Overview

Bovine colostrum is a special form of cow’s milk that is produced within the first few days after a cow gives birth. It is often used for diarrhea and respiratory infections and to boost the immune system, but its benefits are not well defined. Bovine colostrum seems to be well tolerated in people who do not have a milk allergy or lactose intolerance. Before taking bovine colostrum, tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any medicines or supplements you may be using.

Uses

What is bovine colostrum used for?

Bovine colostrum is used for various reasons, although its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons for using bovine colostrum include the following.

• Diarrhea
• Respiratory infections
• To boost the immune system

Note: The FDA has not reviewed bovine colostrum for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does bovine colostrum work (mechanism of action)?

Bovine colostrum is a special form of cow’s milk that is only produced during the first few days after a cow has given birth. It is higher in protein and nutrients than normal cow’s milk and contains large amounts of substances that are made by the cow’s immune system. Similar to humans, cows produce colostrum to help their newborn calves fight off infections.

The immune substances in bovine colostrum, such as antibodies and cytokines, may help your body fight off infections. This has led to interest in using bovine colostrum for diarrhea and respiratory infections. Although some studies show that it may help you recover from diarrhea that is caused by an infection, this may depend on which germ is causing the infection. The benefits of bovine colostrum for other types of infections are not well defined.

Natural products such as bovine colostrum contain many substances, including chemicals, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and sugars. The actual contents and effects of bovine colostrum may vary depending on the cow that produced it.

How should I store bovine colostrum?

You should store bovine colostrum according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of bovine colostrum?

Bovine colostrum seems to be well tolerated. But there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of bovine colostrum that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of bovine colostrum?

While less common, the most serious side effects of bovine colostrum are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Bovine colostrum may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking bovine colostrum and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Precautions

Who should not use bovine colostrum?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take bovine colostrum.

• Bovine colostrum
• Cow milk colostrum
• Hyperimmune colostrum
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific bovine colostrum products they stock.

Milk Allergy.Bovine colostrum is a form of cow’s milk. If you are allergic to cow’s milk, you should not take bovine colostrum.

What should I know about bovine colostrum before using it?

Bovine colostrum is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep bovine colostrum out of the reach of children.

If you are using bovine colostrum powder, use an appropriate measuring device to measure the powder, such as the device included with the product. Read the label carefully, and measure the amount stated on the label.

Raw cow’s milk may contain bacteria that can cause serious infections. Raw bovine colostrum, which is a type of cow’s milk, may also contain bacteria. To kill these bacteria, most cow’s milk and bovine colostrum products are treated with heat (pasteurized). But it is important to read product labels carefully to check how the ingredients were processed. Learn more about the difference between raw and pasteurized cow’s milk products here.

Bovine colostrum, which comes from cows, naturally contains many substances, including vitamins, minerals, proteins, sugars, antibodies, and chemicals. The actual substances found in each batch of bovine colostrum may depend on the specific cow that produced it. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

A specific form of bovine colostrum, called hyperimmune bovine colostrum, is taken from cows that have received multiple vaccines during pregnancy. This means that their bovine colostrum may contain higher levels of certain antibodies and other immune substances that were made after vaccination.

The FDA has not tested bovine colostrum products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using bovine colostrum?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if bovine colostrum is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Lactose Intolerance.Bovine colostrum is a form of cow’s milk, which contains lactose. If you have lactose intolerance, speak with your health care provider before taking bovine colostrum.

Hormone-Sensitive Cancer. Bovine colostrum may contain small amounts of estrogen. If you have a form of cancer that is hormone-sensitive (such as breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer), speak with your health care provider before taking bovine colostrum.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how bovine colostrum could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if bovine colostrum passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does bovine colostrum interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between bovine colostrum and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect bovine colostrum.

Does bovine colostrum interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

The interactions between bovine colostrum and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with bovine colostrum is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking bovine colostrum with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much bovine colostrum?

If you or someone else has used too much bovine colostrum, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Bovine colostrum comes in many doses and forms. Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to take bovine colostrum safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.