Cow colostrum supplements are viral. But is it safe to add them to your diet?

In a world where everyone wishes to be healthy and look their best, consuming supplements is nothing uncommon.

Heading to the gym? Don't forget your whey protein powder.

Going through hair loss? Add biotin supplements to your diet.

For almost every problem, there is a supplement in the market that claims to solve it. And the next big thing in the supplement craze is cow colostrum.

People around the world are going gaga over cow colostrum and supplement powders and pills made from it, and are calling it 'liquid gold'.

While there are many benefits of cow or bovine colostrum, the real question is, should you be incorporating its supplement into your daily routine?

What

"Cow colostrum is the first milk produced by a cow after giving birth. It's rich in nutrients, antibodies, and growth factors, providing essential nourishment and immune protection to the newborn calf. Colostrum is crucial for the calf's initial growth and immunity. It is also called the elixir of life," Dr Amrinder Oberoi, a Mumbai-based consultant general paediatrician, tells India Today.

Mumbai-based senior physician and critical care specialist, Dr Roohi Pirzada, further explains that colostrum is the milky fluid that first gets released from the breast when a mammal is born, even humans.

"Humans produce colostrum the same way as all mammals for the first 48-72 hours after birth," says Dr Oberoi.

This high-in-protein and low-in-fat liquid helps build up an infant's immune system.

"Now, there is a very limited window for humans to receive a dose of mother's colostrum in certain cases. So, supplements made from the colostrum of cows allow humans to reap these benefits," adds Dr Pirzada.

The doctor goes on to share that bovine colostrum has similar compounds, including immunoglobulins and antibodies, as well as fatty acids and lipids. The rich growth hormones, digestive enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that are present in cow colostrum have popularised it for human consumption in recent years, and it is also pasteurised and dried into pills or powders that are mixed into a liquid.

Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant in internal medicine at Gleneagles Hospitals, Mumbai, adds, “Colostrum provides passive immunity to newborns, safeguarding them from infections and diseases in their early days of life. Cow colostrum has become popular due to its health benefits for humans. From boosting the immune system to gut health and muscle recovery, it has many health benefits."

Liquid gold

Dr Oberoi mentions, "Cow colostrum is sometimes referred to as 'golden liquid' due to its distinct yellowish colour. This colour comes from the high concentration of beta-carotene, a pigment found in the colostrum. The golden hue gives it a rich appearance, which has led to this nickname."

"Additionally, the value of colostrum in providing essential nutrients and immune support to newborn calves adds to its metaphorical 'golden' status in the context of calf health and development," she adds.

Cow colostrum is usually considered safe for consumption, and humans may use it as a dietary supplement for immune support, gut health, and athletic performance.

Dr Pirzada shares that while cow colostrum is expensive, individuals with compromised immune systems might benefit from it.

"But as with all dietary supplements, colostrum supplements are not yet regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) because they have found differing bioactive compounds in the brands available in the market," the doctor says.

Caution is advised for individuals with dairy allergies, lactose intolerance, autoimmune disorders, or during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Apart from this, quality assurance of the colostrum product is vital for its effectiveness and potential health benefits.

The many benefits

Dr Oberoi says that cow's colostrum provides several nutritional advantages:

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• Proteins: Rich in proteins, including antibodies, lactoferrin, and immunoglobulins, which support immune function and provide essential building blocks for tissues and muscles.
• Vitamins and minerals: Contains vitamins A, E, and K, as well as minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, contributing to overall health and vitality.
• Carbohydrates: Supplies carbohydrates, including lactose and oligosaccharides, which serve as energy sources and support gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.
• Fats: Contains healthy fats, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which play roles in immune function, inflammation modulation, and neurological health.
• Growth factors: Provides growth factors like insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and epidermal growth factor (EGF), which support tissue repair, muscle growth, and overall development.
• Antioxidants: Contains antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E, and glutathione, which help combat oxidative stress and protect cells from damage.
• Enzymes: Contains enzymes that aid in digestion and nutrient absorption, supporting gastrointestinal health.

Overall, cow colostrum is a nutrient-rich substance that provides a wide range of essential nutrients, contributing to overall health and well-being.

Adding to this, Dr Agarwal says, "When taken in the form of a supplement, cow colostrum improves athletic performance, improves gut health, speeds up recovery from muscle damage, reduces inflammation, and increases muscle mass growth."

What about side-effects?

As per the experts, there are minimal side-effects of cow colostrum, if any. Some people may see some side-effects when they start taking colostrum, but they subside after a couple of days.

Some may also experience digestive issues such as bloating or diarrhoea when consuming high doses of colostrum.

Further, talking about alternatives to cow colostrum supplements, Dr Oberoi says, "Medicinal mushrooms, algae, probiotics, and herbal remedies provide immune support and nutrients akin to colostrum without animal products. Consulting a healthcare professional before starting supplements is recommended for personalised advice."

The ethical dilemma

Animal rights activist Kunal A feels that the marketing of cow colostrum is nothing but ripping off cows, our holy animals, of their most basic right of feeding their own calf with the first milk.

"It is full of nutrients, but it's also full of things that you can't even imagine, and we are not fit for it. We get enough nutrition from our mothers and that's the way it's meant to be," he says.

The activist adds, "We need to ask ourselves - are we baby calves? Didn't we get enough milk from our mothers the way God or the universe or biology was designed? Why do we need to go to another species? Human beings are the only species that drink the breast milk of another species. It's quite ridiculous."

"It is for newborn calves so that they can quickly grow to hundreds of kilograms. Human colostrum is the right food for humans, and that, too, only for newborn babies. Cows and buffaloes produce colostrum and milk for the same reason that humans do: to nourish their young. It is therefore just as abnormal to consume cow colostrum and milk as it would be to consume that from dogs. And no species needs any milk beyond infancy," says Dr Kiran Ahuja, manager of vegan projects, PETA India.

She goes on to share, "Calves on dairy farms are taken away from their mothers so that their colostrum and milk can be stolen for human consumption. These calves are commonly abandoned, left to starve, or sold for beef and leather. Cows and buffaloes are treated like milk-producing machines and are often bred to produce abnormal quantities of milk, genetically manipulated, or drugged."

Dr Ahuja further mentions that because bovine milk is not human food, those who drink it increase their chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other ailments.

"Besides, approximately 75 per cent of the world’s population, including Indians, are lactose intolerant. But the good news is that nature is abundant in vegan foods good for the human body, like fruits and vegetables that, when consumed, actually protect us against disease and are good for the bones," says Dr Ahuja.

Takeaway

There's no consensus on whether humans should consume cow colostrum or bovine colostrum. Cow colostrum supplements are also not regulated or FDA-approved. So, like all other supplements, it is best to consult a healthcare professional or a doctor before you think of getting on them.