What milk has colostrum in it?: Your Guide to First Milk and Bovine Colostrum

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

All female mammals produce a nutrient-dense first milk known as colostrum shortly after giving birth. But what milk has colostrum in it that is commonly used for human consumption? For those seeking supplements, the answer largely centers on bovine (cow) colostrum, which is processed into a potent dietary supplement due to its rich immunological components.

Quick Summary

Colostrum is the nutrient-dense first milk of mammals, notably cows, rich in antibodies and growth factors. It is processed into supplements for human use, primarily supporting immune and gut health.

Key Points

Source: The colostrum found in nutritional supplements is sourced from cows and is known as bovine colostrum.
Nutritional Density: Bovine colostrum is exceptionally rich in nutrients, containing far higher levels of protein, vitamins, minerals, and growth factors than mature cow's milk.
Key Bioactives: The primary components responsible for colostrum's benefits are its high concentration of immunoglobulins (antibodies), growth factors (IGF-1), and lactoferrin.
Health Applications: It is widely used to support immune function, promote gut health, and aid in muscle recovery for athletes.
Processing: The colostrum is collected shortly after calving and processed into a stable powder through pasteurization and drying to ensure safety and retain bioactive properties.
Safety: While generally well-tolerated, individuals with cow's milk allergies should avoid bovine colostrum supplements.
Quality Varies: The quality of bovine colostrum, especially its immunoglobulin content, is highest in the first 24-72 hours after calving and decreases thereafter.

Understanding Colostrum: Nature's First Nutrient-Dense Milk

Colostrum is the initial mammary secretion produced by mammals immediately following parturition, often lasting for the first 2 to 5 days. This "first milk" is distinctly different from mature milk. It's thicker, often yellowish in color, and is packed with concentrated nutrients, antibodies (immunoglobulins), growth factors, and other bioactive compounds that are vital for the newborn's survival and early development.

While all mammals, including humans, produce colostrum, the colostrum derived from cows, known as bovine colostrum, is the primary source used in nutritional supplements for people. This is because dairy cows produce a significant surplus of colostrum beyond what their calves require, providing a readily available source for commercial processing.

The Focus on Bovine Colostrum for Human Use

Bovine colostrum has been used for centuries as a traditional and complementary therapy. Modern science has shown that the bioactive components in bovine colostrum share structural and functional similarities with human colostrum, though the specific concentrations vary. The use of bovine colostrum supplements has become popular due to its potential health benefits, particularly related to immune and gut health. It is collected hygienically, pasteurized, and dried into a powder that can be taken in capsules, mixed into drinks, or added to foods.

How Bovine Colostrum is Sourced and Processed

Harvesting and processing of bovine colostrum are critical steps to ensure a safe and effective final product. Excess colostrum from dairy farms is collected within the first few days after calving, when its concentration of immunoglobulins is highest. This timing is essential, as the quality and concentration of bioactive factors in colostrum rapidly decline after the first milking.

Common Processing Steps:

Collection: Colostrum is collected from dairy cows shortly after calving, ensuring a surplus is left for the calf.
Pasteurization: The raw colostrum is pasteurized at a temperature and duration designed to eliminate harmful pathogens while preserving the integrity of its heat-sensitive bioactive compounds, particularly immunoglobulins.
Processing: It may be defatted or undergo microfiltration to further purify the product.
Drying: The purified colostrum is then dried into a powder, typically through freeze-drying or low-heat spray-drying, to extend shelf-life and create a stable supplement.

Key Nutritional Differences: Bovine Colostrum vs. Mature Milk

To understand the potent nature of bovine colostrum, it is helpful to compare its nutritional profile to that of regular mature cow's milk. The differences are most pronounced in the early days after calving.


Component	Bovine Colostrum (Day 1)	Mature Cow's Milk	Comparison
Protein	14-16%	3.1-3.2%	Significantly higher in colostrum, largely due to immunoglobulins.
Total Immunoglobulins (IgG)	42-90 g/L	0.4-0.9 g/L	Colostrum has antibody levels up to 100 times higher.
Fat	6-7%	3.6-4.0%	Higher concentration in colostrum.
Lactose (Carbohydrates)	2-3%	4.7-5.0%	Lower in colostrum, making it more digestible for newborns.
Vitamins (e.g., A, E)	Significantly Higher	Normal levels	Colostrum is packed with higher concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins.
Minerals	Higher concentrations	Normal levels	Colostrum contains more calcium, zinc, and other minerals.

