Colostrum
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Colostrum (Bovine Colostrum) is a dietary supplement with 11 published peer-reviewed studies involving 720 participants, researched for Immune Support, Athletic Performance, Gut Health.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Immune Support
StrongAthletic Performance
ModerateGut Health
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Immune Support
To investigate bovine colostrum supplementation on salivary IgA and upper respiratory illness in athletes
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate bovine colostrum supplementation on salivary IgA and upper respiratory illness in athletes
Dose
60 g/day bovine colostrum
Participants
30 distance runners
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Colostrum group maintained salivary IgA levels and had significantly fewer URI days vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Salivary IgA, URI incidence and duration
To assess bovine colostrum effects on upper respiratory illness in active males
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess bovine colostrum effects on upper respiratory illness in active males
Dose
10 g/day bovine colostrum
Participants
80 active males
Duration
10 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in URI incidence and duration; improved immune cell function vs placebo.
How They Measured It
URI symptoms, duration, immune biomarkers
To evaluate long-term bovine colostrum supplementation on immune system in young female basketball players
Study Type
Randomised, controlled
Purpose
To evaluate long-term bovine colostrum supplementation on immune system in young female basketball players
Dose
20 g/day bovine colostrum
Participants
27 elite female basketball players
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Significant improvements in immune cell function and reduced illness incidence vs control group.
How They Measured It
Neutrophil activity, IgA, NK cells, infection incidence
To meta-analyse immunological outcomes of bovine colostrum in physically active people
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To meta-analyse immunological outcomes of bovine colostrum in physically active people
Dose
Various
Participants
239 across 10 RCTs
Duration
Various
Results
Colostrum significantly improved salivary IgA secretion rate and reduced illness episodes in athletes.
How They Measured It
Salivary IgA, immune cell counts, infection rates
Athletic Performance
To evaluate bovine colostrum effect on lean muscle mass and strength in resistance-trained athletes
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate bovine colostrum effect on lean muscle mass and strength in resistance-trained athletes
Dose
20 g/day bovine colostrum
Participants
42 male athletes
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Greater increases in lean body mass (1.49 kg vs 0.95 kg) and strength vs whey protein group.
How They Measured It
Lean body mass (DXA), strength (1RM)
To assess bovine colostrum on endurance performance and recovery in trained cyclists
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess bovine colostrum on endurance performance and recovery in trained cyclists
Dose
20 g/day
Participants
51 trained cyclists
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in sprint performance (6%) and time trial results vs whey protein placebo.
How They Measured It
Time trial performance, sprint power, recovery markers
To assess in vivo immunity following prolonged exercise with bovine colostrum supplementation
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess in vivo immunity following prolonged exercise with bovine colostrum supplementation
Dose
25 g/day bovine colostrum
Participants
33 trained males
Duration
5 weeks
Results
Bovine colostrum attenuated exercise-induced immune suppression and maintained in vivo immune response.
How They Measured It
Delayed-type hypersensitivity, neutrophil function
Gut Health
To evaluate bovine colostrum on gut permeability induced by NSAID use
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate bovine colostrum on gut permeability induced by NSAID use
Dose
125 mL/day bovine colostrum
Participants
8 healthy adults
Duration
5 days
Results
Bovine colostrum significantly prevented NSAID-induced increase in gut permeability vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Lactulose/mannitol ratio (gut permeability marker)
To assess colostrum effect on exercise-induced gut permeability
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess colostrum effect on exercise-induced gut permeability
Dose
20 g/day
Participants
24 male runners
Duration
14 days
Results
Colostrum supplementation significantly attenuated exercise-induced gut permeability vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Gut permeability (lactulose/rhamnose ratio)
To comprehensively analyse clinical trials on bovine colostrum in athletes
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To comprehensively analyse clinical trials on bovine colostrum in athletes
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple trials
Duration
Various
Results
Colostrum consistently improved immune function, athletic performance, and gut barrier function across studies.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of immune, performance, and gut outcomes
To evaluate bovine colostrum in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS patients
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate bovine colostrum in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS patients
Dose
3 g/day bovine colostrum
Participants
90 IBS patients
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in bowel frequency, stool consistency scores and gut permeability vs placebo.
How They Measured It
IBS symptom score, stool consistency, gut permeability
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Colostrum research
There are currently 11 peer-reviewed studies on Colostrum (Bovine Colostrum), involving 720 total participants. Research covers Immune support, Athletic performance, Gut health. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (11 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Colostrum has been researched for: Immune support, Athletic performance, Gut health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 11 out of 11 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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