Known as "liquid gold," colostrum is the first milk that mammals produce after giving birth.And it's chock full of antibodies, proteins, vitamins and minerals that help build up a newborn's immunity and strengthen their gut lining.But this substance that's uniquely tailored for newborns is also receiving plenty of attention from adults who've taken to chugging bovine colostrum.Cows make more than their calves need so excess colostrum is collected, pasteurized, dried, and packaged for human consumption.
Wellness influencers and social media personalities are talking up bovine colostrum as a must-have supplement to support gut health among a range of other benefits.Want the latest stories on the science of healthy living? Subscribe to NPR's Health newsletter.Among the most common assertions about colostrum is its ability to improve a range of gastrointestinal woes.Influencers also suggest it can help boost the immune system, and help with issues as diverse as skin tone, hair growth and low energy.In addition to animal research, there are a handful of preliminary studies in humans suggesting colostrum may improve certain forms of inflammatory bowel syndrome, gastroenteritis, and upper respiratory tract infections, as well as stunting in children.But some caution that it's too early to say definitely that it's effective.
"I just don't think that we know enough yet," says Elyce Shapiro, a Chicago-based licensed dietician nutritionist who runs a virtual private practice."From a safety profile, I don't have a problem with it," she notes."I think it has one of the lower risks of some of the other products out there."Shapiro has seen the studies showing that colostrum can help treat ailments of the gut, but she says that they've tended to focus on particular populations in the short-term, including elite athletes or those contending with a specific medical condition.So it's unclear how broadly effective colostrum may be for everyday gut troubles, like bloating or constip...