Colostrum supplements are super trendy right now, and I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first. But after learning about its incredible benefits for immunity, gut health, skin, and more, I decided to give it a try (just doing my due diligence as a blogger and investigating all the fads for ya!) 🫡 In this post, we’ll break down what colostrum is, how to take it, and compare top clean brands—including my personal favorite!
This post contains affiliate links. It is not intended to be medical advice; please consult with your doctor before taking any supplements. We are all bio-individual and health is not one-size-fits-all!
This post covers:
- What Is Colostrum? FAQ & Five Major Health Benefits
- How to Take Colostrum Powder
- Best Clean Colostrum Powder Brands (Armra vs. Cowboy Comparison)
- Final Thoughts About Colostrum: Worth the Hype?
What Is Colostrum? FAQ & Five Major Health Benefits 🐮
Colostrum is a form of milk mammals produce during late pregnancy and the first days after giving birth. Compared to regular mature milk, it’s thicker, yellowish, has higher protein and fat content, and less lactose.
It’s nature’s way of transferring immunity from mother to baby during the first days of postpartum. It’s often referred to as “liquid gold” or “nature’s first food” because it’s nutrient-dense and packed with soooo many incredible compounds like vitamins, healthy fats, minerals, proteins, and enzymes such as:
- Cytokines: Proteins that modulate immune response and reduce inflammation
- Growth Factors (IGF-I, IGF-II, EGF): Essential hormones that stimulate tissue development (from repairing the GI tract to enhancing lean muscle), vitality, and immune function
- Immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgD, IgE, IgM): Antibodies that play a crucial role in modulating immune response and fighting infections
- Lactoferrin: A protein with antioxidant properties that fosters a healthy intestinal lining and immune function
- Proline-Rich Polypeptides (PRPs): Amino acids that support the production of white blood cells and regulate the immune system
- Vitamin A, B complex, D, E, calcium, magnesium, and zinc
Five Colostrum Health Benefits
Due to these awesome properties, bovine colostrum (from cows) has gained traction and has become a popular dietary supplement for humans! Here are some noteworthy proven benefits:
- Boosts Immune System: It strengthens your body’s natural defenses by sealing the gut lining, reducing permeability, and acting as a protective barrier against everyday toxins, pollutants, and harmful pathogens. Many people report fewer seasonal allergies, reduced food sensitivities, and overall better immune tolerance after consistent colostrum use. Multiple studies show that colostrum supplementation is more effective at preventing influenza illnesses than flu shots!
- Improves Gut Health: Colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and growth factors that help repair and fortify the gut lining, making it an excellent supplement for those dealing with leaky gut, bloating, or digestive issues. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties also support a balanced gut microbiome, promoting overall digestive wellness.
- Enhances Athletic Performance & Recovery: The growth factors in colostrum stimulate muscle tissue repair, making it a powerful tool for post-workout recovery. Studies suggest that it can reduce exercise-induced inflammation, improve endurance, and even help athletes build lean muscle mass more efficiently.
- Supports Radiant Skin: Colostrum is loaded with skin-loving nutrients like vitamins A, E, and zinc, which promote collagen production and cellular regeneration. The high antioxidant content helps combat oxidative stress, reducing signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness.
- Promotes Hair Growth & Strong Nails: Thanks to its rich supply of proteins, amino acids, and growth factors, colostrum provides the building blocks for keratin production, which is essential for healthy hair and nails. Regular supplementation may lead to stronger, faster-growing nails and thicker, more resilient hair.
(studies linked at the end of this article)
Is consuming colostrum humane and ethical? 🐄
Since colostrum is the first milk produced, many people assume that it’s cruel and stealing milk from baby calves. This could possibly happen, so it’s really important to buy from trustworthy colostrum brands that ensure the calves are fed first and only the surplus is used.
Are there side effects?
Colostrum is not guaranteed to work well for everyone, especially if you have a dairy sensitivity. Some possible side effects include bloating, gas, or nausea.
How does colostrum differ from collagen?
