Long before it became a wellness-aisle trend, colostrum was simply the first milk a mammal produces — dense with immune and growth factors that ordinary milk doesn't carry. If you've been researching colostrum benefits for adults, here's the evidence-based version. Meet Colostrum+™, our daily formula built around it.
What is colostrum, and why is it different from regular milk?
Colostrum is the nutrient-dense fluid a cow (or any mammal) produces in the first days after giving birth, before regular milk production begins. It's naturally concentrated with immunoglobulins — antibody proteins, IgG being the most abundant — along with lactoferrin, growth factors, and other bioactive compounds that ordinary milk contains only in much smaller amounts. This is the biological reason colostrum gets so much attention in gut and immune-support research: it's genuinely a different, more concentrated substance than standard dairy.
What does the research on colostrum and immune function actually show?
A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials (152 adults in regular exercise training) found that 10 to 20 g of bovine colostrum a day for 8 to 12 weeks was linked to fewer days and episodes with upper respiratory symptoms (PubMed). The authors rated four of the five trials at moderate or high risk of bias and said the evidence needs to be followed up with an appropriately designed and adequately powered randomized controlled trial. Colostrum+ gives 2,000 mg of colostrum per scoop, well below the amounts tested. Exercise training is a useful research context because intense training can temporarily affect immune function, making it easier to detect a supplement's effect in trials. It's worth being precise about what this means: it is a research finding in adults in regular exercise training, not a claim that colostrum or Colostrum+ prevents illness.
What does the research on colostrum and gut health actually show?
A 2022 systematic review of nine studies in athletes looked at bovine colostrum and intestinal permeability — sometimes referred to informally as "leaky gut" — and found that colostrum may help improve gut permeability in athletes (PubMed). Most of those studies gave 20 g of colostrum a day, well above the 2,000 mg in one scoop of Colostrum+. The authors called for well-designed, placebo-controlled, randomized studies to judge long-term safety, effectiveness and the best dose, and for better biomarkers of gut permeability. Intestinal permeability research is an active area of nutrition science, and colostrum has been studied in it, mainly in athletes — but more consistent research methods are still needed before the evidence can be considered settled.
To be clear about what this means: Colostrum+ is a dietary supplement intended for everyday gut and immune support, not a treatment for any diagnosed digestive or immune condition.*
What's actually in Colostrum+
Each 1-scoop (2.55 g) serving delivers 2,000 mg of colostrum powder with 400 mg of IgG, plus 500 mg of marshmallow root and 50 mg of bovine lactoferrin. Every amount is printed on the label. The IgG amount is worth noting: since IgG is the primary immune-relevant component researchers measure, a product that discloses its IgG content, rather than just a raw colostrum weight, gives you a more meaningful way to judge formulation quality.
Why is lactoferrin included alongside colostrum?
Lactoferrin is itself one of the bioactive proteins naturally present in colostrum, and it's also studied somewhat independently for its own role in iron-binding and immune support. Including an additional, separately disclosed 50 mg of bovine lactoferrin on top of what's naturally present in the colostrum powder is a formulation choice that reinforces the same immune-support angle the colostrum itself is included for, rather than adding an unrelated ingredient.
What does marshmallow root add to the formula?
Marshmallow root has a long traditional-use history as a soothing botanical for the digestive tract, generally associated with mucilage compounds that coat and soothe the lining of the digestive system. It has a much smaller, more traditional-use-based research profile compared to colostrum's more substantial clinical evidence — it's included here as a complementary digestive-comfort ingredient alongside colostrum's more research-supported gut and immune roles, not as an equally evidence-backed headline ingredient.
How is colostrum different from whey protein or other dairy supplements?
Whey and casein proteins, the most common dairy-derived supplements, are isolated primarily for their amino acid content and muscle-building research — they're not concentrated sources of immunoglobulins or lactoferrin the way colostrum is. Regular milk itself contains only trace amounts of the immune and growth factors that make colostrum distinct; those compounds are highest in the very first days of milk production and drop off quickly afterward, which is why colostrum has to be collected specifically within that early window rather than simply being a byproduct of standard dairy processing. This is the core distinction: whey is chosen for protein content, colostrum is chosen for its immunoglobulin and bioactive-compound profile.
