What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the initial sticky, yellowish secretion of breast milk that mammals provide to their newborns during the first 24-48 hours after delivery. It is rich in nutrients, fat, protein, antibodies, immune-supporting proteins, and growth and antimicrobial factors. It also contains a higher protein content than standard milk. Colostrum promotes growth and supports the development and maturation of the newborns’ immune and digestive systems.
Why is colostrum beneficial?
Most individuals are taking it as a supplement for its immune-boosting qualities and the research backs this up. Research has also found it to have many other benefits:
- It boosts recovery post exercise.
- It supports overall respiratory health.
- In guts damaged from chronic use of NSAIDS (i.e., advil, Motrin, ibuprofen), colostrum was shown to be effective in improving cell growth.
- When taken in conjunction with NSAIDS, the detrimental impact of NSAIDS on the GI lining was not present.
- When taken in combination with resistance training, individuals found increases in overall lean muscle tissue, muscle thickness, and upper body strength.
- It is rich in various prebiotics, helping feed and support a healthy microbiome in the GI tract.
In the research, most studies point towards its benefits in promoting muscle growth, exercise recovery, GI repair, immune health, and respiratory function.
Should everyone take this?
Although the research points towards colostrum being an amazing supplement, I do have some qualms.
First off, anything that is dairy-sourced should be organic and coming from 100% grass-fed cows. Not all brands who sell colostrum can promise this.
In addition, colostrum should be reserved for the growth and health of the calves. It is essential to their development. Good quality dairy farmers use all of the colostrum for their calves and if there happens to be any extra (which is not often) they give it to a calf who is struggling. This indicates that all brands who are purchasing and selling colostrum are most likely taking this vital immune-boosting resource from the growing calves, even if they pitch otherwise.
