The 6 Best Bovine Colostrum Supplements

I learned about the benefits of supplementing with bovine colostrum (also known as “first milk”) when our now eight-year-old son was born prematurely and had to spend 57 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (he was given donor colostrum at first because my wife’s milk hadn’t come in yet).

A number of years later, my wife and I began using bovine colostrum supplements to boost our own health and wellness.

In this article, I’ll share the cleanest and most effective products we’ve found (including the one we make at MK Supplements).

These are my top six picks:

1. Best overall: Equip Core Colostrum
2. Best for gut health: MK Supplements Collagen & Colostrum
3. Best for immune support: Miracle Moo Bovine Colostrum
4. Best for traveling: Heart & Soil Grass-Fed Colostrum
5. Best budget option: Sovereign Labs Colostrum-LD
6. Best for picky eaters and kids: Equip Core Colostrum Gummies

All of these products contain only clean ingredients and effective dosages, with colostrum that’s collected within the first 24 hours of a calf’s birth (to ensure the proper potency). In comparison, many other products on the market contain synthetic ingredients, aren’t harvested quickly enough, or don’t contain enough colostrum per serving to be effective.

For what it’s worth, I have only listed products (and would only use or recommend products) from companies that source their colostrum ethically and in a way that does not impact the health of the calf. (That means letting the calf get as much colostrum as it needs before harvesting the leftovers.)

What Makes a High-Quality Colostrum Supplement

These are the main factors to consider when choosing a product:

• Grass-fed: The milk (and colostrum) from grass-fed and pasture-raised cattle is more nutrient-dense than that of grain-fed cattle. Raising cows on pasture is also better for the animals and the soil.
• Dosage and potency: Depending on what benefits you’re trying to get from colostrum, as well as your state of health and dietary factors, you must consume three grams or more per serving. Some products on the market contain less than that and are thus not very effective.
• Harvest: Colostrum harvested within the first 24 hours of a calf’s birth has the highest concentration of antibodies, enzymes, growth factors, immunoglobulins and lactoferrin. In other words, colostrum harvested after 24 hours has fewer micronutrients and is less effective. Of course, sourcing from brands that put the calf’s health first is critical. 
• Other ingredients: I prefer products without extra ingredients, and I specifically avoid supplements with synthetic ingredients, fillers, flow agents, and artificial colors and flavors.

As of this writing, all the brands I recommend in this article meet or exceed the factors listed above.

How and Why to Use Colostrum

For a deep dive into this topic, you can read my article about the unique health benefits of bovine colostrum. But here’s a brief overview of the top reasons why so many people (including the Kummer family) supplement with this superfood:

• Immune system support. Bovine colostrum is rich in specific compounds such as lactoferrin, growth factors (e.g., IGF-1 and IGF-2), immunoglobulins (e.g., IgG) and lysozyme that actively support the immune system and help break down the cell walls of pathogens such as bacteria, thus rendering them ineffective.
• Gut health. Bovine colostrum’s growth factors and immunoglobulins play a critical role in keeping the thin lining inside your gut (the epithelium) intact by turning on genes that promote the growth and regeneration of intestinal epithelial cells. If you suffer from digestive issues, including IBS, IBD, Crohn’s Disease, ulcers or leaky gut, I recommend adding bovine colostrum to your supplements stack. Recent studies even discovered how bovine colostrum’s mucosal healing properties can help treat drug-induced lesions in the GI tract (for example, after consuming non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
• Improved recovery and athletic performance: Studies have shown that supplementing with bovine colostrum can help repair damaged tissue, speed up recovery, and improve athletic performance. I leverage bovine colostrum combined with a high-quality protein powder (see my list of favorites) as part of my post-workout regimen to build muscle and reduce my risk of injury.

Depending on which benefits are most important to you, you can take bovine colostrum powder mixed with water on an empty stomach (in the morning or before bed) or mixed into a smoothie or yogurt. I usually add a few scoops of my own brand’s Collagen & Colostrum to 8-16 ounces of raw milk or kefir and drink it with my first meal of the day.

Potential Side Effects

Bovine colostrum is safe for most people, but there are a few potential side effects to be aware of:

• Digestive issues. Some people can experience mild digestive discomfort, including nausea, gas, bloating and diarrhea (especially when they first start taking it).
• Allergic reactions. People with dairy allergies may have allergic reactions to bovine colostrum, with symptoms including itching, hives, swelling, and (in severe cases) difficulty breathing.
• Medication interactions. Bovine colostrum has the potential to interact with certain medications (particularly those that affect the immune system). It’s important to consult a healthcare provider if you are on such medications.
• Excessive immune stimulation. In some cases, colostrum’s immune-boosting properties might overstimulate the immune system, which could be problematic for people with autoimmune conditions.
• Hormonal effects. The growth factors in colostrum can influence hormone levels, which can in turn (potentially) lead to side effects, especially in people with hormone-sensitive conditions. While there is no direct evidence linking colostrum to negatively influencing specific diseases, the growth factors in colostrum could theoretically influence the growth of certain cancer types that respond to growth factors, including IGF-1. Other diseases that can theoretically be influenced by growth factors include endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and fibroids.

As with any supplement, it’s best to start with a small dose to see how your body reacts and consult with a healthcare professional, particularly if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

Best Overall: Equip Core Colostrum

My top recommendation is Equip’s Core Colostrum because the unflavored version contains only a single ingredient (bovine colostrum) that is responsibly sourced from grass-fed cattle. Equip’s colostrum supplement is also low-temperature processed and third-party tested for purity.

Each serving contains three grams of bovine colostrum that mixes well with water, milk or other beverages. While I prefer the unflavored version, Core Colostrum is also available with a natural watermelon flavor. 

Buy Core Colostrum

Core Colostrum is available as a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription, which knocks 10% off the price. Alternatively, you can use code MK15 to get 15% off your first one-time purchase. 

Core Colostrum is also available on Amazon, but you won’t be able to use my discount code.

Best For Gut Health: MK Supplements Collagen & Colostrum

Collagen & Colostrum is a product my wife and I recently launched in response to the incredible feedback I received after sharing how I fixed the gut issues I suffered from for three decades. 

After tinkering with different formulations, we decided to combine two of the most well-researched supplements to help recover from active and chronic digestive issues while providing additional sought-after benefits, including support for nail, skin, hair and joint health. 

In adittion to grass-fed bovine colostrum from New Zealand cattle, our Collagen & Colostrum also contains a whopping 10 grams of hydrolyzed collagen protein that the body can use to make any of the dozens of types of collagen found in human tissue. 

Much like colostrum, collagen has been scientifically proven to support optimal gut health and the growth and repair of skin, nails, bones, joints and hair tissue. Combining the two boosts the product’s gut-supporting benefits. 

Considering that Collagen & Colostrum is two supplements in one and contains 45 servings instead of the standard 30 servings offered by most brands, the price per pouch is higher than some of the other options in this article. However, the pricing is competitive when broken down by price per gram (of colostrum).

Buy Collagen & Colostrum

Consider opting for a 45-day subscription (you can cancel anytime) to save 10% off the one-time purchase price.

You can also find Collagen & Colostrum on Amazon, albeit at a slightly higher price (because Amazon charges hefty fees for selling on the platform).

Best For Immune Support: Miracle Moo Bovine Colostrum

I recently discovered Miracle Moo, a bovine colostrum supplement notable for the fact that it contains ImmunoLin, a bovine serum-derived compound that’s rich in immunoglobulins. ImmunoLin is also one of the key immune factors found in colostrum, albeit in lower concentrations. Given that, Miracle Moo is an ideal choice for anyone aiming to optimize their immune system.

Miracle Moo is also available in a chocolate-flavored version containing cacao bean, sodium chloride, natural flavors, xanthan gum and stevia leaf extract. While I don’t consider any of those ingredients problematic, I prefer the unflavored version.

The downside of Miracle Moo is that it contains only 1.5 grams of colostrum per serving. However, the smaller dosage is mitigated by a relatively high concentration of immunoglobulins (IgG) — 33%, compared to an average of 20-25% found in other options — from the colostrum and ImmunoLin. That’s why I consider Miracle Moo an excellent choice for those wanting to support their immune system. 

One tub of Miracle Moo retails for $39.95, but if you sign up for a monthly subscription, you save 30% on your first order. Use code MICHAEL10 to get 10% off your first order.

Buy Miracle Moo

Miracle Moo is also available on Amazon.

Best For Traveling: Heart & Soil Grass-Fed Colostrum

I love Heart & Soil’s Grass-Fed Colostrum because it contains only one ingredient: 100% grass-fed and grass-finished bovine colostrum from New Zealand cattle (the same ingredient we use in Collagen & Colostrum). This product is convenient because it comes in gelatin capsules, making it easy to carry and swallow without making a mess or having to mix it with a liquid.

The only downside to this colostrum supplement is the relatively high price per serving, which is a result of higher production costs (due to encapsulation) and the cost of the glass bottle.

That’s why I recommend using Heart & Soils colostrum for traveling, where paying a slightly higher price for the extra convenience is worth it. 

Buy Grass-Fed Colostrum

Grass-Fed Colostrum is also available on Amazon.

Best Budget Option: Sovereign Labs Colostrum-LD

Colostrum-LD was my first exposure to bovine colostrum supplements. We used this product for several years, especially for our son, who had digestive issues when he was younger. Some of the key selling points of Colostrum-LD are its relatively low price per gram, the reasonable serving size of five grams, and the ability to purchase the product in bulk.

It’s important to know that Colostrum-LD has a “liposomal delivery” feature that promises to enhance absorbability by protecting the colostrum molecules from the harsh environment of the digestive tract. But to accomplish this, the company removes the colostrum’s natural fat and replaces it with a coating of sunflower lecithin.

I’m not convinced that’s a good idea, because I have yet to see an example where a human invention outperforms nature. Plus, sunflower lecithin is a plant-based source of fat and a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are prone to oxidation. When that happens, PUFAs become pro-inflammatory.

That’s why Colostrum-LD is no longer our top choice. However, it’s still a reasonable product if you’re on a budget. In fact, we still have some Colostrum-LD at home and use it occasionally.

Buy Colostrum-LD

To learn more about the pros and cons of this product, check out my full Colostrum-LD review.

Best for Picky Eaters: Equip Core Colostrum Gummies

Plain colostrum powder has a fairly bland taste and doesn’t dissolve completely in liquids due to its natural fat content. That’s why some picky eaters, particularly kids, may have issues consuming it regularly. To cater to that audience, Equip turned its Core Colostrum (see above) into a chewy treat that is a favorite among our kids.

The downside to these gummies is the relatively high price per gram of colostrum. Plus, they may not work for you if you’re allergic to dairy or coconuts. You might also not like the idea of getting 10 additional ingredients with your colostrum. However, I don’t consider any of these ingredients to be problematic, and if they help get colostrum into your kids’ diet, it’s a worthwhile tradeoff. 

I love the idea of colostrum gummies and can see us taking them on trips to boost our kids’ immune systems (which can take a hit due to travel stress). But at home, we’ll feed them the much less expensive powder. 

Buy Core Colostrum Gummies

To reduce the price per serving, you can sign up for a subscription, bundle two flavors or use code MK15 for 15% off your first one-time purchase.

Core Colostrum Gummies are also available on Amazon, but you won’t be able to use my discount code.

Why I Don’t Recommend Some of the Most Popular Colostrum Brands

There are countless bovine colostrum supplements on the market, some of which have gained incredible popularity thanks to the significant ad spending of the brands behind them. 

Below are a handful of popular products that didn’t make it into my list of top recommendations, along with the reasons why:

• Ancestral Supplements Grass Fed Beef Colostrum. This is an excellent product with the same raw ingredients as the Heart & Soil product I mentioned above. But I’m not a fan of the plastic bottles the company uses, since they may contain microplastics that can contaminate the capsules. Considering that both products cost the same, I see no reason to purchase from Ancestral Supplements.
• ARMRA Immune Revival: I don’t like proprietary blends because I can’t tell what’s in the product. Plus, each serving of ARMRA’s proprietary colostrum retails for $0.92, which is much more expensive than any of the other powdered products in this review.
• WonderCow: This appears to be a reasonable product, but it costs more than Equip’s Core Colostrum and offers no additional health benefits.

Final Thoughts on the Best Bovine Colostrum Supplement Options

Bovine colostrum has had a meaningful impact on my family’s health, especially after seeing how it helped our preemie overcome his digestive issues. 

After thorough research, I’ve identified the top colostrum supplements that offer clean, potent, and effective ingredients. From gut health to immune support, these products cater to various needs while ensuring the highest quality standards. So whether you’re looking for overall wellness, support during travel, or a budget-friendly option, my curated list should provide a great option.

If you decide to add bovine colostrum to your supplements stack, let me know in the comments which product you use and what you like most about it!

Michael Kummer

Michael Kummer is a healthy living enthusiast and CrossFit athlete whose goal is to help people achieve optimal health by bridging the gap between ancestral living and the demands of modern society.