Colostrum
Also known as bovine colostrum, colostrum powder, immunoglobulin
Key takeaways
- Bovine colostrum has been studied for performance in endurance athletes (NCT06390670).
- Enteral colostrum has been evaluated for clinical outcomes in critically ill patients (NCT03019250).
- Bovine colostrum has been tested as a supplement for preterm newborns (NCT03085277).
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 19 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Colostrum is the first milk produced by mammals after giving birth, rich in antibodies and growth factors. Current research is exploring its use in endurance athletes, critically ill patients, and preterm newborns, though high-quality evidence is limited.
By condition
Endurance Athletes
Insufficient
A phase 2 clinical trial investigated bovine colostrum supplementation in endurance athletes, but results are not detailed in the provided abstracts.
Critically Ill Patients
Insufficient
Enteral colostrum was studied for clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, but specific efficacy data is unavailable.
Preterm Newborns
Insufficient
Clinical trials have examined bovine colostrum for preterm newborns, but outcomes are not specified in the provided summaries.
Effective doses
Not specified in the provided research abstracts.
Safety & interactions
No specific interactions or contraindications for colostrum were provided in the source text.
Limitations
The majority of the provided sources discuss intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or general breast milk components rather than colostrum specifically. Most colostrum-specific studies are listed as clinical trials without detailed outcome data.
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How it's sold
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Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 19 sources, sorted by quality
静脉注射免疫球蛋白（IVIG）具有广谱的抗炎和免疫调节作用，虽已被广泛用于治疗多种儿童神经系统自身免疫性疾病，但在临床中常存在使用不当或过度使用的问题。因此，为指导儿科医师规范使用IVIG治疗儿童神经系统自身免疫性疾病，中华医学会儿科学分会神经学组联合中华儿科杂志编辑委员会组织制订“静脉注射免疫球蛋白在儿童神经系统自身免疫性疾病中的应用专家共识（2025）”，以期指导临床实践。.
The Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) and Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) management guideline was last updated and published as part of the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2021 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Man…
BACKGROUND: Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin, but not corticosteroids, are beneficial in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The efficacy of other pharmacological agents is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To review systematically the evidence…
BACKGROUND: Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin, but not corticosteroids, are beneficial in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The efficacy of other pharmacological agents is unknown. This review was first published in 2011 and this …
BACKGROUND: Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin, but not corticosteroids, are beneficial in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The efficacy of other pharmacological agents is unknown. This review was first published in 2011 and previ…
BACKGROUND: Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin, but not corticosteroids, are beneficial in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The efficacy of other pharmacological agents is unknown. This review was first published in 2011 and updat…
**Gajdos et al., 2003** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Gajdos P, Chevret S, Toyka K. Intravenous immunoglobulin for myasthenia gravis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003(2):CD002277 BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis is an autoim…
Essential to human health, selenium (Se) has enzymatic functions of fundamental importance to human biology due to its effects on DNA damage repair, its antioxidant properties, and cancer prevention. The best studied relationships between S…
**Nazeri et al., 2018** | Thyroid | Meta Analysis Nazeri Pantea, Kabir Ali, ... Azizi Fereidoun. Breast-Milk Iodine Concentrations and Iodine Levels of Infants According to the Iodine Status of the Country of Residence: A Systematic Review …
**Dror et al., 2018** | Adv Nutr | Meta Analysis Dror Daphna K, Allen Lindsay H. Retinol-to-Fat Ratio and Retinol Concentration in Human Milk Show Similar Time Trends and Associations with Maternal Factors at the Population Level: A Systema…
Frequently asked questions
What is colostrum and what is it used for?
Colostrum is the first milk produced by mammals after birth and is rich in antibodies and growth factors. Current research is exploring its use for endurance athletes, critically ill patients, and preterm newborns, though high-quality evidence is limited.
Does colostrum help endurance athletes?
Research on colostrum for endurance athletes is currently insufficient, with weak evidence strength. While a phase 2 clinical trial has investigated bovine colostrum supplementation for this group, specific efficacy data is not yet detailed in available summaries.
Is colostrum effective for critically ill patients?
Evidence for colostrum in critically ill patients is insufficient and weak. Although enteral colostrum has been studied for clinical outcomes, specific efficacy data is unavailable, so it is not currently considered an evidence-based treatment.
Can colostrum be given to preterm newborns?
Clinical trials have examined bovine colostrum for preterm newborns, but the evidence is currently insufficient and weak. Outcomes are not specified in the provided summaries, so its effectiveness remains unproven.
What is the effective dose of colostrum?
The effective dose of colostrum is not specified in the provided research abstracts. Because high-quality evidence is limited, there is no established standard dosage for consumers to follow.
Is colostrum safe to take?
No specific interactions or contraindications for colostrum were provided in the source text, but evidence regarding its safety profile is limited. You should consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have underlying health conditions.
Does colostrum have any drug interactions?
No drug interactions for colostrum are documented in the available sources. However, because research is limited, you should always consult a healthcare provider before combining it with prescribed medications to ensure safety.