From celery juice cleanses to collagen supplements to #WaterTok recipes, there’s no shortage of wellness trends promoted on social media.
You can add bovine colostrum supplements to the list, too.
Last year, bovine colostrum was one of the fasting growing wellness crazes, and it’s continuing in 2025.
It’s claimed to reduce signs of skin aging, clear up acne, bolster gut health, boost immunity, increase energy and promote weight loss.
The demand for bovine colostrum is also increasing among athletes and bodybuilders who boast its muscle-building and workout-recovery properties.
Are these health claims backed by science or are they simply hype? Here’s what we know – and what we don’t – about bovine colostrum supplements.
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the early nutrient-rich milk produced by cows and humans for the first two to five days after giving birth. It provides nourishment and strengthens a newborn’s immune system and gut function.
Referred to as “liquid gold”, colostrum is concentrated in proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamin, minerals, antioxidants, growth factors and protective immunoglobulins (antibodies).
Although colostrum from cows is similar to human colostrum, it has a different profile of antibodies and growth factors that’s suited to newborn calves.
Once collected from cows, colostrum is pasteurized or sterilized to remove unwanted pathogens and then dried to make supplements as capsules, powders or liquids.
But can supplements of colostrum from cows offer health benefits for humans?
Bovine colostrum and gut health
Preliminary evidence suggests bovine colostrum supplements can support gut health.
One study conducted in 160 children, ages one to six, with recurrent diarrhea found that taking bovine colostrum daily for four weeks decreased the number of diarrhea episodes over six months. A clinical study involving infants showed similar findings.
Two small studies involving children ages one to 18 concluded that bovine colostrum reduced the duration of traveller’s diarrhea caused by E.coli infection compared to placebo treatment.
These studies used “hyperimmune” bovine colostrum, which provides high levels of antibodies. It’s produced by immunizing pregnant cows against specific diseases such as rotavirus and SARS-CoV2.
Bovine colostrum’s growth factors and immune compounds are thought to improve the growth and repair of the gastrointestinal tract.
A 2024 analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials concluded that bovine colostrum supplementation protected the lining of the intestinal tract and reduced gut permeability in healthy athletes and ill patients. A gut lining that’s more permeable can allow toxins to pass into the bloodstream.
Bovine colostrum and immune function
While bovine colostrum is high in antibodies, there’s conflicting evidence that taking bovine colostrum improves immune function, with some studies showing benefit while others don’t.
A 2020 review of 10 randomized trials involving a total of 239 athletes and physically active participants showed that taking bovine colostrum supplements had little or no effect on blood levels of immune-supportive antibodies.
However, a 2022 review of seven randomized controlled trials involving 445 healthy participants, most of them physically active or elite athletes, concluded that supplementing with bovine colostrum reduced the risk developing upper respiratory tract infections.
Findings from a 2023 randomized controlled trial conducted in healthy university students found that taking bovine colostrum supplements reduced the severity and duration of upper respiratory tract infections only among those who were at risk of getting one (i.e., those with very heavy and stressful workloads).
There’s conflicting evidence in children and limited evidence available in older adults that bovine colostrum supplementation protects against upper respiratory tract infections.
Bovine colostrum and sports performance
When it comes to athletic performance, small studies suggest that bovine colostrum might improve some performance measures, but the results are mixed, and any benefits appear to be small.
For example, bovine colostrum may improve power and sprint time but not rowing performance, endurance or strength training.
Research conducted in elite soccer players suggests that bovine colostrum can lessen muscle damage and muscle soreness after matches.
There are no published studies to back up claims that bovine colostrum supplements promote weight loss, regenerate skin or reduce acne.
Are bovine colostrum supplements safe?
Bovine colostrum supplements are considered safe for most people. Studies in adults have typically used 10 g to 60 g of bovine colostrum daily for up to eight weeks.
People with a cow’s milk allergy should not take bovine colostrum supplements since they contain milk proteins that could trigger an allergic reaction.
Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid bovine colostrum.
Bottom line
Bovine colostrum supplements are not a wellness cure-all despite what you see on social media.
Research into the potential health benefits of bovine colostrum is in the early stages and far from conclusive. There are a lot of unknowns.
Further robust and longer-term studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of bovine colostrum and, if beneficial, what the optimum dose is.
Leslie Beck, a Toronto-based private practice dietitian, is director of food and nutrition at Medcan. Follow her on X @LeslieBeckRD
