Health-Fitness

5 Best Colostrum Supplements, Recommended by Registered Dietitians

Here’s everything you need to know about the latest wellness trend.
Best colostrum supplements
Courtesy of brands / Gabrielle Langdon

It seems like every wellness-adjacent podcast ad or TikTok #nutrition video vortex we enter these days puts a spotlight on colostrum supplements. Colostrum, which is also known as first milk—and sometimes even gets the snazzy title “liquid gold”—is the first form of milk produced by humans and other mammals post-delivery. This thick, first milk contains two types of growth factors, as well as an insulin-like growth factor (the latter is also found in human breast milk). While said elixir isn’t anything new, it’s recently been elevated to super supplement status online. But should you take this supplement? And does colodtrum come with have any potential health perks?

“Colostrum supplements might be beneficial for adults seeking to support their immune system, ease gastrointestinal discomfort, or improve recovery from exercise,” says Claire Rifkin, a New York City registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in women’s diets. Though this may sound encouraging, Rifkin emphasizes that the research on these benefits shows varied results, and many of the studies had small sample sizes, so be sure to take these claims with a grain of salt. FYI: We’re talking about bovine colostrum here, i.e., from cows.

If you’re thinking about giving colostrum a try, we spoke with dietitians to find out which ones have their stamp of approval. As always, consult with a health care professional before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re taking other medications, are pregnant or are breastfeeding.

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Best Overall: Armra Colostrum Immune Revival

    Courtesy of brand
    1/10

    Armra Colostrum Immune Revival

    $48 $38

    Amazon

    Special projects commerce writer at Glamour Andrea Navarro has been taking Armra Colostrum Immune Revival daily since January, and has noticed some significant benefits that have made it a staple in her wellness routine. “Despite its slight milky taste, it’s so minimal that it’s barely noticeable, so it’s easy to incorporate into my daily regimen without altering the flavor of my beverages,” she says. Glamour’s Navarro also appreciates the texture of this colostrum powder, since “it doesn’t thicken up, so it’s just like sipping on a regular drink.” Best of all, she’s experienced less bloating and a noticeable reduction in her use of allergy medications during peak allergy season. “It’s a subtle change that has had a profound impact on my daily comfort and health,” she says of this grass-fed colostrum powder.

    This pick gets the experts’ seal of approval too. Registered dietitian Ana Reisdorf of The Food Trends recommends it because it’s third-party tested and cold-processed, making it a high-quality supplement. Cold-processed supplements are manufactured without exposure to high heat, a method that helps preserve the bioactive compounds and nutrients that might be degraded by heat, says Rifkin. (In short, the less heat a supplement is exposed to, the more likely it will retain its beneficial properties.) “The price point is a bit high, but if you really want the highest quality, this product will deliver,” she adds.

    But wait, there’s more to love! Jenny Beth Kroplin, a registered dietitian who is passionate about gut health, has been taking Armra for a year and adores it. “I’ve noticed hair growth, glowy skin, and less bloating,” she says of the product.

    Form: Powder (1 gram proprietary Armra Bovine Colostrum)

    • What we love: Only one ingredient; no preservatives, hormones, or artificial additives; convenient packets; third-party tested; unflavored and flavored options
    • What could improve: Expensive price

  • Runner Up: Heart and Soil Grass-Fed Colostrum

    Courtesy of brand
    2/10

    Heart and Soil Grass-Fed Colostrum

    $74 $59

    Amazon

    Rifkin gives this colostrum supplement two thumbs up because it’s sourced from grass-fed cows, “which means the beneficial ingredients like fatty-acids and antioxidants will potentially be more bioavailable.” (This, she explains, essentially means that your body will actually be able to absorb and use the nutritional elements in the supplement.) Other perks of this colostrum? It’s third-party tested, “which means the product has been tested and evaluated for purity,” says Rifkin, and it’s in capsule form, so you have the option to either swallow it like a traditional pill, or open it up and mix the powder into something like a smoothie.

    Form: Capsule (3000 mg New Zealand Grass-Fed Colostrum (Bovine) Prized Immunoglobulin-Rich First Milk)

    • What we love: Great branding; third-party tested
    • What could improve : 6 capsules per serving is tiresome to count

  • Best Value: Well Wisdom Bovine Colostrum

    Courtesy of brand
    3/10

    Well Wisdom Bovine Colostrum

    $36

    Amazon

    Well Wisdom’s proprietary Bioactive Colostrum blend may be your new immunity-protecting BFF. With a one-ingredient label—what we like to see—this brand makes colostrum (as well as protein powders in vanilla, natural cocoa, and natural flavors) from grass-fed cows. Residorf appreciates that this product is free of antibiotics and hormones, and that the price point is relatively affordable.

    Form: Powder (1 gram Native Bovine Colostrum; 200mg immunoglobulins; lactoferrin 15mg)

    • What we love: Budget-friendly; mixes well
    • What could improve : Lackluster packaging

  • Best Budget: Equip Foods Core Colostrum

    Courtesy of brand
    4/10

    Equip Foods Core Colostrum

    $48 $38

    Amazon

    Rifkin likes that this product is third-party tested, sourced from grass-fed cows, and contains only bovine colostrum, without any additional ingredients. Plus, it’s cold processed and has a neutral taste when mixed into beverages. “However, each serving provides only 3,000 mg, or 3 grams, which likely will not be enough to produce a therapeutic effect,” she says. That said, for many satisfied customers, the pros here may weigh out the cons, and it’s more budget-friendly than other colostrum supplements.

