Bovine colostrum is the first milk produced by cows during the initial days after giving birth. I have listed a lot of research abstracts regarding the role of bovine colostrum in human health and disease. I have not had a chance to review these studies and come to a good understanding of the role of bovine colostrum supplements in natural medicine. However, a quick look indicates that bovine colostrum likely has a role to play in human health and using this supplement may increase energy levels. Bovine colostrum supplements have been found to carry a number of health benefits, including lower risks of upper respiratory illnesses and diarrhea in immune-suppressed children, and a reduced risk of intestinal damage from anti-inflammatory drugs.

What is Bovine Colostrum?
Colostrum is the early milk produced for a few days after delivery. In cows, it's called bovine colostrum. This milk is apparently rich in immunoglobulins which are certain types of protein involved in promoting the immune system and fighting germs. There are other types of compounds within colostrum such as growth factors, nucleosides, etc., that are not found in regular milk.

Colostrum 500 mg
Now Foods
NOW Bovine Colostrum is collected from the first 12 hour lactation. It is rich in Immunoglobulins which have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Each 500 mg capsule contains an average of 25% IgG Antibodies and a minimum of 0.6% Lactoferrin.

No Synthetic Growth Hormones
Bovine Colostrum Supplement Facts
Dried Bovine Colostrum 500 mg*

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Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 bovine colostrum capsule 1 to 2 times daily as needed.

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Benefit of Colostrum
Bovine colustrum richer in certain factors than milk. Bovine colostrum has much higher amounts of immunoglobulins, growth factors, cytokines, and nucleosides than are found in milk. Bovine colostrum is has oligosaccharides, antimicrobials, and immune-regulating factors. Some of the studies have looked into the role of bovine colostrum in:

Immune system support
Athletic performance
Gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, particularlyin persons with immune-deficiency syndromes or those who have been on heavy antibiotic regimens.

Bovine colostrum side effects
No significant bovine colostrum side effects have yet been reported in the medical literature. Since bovine colostrum is rich in calories, one would guess that drinking excess amounts could add on some pounds. But most people are not likely to drink more than an ounce or two a day.

Bovine Colostrum for Athletes
Athletes may get a boost from supplements containing bovine colostrum. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that bovine colostrum seemed to help male cyclists retain more energy during a bout of intense training. Normally, when athletes train intensely without adequate rest, their performance level starts to dwindle and they show signs of fatigue such as reduced testosterone levels, changes in nervous system activity and mood disturbances. In the study, Cecelia Shing and her colleagues followed 29 male distance cyclists. After taking baseline measurements of the men's performance on a 40-kilometer time trial, the researchers randomly assigned them to drink either a supplement containing 10 grams of bovine colostrum protein or a whey protein supplement every day for eight weeks. During week eight, the men underwent five consecutive days of high-intensity training; their performance was tested before and after the training bout. There were no clear differences between the two groups during normal training. However, volunteers who used bovine colostrum did perform at a higher level, with fewer signs of fatigue, during tests taken after the five-day run of intense training.

The influence of bovine colostrum supplementation on exercise performance in highly trained cyclists.
Br J Sports Med. 2006 Sep;40(9):797-801. Epub 2006 Jul 6. School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Qld Australia.
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the influence of low dose bovine colostrum supplementation on exercise performance in cyclists over a 10 week period that included 5 days of high intensity training. Over 7 days of preliminary testing, 29 highly trained male road cyclists completed several tests. Cyclists were then assigned to either a supplement 10 g/day bovine colostrum protein concentrate or a placebo group 10 g/day whey protein and resumed their normal training.  Conclusion: Low dose bovine colostrum supplementation led to improvements in 40 km time trial performance during a high intensity training period and maintained ventilatory threshold following five consecutive days of high intensity training.

Bovine Colostrum Research Update
Concentrated bovine colostrum protein supplementation reduces the incidence of self-reported symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in adult males.
Eur J Nutr. 2003 Aug;42(4):228-32.
Anecdotal reports suggest that bovine colostrum may prevent upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). There is scant evidence to support such claims, although salivary IgA protects against URTI, and it was recently shown that bovine colostrum increases salivary IgA. The present investigation examined whether concentrated bovine colostrum protein affected the incidence or duration of self-reported symptoms of URTI in adult males. We examined logbooks containing self-reported symptoms of illness from previous studies which examined physiological effects of bovine colostrum. In these double-blind, placebo controlled studies, subjects had been randomly allocated to consume 60 grams a day of bovine colostrum or whey protein for eight weeks. This study provides preliminary evidence that concentrated bovine colostrum protein may enhance resistance to the development of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection.

