Rankings / Immune & Inflammation
Colostrum (bovine)
Immune & Inflammation · Immunoglobulin-rich milk
Tier B-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Colostrum (bovine) as B- (6.2/10) based on weak-moderate evidence, low-med benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
First 24-hour colostrum has highest IgG concentration.
Typical use: 10-20 g/day PO — OTC.
What this is
First 24-hour colostrum has highest IgG concentration. Pasteurization reduces activity modestly. Commercial quality varies enormously. Popular in athlete recovery protocols and gut permeability/'leaky gut' interventions with moderate evidence.
Mechanism
First-milk from cows containing IgG, IgA, IgM, lactoferrin, growth factors (IGF-1, TGF-β), and bioactive peptides; oral IgG transfers immune memory locally in gut
Dose & route
10-20 g/day PO
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28443303/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23885773/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7143527/
- https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01792297
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does Colostrum (bovine) work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Colostrum (bovine) as Weak-Moderate and the benefit magnitude as low-med, producing an overall grade of B- (6.2/10). First 24-hour colostrum has highest IgG concentration.
- Is Colostrum (bovine) safe?
- Colostrum (bovine) has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Colostrum (bovine)?
- 10-20 g/day PO
- How does Colostrum (bovine) work?
- First-milk from cows containing IgG, IgA, IgM, lactoferrin, growth factors (IGF-1, TGF-β), and bioactive peptides; oral IgG transfers immune memory locally in gut
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.