Is Bovine Colostrum Actually Good for Your Gut?

The Trend: Most people don’t know much about colostrum unless they’ve had a baby: It’s the thick, yellowish first milk that all mammals produce after giving birth. And bovine colostrum, in particular, is suddenly everywhere. Influencers are calling it an essential for gut health and, more ambitiously, a fountain of youth. Cows naturally make more than their calves need, so the excess gets collected and dried into a powder or capsule for human consumption, and a month’s supply can run you upwards of $120.

What People Are Saying: The clinical research about bovine colostrum is pretty interesting, as studies have found it may reduce gut permeability and help with certain GI conditions. A recent pilot study also looked at whether it could ease the GI side effects of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic.

What to Know: The evidence that the supplement can improve digestive health is promising but not conclusive — and there’s no standard dosage or FDA oversight. Plus, most studies have focused on specific populations with particular medical conditions, so how much bovine colostrum actually does for everyday gut complaints like bloating or constipation remains unclear.