich in vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, disease-fighting proteins, growth hormones, and digestive enzymes. Bovine colostrum supplements have become popular in recent years since they may promote immunity, fight infections, and improve gut health.
Colostrum and its benefits 
- May boost immunity
Bovine colostrum may strengthen your immune system and help your body fight pathogens. The immune-boosting effect of colostrum is mostly due to its high concentration of the antibodies IgA and IgG. Antibodies are proteins that fight viruses and bacteria.
- May prevent and treat diarrhoea
The compounds in bovine colostrum, especially various antibodies and the protein lactoferrin, may help prevent diarrhoea associated with bacterial and viral infections.
- May benefit gut health
Bovine colostrum strengthens your gut and fights infections in the digestive tract.
Bovine colostrum uses
Colostrum has therapeutic and preventative effects in cases of respiratory, cardiovascular and oncological diseases, metabolic disorders, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and inflammations with various symptoms.
- Adults and children with anaemia;
- People who constantly experience cold hands and feet;
- In the active growth period of children to ensure the formation of strong bones and teeth;
- Elderly people without teeth and experiencing digestive issues;
- For osteoporosis and fractured bones;
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women to improve milk quality;
- For frequent respiratory infections (runny nose, sore throat, bronchitis, sinusitis);
- Increased in size or inflamed lymph nodes;
- Viral herpes, cold sores, genital herpes;
- Various immunodeficiency diseases, including asthma;
- After severe illnesses (tuberculosis, appendicitis, pneumonia, concussion);
- Arthritis;
- Gastrointestinal diseases (ulcer, gastritis, colitis);
- Recovery of the intestinal mucosa in dysbacteriosis, diarrhoea, and inflammatory processes;
- Fatigue, low productivity, general tiredness;
- Professional sports; preparation for competitions; quick recovery from sports injuries.