Changes of Fatty Acid Composition of Human Milk during the First Month of Lactation: A Day-to-Day Approach in the First Week.
Ann Nutr Metab. 2004 Jul 13;48(3):202-209.
Background: Fatty acid composition of human milk (HM) is known to change considerably during lactation. However, we were unable to find data on changes of fatty acid composition of HM during the very early phase of lactation, i.e. in the first week of life. Subjects and Methods: HM samples were obtained from 18 healthy lactating women every day during the first week and thereafter on the 14th and 28th days of lactation. Fatty acid composition of colostrum and mature HM samples was determined by high-resolution capillary gas-liquid chromatography. Results: Values of the n-6 essential fatty acid, linoleic acid, in HM did not change significantly during the first month of lactation, whereas values of the n-3 essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, showed significant increases during the first 2 weeks of lactation. In contrast, values of the n-6 long-chain metabolites, eicosadienoic-, dihomo-gamma-linolenic- and arachidonic acid, as well as the values of the n-3 long-chain metabolites, eicosatrienoic-, and eicosapentaenoic acid exhibited significant decreases during the entire period investigated. The principal n-3 long-chain metabolite, docosahexaenoic acid, showed a significant increase between the 3rd and 14th days, but a significant decrease between the 14th and 28th days. Conclusion: Fatty acid composition of HM changes significantly even during the first week of lactation. The lack of positive correlation between essential fatty acids and their long-chain metabolites suggests that it is not only the availability of essential fatty acids that influences the fatty acid composition of human colostrum.

Effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on the composition of resistance trained and untrained limbs in healthy young men.
Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004 Jan;91(1):53-60.
This study examined the effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on the tissue composition of resistance trained (T) and untrained (UT) limbs. Using a double-blind design, subjects were randomly allocated to 60 g day(-1) of bovine colostrum ( n=17) or whey protein (WP) ( n=17) during 8 weeks of resistance training of the elbow flexors (EF) of their non-dominant arm (T). Axial magnetic resonance images of both upper arms, maximal voluntary isometric torque (MVC) of EF, and the one repetition maximum (1RM) for bicep curls were measured pre- and post-supplementation. T of bovine colostrum experienced a significantly greater increase in circumference and cross-sectional area (CSA) [Bovine colostrum 4.2 (6.0)%, WP -0.2 (8.3)%; P=0.05] compared with WP, due principally to a greater increase in skin and subcutaneous fat (SSF) CSA. No tissue compartment changed significantly in UT of either group. MVC and 1RM increased for T and UT in both groups ( P<0.05), but the increases were not different between groups. Since the SSF compartment increased in T but not UT, and fat turnover in adipocytes is under hormonal control and would not be localised to one arm, we suggest that the increase in SSF CSA in T of Bovine colostrum may have been due to an increase in skin CSA, rather than fat.

Effect of bovine colostrum on anaerobic exercise performance and plasma insulin-like growth factor I.
J Sports Sci. 2003 Jul;21(7):577-88.
In this study, we examined the effects of bovine colostrum on peak vertical jump power (VJpeak), peak cycle power (CPpeak), alactic anaerobic work capacity, resistance exercise one-repetition maxima (1-RM) and plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design, 51 males completed 8 weeks of resistance and plyometric training while consuming 60 g x day(-1) of bovine colostrum or concentrated whey protein powder. We conclude that bovine colostrum supplementation during training significantly increased peak anaerobic power, but had no effect on alactic anaerobic work capacity, 1-RM or plasma IGF-I.