What does the source and processing of colostrum affect?
Because colostrum's most valuable compounds are concentration-dependent and can degrade with excessive heat processing, sourcing and processing methods matter more here than for many supplement categories. Grass-fed sourcing, hormone-free and antibiotic-free standards, and gentle processing are reasonable quality markers to look for — along with a label that discloses the actual IgG content rather than just a generic "colostrum powder" weight, since IgG concentration can vary meaningfully between batches and collection methods.
What does Colostrum+ actually support?
- Healthy immune function — colostrum and lactoferrin support healthy immune function.*
- Gut and digestive health — colostrum and marshmallow root support gut and digestive health.*
- Cognitive wellness and focus — colostrum supports cognitive wellness and focus.*
How and when to take it
Take one scoop (2.55 g) daily, stirred into 8 ounces of water or your favorite hot or cold recipe — coffee and smoothies both work well, since colostrum powder mixes easily. Many people take it first thing in the morning as part of a daily routine, though there's no research suggesting a specific time of day changes its effectiveness. The 76.5 g container is a 30-day supply at one scoop daily.
What sets Colostrum+ apart
- IgG listed, not just raw colostrum weight. 400 mg of IgG specifically disclosed per scoop, which is the immune-relevant marker researchers actually measure.
- Every ingredient individually dosed. Colostrum, lactoferrin, and marshmallow root each have their own amount printed on the label.
- Grass-fed, hormone-free, antibiotic-free sourcing. Also gluten-free, non-GMO, and sugar-free, manufactured in the USA with globally sourced materials.
- Third-party tested, every batch. Independent lab testing for purity and potency, made in an NSF-certified, GMP-certified, FDA-registered U.S. facility — see our standards page.
Who should be cautious with Colostrum+
Colostrum+ contains milk and is bovine-sourced — it is not suitable for anyone with a milk or dairy allergy, and it is not vegan or vegetarian. Because it's a dairy-derived product, anyone with lactose sensitivity should be aware that, while colostrum itself is lower in lactose than regular milk, individual tolerance varies. As with any supplement: pregnant or nursing mothers, anyone allergic, anyone with a known medical condition, and anyone taking medication should consult a physician before starting.
Where Colostrum+ fits in a daily routine
If you want a daily gut and immune-support formula built around colostrum with 400 mg of IgG, Colostrum+ discloses every ingredient and amount on the label. For a closer look at what colostrum is, read What Is Colostrum? Gut and Immune Support, Explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is colostrum the same as probiotics?
No — probiotics are live beneficial bacteria, while colostrum is a nutrient- and protein-rich fluid containing immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and growth factors. They work through different mechanisms and are sometimes used alongside each other rather than as substitutes.
Is bovine colostrum safe for daily use?
Bovine colostrum has a generally favorable safety profile in published research reviews, with the main consideration being that it's a dairy-derived product and unsuitable for anyone with a milk allergy. If you are pregnant, nursing, allergic, have a medical condition or taking any medications, consult a doctor before using this or any other dietary supplement.
How long before I'd notice anything?
Individual results vary. In a 2016 meta-analysis of colostrum trials in adults in regular exercise training, people took 10 to 20 g of colostrum a day for 8 to 12 weeks (PubMed), well above the 2,000 mg in one scoop of Colostrum+ — this isn't a same-day ingredient.
Does Colostrum+ contain added sugar?
No — it's formulated sugar-free, along with being gluten-free and non-GMO.
Can I mix Colostrum+ into a hot drink like coffee?
Yes — colostrum powder generally dissolves well in both hot and cold liquids, though very high heat over extended periods isn't ideal for any protein-based powder, so stirring it into a finished hot drink rather than boiling it is the better approach.
Related reading
Sources
- Bovine Colostrum Supplementation and Upper Respiratory Symptoms During Exercise Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials — BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2016 (PubMed)
- A Systematic Review of the Influence of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Leaky Gut Syndrome in Athletes: Diagnostic Biomarkers and Future Directions — Nutrients, 2022 (PubMed)
Individual results vary.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
