Another crazy TikTok trend: Bovine colostrum supplements

Liquid gold - colostrum: social media filled with promotional materials for colostrum supplements

Nowadays, fashion, makeup, beauty and food, weight loss, lifestyle, and health tips come from social media—in most cases, Instagram or TikTok. Influencers push their hacks and trends across platforms, and people quickly jump on the bandwagon.

These can be good or bad and even harmless, however. Just like advertising and influencing people to choose trap tox or Olympic-like supplements, NMNs can pose a danger to some. Not everyone reacts to supplements and lifestyle changes like this equally.

Some might benefit from NMN supplements and provide some good insights, but others with different health conditions or people who take other supplements and medications might never get the same results. Now, the new trend is colostrum supplements, also called liquid gold, because they are promoted by wellness influencers on social media, especially on TikTok.

These supplements are derived from the cow's first milk after birth. Maddie Pasquariello, MS, RDN, explains, "This initial milk is packed with antibodies, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, all essential for helping newborn calves boost their immune systems, grow, and maintain health."

Humans also produce colostrum, the nutrient-rich, thick first milk after birth^[1]. Colostrum provides newborns with crucial nutrients and antibodies to ward off infections. However, bovine colostrum is different from human colostrum.

Boost for your immunity, bettering gut health and recovery, but are these claims real?

People talk about the benefits of Bovine colostrum, including immunity improvements by fighting germs and promoting gut health. It is safe for people to consume, but much research must be done before such promotion happens on social media.

Pasquariello notes, "Human colostrum is specifically tailored for human infants, while bovine colostrum is for calves. Bovine colostrum is rich in IgG, a type of immunoglobulin, whereas human colostrum primarily contains IgA. Bovine colostrum also has higher immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and total protein levels."

Despite these differences, bovine colostrum supplements are becoming more popular and are believed to offer several health advantages, such as boosting immunity, improving gut health, enhancing athletic performance, and helping with recovery^[2].

However, the effectiveness of bovine colostrum for adults is still under debate. Unlike human colostrum, which benefits human newborns, the support for bovine colostrum supplements in adult human health is not as robust, with findings being mixed or inconclusive, say dietitians and researchers.

Lacy Puttuck, MS, RDN, from Top Nutrition Coaching, points out that bovine colostrum includes immune-supporting compounds like enzymes, cytokines, and immunoglobulins. A recent review from 2024 suggests that bovine colostrum supplements could help enhance resistance to respiratory and gastrointestinal infections from infancy through to older age.

A particular benefit for athletic recovery and performance promoted by wellness influencers

Earlier research from 2006 on male distance runners found that those supplemented with bovine colostrum had higher levels of immune biomarkers and reported fewer symptoms of upper respiratory infections. However, this study was limited in scope, involving only one demographic group, and was based on self-reported symptoms^[3].

Moreover, Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD, a fitness and nutrition advisor, cautions, "While bovine colostrum is abundant in immune-boosting components like IgG, we need more research to say it boosts immunity in adults definitively." Experts concur, adding that the cited studies often lack randomization and don't account for other factors that could influence immune health, making it difficult to generalize the results to the wider population.

Experts explain that there are theories that bovine colostrum contains insulin-like growth factors that can improve muscle recovery, growth and performance. Sheri Gaw, a registered dietitian, says more research is needed to confirm these claims. Gaw references a 2018 study on soccer players that showed taking 3.5 grams of bovine colostrum daily for six weeks reduced muscle soreness and improved performance.

A 2021 review suggested that bovine colostrum might aid in body composition and recovery, but the research was limited, and many studies didn’t control for other factors.

Bottomline: liquid gold supplements might be good, but proceed with caution since there are not enough research

Bovine colostrum supplements may pose some health risks. Registered dietitian Christopher Mohr warns that some people may experience side effects from taking bovine colostrum, such as nausea, diarrhea, or bloating. He also advises that individuals with lactose intolerance, milk allergies, heart conditions, autoimmune disorders, or those taking medications should consult a healthcare provider before using these supplements.

Bovine colostrum is also promoted as a gut health booster. A 2021 review indicated that evidence on its role in treating and preventing gastrointestinal diseases is growing^[4].

However, a 2022 review suggested that while bovine colostrum might reduce gut permeability in athletes, more research is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness. Both Mohr and Pasquariello emphasize that there isn’t enough solid evidence yet to support the claims of improved gut health.

Always talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or dietitian before starting a new supplement, as it could interfere with other medications or may not be necessary. Understanding a supplement's benefits and risks is essential to avoid unnecessary costs and prevent negative interactions with other medications or health issues.