What exactly is colostrum?

Colostrum is the first milk produced by a cow in the hours immediately after giving birth. It's naturally rich in immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, growth factors and prebiotic oligosaccharides — a complete whole food rather than a formulated blend.

Is the calf still fed first?

Always. Our partner farms only collect surplus colostrum after the newborn calf has taken everything it needs. Nothing is taken from a calf.

Why does freeze-drying matter?

Heat can damage the delicate proteins colostrum is valued for. Freeze-drying removes water at low temperature instead, so the natural structure of those compounds is preserved. It costs more and takes longer — we think it's the whole point.

One level scoop of powder stirred into water, coffee, tea or a smoothie — ideally in the morning on an empty stomach. If you prefer no mixing, the capsules give you the same colostrum in a pocket-sized format.

How long until I notice something?

Experiences vary from person to person. Most of our community take it consistently for at least four to eight weeks before judging how it fits their routine. Colostrum is a food supplement, not a quick fix.

Is it suitable if I'm lactose intolerant?

Colostrum is a dairy product and naturally contains some lactose, though first-milking colostrum is lower in lactose than regular milk. If you have a dairy allergy or a medical condition, speak to your GP before starting.

Can I take it while pregnant or breastfeeding?

As with any supplement, please check with your doctor or midwife first. We can't give individual medical advice.

What's in it besides colostrum?

The unflavoured powder is 100% bovine colostrum — no fillers, flow agents or sweeteners. The vanilla powder adds natural flavouring for taste. Full ingredients are listed on every product page.

Every batch is third-party tested for purity and contaminants before it's packed. Certificates are available on request.

Can I pause or cancel a subscription?

Yes — subscriptions can be paused, skipped or cancelled at any time from your account, with no phone call required.

A woman resting on a sofa in the afternoon with a thoughtful, frustrated expression

Bloated by 3pm?

It's not just what you eat, it's how well your gut absorbs it.

Colostrum Co supports the gut lining your body needs to actually use its fuel, so you feel steady, not sluggish, all day.

Grass-fed, single-ingredient colostrum, nature's first superfood, made for the second half of your day.

The starting point

Gut health became a shelf, a schedule and a checklist.

Probiotics. Powders. Capsules. Special diets. Looking after yourself was never meant to feel this complicated.

What if the place to begin is one of nature's earliest forms of nutrition?

Why the gut matters

More than digestion.

Your gut is a living barrier between what you eat and the rest of you. Nutrition is not only what goes in, but what your body can use.

Intestinal barrier. A single layer of cells, sealed together by tight junctions. It is selective: nutrients are meant to pass, most other things are not. Barrier integrity is one of the most studied ideas in gut science.

The intestinal barrier
Your small intestine is lined with a single layer of cells, sealed together by tight junctions. Unfolded, that lining would cover a surface far larger than your skin. It is the border between what you eat and the rest of you.
The microbiome
Trillions of microorganisms live in the gut. Their composition differs from person to person and shifts with diet, sleep, stress, medication and age, which is why gut research rarely produces one-size-fits-all answers.
Digestion & absorption
Food is broken down into molecules small enough to cross that lining. Nutrition isn't only what you eat, it's what actually makes it through.
The gut and the immune system
A large proportion of the body's immune tissue sits along the digestive tract. That anatomical relationship is a major reason gut research has expanded so quickly over the past two decades.

The reveal

Meet colostrum.

The first nutrition a cow produces after calving: naturally concentrated and rich in proteins and bioactive compounds.

What's naturally inside colostrum?

Immunoglobulins
Lactoferrin
Growth factors
Proteins & peptides

Immunoglobulins
Antibody proteins, IgG most abundantly. In biology their role is to recognise and bind specific targets. They are the single most characteristic component of colostrum.
Lactoferrin
An iron-binding protein found in mammalian secretions. Researchers are interested in it because a single molecule appears to have several different biological roles.
Growth factors
Naturally occurring signalling compounds, including IGF and TGF families, that in biology are involved in cell development and tissue turnover.
Proteins & peptides
Beyond whole proteins, colostrum contains smaller peptide fragments. Peptides are a very active area of nutritional research in their own right.
Vitamins & minerals
A broad natural spread of micronutrients, present because colostrum evolved as complete first nutrition rather than as a formulated blend.
Other bioactive compounds
Oligosaccharides, nucleotides, enzymes and more. This is the point: colostrum is a complex whole-food substance, not one isolated ingredient.

Composition varies naturally between herds, seasons and milkings. These components describe bovine colostrum as a food, and are not claims about what any supplement does in the body.

Expert view

A doctor's perspective.

Dr Gabriella Disla Otero, MD, MSc · Co-Founder and Medical & Wellness Advisor

Gabriella, co-founder of Colostrum Co — Dr Gabriella Disla, Co-founder on what colostrum is, and what it isn't.

