Colostrum contains naturally occurring immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and other bioactives linked to immune function. The strongest human evidence comes from exercising adults: a 2016 meta-analysis of five trials found colostrum was associated with 44% fewer days with upper respiratory symptoms. The research is promising but limited, and study doses were often 10–20 g a day.
Key takeaways
- Colostrum has 50–300 times more immunoglobulins and up to 250 times more lactoferrin than mature milk (Davison, 2021).
- In a 2016 meta-analysis of 152 exercising adults, colostrum was linked to 44% fewer days and 38% fewer episodes of upper respiratory symptoms (Jones et al., 2016).
- Effects on immune markers in people at rest are inconsistent; benefits appear most during periods of heavy training (Davison, 2021).
- Most trials used 10–20 g a day for weeks, more than one standard serve.
Why is colostrum linked to immune health?
Colostrum's job in nature is to give a newborn calf its first immune support. Calves are born with very little antibody protection because the cow's placenta doesn't let antibodies cross before birth, so they rely on colostrum in their first hours of life (Robbers et al., 2021).
To do that job, colostrum is loaded with protective proteins. Immunoglobulins make up 70–80% of its protein, compared with about 1% in mature milk (Playford and Weiser, 2021). A 2021 review estimated colostrum contains 50–300 times more immunoglobulins and up to 250 times more lactoferrin than mature milk (Davison, 2021).
This is why MUUU's label says: "Immune support: contains naturally occurring immunoglobulins". If you're new to these terms, our Colostrum 101 guide and immunoglobulins explained simply are good places to start.
What did the 2016 meta-analysis find?
The most-cited human evidence is a systematic review and meta-analysis by Jones, March, Curtis and Bridle (2016). It pooled five randomised controlled trials involving 152 exercising adults who took colostrum or a placebo for 8–12 weeks.
| Outcome | Result with colostrum vs placebo |
|---|---|
| Days with upper respiratory symptoms | 44% fewer (rate ratio 0.56) |
| Episodes of upper respiratory symptoms | 38% fewer (rate ratio 0.62) |
| Number of trials / participants | 5 trials / 152 adults |
| Study length | 8–12 weeks |
| Risk of bias | Moderate to high in 4 of 5 trials |
These are encouraging numbers. They are also based on a small number of people, and the authors rated four of the five trials as having a moderate to high risk of bias. So the fair summary is: the results are promising, and bigger, better-designed studies would help confirm them.
Does colostrum change immune markers in everyday people?
This is where the picture gets more nuanced. In his 2021 review of colostrum in sport and exercise, Glen Davison noted that effects on immune markers measured at rest were inconsistent. Where benefits did show up, they tended to be during periods of heavy training, when the body is under more stress (Davison, 2021).
That makes sense when you think about how the studies were set up: most recruited athletes or active adults, often during demanding training blocks. There is much less research in the general population, so it's reasonable to say the evidence is strongest for active people under physical stress. If that sounds like you, read colostrum for athletes, training and recovery.
How much colostrum was used in the studies?
Research doses were usually 10–20 g of colostrum a day, and some studies used up to 60 g (Davison, 2021). For comparison:
- One level teaspoon of MUUU Colostrum Powder is 2 g (2,000 mg).
- Two MUUU Colostrum Capsules are 1,000 mg.
In other words, a standard supplement serve is smaller than the amounts used in most trials. That doesn't mean a smaller amount does nothing; it means the research results can't be directly applied to a single serve. Always follow the label directions, and speak with a health professional if you're thinking about taking larger amounts.
Duration matters too. The trials in the 2016 meta-analysis ran for 8–12 weeks, which suggests consistency is part of the picture. Our guide on how to take colostrum has practical tips for building a daily habit.
What the research doesn't show
It's worth being clear about the limits. The studies above do not show that colostrum prevents, treats or cures any illness, and colostrum is not a substitute for medical care, vaccination or the basics of good health: sleep, a varied diet, regular movement and managing stress.
Other limitations include:
- Small studies. 152 people across five trials is a modest evidence base.
- Specific populations. Most participants were exercising adults.
- Product differences. Commercial colostrum varies up to six-fold in bioactivity (Playford and Weiser, 2021), so results from one product may not apply to another.
- Heat sensitivity. IgG starts to be affected above about 65°C (Bogahawaththa et al., 2017), so how colostrum is processed and prepared matters.
FAQs
Will colostrum stop me getting sick?
No supplement can promise that. Research in exercising adults found fewer days with upper respiratory symptoms, but those were small studies with some risk of bias. Think of colostrum as one part of a healthy routine, not a shield.
How long did people take colostrum in the studies?
The trials in the 2016 meta-analysis ran for 8–12 weeks of daily use. Short-term, occasional use hasn't been studied in the same way, so consistency seems to matter.
Does hot water destroy the immune proteins?
Very hot liquids can. IgG is affected above about 65°C and loses immunoreactivity at 72°C (Bogahawaththa et al., 2017). Stir colostrum into cool or warm drinks rather than freshly boiled ones.
Powder or capsules for immune support?
Both contain New Zealand bovine colostrum. Powder gives more colostrum per serve (2,000 mg per teaspoon); capsules are handy on the go. Many people keep both with the MUUU Duo.
References
- Jones AW, March DS, Curtis F, Bridle C. Bovine colostrum supplementation and upper respiratory symptoms during exercise training: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2016;8:21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-016-0047-8
- Davison G. The use of bovine colostrum in sport and exercise. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1789. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/1789
- Playford RJ, Weiser MJ. Bovine colostrum: its constituents and uses. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):265. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/1/265
- Robbers L, et al. Front Vet Sci. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.668639
- Bogahawaththa D, et al. Food Hydrocolloids. 2017;72:350–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2017.06.017
This article is general information, not medical advice. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
