A Midwife’s Take On Bovine Colostrum As a Superfood Supplement for Adults

Yes, you read right. I’m a midwife and I help mothers before, after, and during the birth process. After birth, a miracle takes place and mother gives baby colostrum from her breast. This thick yellowish substance is filled with antibodies and microbiome influencers. These influencers allow the “good bacteria” to breed rapidly. What a jumpstart to life! 

Colostrum builds your immune system, which isn’t fully developed at birth. Newborns under five days old have teeny tiny stomachs; however, that’s not the only reason why a mere few drops of colostrum in one feeding are sufficient for babies before their mother’s milk comes in. What’s the other reason? It is a potent superfood, so a little goes a long way!

Colostrum is a potent superfood packed with essential nutrients, immune factors, and oligosaccharides (chains of carbohydrates that act as a prebiotic for your gut).  We know colostrum is extremely beneficial for the neonate’s health, but what about using a cow’s colostrum, or bovine colostrum as a superfood for adults? Can bovine colostrum strengthen our immune systems and give us nutrients we otherwise wouldn’t get?

Let’s talk about the health benefits of bovine colostrum, when to take it, the potential side effects, and more.

What Is Colostrum and Why the Buzz? 

According to the Oxford Dictionary, colostrum is defined as follows: the first secretion from the mammary glands after giving birth that are rich in antibodies.

How incredible are our bodies? They produce a liquid inside a mother’s breast that sets up the offspring’s immune system and gut for success; thus keeping our species alive. This superfood is jam-packed with potent nutrients. It’s rich in vitamins (especially A, B, C, D, and E) and minerals like zinc, iron, magnesium, and calcium.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Center spoke to Lindsey Wohlford, a respected dietician, about colostrum. She is not the only person who knows what is so great about colostrum. Colostrum contains bioactive proteins essential in building a healthy immune system. One important protein is called lactoferrin. 

Lactoferrin has disease-fighting effects such as:

• antibacterial
• anti-tumor
• antiviral
• anti-inflammatory

Colostrum is also high in the following:

• fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins and minerals
• fats
• carbohydrates
• disease-fighting proteins
• growth hormones
• bioactive proteins
• digestive enzymes 

Bovine colostrum (BC) twice daily. Once 30 minutes before breakfast and again 2 hours before bed. When I am diligent about taking my BC, I notice an increase in energy and mental alertness. 

And what I love most is that my kids can have this supplement as well! When I compare my days before BC to the days using BC, I can thankfully say our number of annual sick days has tremendously decreased.

The Best Bovine Colostrum Supplements Today

Here are some of my top picks for bovine colostrum.

1. PerCoBa Colostrum

This company has been around for a while. They use conscious practices never depriving the baby calf of what it needs. They don’t filter their product. They take as few steps as possible from the heifer to you, ensuring quality and purity.

2. Heart and Soil

Here’s another eco-friendly and cruelty-free bovine colostrum supplement company I recommend. This company sources its supplements from regenerative farms. They support the planet and try and reduce climate change by using carbon sequestration.

3. Miracle Moo

Miracle Moo’s claim to fame is being the only supplement company that contains immunoLin, which boosts potency. This protein isolate supports a healthy gut and digestive tract.

4. Wonder Cow

This company sources their colostrum from well-treated cows. These cows are loved and graze on respected farmland. 

Benefits of Bovine Colostrum Supplements

Still feeling your curiosity bubbling up regarding bovine colostrum and whether or not it will benefit your health? This densely packed superfood is pasteurized, contains way more nutrients than regular milk, and has many perks when it comes to your overall health. 

Below you’ll find a list of some of BC’s goodness:

• supports gut health
• strengthens the immune system
• aid in muscle recovery
• boosts overall health at a cellular level
• supports bone health
• promotes skin elasticity
• promotes better brain function
• reduces inflammation

Who Should Avoid Bovine Colostrum and What Are Some Potential Side Effects?

If you have a cow allergy, I’d “steer” clear. And if not, keep in mind bovine colostrum can cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort such as gas and nausea.

Studies say that bovine colostrum is well-tolerated by humans and is completely safe for consumption. Only a few may complain about GI issues. Some may also view the taste as unpleasant. Rarely are there any skin irritations.

My kids and I have had zero complications so far, but I do recommend talking to your doctor before starting any new supplement.

What to Look For When Picking a Bovine Colostrum Supplement

I’d be sure you know when the colostrum was collected from the cow. Colostrum between birth and the first 6 hours is the most potent. 

Remember, Mother Nature made this superfood extra nutrient-dense on purpose. Immediate collection of bovine colostrum shows higher volumes of the immunoglobulin IgG. This strengthens the microbiome and the immune system and protects the calf during this vulnerable time before the milk comes in. 

If it is that powerful, it makes sense that we adults (who lose the proteins needed for immune system health when we are teenagers) would give it a go. 

Below are some things to consider when shopping for bovine colostrum:

• Is the colostrum being filtered? Too much filtration removes nutrients.
• Is the colostrum from a single cow or multiple? Single is preferred.
• How long after birth was the colostrum collected? The earlier the better.
• How old is the heifer? According to a PubMed article on BC supplementation, the older the heifer, the more potent the colostrum.
• Does the bovine colostrum company use preservatives, additives, or fillers? Hopefully not. We want the real deal, the purest of the pure.

Midwife “On-Col”

I love being a midwife, but being on call is tough. Births happen frequently in the middle of the night, so my sleep patterns are interrupted. I’m also a mother of 2 toddlers, so getting ample sleep these days is pretty rare. The lack of sleep can leave my immune system weak, and I’m more susceptible to getting sick. 

Anything that boosts my immune system and has densely packed vitamins and minerals, especially as cold/flu season approaches, count me in! I took in bovine colostrum and I did not get sick once all winter!

If you’d like the same effects, try it out yourself!