About Colostrum
Bovine colostrum is the first milk from cows after calving, containing immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA), lactoferrin, growth factors, and lactoperoxidase. Strongest RCT evidence is narrow-scope: heavily-training athletes for upper-respiratory-infection (URI) incidence and exercise-induced gut permeability. Shing 2017 meta-analysis (5 RCTs, 152 subjects) reported URI rate ratio 0.56 (95% CI 0.43–0.72) at 20 g/day. Evidence in untrained healthy adults is weak. The earlier hypothesis (Lawrence 1949 first observation; characterized in Lawrence 1955 J Clin Invest PMID 13233344) that small dialyzable molecules transfer antigen-specific immunity has not been reproduced under modern immunological standards; active molecular species remain incompletely defined. CONTRAINDICATIONS: dairy allergy; lactose intolerance (colostrum contains lactose); immunosuppressive therapy and post-transplant (theoretical immunomodulation concern — consult prescriber).
What Colostrum supports
- Reduces URI incidence in heavily-training athletes at 20 g/day (Shing 2017 meta-analysis, RR 0.56)
- May reduce exercise-induced intestinal permeability (Marchbank 2011 RCT)
How much Colostrum to take
The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.
Effective
10000–20000
mg
Clinical RCTs in heavily-training athletes used 20 g/day of whole colostrum powder (Marchbank 2011 PMID 21148400; Jones/Davison 2013 PMID 24200515). Shing 2017 meta-analysis (PMID 27462401) showed URI rate ratio 0.56 across 5 RCTs at this dose. Commercial capsule products at 500–1,500 mg are well below the studied therapeutic level — the scoring curve will reflect this as sub-therapeutic, which is the intended honest signal.
Clinical evidence
Moderate clinical evidence. Shing 2017 meta-analysis (PMID 27462401, 5 RCTs, n=152) supports URI prevention at 20 g/day in athletes. Evidence in untrained adults is weak; capsule-dose products are sub-therapeutic per the RCT base.
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