Immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM)
Antibodies: proteins that recognise and bind to specific germs. IgG makes up about 85–90% of the immunoglobulins in bovine colostrum.
Immunoglobulins explained →Colostrum 101 · The complete guide
Colostrum, explained.
Every spot.
Bovine colostrum is the first milk a cow produces in the days after giving birth. It is far richer than regular milk in protein, immunoglobulins (antibodies), lactoferrin and growth factors, which is why people take it to support immunity, gut health and recovery. This guide covers what colostrum is, what's in it, what the research says, and how to take it.
Written by the MUUU team · Updated October 2026 · Sources listed at the end
Colostrum by the numbers
Why it's called liquid gold
~15%
protein in first-day colostrum, versus about 3% in regular milk.
Playford & Weiser, 202170–80%
of colostrum's protein is immunoglobulins. In mature milk it's about 1%.
Playford & Weiser, 202150–300×
more immunoglobulins than mature milk, and up to 250× more lactoferrin.
Davison, 202130–87 g/L
IgG in bovine colostrum. "High quality" colostrum is over 50 g/L.
Playford & Weiser, 2021What is colostrum?
The first milk, made for a newborn
Colostrum is the thick, creamy first milk that mammals (including cows and humans) produce straight after giving birth. Cows make it for roughly the first three days after calving. After that, levels of immunoglobulins and growth factors fall quickly and it turns into regular milk.
Calves are born with almost no antibodies of their own, because a cow's placenta doesn't pass antibodies to the calf before birth. Colostrum is how a calf gets its first immune protection: it absorbs the antibodies in colostrum through its gut in the first hours of life. That's why colostrum is so concentrated.
Bovine colostrum (from cows) is the type used in supplements. It's collected, gently processed, and dried into a fine, cream-coloured powder. MUUU is 100% pure bovine colostrum from grass-fed New Zealand cows, with nothing added.
What's inside
The bioactives in every scoop
Colostrum isn't one nutrient. It's a natural package of proteins, antibodies and growth factors that work together.
Lactoferrin
An iron-binding protein with natural antimicrobial activity. Colostrum holds 1.5–5 mg/mL, versus 0.02–0.75 mg/mL in mature milk.
Read more →Growth factors
Including IGF-1 and TGF-β, found at many times the levels in regular milk. They help young animals grow and repair tissue.
Read more →Oligosaccharides & peptides
Complex milk sugars (mostly sialyllactose) and proline-rich polypeptides that are only present in trace amounts in mature milk.
Read more →The benefits of colostrum
What colostrum does for you
1. Immune support
Colostrum is best known for its immunoglobulins, the same antibody proteins the immune system uses. MUUU contains naturally occurring immunoglobulins in every serve. In research on active adults, a 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomised controlled trials (152 people, 8–12 weeks) found colostrum reduced days with upper-respiratory symptoms by 44% and episodes by 38% compared with placebo (Jones et al., 2016).
2. Gut health and a stronger gut lining
Colostrum encourages a healthy digestive system. The gut lining is a barrier that lets nutrients in and keeps unwanted things out. Hard exercise and some medicines can make it more "leaky" (more permeable). In a double-blind crossover trial, 14 days of colostrum cut the exercise-driven rise in gut permeability by 80% (Marchbank et al., 2011). An earlier study found colostrum stopped the 3-fold rise in gut permeability normally caused by the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin (Playford et al., 2001). A 2024 meta-analysis of 10 trials also found improved gut permeability markers (Hajihashemi et al., 2024).
3. Training, recovery and active lifestyles
Many of the best colostrum studies are in athletes, because heavy training puts pressure on both immunity and the gut. Reviews note the clearest benefits during periods of intense training (Davison, 2021). That's why colostrum is popular with runners, gym-goers and anyone with a demanding routine.
4. Naturally nutrient-dense protein
First-day colostrum is about 15% protein, five times more than regular milk, and packed with bioactive whey proteins. A daily teaspoon is an easy way to add a clean, single-ingredient whole-food supplement to your routine.