    Form: Powder (3 grams colostrum powder)

    • What we love: Great price point; third-party tested; unflavored and watermelon favorite
    • What could improve: Some customers say it doesn’t dissolve easily

  • Best for Mixing: Sandhu’s Pure Bovine Colostrum

    Courtesy of brand
    5/10

    Sandhu’s Pure Bovine Colostrum

    $65 $50

    Amazon

    Isn’t clumpy powder in your protein shake or water ugh-inducing enough to convince you to ditch your wellness regime? We feel for you. That’s why Rifkin is glad this is one of the few colostrum supplements that mixes with water relatively easily. “I find that it doesn’t stay clumpy as long as you give it a good mix or a shake in a bottle,” she says, adding that this is nice because it doesn’t require using a blender to mix the product into other liquids. “It also uses colostrum from grass-fed cows and contains added immunoglobulin G, which may potentially help with immune function support,” she adds.

    Form: Powder (2 grams bovine colostrum)

    • What we love: Great value; third-party tested: non-GMO
    • What could improve: Some customers don’t like the taste
  • 6/10

    What are the benefits of colostrum supplements?

    Colostrum supplements can help support immune and gut health, says Ana Reisdorf, a registered dietitian for The Food Trends. “They may also help recovery after intense physical activity, so if you’re frequently ill or an athlete, it might be a supplement to consider,” she adds. That said, Reisdorf does not recommend it for most healthy people because there is very limited research.

  • 7/10

    What to look for in a colostrum supplement

    Reisdorf recommends looking for a product that is sourced from grass-fed cows. Registered dietitian nutritionist Claire Rifkin, a New York City women’s health dietitian who runs a telehealth private practice, echoes that sentiment because she says it will likely be richer in nutrients.

    Additionally, Reisdorf points out that processing matters. “Look for low-heat or no-heat processing to maintain the bioavailability of proteins and antibodies,” she says. “Liposomal colostrum or added lipids (fats) can also help improve absorption. Lastly, the supplement should also be free of hormones, antibiotics, and heavy metals.” (If you’re not purchasing a liposomal colostrum, just pair it with a healthy fat; pairing colostrum with foods that contain healthy fats, such as avocado, nut butter, or olive oil, can help improve its absorption, experts note. “Healthy fats enhance the bioavailability of certain nutrients, including those in colostrum, making them easier for your body to absorb and utilize,” says Rifkin.)

    In terms of how often to take colostrum supplements, since there is no Recommended Dietary Allowance, there are no specific dosage guidelines for this product. This is why, it’s best to consult with your primary care physician or another trusted medical professional to see if adding a colostrum supplement may benefit you.

  • 8/10

    Should you only buy colostrum supplements from grass-fed cows?

    In short: yes. In slightly more words: “This is because grass-fed cows often have a diet closer to their natural grazing habits, potentially leading to a more nutrient-dense milk,” says Rifkin. “Additionally, grass-fed dairy products are associated with higher levels of beneficial fatty acids and antioxidants.”

  • 9/10

    Why does third-party testing matter?

    “When looking for a colostrum supplement for general wellness purposes, I always advise folks to look for a supplement that is third-party tested and sources their colostrum from grass-fed cows,” says Rifkin.

    As Rifkin elaborates, third-party testing for any supplement is important because it means that the supplement, its ingredients, and the manufacturing facility have been assessed and evaluated by an independent entity that has no ties to the brand or company. “This means that the supplement meets purity and potency standards without bias, verifying that what’s on the label is indeed in the bottle and free from harmful contaminants,” such as heavy metals (like lead, mercury, and arsenic), pesticides, microbial contaminants (like bacteria, yeast, and mold), and other potentially harmful substances, she says.

  • 10/10

    Could colostrum help athletes with recovery?

    Again, there isn’t an impressive amount of scientific evidence supporting the idea that healthy people should supplement with colostrum.

    As for who stands to benefit the most, Rifkin thinks colostrum could potentially help athletes. “I think the most promising research is on muscle recovery following exercise in athletes, as colostrum appears to have some potential anti-inflammatory benefits,” says Rifin. “However, while this research is an exciting start, larger and more robust human studies are needed to legitimize any of these outcomes for the public.”

Perri Ormont Blumberg is a New York City-born-and-based writer and editor with 10+ years of experience. She holds a B.A. in psychology from Columbia University and is also a culinary school graduate from the Natural Gourmet Institute. Previously, she'd held positions as an editor at Tripadvisor, senior staff writer for... Read more
Freelance writer
Topicsshoppingnutritionsupplementsimmune systembloating
Read More
Gift Guides
These Are the Best First-Birthday Gifts Ever
Shopping
75 Best-Selling Products on Amazon That Are Actually Worth Buying
Shopping
Nordstrom’s Béis Sale Section Is Getting Good
Gift Guides
The Best Baby Gifts for Newborns (and Their Parents!)