The Ultimate Guide to Colostrum: Benefits, Who Needs It, and the Best Brands to Choose From

Colostrum has been making waves in the wellness world, and for good reason! This powerhouse supplement is packed with nutrients, immune-boosting compounds, and gut-supporting properties that can benefit just about everyone. Whether you're looking to strengthen your immune system, heal your gut, or boost overall vitality, colostrum may be the missing piece in your wellness routine.

In this blog, we will dive into the science-backed benefits of colostrum, who can benefit from supplementing with it, and compare some of my favorite colostrum brands on the market.

What is Colostrum?

Colostrum is the first form of milk produced by mammals (including humans and cows) in the first few days after birth. It’s loaded with antibodies, growth factors, and essential nutrients that support a newborn’s immune system and development. Now with the benefits of supplementation, these benefits aren’t just for babies—bovine colostrum, in particular, has been widely studied for its incredible health properties in both children and adults.

Science-Backed Benefits of Colostrum

1. Supports Gut Health and Repairs the Gut Lining

   • Bovine colostrum contains lactoferrin, immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM), and growth factors that help heal and seal the gut lining.

   • A study titled Colostrum Therapy for Human Gastrointestinal Health and Disease found that colostrum supplementation helped substantially with inflammatory bowel disease and infectious diarrhea, particularly in those with digestive disorders like IBS and Crohn’s disease.

2. Boosts Immune Function

   • Colostrum is rich in antibodies that help fight off infections and pathogens.

   • This study showed that supplementing with colostrum was 3x more effective than the flu vaccine at preventing the flu.

3. Improves Athletic Performance and Recovery

   • Growth factors like IGF-1 found in colostrum help support muscle repair and recovery.

   • Research from the Frontiers In Immunology suggests that colostrum may reduce exercise-induced gut damage and improve endurance, help provide a faster recovery as well as support the immune system and protect against certain diseases that may occur in athletes related to their frequency of training.

4. Enhances Skin Health and Anti-Aging Benefits

   • The high concentration of growth factors and antioxidants in colostrum promotes collagen production, reducing wrinkles and improving skin elasticity.

   • Studies show that lactoferrin and immunoglobulins in colostrum help fight acne and skin inflammation.

5. Balances the Microbiome and Reduces Inflammation

   • Colostrum contains prebiotics that support beneficial gut bacteria while reducing harmful pathogens.

   • Research in Frontiers in Nutrition highlights how colostrum can reduce systemic inflammation, which is a root cause of many chronic diseases.

Who Should Supplement with Colostrum?

While colostrum is beneficial for nearly everyone, some groups may see even greater benefits:

• People with Leaky Gut or Digestive Issues (IBS, Crohn’s, colitis, SIBO)

• Athletes and Active Individuals (muscle recovery, endurance, immune protection)

• Anyone Struggling with Autoimmune Conditions (colostrum helps modulate immune function and can help with leaky gut)

• Those Prone to Frequent Infections (cold, flu, sinus infections)

Best Colostrum Brands: A Comparison

If you’re looking to add colostrum to your daily routine, it’s important to choose a high-quality source. Here’s a breakdown of the best colostrum brands I personally recommend:

1. Armra Colostrum

✅ Uses a patented cold-extraction technology to preserve bioactive compounds
✅ High in immunoglobulins and growth factors
✅ Dairy-free (casein and lactose removed) from grass fed US cows. Thoroughly tested for heavy metal, contaminant, and microbiological analysis by third party,
💡 Best for: Those looking for a clinically-backed, immune-focused colostrum supplement
💰 Price: $$$$ (92 cents per gram at full price for Immune Revival) --> SAVE 15% with this link where my discount code should automatically add for you at checkout, if not use code: holisticheidi
👅 Taste: Mild, slightly creamy, dissolves well in water. I personally do not like the flavored ones from Armra as they taste too sweet for me. I prefer the unflavored one called "Immune Revival" the most.

2. Equip Foods Colostrum (Powder & Gummies)

✅ Grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine colostrum from cows in the US.
✅ Third-party tested for pesticides, heavy metals, antibiotics and hormones. Cold-processed to keep nutrients in tact
✅ Gummies make it easy for kids to take and they are soo delicious!
💡 Best for: Families, athletes, and those who prefer a simple, clean ingredient profile
💰 Price: $$ (53 cents per gram of colostrum in the unflavored powder colostrum when paying full price; $1.67 per 1 gram of colostrum in the gummies when paying full price) --> SAVE 15-20% off with this link where my discount code should automatically add to checkout for you, if not use code: holisticheidi)
👅 Taste: Powder is neutral, mixes easily; gummies are straight up delicious. My kids and I prefer the raspberry gummy flavor.

3. Ancestral Health Colostrum

✅ 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised colostrum from cows in New Zealand and Australia
✅ Hormone, pesticide and GMO free with zero fillers.
✅ It comes in capsules which can be very convenient for those that don't want to taste the powder.
💡 Best for: those that prefer the convenience of a capsule or the convenience of single dose servings in indivual packets (great for traveling)
💰 Price: $$$ (76 cents per gram of colostrum in the capsules when paying full price; $1.30 per gram of colostrum in the powdered individual stick packs when paying full price) --> SAVE 10% with this link where my discount code should automatically add to checkout for you, if does not use then use code: heidi10
👅 Taste: No taste when you swallow the capsules. The powdered individual stick packs taste pretty mild and neutral.

4. Wonder Cow Colostrum

✅ Sourced from grass-fed cows in the US
✅ No antibiotics or fillers used. No GMO Ingredients.
✅ Easy to mix into smoothies or coffee
💡 Best for: Those looking for a versatile colostrum supplement that have different flavors as well as a colostrum creamer.
💰 Price: $$ (64 cents per gram of colostrum for the chocolate colostrum powder when paying full price) --> SAVE 15% when you use this link, it should automatically add my discount code to checkout. If not then add code: holisticheidi
👅 Taste: Creamy, slightly sweet, blends well in beverages. The chocolate colostrum powder is SOO good, it tastes like chocolate milk when you mix it into some milk. They have an elderberry colostrum and matcha colostrum that I have not tried yet but it's on my list. As well as a colostrum creamer which looks amazing but I still have yet to try.

How to Take Colostrum for Best Results

• Powder: Mix into water or smoothies. Most of the powders will loose some of the nutrient value if it is mixed into something hot.

• Gummies: A great option for kids or those who prefer a chewable form.

• Capsules: Convenient for travel or those who don’t like powders.

• Timing: Best taken on an empty stomach for maximum absorption.

Final Thoughts

Colostrum is one of the most powerful natural supplements for gut health, immune support, and overall vitality. Whether you’re an athlete, a busy mom, or someone looking to optimize your wellness, adding a high-quality colostrum supplement can be a game-changer.

If you’re ready to try colostrum, I highly recommend checking out Armra, Equip, Ancestral Health, and Wonder Cow—all of which offer premium, science-backed colostrum products.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links. I only recommend products I personally love and trust!