Good to know: most studies used 10–20g of colostrum a day, which is more than one standard serve (2g powder or 1g capsules). Results vary between people and products, and colostrum is a supplement, not a treatment for any illness. Talk to your health professional if you have a medical condition.
Colostrum vs regular milk
What makes the first milk different
| Component | Bovine colostrum (day 1) | Mature cow's milk |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | ~15% | ~3% |
| Immunoglobulins (share of protein) | 70–80% | ~1% |
| Lactoferrin | 1.5–5 mg/mL | 0.02–0.75 mg/mL |
| IGF-1 | 50–2,000 µg/L | under 10 µg/L |
| TGF-β1 | 12–43 µg/L | 0.8–3.5 µg/L |
| Lactose | ~2.5% (lower than milk) | higher |
Sources: McGrath et al., 2015; Playford & Weiser, 2021.
How to take colostrum
Simple daily ritual
- Powder: stir 1 level teaspoon (2g, 2,000mg) into water, milk, a smoothie, coffee, tea or yoghurt once a day.
- Capsules: take 2 capsules (1,000mg) with a glass of water once a day.
- Keep it warm, not boiling. Immunoglobulins start to lose their structure above about 60–65°C, so add colostrum to warm or cool drinks rather than freshly boiled water (Bogahawaththa et al., 2017).
- Be consistent. Research programs ran for weeks, so make it part of your daily routine.
- Any time of day. Many people take it in the morning as part of breakfast. Pick a time you'll remember every day.
Safety
Who should check first
- Milk allergy: colostrum is a dairy product and contains milk proteins. It is not suitable for anyone with a cow's milk allergy.
- Lactose intolerance: colostrum has less lactose than milk (about 2.5%), but it isn't lactose-free. Start with a small amount.
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, on medication, or with a medical condition (including hormone-sensitive conditions): speak with your doctor or pharmacist first.
- Competitive athletes: colostrum naturally contains the growth factor IGF-1, and the World Anti-Doping Agency has advised athletes against using colostrum supplements. If you're drug-tested, check with your sport's anti-doping body first.
- Colostrum has been well tolerated in sport and exercise studies, with no adverse safety reports in those trials (Davison, 2021).
Glossary
Colostrum words, decoded
- Bovine colostrum
- Colostrum from cows. The type used in MUUU and most colostrum supplements.
- Immunoglobulin (Ig)
- Another word for antibody: a Y-shaped protein that recognises specific germs.
- IgG
- The main antibody in bovine colostrum, about 85–90% of its immunoglobulins.
- IgA
- An antibody that guards mucosal surfaces like the gut and airways.
- Lactoferrin
- An iron-binding milk protein with antimicrobial activity. Very concentrated in colostrum.
- Gut permeability
- How "leaky" the gut lining is. Lower permeability means a tighter barrier.
- Passive immunity
- Protection from antibodies made by another animal, like a calf getting antibodies from colostrum.
- Bioactive
- Describes components that have an effect in the body, such as immunoglobulins and lactoferrin.
- Grass-fed
- Cows raised mainly on pasture. New Zealand's dairy herds are predominantly pasture-fed.
- Undiluted
- 100% colostrum with no carriers, fillers or other powders mixed in.
