Rankings / Immune & Inflammation
Lactoferrin (bovine)
Immune & Inflammation · Iron-binding glycoprotein
Tier B+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Lactoferrin (bovine) as B+ (7.1/10) based on moderate evidence, moderate benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Increasingly popular biohacker supplement — bridges iron supplementation, immune support, and gut/anti-inflammatory effects.
Typical use: 200-600 mg/day PO (apolactoferrin); higher in clinical trials — OTC.
What this is
Increasingly popular biohacker supplement — bridges iron supplementation, immune support, and gut/anti-inflammatory effects. Manzoni 2009 and 2014 NICU trials showed reduced late-onset sepsis. Pediatric and adult URI trials moderately positive. Often preferred over iron salts for iron deficiency due to GI tolerability. Bovine source (Mum-LF, Lactobio, Synutra) is standard. Stomach acid degrades much of the dose so enteric/microencapsulated forms emerging.
Mechanism
Iron-sequestering glycoprotein from cow milk/colostrum; antimicrobial via iron deprivation of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi); immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects on epithelial cells; small fraction may survive GI digestion intact
Dose & route
200-600 mg/day PO (apolactoferrin); higher in clinical trials
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39730037/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40085927/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36558432/
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Common questions
- Does Lactoferrin (bovine) work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Lactoferrin (bovine) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as moderate, producing an overall grade of B+ (7.1/10). Increasingly popular biohacker supplement — bridges iron supplementation, immune support, and gut/anti-inflammatory effects.
- Is Lactoferrin (bovine) safe?
- Lactoferrin (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 Lactoferrin (bovine)?
- 200-600 mg/day PO (apolactoferrin); higher in clinical trials
- How does Lactoferrin (bovine) work?
- Iron-sequestering glycoprotein from cow milk/colostrum; antimicrobial via iron deprivation of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi); immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects on epithelial cells; small fraction may survive GI digestion intact
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.