“When I first started looking into colostrum, what interested me wasn't a wellness trend. It was what was naturally inside it.”
Dr Gabriella Disla Otero, MD, MSc

Why gut health became such an active area of research
What first made her curious about colostrum
The bioactive compounds that occur in it naturally
What the research is actually exploring, and what it isn't
Why she thinks people should read the science rather than follow trends
Why she takes it herself, and why she helped create Colostrum Co

From our community

Real routines. Real people.

Verified customer reviews and their own photos. Individual experiences vary.

5.0 average from 21 verified reviews

Helped my bloating issues
“I have been using the Colostrum Co capsules for about 3 months now and the difference is incredible. I used to struggle with severe bloating after almost every meal, but taking 2 capsules as part of morning routine has help so much. I also enjoyed my wellness check-in with Gabriella, it was a lovely opportunity to ask questions and fine-tune my routine. I love that its sourced from grass-fed cows and contains zero filler.”
Sandra
Verified customer
“I can not believe how much colostrum has improved my gut health. Working long hours and in challenging conditions this is something I had massively over looked. I have found myself with more energy and less likely to pick up bugs. It has been one of the best changes I've made this year.”
Hugh Raymer
Verified customer
The best starter kit!
“I've been taking Colostrum Co for the last few weeks and I'm loving it!! The starter kit is so well put together and comes with everything you need, which made getting started super easy. It's become part of my morning routine, and I've definitely noticed my digestion feels so much better.”
Morgan
Verified customer
Worth Every Penny
“This product is worth every single penny. It is easily the most impactful supplement I've added to my diet in years, and I'm already ordering a tub for my parents to try.”
Mitzi
Verified customer
Part of my daily routine!
“I've been using the Grass-Fed Bovine Colostrum Unflavoured Powder for a few weeks now and I'm really impressed. Because it's unflavoured, it's so easy to mix into smoothies, yoghurt, protein shakes, overnight oats or even just water without affecting the taste. It also mixes really well without leaving a gritty texture, which I've found can be an issue with other powders.”
Alyssa
Verified customer
“These capsules are simple and convenient to take, making them easy to incorporate into my daily routine. I have been experiencing gut issues for a while and have tried a few different products but haven't found anything that has helped over the long term. This is the first supplement I've tried that is genuinely helping.”
Max
Verified customer
Great for my eczema!
“I've been really impressed with Colostrum Co. It's become such an easy part of my routine — I just keep it on my desk and add it to my morning coffee every day, so I never really have to think about it. It mixes in easily and has been easy to stick with consistently, which I think has made all the difference.”
Georgia
Verified customer
Morning shake essential
“Mixes perfectly into my morning protein shake and completely killed my daily bloating.”
David Kendrick
Verified customer
Easy to Add to My Routine
“I love that this brand sources high-quality, ethically collected colostrum. The powder dissolves effortlessly into my morning coffee or smoothies without any chalky texture or weird aftertaste.”
Amanda J.
Verified customer
Best unflavoured colostrum
“The best unflavoured colostrum I've tried! Dissolves instantly in water with no chalkiness.”
James Patterson
Verified customer
Neutral in taste
“I like that this one is completely neutral in taste, so I can add it to literally anything without it clashing. Been mixing it into my morning smoothie for a few weeks now and it blends in seamlessly.”
Victoria Sanderson
Verified customer
Best fit with every shake
“Solid quality and I appreciate that it's free from any additives or fillers. Works well blended into a protein shake alongside my usual ingredients without altering the taste.”
Harry Blackwood
Verified customer
Good quality
“Good quality product overall. I use the frother that came with the starter kit and it mixes smoothly within seconds. Delivery took about 4 working days which was within the expected window.”
James Tim
Verified customer
My Skin Is Glowing
“My skin is absolutely glowing! I bought this colostrum for immunity, but the unexpected bonus has been how clear and radiant my skin looks after just a month of consistent use.”
Stephanie
Verified customer
Immunity feels stronger
“I have been taking unflavoured colostrum for my immunity. As someone who gets ill more than most, i can certainly say this has strengthened my immune system as i do not fall ill as often now!”
Anthony
Verified customer

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Where we come in

That's where Colostrum Co comes in.

We didn't invent colostrum. We became obsessed with doing it properly.

If you're interested in colostrum, the real question isn't whether to try it, it's how to choose a good one. That answer is what the rest of this page is for.

The brand

So why Colostrum Co?

If you're going to try colostrum, these four details matter.

First milking
Only the first milking after calving is true colostrum, and it's the most concentrated it ever is. That's all we use, collected as surplus after the calf has fed.
Freeze dried
High heat is faster and cheaper, but the proteins colostrum is valued for don't like it. We remove the water at low temperature instead.
Carefully sourced
Grass-fed, pasture-raised herds on family farms with year-round pasture access, where calf-first collection is non-negotiable. Every batch is third-party tested.
Made for everyday routines
Original powder, Vanilla powder and capsules. The best colostrum is the one that survives a busy Tuesday.

Choose your format

Choose the ritual that fits.

First-milking, grass-fed and freeze-dried. Powder, vanilla or capsules.