References
- Playford RJ, Weiser MJ (2021). Bovine Colostrum: Its Constituents and Uses. Nutrients 13(1):265. mdpi.com
- McGrath BA et al. (2015). Composition and properties of bovine colostrum: a review. Dairy Science & Technology 96:133–158. springer.com
- Davison G (2021). The Use of Bovine Colostrum in Sport and Exercise. Nutrients 13(6):1789. mdpi.com
- Jones AW et al. (2016). Bovine colostrum supplementation and upper respiratory symptoms during exercise training: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 8:21. doi.org
- Marchbank T et al. (2011). The nutriceutical bovine colostrum truncates the increase in gut permeability caused by heavy exercise in athletes. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 300:G477–84. doi.org
- Playford RJ et al. (2001). Co-administration of bovine colostrum reduces the NSAID-induced increase in intestinal permeability. Clinical Science 100(6):627–33. pubmed
- Hajihashemi P et al. (2024). Bovine Colostrum in Increased Intestinal Permeability in Healthy Athletes and Patients: A Meta-Analysis. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. doi.org
- Robbers L et al. (2021). A Scoping Review of On-Farm Colostrum Management Practices. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. doi.org
- Bogahawaththa D et al. (2017). Thermal denaturation of bovine immunoglobulin G. Food Hydrocolloids 72:350–357. doi.org
This guide is general information, not medical advice. MUUU is a dietary supplement. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
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Ask the herd
Colostrum questions, answered
Straight answers about colostrum and MUUU. Can't find yours? Email info@maynenterprise.com.
What is bovine colostrum?+
Bovine colostrum is the first milk a cow produces in the first few days after giving birth. It's much richer than regular milk in protein, immunoglobulins (antibodies), lactoferrin and growth factors. MUUU is 100% pure, undiluted bovine colostrum from grass-fed New Zealand cows.
What are the benefits of colostrum?+
Colostrum is taken for immune support (it contains naturally occurring immunoglobulins) and gut health (it encourages a healthy digestive system). Research in active adults found colostrum reduced days with upper-respiratory symptoms by 44% (Jones et al., 2016) and cut the exercise-driven rise in gut permeability by 80% (Marchbank et al., 2011). It's also a clean source of whole-food protein. Read the full benefits guide.
What are immunoglobulins?+
Immunoglobulins are antibodies: proteins that recognise and bind to specific germs. Bovine colostrum contains IgG, IgA and IgM, and IgG makes up about 85–90% of the total. Immunoglobulins make up 70–80% of colostrum's protein, compared with about 1% in regular milk.
Where does MUUU colostrum come from?+
MUUU colostrum comes from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows in New Zealand. MUUU is made and distributed by Mayn Enterprise Pty Ltd, an Australian company based in Surry Hills, NSW.
Is MUUU dairy-free or safe with a milk allergy?+
No. Colostrum comes from cows, so MUUU is a dairy product and contains milk. It is not suitable for anyone with a cow's milk allergy, and it isn't vegan. It has less lactose than regular milk but isn't lactose-free.
Who should check with a doctor first?+
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using MUUU if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, taking medication, have a medical condition (including hormone-sensitive conditions), or are a drug-tested athlete.
How does shipping work?+
We ship Australia-wide only. Orders are usually dispatched the next business day and most arrive within 2–5 business days. Shipping is $9.95, and free on orders over $59.
Can I return MUUU?+
For health and hygiene reasons we can't accept change-of-mind returns on supplements. If your order arrives damaged, faulty or incorrect, email info@maynenterprise.com (within 14 days of delivery for transit damage) and we'll make it right. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law always apply. See our refund policy.
Powder or capsules: what's the difference?+
Both contain the same colostrum. The powder gives 2,000mg per 1 teaspoon (2g), 40 serves per 80g tub, and has no other ingredients. The capsules give 1,000mg per 2-capsule serve, 45 serves per 90-capsule bottle, and are handy on the go. Can't decide? The MUUU Duo gets you both for 10% less.
How much colostrum should I take a day?+
Follow the label: 1 teaspoon (2g) of powder or 2 capsules once a day. Research studies often used larger amounts (10–20g a day), so some people take more than one serve. Check with your health professional before going above the label directions.
Can I add colostrum to hot coffee?+
Yes, but let it cool a little first. Immunoglobulins start to break down above about 60–65°C, so warm drinks are better than freshly boiled ones.
How long until I notice a difference?+
Everyone is different. Most research ran for 2 to 12 weeks of daily use, so we recommend taking MUUU consistently for at least a month.
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