The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on exercise performance in elite field hockey players.
Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2002 Dec;12(4):461-9.
In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, we investigated the effect of 8 weeks of supplementation with bovine colostrum (Intact) on body composition and exercise performance (5 x 10-m sprint, vertical jump, shuttle-run test, and suicide test). Seventeen female and 18 male elite field hockey players, including players from the Dutch national team, received either 60 g of colostrum or whey protein daily. The 5 x 10-m sprint test performance improved significantly more in the colostrum group [0.64 +/- 0.09 s (mean +/- SEM)] compared to the whey group (0.33 +/- 0.09 s). The vertical jump performance improved more in the colostrum group (2.1 +/- 0.73 cm) compared to the whey group (0.32 +/- 0.82 cm). However, this was not statistically significant (p =.119). There were also no significant differences in changes in body composition and endurance tests between the 2 groups. It is concluded that in elite field hockey players, colostrum supplementation improves sprint performance better than whey. However, there were no differences with regard to body composition or endurance performance.

Use of the 'nutriceutical', bovine colostrum, for the treatment of distal colitis: results from an initial study.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2002 Nov;16(11):1917-22.
Bovine colostrum is a rich source of nutrients, antibodies and growth factors. AIM: To examine the efficacy of colostrum enemas in the treatment of distal colitis using a randomized, double-blind, controlled protocol. Fourteen patients (eight female), with a mean age of 45 years (range, 16-75 years) and mild to moderately severe distal colitis (Powell-Tuck scoring system), received colostrum enema (100 mL of 10% solution) or placebo (albumin solution) b.d. for 4 weeks. Both groups also received mesalazine (1.6 g/day) or, if already taking it, had a dose increment of 1.6 g/day. Disease activity was documented at 0, 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, the colostrum group showed a mean reduction in symptom score of - 2.9 (95% confidence interval (CI), - 5.4 to - 0.3), whereas the placebo group showed a mean response of + 0.5 (95% CI, - 2.4 to +3.4). The histological score improved in five of the eight patients in the colostrum group (mean response, - 0.9; 95% CI, - 1.69 to - 0.03), whereas the histological scores only improved in two of the six patients in the placebo group. Bovine colostrum enema shows potential as a novel therapy for left-sided colitis with additional benefits over using mesalazine alone. Further studies appear to be warranted.

Bovine colostrum supplementation during endurance running training improves recovery, but not performance.
J Sci Med Sport. 2002 Jun;5(2):65-79.
This study examined the effect of supplementation with concentrated bovine colostrum protein powder (intact) on plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations, endurance running performance and recovery. Thirty physically active males completed 8 weeks of running training whilst consuming 60 g x day(-1) of intact powder or a concentrated whey protein powder placebo in a randomised, double-blind, parallel design. We conclude that supplementation with intact bovine colostrum powder did not increase plasma IGF-I concentrations or improve performance during an initial bout of incremental running to exhaustion in our sample. However, performance during a second bout of exercise may be improved by as much as 5.2% in the average subject after 8 weeks of supplementation, possibly due to an enhancement of recovery.

IGF-I, IgA, and IgG responses to bovine colostrum supplementation during training.
J Appl Physiol. 2002 Aug;93(2):732-9.
This study examined the effect of bovine colostrum (Dynamic colostrum) supplementation on blood and saliva variables (study 1) and the absorption of orally administered human recombinant insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I (rhIGF-I) labeled with 123I (123I-rhIGF-I) (study 2). In study 1, adult male and female athletes were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to either an experimental (Dynamic; n = 19) or a control (Placebo; n = 11) group. The former consumed daily 20 g of Dynamic supplement, and the latter 20 g of maltodextrin during a 2-wk training period. After bovine colostrum supplementation, significant increases were noticed in serum IGF-I and saliva IgA in Dynamic compared with Placebo. In study 2, gel electrophoresis was carried out in 12 adult subjects with serum samples taken 60 min after ingestion of 123I-rhIGF-I and showed peaks at 0.6 and at 40-90 kDa, with the former inducing 96% and the latter 4% of the total radioactivity. It was concluded that a long-term supplementation of bovine colostrum increases serum IGF-I and saliva IgA concentration in athletes during training. Absorption data show that ingested 123I-rhIGF-I is fragmented in circulation and that no radioactive IGF-I is eluted at the positions of free, or the IGF, binding proteins, giving no support to the absorption of IGF-I from bovine colostrum.