Free UK shipping on subscriptions
Pause, skip or cancel any time
Third-party tested every batch

The daily ritual

One habit. Thirty seconds.

Scoop, mix, repeat. Or take two capsules when there's no time to stir.

1
Scoop
One level scoop of powder, or two capsules if you prefer no mixing.
2
Mix
Stir into water, coffee, tea or a smoothie. It dissolves easily and stays mild.
3
Repeat
Take it daily, ideally on an empty stomach in the morning. That's the whole routine.

Mixing Colostrum Co powder into a morning drink

The evidence

Read the science, not the hype.

Real published papers about bovine colostrum, linked for you to explore.

Research examining bovine colostrum in relation to intestinal permeability and gut integrity.

Randomised crossover trial2011
The nutriceutical bovine colostrum truncates the increase in gut permeability caused by heavy exercise in athletes
Marchbank T, et al. · American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 2011
Tested whether bovine colostrum supplementation altered the rise in gut permeability, measured with a lactulose/rhamnose urine test, seen in athletes after heavy exercise.
PMID 21148400
Randomised controlled trial2017
Oral supplementation with bovine colostrum decreases intestinal permeability and stool concentrations of zonulin in athletes
Hałasa M, et al. · Nutrients, 2017
Examined the effect of daily bovine colostrum supplementation on intestinal permeability markers and stool zonulin levels in trained athletes.
PMID 28397754
Placebo-controlled double-blind trial2014
Bovine colostrum, training status, and gastrointestinal permeability during exercise in the heat
Davison G, et al. · Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 2014
Investigated whether bovine colostrum affected gastrointestinal permeability during exercise in hot conditions, comparing trained and less-trained participants.
PMID 25068884
Systematic review2022
A systematic review of the influence of bovine colostrum supplementation on leaky gut syndrome in athletes: diagnostic biomarkers and future directions
Sarkar D, Buttar HS · Nutrients, 2022
Synthesised existing studies on bovine colostrum and biomarkers of exercise-induced intestinal permeability in athletes, and set out where the evidence is still thin.
DOI 10.3390/nu14122512
Systematic review2014
Clinical applications of bovine colostrum therapy: a systematic review
Rathe M, Müller K, Sangild PT, Husby S · Nutrition Reviews, 2014
Critically evaluated clinical trial evidence on bovine colostrum supplementation across a range of gastrointestinal and other conditions in humans.
PMID 24571383

Listing a study is not a claim. Research into an ingredient describes what scientists have investigated; it does not establish what a food supplement does for any individual. Colostrum Co products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Why we started

For us, this was personal.

Colostrum Co began at a kitchen table. Gabriella and her mother Elizabeth wanted a simpler, better-sourced approach to colostrum.

When they came across colostrum, the frustrating part wasn't the idea, it was the sourcing. Most of what they could find was heat-processed, blended with later milkings, or vague about the farms behind it.

So they created the product they wanted to exist: first-milking, grass-fed colostrum from farms where the calf is always fed first, freeze-dried gently, third-party tested, and sold with nothing hidden behind the label.

Gabriella & Elizabeth — founders, Colostrum Co

Before you decide

Questions people ask us most

If something isn't answered here, our team replies to every message.

Colostrum Co powder tub on a kitchen surface

One simple step

Start with the first food nature ever made

First-milking, grass-fed and freeze-dried. Calves are always fed first.

Visit colostrumco.co.uk

Bloated by 3pm?

Gut health became a shelf, a schedule and a checklist.

More than digestion.

The intestinal barrier

The microbiome

Digestion & absorption

The gut and the immune system

Meet colostrum.

Immunoglobulins

Lactoferrin

Growth factors

Proteins & peptides

Immunoglobulins

Lactoferrin

Growth factors

Proteins & peptides

Vitamins & minerals

Other bioactive compounds

A doctor's perspective.

Real routines. Real people.

Helped my bloating issues

The best starter kit!

Worth Every Penny

Part of my daily routine!

Great for my eczema!

Morning shake essential

Easy to Add to My Routine

Best unflavoured colostrum

Neutral in taste

Best fit with every shake

Good quality

My Skin Is Glowing

Immunity feels stronger

That's where Colostrum Co comes in.

Unflavoured Powder

Vanilla Powder

Capsules

So why Colostrum Co?

First milking

Freeze dried

Carefully sourced

Made for everyday routines

Choose the ritual that fits.

One habit. Thirty seconds.

Scoop

Mix

Repeat

Read the science, not the hype.

The nutriceutical bovine colostrum truncates the increase in gut permeability caused by heavy exercise in athletes

Oral supplementation with bovine colostrum decreases intestinal permeability and stool concentrations of zonulin in athletes

Bovine colostrum, training status, and gastrointestinal permeability during exercise in the heat

A systematic review of the influence of bovine colostrum supplementation on leaky gut syndrome in athletes: diagnostic biomarkers and future directions

Clinical applications of bovine colostrum therapy: a systematic review