Does Colostrum Really Help with Immunity? Science Explains
Is colostrum truly effective for immunity?
That’s a question many health-conscious people are wondering these days, with the current explosion of supplements made from colostrum.
A precursor to the liquid gold known as “liquid gold,” this early milk that cows produce is loaded with immune-boosting nutrients.
But is it really capable of bolstering your body’s defenses — or is it just a fancy fad wrapped in slick marketing?
In this post, you’ll find out what colostrum actually is, how it influences the immune system, and if it’s worth incorporating into your daily schedule.
Let’s separate science from speculation.
What Is Colostrum, And Why Is It Called “Liquid Gold?”
Colostrum is the first kind of milk mammals produce — and that includes humans and cows — within a few hours of giving birth.
It’s thicker, yellower, and packed with more nutrients than regular milk.
NATURE PUT COLOSTRUM IN PLACE to get a newborn’s immune system, gut development, and overall health in motion.
Although we can drink the milk of other animals, in practice, human colostrum isn’t widely consumed for a few reasons: it’s produced by mothers rather than other cows, and bovine colostrum is nearly identical to our own even on a molecular level.
Bovine (cows’) colostrum is used more often in supplements because there’s simply more of it where it comes from.
It is loaded with a myriad of immune agents, including immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, growth factors, and antimicrobial peptides.
These compounds are responsible for the moniker “liquid gold,” which colostrum has.
They’re also why, in adults, it is marketed as an immune-boosting supplement.
But is that leap from calf to capsule scientifically supported?
Interactions of Colostrum with the Immune System
One of colostrum’s primary selling points is the high level of immunoglobulins – particularly IgG (1).
These are the antibodies of your body’s first line of defense against pathogens.
Before they become established, they work to neutralize bacteria, viruses, and toxins.
Colostrum also has lactoferrin, a protein that binds to iron and deprives harmful microorganisms of the fuel needed to multiply (2).
Other ingredients such as cytokines, growth factors and oligosaccharides assist with immune response modification and maintenance of a healthy gut lining.
And that gut lining is key.
Ol’ trusty Over 70% of your body’s natural defenses live in your gut (3).
Leaky gut or inflamed gut can also undermine your immunity from the inside out.
Colostrum seems to help seal the lining of your gut, and it also promotes a diverse, balanced microbiome.
So not surprisingly, when people take colostrum they often find better immune resilience at the same time that their digestion improves.
What Studies Show About Colostrum and the Immune System
So, does colostrum work as an immune enhancer?
A number of small studies indicate that it might.
Athletes who ingested bovine colostrum suffered fewer episodes of upper respiratory tract infection while engaging in heavy training (4).
Other trials discovered that people with gastrointestinal disorders saw improvements in gut barrier function, and inflammation had declined (5).
One review that was published in Current Research in Immunology found the “evidence for colostrum’s ability to modulate immunity is promising but not definitive.”
There is also evidence that colostrum may help shorten the duration of cold symptoms and prevent traveler’s diarrhea.
But there’s a caveat.
Many studies are small, short-term, and funded by manufacturers.
That doesn’t make them incorrect — but it does mean that more independent, large-scale research is in order before we can start making really strong claims.
Colostrum supports the immune system.
But it’s not a magic bullet.
And it’s not at the expense of quality sleep, nutrient-dense food, and daily movement.
Is Colostrum Worth It for Grown-ups?
If you have a compromised immune system or leaky gut, colostrum might be able to support it.
It’s also popular with biohackers, athletes, and those in recovery from illness.
But it isn’t suitable for everyone.
Individuals with dairy sensitivities or allergies could have an adverse reaction to bovine colostrum, despite its lower lactose content compared to regular milk.
Itʼs also not advised during pregnancy without your doctor knowing.
And here’s where quality is really important.
Much of the mass-market colostrum supplements are sold in a denatured state, low in active components, or come from mud-covered factory farms.
These aren’t exactly the type of products that match with a Wild Foods philosophy of real, wild, and sustainable nutrition.
