When is the Best Time to Take Colostrum for Maximum Benefits?

Is there a right or wrong time to take colostrum? Can you take colostrum supplements with food? Is it okay to take colostrum at night? If any of these questions bother you, then you’ve come to the right place. 

Known as ‘liquid gold,’ colostrum is the first milky fluid that mammals produce for a few days after giving birth. Human mothers also produce colostrum for their newborns. This “first food” is nutrient-dense, full of immunoglobulins, growth factors, and other bioactive compounds essential for the newborns’ growth and development.

This blog covers everything you need to know about the best time to take colostrum supplements to maximize their health benefits. Go ahead and read to know more about it. 

What is Bovine Colostrum, and Why Do You Need It?

Bovine colostrum is the first milk that dairy cows produce. Since there is a limited opportunity for humans to benefit from their mother’s colostrum at birth, cow colostrum supplements make it possible to enjoy similar health benefits later in life. 

Bovine colostrum has compounds similar to those of human colostrum. However, studies show that bovine colostrum is more potent than human colostrum. 

Colostrum is rich in nutrients and offers multiple health benefits. These include:

1. Enhance Your Immune System

Colostrum is known to boost an infant's immune system, which is why there’s growing curiosity about its efficacy in adults. Abundant in immunoglobulins (specialized proteins) and antibodies IgA, IgM, and IgG, colostrum helps our bodies fight off infections, thereby supporting our immune system. 

Colostrum also contains a high amount of lactoferrin, a protein that binds iron and is a key component of the immune system. Studies show that colostrum has protective effects against various infectious diseases, including E. coli-associated diarrhea in children and adults. 

2. Supports Your Gut Health 

Colostrum is packed with nutrients, growth factors, and immunity-boosting components that help support gut health. Studies on colostrum have shown its promising role in keeping the gut lining (intestinal barrier) strong. 

Colostrum's high concentrations of growth factors and lactoferrin may promote the growth of intestinal cells, reduce intestinal permeability, and help restore the gut lining. This makes colostrum beneficial for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and infectious diarrhea. 

Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, happens when the gut lining becomes damaged, allowing toxins, bacteria, and undigested food to pass into the bloodstream. This can cause inflammation and may lead to issues like bloating, fatigue, food sensitivities, and other health problems.

3. A Natural Energy Booster

Dairy cow colostrum is a natural supplement that boosts energy, enhances endurance, and improves performance. It is great for athletes and people who stay active. Rich in growth factors like IGF-1, colostrum helps your muscles grow, speeds up recovery, strengthens your immune system, and aids in nutrient absorption.

 Studies show that colostrum can reduce fatigue, help muscles heal, and even help your body burn fat more during workout sessions. This makes it a good option for people who want to get the most out of their training and overall fitness.

Is There a Best Time to Take Colostrum?

Does colostrum supplement timing really matter?

Yes, timing does matter when it comes to reaping the maximum benefits of bovine colostrum. The best time to take colostrum supplements depends on the specific health goals you are focusing on. Here are some important points of consideration while including these supplements to your health regime:

General Guidelines on Timings

• On an Empty Stomach

Most practitioners recommend taking colostrum on an empty stomach as it is a natural health supplement. You can consider taking it at least 20-30 minutes before eating something or about a few hours after eating. The therapeutic components of colostrum reach your gut lining faster this way. 

• Twice a Day

For better results, you can take the colostrum supplement twice a day. The timings can vary according to your specific health condition and goal. 

• In the Morning

Take it in the morning to kickstart your day with energy and focus. Colostrum is easily absorbed and supports the immune system after overnight fasting. 

• Before Bedtime

Taking the colostrum supplement before bedtime is considered safe if you’re not full for restorative sleep and growth benefits. Colostrum supports tissue repair and muscle recovery while you're deep in sleep. Ensure that you’ve taken your dinner a few hours before. 

Considering all these factors, it is safe to take a colostrum supplement twice a day: upon getting up, 20-30 minutes before breakfast, a few hours after a meal, or before bedtime (on an empty stomach).

However, it's advisable to follow the manufacturer's recommendations provided with the supplement. Additionally, consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian who can offer personalized guidance as per your individual health needs and goals. 

Ideal Timings for Colostrum Supplement For Different Health Benefits

Know that, like other dietary supplements, colostrum is minimally regulated by the FDA. Also, age, health conditions, lifestyle, and health goals all matter when selecting the ideal time. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a healthcare professional prior to using it for a specific health condition. 

 Here’s a breakdown of ideal timings on taking colostrum for various health benefits:

Additional Yet Important Tips for Effective Colostrum Supplementation

• Dosage is Crucial: The necessary dosage of this supplement varies depending on factors like age, lifestyle, health goals, etc. Various studies suggest an ideal dosage of 3.2 g to 60 g per day for adults. The dosage of bovine colostrum for children is 0.5 to 3 g per day. 

• Form Choice Matters: Bovine colostrum supplements are available in powder, pills, and capsules. Though pills and capsules are convenient, powder form is more effective for better absorption.

• Consistency is the Key: Regular intake of any supplement is needed to see noticeable results.

• Avoid Heating: Do not mix colostrum powder with very hot drinks, as heat can damage immunoglobulins and other components. Instead, use lukewarm drinks.

• Pair with Probiotics: Pairing it up with probiotics can enhance its benefits for your gut health.

Everything Considered

Bovine colostrum supplement is made from the colostrum from dairy mother cows extracted shortly after they give birth. Colostrum is nutrient-dense and is known to possess the potential to fight infections, boost immunity, improve gut health and skin health, and work on overall well-being. 

Choosing the right supplements and understanding the best time to take colostrum supplements are crucial. We suggest opting for the supplement made from 6-hour-extracted colostrum, as it possesses the highest amount of antibodies and nutrients to support your health. Additionally, choosing a supplement with no artificial flavours or additives is important. 

We anticipate that this informative post will help you select the best colostrum supplement and decide when to take it for maximum health benefits. 

Disclaimer: These statements have not been assessed by the FDA. The information contained within this page is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.

References:

1. Tacket, Carol O., et al. "Protection by milk immunoglobulin concentrate against oral challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli." New England Journal of Medicine 318.19 (1988): 1240-1243.  https://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJM198805123181904

2. Bitzan, Martin M., et al. "Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori and Helicobacter mustelae binding to lipid receptors by bovine colostrum." Journal of Infectious Diseases 177.4 (1998): 955-961. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9534968/

3. Huppertz, Hans-Iko, et al. "Bovine colostrum ameliorates diarrhea in infection with diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and E. coli expressing intimin and hemolysin." Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition 29.4 (1999): 452-456. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10512407/

4. Bagwe-Parab, Siddhi, et al. "Therapeutic applications of human and bovine colostrum in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and distinctive cancer types: The current evidence." Frontiers in Pharmacology 11 (2020): 01100.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7533576/

5. Ghosh, Subrata, and Marietta Iacucci. "Diverse immune effects of bovine colostrum and benefits in human health and disease." Nutrients 13.11 (2021): 3798. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8624701/

6. Kaplan, Merve, et al. "Production of bovine colostrum for human consumption to improve health." Frontiers in Pharmacology 12 (2022): 796824. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8762312/

7. Tajorudin, Najah, And Aliza Haslinda Hamirudin. "Effects Of Bovine Colostrum Supplement Intake To Health: A Systematic Literature Review." International Journal of Allied Health Sciences 4.3 (2020): 1162-1176.

https://journals.iium.edu.my/ijahs/index.php/IJAHS/article/view/477

 

 

 

 

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