Dose effects of oral bovine colostrum on physical work capacity in cyclists.
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002 Jul;34(7):1184-8.
There is interest in the potential long-term use of dietary supplementation with bovine colostrum to enhance exercise performance. The purpose of the present study was to determine the dose effects of bovine colostrum on cycling performance. Forty-two competitive cyclists were randomly divided into three groups and required to consume either 20 g/d bovine colostrum + 40 g whey protein concentrate (wpc), 60 g of bovine colostrum, or 60 g of wpc (placebo). Oral bovine colostrum supplementation at 20 g or 60 g/d provided a small but significant improvement in time trial performance in cyclists after a 2-h ride at 65% VO2max.

Modulation of human humoral immune response through orally administered bovine colostrum.
FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2001 Aug;31(2):93-6.
Eighteen healthy volunteers were randomized into two treatment groups and consumed liquid prepackaged bovine colostrum whey and placebo for 7 days. On days 1, 3 and 5, an attenuated Salmonella typhi Ty21a oral vaccine was given to all subjects to mimic an enteropathogenic infection. The circulating antibody secreting cells and the expression of phagocytosis receptors of the subjects before and after oral immunization were measured with the ELISPOT assay and flow cytometry. All subjects responded well to the vaccine. No significant differences were observed in ELISPOT values for IgA, IgG, IgM, Fcgamma and CR receptor expression on neutrophils and monocytes between the two groups. There was a trend towards greater increase in specific IgA among the subjects receiving their vaccine with bovine colostrum. These results suggest that bovine colostrum may possess some potential to enhance human special immune responses.

Co-administration of the health food supplement, bovine colostrum, reduces the acute non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced increase in intestinal permeability.
Clin Sci (Lond). 2001 Jun;100(6):627-33.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective analgesics but cause gastrointestinal injury. Present prophylactic measures are suboptimal and novel therapies are required. Bovine colostrum is a cheap, readily available source of growth factors, which reduces gastrointestinal injury in rats and mice. We therefore examined whether spray-dried, defatted colostrum could reduce the rise in gut permeability (a non-invasive marker of intestinal injury) caused by NSAIDs in volunteers and patients taking NSAIDs for clinical reasons. Healthy male volunteers (n=7) participated in a randomized crossover trial comparing changes in gut permeability (lactulose/rhamnose ratios) before and after 5 days of 50 mg of indomethacin three times daily (tds) per oral with colostrum (125 ml, tds) or whey protein (control) co-administration. A second study examined the effect of colostral and control solutions (125 ml, tds for 7 days) on gut permeability in patients (n=15) taking a substantial, regular dose of an NSAID for clinical reasons. For both studies, there was a 2 week washout period between treatment arms. In volunteers, indomethacin caused a 3-fold increase in gut permeability in the control arm (lactulose/rhamnose ratio 0.36+/-0.07 prior to indomethacin and 1.17+/-0.25 on day 5, P<0.01), whereas no significant increase in permeability was seen when colostrum was co-administered. In patients taking long-term NSAID treatment, initial permeability ratios were low (0.13+/-0.02), despite continuing on the drug, and permeability was not influenced by co-administration of test solutions. These studies provide preliminary evidence that bovine colostrum, which is already currently available as an over-the-counter preparation, may provide a novel approach to the prevention of NSAID-induced gastrointestinal damage in humans.

The effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women.
Nutrition. 2001 Mar;17(3):243-7.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 8 wk of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women. Subjects were randomly assigned to a placebo (whey protein) and colostrum group (20 g/d in powder form). Each subject participated in aerobic and heavy-resistance training at least three times per wk. Body composition was assessed via dual x-ray absorptiometry analysis. Treadmill time to exhaustion, one repetition maximum strength (bench press), and the total number of repetitions performed during one set to exhaustion at a submaximal load for the bench press (50% and 100% of body weight for women and men, respectively) were ascertained. The whey protein group experienced a significant increase in body weight (mean increase of 2.11 kg), whereas the colostrum group experienced a significant  increase in bone-free lean body mass (mean increase of 1.49 kg). There were no changes in any of the other parameters measured. Thus, supplementation with bovine colostrum (20 g/d) in combination with exercise training for 8 wk may increase bone-free lean body mass in active men and women.

Fungal prophylaxis by reduction of fungal colonization by oral administration of bovine anti-Candida antibodies in bone marrow transplant recipients.
Bone Marrow Transplant. 1999 Feb;23(3):283-90.
Candida overgrowth and invasion constitute a serious threat with a high mortality in BMT recipients. Currently available topical antifungal prophylaxis is largely ineffective, and as resistance to existing, absorbable drugs for systemic use is rapidly developing, new forms of therapy are needed. We investigated the effect of oral treatment of BMT recipients with a bovine immunoglobulin product derived from animals immunized against several Candida species. The natural Candida colonization was first followed in 19 patients to establish the colonization pattern. Half of the patients were found to be colonized prior to transplantation and altogether 72% were colonized at some point during follow-up. Those with a high pre-transplant concentration of Candida in saliva (>100 CFU/ml) remained colonized throughout the BMT treatment period. The therapeutic effect was monitored in two other patient groups. The first group consisted of nine patients, where, due to a low number of primary colonized patients, response in colonized patients was suggestive of a therapeutic effect. In the second group, 10 patients with a high level of colonization (>100 CFU/ml) were given 10 g daily of the product in three divided doses. The results suggest a treatment-related reduction in Candida colonization in a majority (7/10) of patients and one patient became completely negative. As no adverse effects were noted, our findings encourage additional studies in immunocompromised, transplant patients.

A preparation from bovine colostrum in the treatment of HIV-positive patients with chronic diarrhea.
Clin Investig. 1993 Jan;71(1):42-5.
In a prospective, open, uncontrolled study 25 patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus with chronic refractory diarrhea and either confirmed cryptosporidiosis or absence of demonstrable pathogenic organisms were treated with a daily oral dose of 10 g of an immunoglobulin preparation from bovine colostrum over a period of 10 days. Among the 7 patients with cryptosporidiosis, this treatment led to complete remission in 3 and partial remission in 2. Among the 18 patients with diarrhea and negative stool culture, complete remission of diarrhea was obtained in 7 and partial remission in 4. In the remaining 2 patients with cryptosporidiosis and the 7 patients with diarrhea but no demonstrable pathogens treatment produced no significant improvement of the diarrhea. Subsequent doubling of the Lactobin dose (2 x 10 g daily) in 8 of the nonresponders led to complete remission in one case and at least partial remission in a further 4 patients. Treatment of refractory diarrhea with 10 g immunoglobulins from bovine colostrum per day constitutes an important therapeutic approach and led to complete (40%) or partial (24%) remission of diarrhea in 64% of the patients described here.

Colostrum for Athletes
We can all use a little extra energy to help us get through the day. But athletes in particular could use a little help when it comes to building energy. One supplement that could help is bovine colostrum. Colostrum is the early milk that a mammal produces for a few days after delivery. In cows, it's called bovine colostrum. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reports that bovine colostrum helped male cyclists have more energy during a bout of intense training. Cecelia Shing of the University of Queensland in Australia followed 29 male distance cyclists. The researchers first took baseline measurements of the men's performance on a 40-kilometer time trial. They then randomly assigned the cyclists to drink either a supplement containing 10 grams of bovine colostrum protein or a whey protein supplement every day for eight weeks. During week eight, the men underwent five consecutive days of high-intensity training. There were no clear differences between the two groups during normal training. However, volunteers who used bovine colostrum performed at a higher level, with fewer signs of fatigue, during tests taken after the five-day run of intense training. There are certain foods that I would consider superfoods in that they have a high concentration of beneficial substances useful for wellbeing and overall health. I believe colostrum falls into this category. You can find bovine colostrum in the dairy section of a health food store, and it is also available as a supplement in capsules.

Colostrum emails
Q. Just had a question about the Colostrum supplement. I have a friend who had acne pretty bad and swears up and down that after using this product for a month or two her acne has cleared up 100% Is it known for making skin nicer?
   A. We have not heard this before regarding colostrum and acne.

Q. Could you please tell me is colostrum is suitable for people with a lactose intolerance? I have Crohn's disease and have been taking colostrum for a couple of weeks and I have noticed increased bloating and cramps but because of my Crohn's I cant tell if this is caused from the colostrum or just my Crohn's playing up again. I am Lactose intolerant however and was wondering if the colostrum could have set off a lactose intolerance reaction.
   A. There is very little lactose in colostrum, so it depends on the degree of your lactose intolerance and the amount of colostrum ingested. It also could depend on the product itself. Some brands may have a little more lactose than other brands depending on how many hours after calving the colostrum is harvested.

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