colostrum

Colostrum supplements are made from bovine colostrum, the milk a cow produces in the first several days after calving. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's "About Herbs" database, this early milk is rich in antibodies, growth factors, and cytokines, and it is sold to consumers as a powder or capsule dietary supplement.

The human evidence is limited and far from conclusive. Memorial Sloan Kettering's "About Herbs" entry reports that some small studies of certain bovine colostrum formulas showed positive results against diarrhea (including rotavirus-, E. coli-, and Cryptosporidium-related diarrhea) and that a few studies hint at possible benefit for gastrointestinal disorders, but in both cases it notes that bigger, better-designed trials would be needed to confirm any effect. Some small studies suggest it might raise immune response, though this too remains unproven, and a meta-analysis did not find supporting evidence for colostrum in either preterm infants or physically active adults. No major US government health authority — the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, NCCIH, or MedlinePlus — has published a fact sheet establishing that colostrum treats or prevents any condition.

There is no established or standardized supplement dose. The Memorial Sloan Kettering page does not list a recommended amount, and commercial products vary widely in their content and strength. Because colostrum is sold as a dietary supplement rather than an FDA-approved treatment, speak with your doctor or pharmacist before using it, particularly if you have a health condition or take other medications.

Bovine colostrum is derived from cow's milk, so anyone with a dairy or cow's milk allergy should avoid it. Because it contains trace amounts of estrogen, Memorial Sloan Kettering advises people with hormone-sensitive cancers to talk with their doctor before using it. As with any supplement, check with a clinician first if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a medical condition.

Documented adverse effects are limited. Memorial Sloan Kettering describes a case report of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in a 16-year-old boy with cow's milk allergy after a bovine colostrum-based cream was applied to a surgical wound — a reminder of the allergy risk for people who are sensitive to dairy. Because the supplement is not closely regulated, its safety profile is not fully characterized.

No specific herb-drug interactions are listed on the Memorial Sloan Kettering "About Herbs" page. The absence of listed interactions is not proof of safety with every medication, so have your pharmacist or doctor review any supplement against the other drugs you take.