Collagen peptides are another type of supplement with overlapping benefits. Colostrum and collagen both support skin, gut, and overall health, but they work in different ways. Collagen is a structural protein that primarily strengthens hair, skin, nails, joints, and connective tissues by providing the necessary amino acids for repair and elasticity.
On the other hand, colostrum is a nutrient-dense substance packed with immune-boosting compounds, growth factors, and antioxidants that promote healing, cellular regeneration, and gut integrity. While collagen helps maintain skin firmness and joint health, colostrum goes a step further by actively repairing the gut lining, enriching immune function, and sustaining overall vitality. The two can complement each other well—collagen provides the building blocks for strong tissues, while colostrum ensures a healthy environment for those tissues to thrive!
What I’ve noticed since incorporating colostrum:
I have been taking colostrum for about 2+ years—I have taken some breaks here and there, but overall, it’s been part of my routine! Here’s what I’ve experienced since starting:
- Stronger immune system. Granted, I don’t tend to get sick that often in general, but I usually get 1-2 colds a year and haven’t even had one in a looooong time!
- Improved gut health. I was dealing with some leaky gut symptoms and getting random bouts of eczema on my hands, which I believe were correlated (because I had never had eczema before in my life up until then). My digestion is much better, and I no longer have any flare-ups. Yay!
- I do feel like my hair and nails are strong and grow quickly, but I can’t say for sure if it’s 100% tied to colostrum.
So, I wouldn’t say I’ve witnessed anything crazy drastic, but I have noticed a difference! 👍
How to Take Colostrum Powder
Colostrum is best taken on an empty stomach but can be taken at any time of day. The most effective way to consume it is to dry scoop it directly into your mouth, but that can be sort of unpleasant, if I’m being honest! It tastes fine (just a milky flavor), but the texture on its own is a bit dry and can start to gel up in your mouth. Some colostrum supplements come in capsule form, which is easy if you don’t mind swallowing pills.
You can also add it to water, smoothies, yogurt…get creative! I like to mix it into a glass of water first thing in the morning. (it helps to use an electric whisk to blend it).
Do NOT add colostrum to hot liquids! ⚠️ Cow’s milk comes out of the udder around 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and heat can start to destroy the potency of colostrum and make it less effective. Anything under ~100 degrees is fine.
You’ll want to refer to a product’s instructions for the recommended dosage. Most serving sizes are between 1-10 grams a day, but some clinical trials have used up to 20-60 grams. It’s always best to start with a lower dose and slowly increase as tolerated.
Not just for humans! 🐶 You can give colostrum to dogs and cats for the same health benefits, such as allergies.
Related post: “How to Use Castor Oil Packs to Promote Liver Health & Detoxification”
Best Clean Colostrum Powder Brands
There are SO many colostrum brands on the market these days—not all are created equal. In general, look for powders that meet the following criteria:
✅ Grass-fed and non-GMO
✅ Calves are fed first
✅ Tested for contaminants
Here are some of the highest-quality brands that I recommend!
Becca’s Favorite: Cowboy Colostrum 🤠
$1.73 per serving ($1.50 if you bundle and $1.13 if you subscribe)
My top pick! ✨ Cowboy Colostrum is amazing for multiple reasons:
- non-GMO and Kosher
- No rBST, rBGH, antibiotics, or hormones
- Grass-fed and pasture-raised from Grade A U.S. dairy farms
- Third-party tested for glyphosate, heavy metals, and pesticides
- Colostrum is collected within the first 4-6 hour milking, but only AFTER the baby calves have finished feeding
And the best part: it’s unstripped and not altered in a lab! So you get the full-fat, creamy, rich, and fluffy deliciousness in its purest, most bioavailable form which is then freeze-dried to preserve the integrity. You can choose from Unflavored, Vanilla, or Chocolate; I personally loveeeee Vanilla the best (it’s tasty by itself, in water, or cold brew coffee)! You can also buy convenient travel packs.
It is a bit more expensive than other brands, however, you also get 2-3x the serving size of others on the market (it’s a big ole’ 3.4g scoop). Plus, I love supporting a smaller, woman-owned business!