The Bioactive Components of Colostrum

The rich nutrient profile of colostrum is attributed to a complex blend of bioactive molecules that work synergistically to support a newborn's immune system and digestive tract. These same components are believed to confer benefits to human adults through supplementation.

Immunoglobulins (Antibodies)

Immunoglobulins, or antibodies, are proteins produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Bovine colostrum contains high levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies. While it is unlikely that all ingested bovine immunoglobulins are absorbed into the human bloodstream, they can act locally in the gut to fight infection and support the intestinal lining.

Growth Factors

Colostrum contains numerous growth factors, including Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2), Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-ß), and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF). These hormones are crucial for stimulating cell growth and repair throughout the body and are often associated with muscle and tissue repair.

Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It plays a significant role in the body's immune response, helping to fight infections and promote a balanced gut microbiome.

Potential Health Benefits of Colostrum Supplements

Research into bovine colostrum has shown several potential health benefits for humans, particularly in supporting the immune system and gut health.

Immune System Support:

Studies have explored the use of bovine colostrum to potentially reduce the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections.
In some trials, supplementation has been shown to increase levels of salivary IgA antibodies, which are a marker of stronger immune function.

Gut Health and Digestive Support:

Bovine colostrum may stimulate the growth of intestinal cells, which helps to strengthen the gut wall and reduce intestinal permeability, also known as "leaky gut".
It may help prevent and treat certain types of diarrhea caused by bacterial and viral infections, such as traveler's diarrhea.
Some studies suggest potential benefits for individuals with inflammatory bowel conditions, though more research is needed.

Athletic Performance and Recovery:

The growth factors and immune components in colostrum may aid in muscle repair and recovery after intense exercise.
Studies have shown that supplementation might improve certain aspects of athletic performance, such as cycling and rowing.

Conclusion

In summary, while all mammals produce colostrum, the first milk used for nutritional supplements comes almost exclusively from cows in the form of bovine colostrum. This is a natural, concentrated source of antibodies, growth factors, and other nutrients that can provide significant support for human immune function, gut health, and potentially athletic performance. By understanding what milk has colostrum in it and how it is processed, consumers can make informed choices about incorporating this potent dietary supplement into their nutrition plan. For those with dairy sensitivities or ethical concerns, alternatives should be explored, but for many, bovine colostrum offers a compelling, natural way to support overall health.

For more in-depth information, including processing details, refer to the extensive review on Bovine Colostrum: Its Constituents and Uses published in the journal Nutrients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Colostrum is the initial mammary secretion produced by all female mammals, including humans and cows, in the first few days after giving birth. It is a concentrated source of nutrients and protective compounds vital for the newborn's development.

Bovine colostrum is used in supplements because cows produce a large surplus after their calves are fed. The bioactive components, such as immunoglobulins and growth factors, are structurally similar to those in human colostrum and can provide comparable benefits.

Colostrum is much higher in protein, immunoglobulins, and growth factors compared to mature milk. It is also lower in lactose, making it easier for newborns to digest. These concentrations decrease rapidly over the first few days of lactation.

Yes, colostrum is rich in antibodies, primarily IgG and IgA, which are proteins that help the body fight off infections. Supplementation may help strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of upper respiratory infections.

Yes, research suggests that bovine colostrum may help strengthen the gut wall, prevent intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and support a healthy gut microbiome. This is largely attributed to its lactoferrin and growth factor content.

Individuals with a known allergy to cow's milk protein should avoid bovine colostrum. As with any supplement, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and those with pre-existing medical conditions, should consult a healthcare provider.

Bovine colostrum is typically pasteurized to ensure safety, then dried into a powder. This processing is done at low temperatures to preserve the heat-sensitive bioactive compounds like immunoglobulins.

While other mammals produce colostrum, bovine colostrum is the most common source for human supplements due to its availability and the well-documented similarity of its bioactive compounds to human colostrum. Some specialized products might use colostrum from other species, but bovine is standard.

Commercial bovine colostrum for human consumption should be sourced and processed under strict hygienic conditions. Reputable manufacturers test their products to ensure they are free from harmful pathogens, pesticides, and antibiotic residues, but consumers should always confirm sourcing and third-party testing.