✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
📰Read the full Colostrum evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.⚠ Dairy allergy — colostrum is a dairy product [1]
⚠ IGF-1 is digested orally — no significant serum increase [2]
⚠ WADA: not prohibited but 'use at own risk' [2]
⚠ Muscle building claims not supported (IGF-1 is degraded) [2]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
ℹ️ No validated blood test. There is no established laboratory test to assess status or guide dosing for this ingredient. Clinical response and symptoms are the practical guide.
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
Bovine colostrum provides IgG, lactoferrin, and growth factors. Best evidence: URI prevention in athletes and exercise-induced gut permeability. IGF-1 content is largely degraded orally — no significant serum increase. Muscle-building claims are NOT supported. Dairy allergy: contraindicated [1] [2].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
Food product. No specific data [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Used in some pediatric diarrhea studies. Generally safe [2].
🏃 Athletes: Specific dosage data under clinical review
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: Daily, any time [2].
💊 With food: Mix in beverages [1].
🚫 Avoid: Dairy allergy [1].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['Bovine colostrum powder', 'common', 'Whole colostrum. 10–60 g/day. Contains all components [1].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Colostrum concentrate/capsules', 'common', '500–1,000 mg capsules. More convenient [2].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Does colostrum build muscle via IGF-1? ▼
Colostrum contains IGF-1, but oral IGF-1 is largely digested. Most studies show NO significant increase in serum IGF-1 from oral colostrum. Muscle-building claims are not supported [2].
Is the IGF-1 in colostrum a cancer risk? ▼
Colostrum IGF-1 is largely degraded by digestion and doesn't significantly raise serum levels. The theoretical concern has not materialized in clinical data [1].
WADA and colostrum? ▼
WADA does not prohibit colostrum but advises caution because it may contain IGF-1 (a prohibited substance if injected). Oral colostrum is unlikely to trigger a positive test [2].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
IgG and lactoferrin content: confirmed by analysis. These survive gastric transit in sufficient quantities to act in the gut [1]. HIGH
Moderate
URI in athletes: 2 RCTs showed reduced URI days during heavy training [2]. Exercise-induced gut permeability: colostrum prevented increase in intestinal permeability (lactulose-mannitol test) during exercise in heat [2]. Acute diarrhea: some evidence for reduced duration (immunoglobulin effects) [2]. MODERATE
Insufficient
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Absolute contraindications
✕ Cow's-milk protein allergy
Relative
⚠ Lactose intolerance — may contain lactose
⚠ Immunocompromised individuals — sourcing/contamination concern
⚠ IGF-1 content — theoretical concern in hormone-sensitive conditions
🚩 Red flags
● Dairy-allergic patient [1]
● Competitive athlete — WADA advisory on IGF-1 [2]
6 Interactions
Supplement synergies
Probiotics · Standard probiotic
Gut immune support: colostrum (IgG/lactoferrin) + probiotics (microbiome) [1].
Gut immune support: colostrum (IgG/lactoferrin) + probiotics (microbiome) [1].
7 Regulatory
United States: Dietary supplement / food [1].
WADA: Not prohibited but 'use at own risk' due to IGF-1 content [2].
8 US supplement products
72
on-market products containing Colostrum (NIH DSLD)
Brands carrying Colostrum (46)
Click a brand to see its Colostrum products.
9 Frequently paired with
10 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Colostrum — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Jul 17]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/colostrum/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Colostrum — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/colostrum/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: January 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Colostrum — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/colostrum/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG