Decoding: What Are the Side Effects of Colostrum Powder?

December 4, 2025 •

4 min read

While often praised for its immune-boosting properties, bovine colostrum supplementation may cause mild digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea, especially when first starting. These symptoms are more likely to occur with high doses and can resolve as the body adjusts. This article explores the common side effects and who should exercise caution before use.

Quick Summary

Colostrum powder can cause side effects like digestive discomfort, including gas, bloating, and diarrhea, particularly in sensitive individuals. Risks also include allergic reactions in those with dairy sensitivities and potential drug interactions with certain medications.

Key Points

Mild Digestive Issues: Colostrum powder can cause bloating, gas, nausea, and diarrhea, especially at high doses or in sensitive individuals.
Dairy Allergies: People with a cow's milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance should avoid colostrum to prevent allergic reactions or digestive upset.
Drug Interactions: The supplement may interact with medications like immunosuppressants and antidiabetic drugs, requiring medical consultation.
Quality Concerns: Supplements are not FDA-regulated, leading to risks of contamination from pathogens or heavy metals if sourced from unreputable manufacturers.
Specific Precautions: Pregnant/breastfeeding women, children, and immunocompromised individuals should avoid colostrum due to insufficient safety data or potential risks.
IGF-1 Considerations: The presence of growth factors like IGF-1 raises potential concerns, though not conclusive, about links to certain cancers.
Professional Consultation: Always speak with a healthcare provider before starting colostrum to assess your personal risks and suitability.

Common Digestive Side Effects

Despite being generally well-tolerated, colostrum powder can lead to mild digestive discomfort for some users, with gastrointestinal issues being the most frequently reported adverse effects. These effects are often temporary and may subside as your body becomes accustomed to the supplement.

Gastrointestinal Discomfort

Bloating and Gas: For individuals with sensitive digestive systems, particularly those with lactose intolerance, the lactose content in colostrum can cause bloating and increased flatulence.
Diarrhea: Some users, especially when taking higher doses, report experiencing diarrhea. This can also be a side effect for those with lactose intolerance.
Nausea: Mild feelings of nausea can occur, though this is relatively uncommon. Taking the supplement with food may help reduce these effects.
Abdominal Cramping: In some instances, mild cramping or other general abdominal discomfort may be experienced.

Allergic Reactions and Sensitivities

As a dairy product, bovine colostrum is not suitable for everyone, especially those with pre-existing allergies or sensitivities to milk components.

Milk Protein Allergy

Individuals with a cow's milk protein allergy must avoid colostrum powder, as it contains casein and other milk proteins that can trigger a severe allergic response. Symptoms can range from hives, itching, and swelling to more serious breathing difficulties.

Lactose Intolerance

While colostrum contains less lactose than mature cow's milk, it is not lactose-free. People with moderate to severe lactose intolerance should proceed with caution or avoid the supplement, as it can still cause gastrointestinal upset.

Potential Drug Interactions

Colostrum can potentially interact with certain medications, affecting their bioavailability or effectiveness. It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before adding the supplement to your routine, especially if you are on any prescription drugs.

Immunosuppressants

Colostrum contains immune-modulating components, which could interfere with medications designed to suppress the immune system, such as those used for autoimmune diseases or organ transplants.

Antidiabetic Medications

Some evidence suggests colostrum may interact with antidiabetic medications. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is advised for diabetic individuals considering supplementation.

Quality, Contamination, and Unregulated Nature

The supplement industry is not tightly regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning quality can vary significantly between brands. This lack of regulation presents several risks.

Contaminants: Poor-quality products may be contaminated with pathogens like Salmonella, heavy metals, antibiotics, or pesticides. Always choose a reputable brand that provides third-party testing.
Variable Potency: The concentration of bioactive compounds can differ from batch to batch and manufacturer to manufacturer, making consistent dosage and effects hard to guarantee.
Sourcing Ethics: Some people have ethical concerns regarding the sourcing of bovine colostrum and its impact on newborn calves.

Who Should Avoid Colostrum Powder?

While generally considered safe for healthy adults, specific populations should either avoid colostrum powder or consult a doctor first due to insufficient research or potential risks.

Contraindicated Individuals

Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women: The effects of colostrum supplements on a fetus or infant are largely unknown due to limited research.
Immunocompromised Individuals: People with a weakened immune system should seek medical advice due to potential interactions with immune-modulating treatments.
Athletes: The World Anti-Doping Agency does not recommend colostrum for athletes due to its growth factors potentially affecting anti-doping tests.
Children: While some research exists on use in children, it's generally recommended for use only under medical supervision for specific conditions.

Understanding the Risk of Growth Factors

Colostrum contains insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which is designed to stimulate growth in newborn mammals. There have been some concerns about the potential link between IGF-1 and certain types of cancer, such as breast or prostate cancer, when taken by adults. While the evidence is not conclusive and requires more research, this is a risk factor that should be carefully considered, especially by those with a family history of these cancers. The growth factors are not designed for the adult human body, and their long-term effects are not yet fully understood.

Colostrum Powder: High vs. Low Quality


Feature	High-Quality Colostrum Powder	Low-Quality/Contaminated Powder
Sourcing	From grass-fed, pasture-raised cows; ethically sourced.	Sourced without ethical oversight; uncertain animal welfare.
Processing	Carefully processed, pasteurized to preserve bioactive compounds.	Potentially heat-damaged, reducing potency; inadequate pasteurization.
Testing	Third-party tested for purity, potency, and contaminants (heavy metals, bacteria).	No third-party testing; variable ingredients and potency.
Allergens	Clearly labeled with allergen information (milk, soy).	Allergen information may be unclear or inaccurate.
Effectiveness	Bioactive compounds are preserved, potentially yielding more benefits.	Reduced potency may mean little to no health improvement.

Conclusion

While bovine colostrum powder offers potential health benefits, it is not without risks and side effects, especially for certain individuals. The most common issues are mild digestive problems like bloating, gas, and diarrhea, often linked to high doses or underlying lactose intolerance. More severe risks, though less common, include allergic reactions for those with milk protein allergies and potential interactions with medications, particularly immunosuppressants. Due to the supplement's unregulated nature, contamination is also a concern, highlighting the importance of choosing a reputable brand with third-party testing. Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding, immunocompromised, or have certain health conditions should avoid or consult a doctor before use. As with any supplement, a thorough discussion with a healthcare provider is the best course of action to ensure safety and appropriateness for your specific needs. For more information on bovine colostrum, you can read more from reputable health sources like the Cleveland Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, colostrum powder can cause mild digestive issues such as bloating and gas, particularly when taken in high doses or by individuals with lactose intolerance.

Allergic reactions are not common but are a risk for individuals with a cow's milk protein allergy. Symptoms can include hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing, and anyone with this allergy should avoid colostrum.

People with dairy allergies, pregnant or breastfeeding women, immunocompromised individuals, and those on specific medications like immunosuppressants should avoid colostrum or consult a doctor first.

Yes, colostrum may interact with certain medications, including immunosuppressants and potentially antidiabetic drugs. It's crucial to consult a healthcare provider before use to ensure there are no contraindications.

To avoid contamination, always purchase colostrum powder from a reputable brand that provides evidence of third-party testing for quality and purity.

Bovine colostrum is generally not recommended for infants unless directed by a pediatrician. While some studies exist for older children, it should be used with caution and under medical guidance, especially if the child has dairy allergies.

Colostrum contains growth factors like IGF-1, which have raised concerns about a potential, though not yet conclusive, link to certain cancers when used by adults. More research is needed to fully understand this risk.

No, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate colostrum supplements for safety and efficacy, meaning product quality can vary significantly across brands.