So if you do decide to experiment with colostrum, make sure it’s grass-fed, non-GMO, and cold-processed to maintain bioactive integrity.
Your body deserves more than a cheap powder with a fancy label.
Crazy Take: Boost Your Immunity Naturally
At Wild Foods, we believe the best offense is a good defense.
Colostrum can help in a supportive role — but it must be accompanied by a full ancestral health perspective.
That means:
- Eating nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods daily
- Sun worshipping and nature walking with body movement
- Stress management through breath, community, and stillness
- Promoting gut health with fermented foods and collagen-rich broths
It’s hard not to be seduced by “super supplements.”
But real immunity is built through small, deliberate decisions.
And when you do choose any supplement, make sure it’s wild in quality, not wild in claims.
We’re not here to sell hype.
We’re here to provide the real tools for rewilding your health.
Similar to our Grass-Fed Collagen and Wild Prebiotic Stack, which promotes gut integrity (the heart of your immune resilience).
Final Thoughts
Colostrum is nature’s ancient immune elixir — for babies.
Its dense cocktail of antibodies, peptides, and nutrients offers hope for adult immunity, particularly when the gut requires healing.
And yet it’s not a solution unto itself.
It’s most effective when it comes as part of a larger lifestyle that respects your body’s natural rhythms.
Consider colostrum your kindling — it may ignite a flame of immune resilience, but not if you haven’t been storing dry wood ready for the fire.
So instead of chasing the latest and greatest, ask: Am I building an emotional foundation?
If colostrum seems like the right immune journey match for you, go with purity and sustainability over hype.
Begin with Wild’s whole food mentality — and now consider this: Add a scoop of Wild Collagen or Wild Cocoa for daily nutrition.
If you have faith in it, nature generally is the best medicine.
✨ Your Immunity Starts Here! Fortify your defenses with grass-fed, filler-free colostrum. Real purity, real results—start your wellness reset now! ✨
FAQs on Does Colostrum Really Help with Immunity
Does colostrum actually boost your immune system?
There is some evidence that it can support the immune system by improving gut health and providing antibodies, but it complements a healthy lifestyle rather than substitutes for one.
Is bovine colostrum safe to take daily?
Generally, yes, if sourced well. Don’t take it if you have dairy allergies or are pregnant without medical supervision.
What are the side effects of colostrum?
Some people experience digestive discomfort. Rule 1: Start small and listen to your body.
Will colostrum help prevent colds or the flu?
It can also decrease the incidence or duration of upper respiratory infections, particularly in high-stress or extreme exercise populations.
How should you take colostrum for immune health?
Take high-grade liquid gold colostrum powder or capsules on an empty stomach for best absorption.
Related Studies
1. Title: Bovine Colostrum and Its Potential for Human Health and Nutrition
This review details immunoglobulin G (IgG) as the dominant immunoglobulin in bovine colostrum, comprising 85–90% of total immunoglobulins with immune benefits, including pathogen protection.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8255475/
2. Title: Lactoferrin from Bovine Milk: A Protective Companion for Life
Bovine colostrum-derived lactoferrin demonstrates broad antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens while supporting immune responses by linking innate and adaptive immunity.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7551115/
3. Title: The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases Throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition
The gut houses 70-80% of the body's immune cells within gut-associated lymphoid tissue, highlighting its central role in immune defense.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8001875/
4. Title: Bovine colostrum supplementation and upper respiratory symptoms
Meta-analysis of randomized trials shows bovine colostrum supplementation reduces upper respiratory symptom incidence and days by 38-44% in athletes during training.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4960812/
5. Title: Oral Supplementation with Bovine Colostrum Decreases Intestinal Permeability and Stool Zonulin Concentration in Athletes
In athletes with elevated gut permeability, 20 days of bovine colostrum supplementation normalized lactulose/mannitol ratios and reduced stool zonulin, indicating decreased permeability and inflammation risk.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5409709/
