Is Bovine Colostrum the Nutraceutical We All Need?
By Joy Stephenson-Laws, J.D., Founder
The human body really is an incredible machine. When a woman gives birth to a baby, she produces colostrum from her mammary glands. Also called “first milk” or “pre-milk,” colostrum is thick and has a yellow color to it. It is very high in nutrients, antioxidants and antibodies that are like liquid gold for newborn babies by developing their gut health and protecting them from infection. Breast milk production then starts about two to four days later.
As adults, we obviously no longer consume colostrum or breast milk (in all fairness I have heard stories about bodybuilders drinking breast milk!), but lately bovine (cow) colostrum supplements have become a thing. Cows produce milk like human females do (due to pregnancy). Bovine colostrum has similarities with human colostrum.
I’m very into supplementing if done safely and with quality supplements per the recommendation of a competent healthcare professional, so I had to look into this trending supplement more and see if there really are any potential benefits.
Bovine Colostrum supplements are readily accessible to us in both pill and powder form. You can go online and find colostrum smoothie recipes. Apparently, socialite, model and Lionel Richie’s daughter Sofia Richie made colostrum Hollywood worthy by having her own smoothie with colostrum at Erewhon, a very upscale supermarket known for being the place where stars shop for food and prices are very high to say the least. Richie’s smoothie will cost you $21.
Bovine colostrum - a nutraceutical
I don’t know about running to Erewhon for that $21 Sofia Richie smoothie, but is a colostrum supplement worth looking into?
“Nutraceutical, a term combining the words ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceuticals,’ is a food or food product that provides health benefits as an adjuvant or alternative therapy, including the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases in children and adults,” according to an article published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“There is emerging evidence that bovine colostrum (BC) may be one of the promising nutraceuticals which can prevent or mitigate various diseases in newborns and adults.”
According to another report from the NIH, “Vitamin E, selenium, vitamin D, green tea, soy, and lycopene are examples of nutraceuticals widely studied in human health.”
(pH must-read - Go Green With Green Tea)
Purported benefits of bovine colostrum for human consumption.
In one study, eight weeks of bovine colostrum supplementation was analyzed to see the impact on body composition and exercise performance in physically active men and women. All subjects participated in both aerobic and heavy resistance training at least three days a week. Some of the participants were given bovine colostrum while the others were given whey protein. The colostrum group saw an increase in “bone-free lean body mass.”
Another study found evidence suggesting that bovine colostrum can help with acute diarrhea in children. Better gut health and immunity which, of course, are very important for quality of life (especially as we age) are also purported benefits of taking colostrum supplements, however, this nutraceutical is still so new that we really just do not have any definitive answers.
In an article published by MD Anderson Cancer Center, a wellness dietician named Lindsey Wohlford was invited to talk about all things bovine colostrum supplementation.
She said, “Further studies are needed, and more robust data collected, before a clear recommendation can be made on usage.”
Another key takeaway is that these supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so it is imperative to not buy into the colostrum craze and use just anything you see online or popular on social media. As always, seek the advice of a competent healthcare professional. If you are sensitive to dairy, definitely avoid taking bovine colostrum.
Supplementation is complicated.
Although I am a big advocate for supplements, it can be intimidating to figure out the right way to do it. I highly recommend checking out these pH blogs:
If You Can’t Always Trust Labels, How Do You Supplement Safely?
Cod Liver, Fish, Krill, Algal & Flaxseed Oils. Which Supplement Is Best For You?
Overall, go for supplements that are third-party tested. A competent healthcare professional can recommend ones that are safe and have trustworthy labels.
Although I am a huge proponent of taking quality supplements with the guidance of a competent healthcare professional, there is not one supplement out there that will cancel out the effects of a poor diet. It is a good idea to eliminate or significantly cut back on processed and fast foods and maintain a nutrient-rich diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. And as always, take acomprehensive nutrient testto ensure you have the right balance of nutrients.
Enjoy your healthy life!