Use coupon code BECCA15 for a discount 🏷️
Also available here on Amazon (discount not applicable).
Most Popular: Armra Colostrum 🌟
$0.83-1.33 per serving (bulk jars) • $1.33-1.66 per serving (travel sticks)
There’s no doubt you’ve heard about Armra; it’s super viral! It’s also grass-fed, non-GMO, sourced from USA farms, calves fed first, and third-party tested for contaminants such as glyphosate and heavy metals.
Overall, it’s good quality and comparable to Cowboy, but with a few differences. They have a proprietary Cold-Chain BioPotent™ Pasteurization process that removes casein and fat, so it might be ideal if you have a mild sensitivity to casein (a common dairy allergen). However, it’s a thinner, grainier consistency that doesn’t taste as good IMO (think drinking skim milk vs. yummy whole milk). In addition, their scoop is only 1g so you get a smaller dose, and Armra recommends 4 scoops per day.
It comes in Unflavored, Blood Orange, Vine Watermelon, and Arctic Chai.
Also available here on Amazon.
Best Caprine Colostrum: Mt. Capra Goat Milk Colostrum 🐐
$1.22 per serving (powder) • $1.43 per serving (capsules)
If cow’s milk tends to upset your tummy, you might do better with goat colostrum! It’s type A2 which is biologically closer to human milk than bovine, easier to digest, and rarely causes lactose intolerance. Goat colostrum does tend to have a lower IgG concentration than cow’s, though.
Mt. Capra is a family-owned, sustainably managed goat dairy farm in Washington. They’re grass-fed, pasture-raised, non-GMO, pesticide-free, third-party tested for contaminants, and don’t use hormones or antibiotics. They only utilize the excess colostrum and have a gentle dehydration method that preserves vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants.
Goat milk tastes sweeter and slightly tangy compared to cow’s milk. You can get this in powder or capsule form for easy intake!
Use my link for an automatic 10% discount 🏷️
Also available here on Amazon (discount not applicable).
Related post: “Perfect Supplements Review: My Recommended Products & Why They’re The Best”
Other Clean Colostrum Brands:
- Ancestral Supplements: Grass-fed and available in powder or capsule form
- Equip: Grass-fed and available in unflavored powder, watermelon powder, or fruity gummies!
- Heart & Soil: Grass-fed and finished capsules from a regenerative farm
- Organifi: Grass-fed, calves fed first, and glyphosate residue-free. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
- Paleovalley: A grass-fed whey protein powder that has colostrum added! You can get Chocolate or Vanilla. Use my link for 15% off!
- Zuma: Grass-fed in capsule form
Related post: “Electrolytes 101: Why They’re Essential, What to Look For, & Best Natural Brands”
Final Thoughts About Colostrum
So yeah, I do think colostrum is worth the hype and have noticed health benefits firsthand! Make sure you choose a quality, well-sourced brand such as Cowboy.
That being said, as with any health fad, please remember that fancy supplements are not 100% necessary. While they can absolutely be valuable additions, focusing on the basic foundations of wellness first (stress, sleep, hydration, movement, balanced diet) is always the way to go before adding anything extra.
Hopefully this was helpful and cleared up any confusion or skepticism. Thanks so much for reading 💚 You can drop any questions or comments below—I’d love to hear if you’ve tried colostrum and what your experience has been!
Sources:
- Bovine Colostrum and Its Potential for Human Health and Nutrition
- Comparative Estimation of Colostrum Quality by Brix Refractometry on Bovine, Caprine, and Ovine Colostrum
- Effects of Early Enteral Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Intestinal Permeability
- Exploring the Impact of Colostrum Supplementation on Athletes
- Health-Promoting Effects of Bovine Colostrum in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Can Reduce Blood Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglyceride, and Ketones
- Moderate Dose Bovine Colostrum Supplementation in Prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
- Prevention of Influenza Episodes with Colostrum Compared with Vaccination
- The Lactoferrin Phenomenon—A Miracle Molecule
Nicely done Becca!