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Ready to improve your supplement routine? If so, say hello to colostrum. That’s right. This magic elixir is like Liquid gold for your body. Touted as a superfood, colostrum is an unrivaled source of nutrients. If you’re a mom, postpartum doula, lactation consultant, neonatal nurse, or pediatrician (just to name a few!), you know the life-changing benefits of colostrum. While colostrum is traditionally associated with newborns and infants, adults can also reap the benefits. And today we’re looking at the benefits of colostrum. From improving athletic performance to improving gut health, the benefits of colostrum for adults make this versatile supplement worth stocking up on.
Featured image by Riley Reed.
What is colostrum?
For a quick science lesson, there are three steps to breastmilk (produced by female mammals): colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk. We focus on the first. Colostrum is produced during the first days after birth. As long as a good latch is established, colostrum will provide the newborn with all the nutrients, fluids and calories the baby needs, hence the name liquid gold.
Regardless of which mammal it comes from, colostrum contains a high concentration of antibodies, growth factors and other essential nutrients.
Colostrum is deeply nutritious
The nutritional profile and immunological composition of colostrum differ substantially mature milk. For example, compared to mature milk (which arrives about a month after giving birth), colostrum is three times richer in vitamin A and 10 times richer in beta-carotene. It’s this beta-carotene that gives colostrum its golden yellow hue!
It is the first food we receive and contains all the essential nutrients our body needs to thrive. For 300 million years, it has served the vital function of protecting and strengthening the mucosal barriers of infants before their own barrier matures.
What is bovine colostrum?
For most of us, colostrum is a source of nutrients for infants. However, it can also be consumed during other phases of life, in supplement form! All female mammals produce colostrum, but supplements are usually made from cow colostrum. Enter: bovine colostrum. Bovine colostrum is similar to human colostrum. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, disease-fighting proteins, growth hormones and digestive enzymes. In recent years, bovine colostrum supplements have exploded.
Where do bovine colostrum supplements come from?
These supplements come from cows. Colostrum is pasteurized and dried into pills or powders, which can then be mixed with liquids. Bovine colostrum generally has a light yellow color and a subtle taste. Its smell resembles that of buttermilk. Our favorite bovine colostrum supplement? ARMRA. Harnessing the power of over 200 research-backed nutrients, ARMRA offers an incredibly powerful colostrum supplement. By incorporation bovine colostrum, we noticed a difference in our energy, digestive healthAnd appearance of the skin. Win, win, win.
Are there ethical issues with taking colostrum supplements?
Evidence of Clinical studies suggests that bovine colostrum products are not only well tolerated and very nutrient dense, but are also non-toxic and safe for human ingestion. However, taking this supplement raises an ethical debate. Does this deprive the newborn calf of the essential nutrition it needs to grow properly? It comes back to supply. Ultimately, this is where quality and transparency matter. ARMRA, as mentioned, is our benchmark. They use the purest colostrum from grass-fed cows raised on American family dairy farms. They only collect excess colostrum After the calves receive what they need.
What is the typical dose of colostrum?
If you are allergic to common allergens, such as milk and soy, be sure to discuss taking bovine colostrum with your healthcare professional. That said, colostrum comes in pill or powder form. A typical dose is about half a teaspoon (1.5 grams). In powder form, you can put it directly in your mouth or add it to a cool drink, like water or a smoothie.
How often should you take colostrum?
You can take it daily! Until more studies are completed, there is no recommended dosage or potential side effects of this supplement. With more buzz around colostrum, there will undoubtedly be more research to examine and confirm the effects of supplementation in adults. If you want to start taking colostrum, choose a supplement derived from grass-fed cows without artificial growth hormones.
Is bovine colostrum too much?
Although colostrum is biologically necessary for newborns, new search shows the benefits of colostrum at any time of your life. Luckily, you don’t need to buy breast milk to do this. Instead, you can opt for bovine colostrum supplements. Taking colostrum may seem far-fetched, but adults have been consuming bovine colostrum for thousands of years, especially in Ayurvedic medicine. Think of it this way: Bovine colostrum is simply a more nutrient-dense version of what many of us drank growing up: cow’s milk.
Is colostrum the new collagen?
In many ways, this is like comparing apples to oranges. Side by side, colostrum and collagen do not have direct correlation between them. Firstly, collagen is still in your body. It is essential for bodily functions. Colostrum, on the other hand, is not a necessity except at birth. Additionally, although colostrum is a type of milk produced early in lactation, collagen is a structural protein found in skin, bones, tendons and cartilage. Nutritionally, colostrum is known to help boost immunity, while collagen contributes to healthy tissues, cartilage and bones. The same but different.
7 Benefits of Colostrum for Adults
As you have understood, colostrum, derived from breast milk, is quite magical. It protects newborns and provides a solid foundation for a healthy life. At first glance, it also appears that adults can benefit from the same benefits. For overall health and performance, colostrum can help rebuild your immune barriers, restore your microbiome, and give your body the blueprint needed to thrive from the inside out.
1. Boosts immune function
Colostrum has high levels of immunoglobulins (antibodies) that help protect against viruses, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens. By taking a colostrum supplement, women can strengthen their immune systems, making them less susceptible to illness and infection.
2. Improves sports performance
Because colostrum contains a certain number of growth factors– including IGF-1 and TGF-beta – it can stimulate muscle growth and repair. This makes colostrum an ideal supplement for female athletes or women looking to improve their fitness.
3. Improves Gut Health
Colostrum is rich in lactoferrin and other bioactive compounds, helping to support the growth of healthy gut bacteria. This may be particularly beneficial for women who suffer from digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloatingor constipation.
4. Promotes skin elasticity
Speaking of these growth factors, colostrum can help stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and other proteins essential for maintaining growth. healthy skin. This can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging, making it an ideal supplement for women concerned about their skin health.
5. Supports bone health
Colostrum contains a number of nutrients essential for maintaining strong, healthy bonesincluding calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D. This makes colostrum an ideal supplement for people at risk of osteoporosis or other bone diseases.
6. Reduces inflammation
Colostrum is rich in cytokines, which are proteins that can help regulate inflammation in the body. By supplementing with colostrum, women can reduce inflammation throughout their body. This may benefit a variety of conditions, including arthritis, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
7. Improves brain function
Colostrum contains a number of peptides and other compounds that may help improve cognitive function and improve mental clarity. This can be especially beneficial for women who are experiencing age-related cognitive decline or looking to improve their focus and productivity.
Colostrum: the takeaway
To summarize, colostrum is a nutrient-rich supplement that can provide many benefits for women’s health: boost immune function, improve athletic performance, improve gut health, promote skin health, support bone health , reduce inflammation and improve brain function. If you’re interested in trying bovine colostrum, talk to your healthcare professional to make sure it’s safe and right for your individual needs.