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Bovine colostrum - Natural Medicine A-Z
Bovine colostrum
Synonyms: Adult bovine serum, affinity purified bovine colostrum antibodies, albumin, BioEnergy®, Bioenervi™, bovine, bovine casein, bovine colostral globulins, bovine colostrum-containing oral hygiene products, bovine colostrum cystatin, breast milk, butanol-extractable iodine, calcium, casein, cell growth factor, chromium, colostral antibodies (hyperimmune and natural), colostral fractions, colostral whey, colostrinin, colostrokinin, colostrum inhibitory factor (CIF), colostrum lozenges, colostrum, complement 3 and 4 (C3 & C4), concentrated bovine colostrum protein, cow colostrum, dynamic colostrum, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, fibronectin, first milking colostrum, folic acid, gamma globulin, glutamic acid, glycine, glycoconjugates, glycogen, glycoprotein, growth factors, growth hormone , haemopexin, haptoglobulin, heat-denatured bovine immunoglobulin, human colostra, hyperimmune bovine colostrum, hyperimmune cow colostrumimmunized bovine colostrum™, immunoglobulins, isoleucine, kappa casein, lactalbumin, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus bifidus, lactobin (LIG), lactobin-R, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, leucine, liquid gold, Mega Bovine Colostrum®, Mega-Colostabs®, methionine, native bovine, oral bovine immunoglobulin milk concentrate, orosomucoids, orotic acid, osteoprotegerin (OPG), pantothenic acid, passive antibody immunotherapyplatelet-derived growth factor, polychlorinated biphenyls, potassium, prealbumin, prolactin, proline, proline-rich polypeptide, purified bovine apolactoferrin, retinoic acid, ribonuclease II-1, super milk, Symbiotics Colostrum PLUS™, transforming growth factor, ultrafiltrate fraction (UF) of bovine colostrum, Viable™ AC-2, whey proteins, xanthine oxidase enzyme.
 Overview Does It Work? Safety How to Use

Bovine colostrum is the pre-milk fluid produced by cow mammary glands during the first two to four days after giving birth. Bovine colostrum delivers growth, nutrient, and immune factors to the offspring.

Traditional uses of bovine colostrum include for eye conditions, oral health, and respiratory tract infections. The investigation of clinical effects of bovine colostrum in humans began in the late 1980s and continues today.

Bovine colostrum may be useful for exercise performance enhancement and gastrointestinal injury due to bowel disease and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Although early evidence looks promising, additional study is still needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of bovine colostrum.

Hyperimmune bovine colostrum is also commercially available, and some evidence exists for its use, as well as the use of isolated immunoglobulins (antibodies). Most evidence is in support of its use for diarrhea associated with certain types of bacterial and viral infections or immune system deficiencies.

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Uses

Grade*

Colitis

Preliminary evidence suggests that bovine colostrum may be effective for improving gastrointestinal health. More studies are needed in this area.

C

Diarrhea

Bovine colostrum may be effective for improving gastrointestinal health. Preliminary evidence suggests that colostrum inhibits the adhesion or activity of certain bacteria to intestinal cells, which may help in the treatment of diarrhea. Additional study is needed in this area.

C

Exercise performance enhancement

Although human study is currently conflicting, bovine colostrum may be effective for improving exercise performance. Additional study is needed in this area to make a strong recommendation.

C

Immune function

Bovine colostrum contains immunoglobulins or antibodies that are released into the bloodstream in response to infections. These immunoglobulins may help improve immune system functions. More evidence is required before a firm recommendation can be made.

C

Immune system deficiencies (cryptosporidiosis)

Cryptosporidium parvum is a parasite that may cause severe, debilitating diarrhea in patients with AIDS. Preliminary evidence suggests a potential benefit of bovine colostrum in this area. However, additional study is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.

C

Infections (rotavirus)

Bovine colostrum that is high in antibodies to certain viruses, such as rotavirus, may help prevent rotavirus-associated diarrhea. Additional study is needed in this area.

C

Helicobacter pylori infection

Based on preliminary study, use of bovine colostrum did not appear to be of benefit in H. pylori infection. Further studies are required before a strong recommendation can be made.

C

Multiple sclerosis

Bovine colostrum has been used for multiple sclerosis, although early results do not indicate any benefit. Additional study is needed in this area.

C

Oral hygiene

Bovine colostrum has shown potential for immune stimulation and may be useful in oral hygiene products. Currently, there is insufficient available evidence to recommend for or against the use of colostrum for this use.

C

Sore throat

Bovine colostrum has shown potential for immune stimulation, and may be helpful in treating sore throat. Currently, there is insufficient available evidence to recommend for or against the use of colostrum for this use.

C

Recovery from surgery

Bovine colostrum has been studied in individuals undergoing coronary bypass operations, but no benefit was found. Further study is required before a strong recommendation can be made.

C

Upper respiratory tract infection

Bovine colostrum has shown potential for immune stimulation. However, early evidence has not shown any benefit for treating upper respiratory tract infection duration, although bovine colostrum may reduce symptoms. Further studies are required before a firm recommendation can be made.

C

*Key to grades

  • A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
  • B: Good scientific evidence for this use
  • C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
  • D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)

Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Allergies

Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to dairy products.

Side Effects and Warnings

Adverse reactions to bovine colostrum supplements are mainly gastrointestinal and may include nausea and vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea. In general, bovine colostrum is generally well tolerated. However, bovine colostrum is a potential source of environmental contaminants, such as pesticides.

Heat-denatured bovine immunoglobulin may be a risk factor for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). However, it is not clear how use of bovine colostrum relates to this risk. Use cautiously in patients with atherosclerosis.

Bovine colostrum is a source of IGF-1, which has been found to correlate with the risk of prostate cancer and colorectal cancer in men, premenopausal breast cancer in women, and lung cancer in both men and women. Not all studies agree with these findings and it is not clear how this relates to the use of bovine colostrum. Avoid in patients with, or at risk of, cancer due to potential for IGF-1-induced increased risk for certain types of cancer.

Avoid in pregnant and breastfeeding women due to a lack of information.

Use cautiously in individuals with immune system disorders due to the potential for immune system effects of bovine colostrum.

Use cautiously in individuals on medications, such as anti-diarrhea agents (e.g. immodium), insulin, and central nervous system agents (amphetamines, caffeine), due to potential for reduced or increased efficacy.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Bovine colostrum is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence. Bovine colostrum is a potential source of environmental contaminants, such as pesticides.

Adults (over 18 years old)

There is no proven effective dose of bovine colostrum. The dose amount and dosage formulations vary. Doses of 400-5,000 milligrams taken 1-3 times per day in tablet, powder, or solution form for up to 10 days have been reported.

Children (under 18 years old)

There is no proven effective dose of bovine colostrum in children. Various doses and preparations have been studied that are generally well tolerated with minor side effects. A common dosing range is 7-20 grams of bovine colostrum per day in divided doses for up to 14 days. Hyperimmune milk concentrate (20 grams daily) has also been administered for five days in children experiencing diarrhea as a result of shigella infection. Other studies have studied purified immunoglobins (antibodies) from bovine colostrum for up to one month, but no benefit was found.

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