Research shows that colostrum is 3x more effective than the flu vaccine at preventing flu! An impressive statistic. According to this 2007 study, clinicians report that “colostrum, both in healthy subjects and high-risk cardiovascular patients, is at least 3 times more effective than vaccination to prevent flu and is very cost-effective.”
The team at physician-developed ARMRA Colostrum recently shared this science with us and we were intrigued. Backed by over 5,000 published studies supporting its ability to strengthen the immune system, colostrum is the first nutrition we receive in life and contains all of the essential nutrients our bodies need to thrive.
Another of our most trusted sources for this ancient superfood is Mattole Valley Naturals. We asked their COO, Maressa Garner to break down the benefits of consuming one of the least understand dairy products out there…What The Heck Is Colostrum?The benefits of colostrum are far-ranging and profound. Literally everything that a newborn life needs to build a strong immune system and develop healthy tissues is found in colostrum. Think of this mammalian-derived substance as Mother Nature’s first milk, the original superfood.
The benefits of colostrum are attributed to the presence of numerous immunoglobulins (immune-system boosters) and growth factors. These immune factors can boost the immune system by supporting resistance to colds and flu (colostrum has even been proven to be more efficacious than the flu shot!) as well as increasing gut efficiency, nutrient absorption and wrangling bacterial or fungal conditions (such as candida albicans). Colostrum does this by aiding the gastrointestinal tract in lowering pathogens in the colon.
The growth factors in cow colostrum are capable of stimulating normal cell growth and increasing DNA synthesis and fat utilization, as well as augmenting serotonin levels in the brain. Because there is a rapid gut-cell turnover, colostrum supplementation can help naturally heal malnutrition due to intestinal issues such as leaky-gut syndrome, IBS and other permeability issues.
Bovine colostrum supplementation is best, as it is one of the few species’ of mammals whose colostrum is not species-specific, meaning the immunoglobulins and growth factors are bioavailable and readily transfer trans species.
It goes without saying that you should source colostrum that is ethically harvested from grass-fed cows that are hormone-, pesticide- and GMO-free. Low-temperature processed is best, as the fragile immunoglobulins and source probiotics are easily damaged via pasteurization.
Colostrum Benefits
+ natural immune and growth factors
+ optimized gut health
+ immune-regulating
+ optimized metabolic function
+ broad spectrum, whole-food probiotics
+ supportive of healthy HGH production
+ adaptogenic properties
+ immune system support: proline-rich polypeptides (PRP), lactoferrin, essential amino acids, fatty acids and glyconutrients
How To Use Colostrum
Colostrum has a mildly sweet, creamy flavor and is an amazing addition to your tonic and elixir cabinet. We love making coffee with ghee and tonic herbs; the addition of colostrum creates a cappuccino-like foam that is to die for.
Mattole Valley and ARMRA both offer organic, grass-fed colostrum for your pantry so you can mix into any number of things. ARMRA also makes single serve packets that are lightly flavored, perfect for travel and stir well into a glass of water.
Try colostrum in frosting like this refined sugar-free recipe from Crosby Tailor or simply mix into your daily superfood smoothie.
A Note On the Ethics of Colostrum
Since we first shared this story, many vegan readers expressed concern about the ethics of colostrum. As colostrum is a vital immune-boosting food for newborn calves, it’s key to shop brands that only use overflow. According to one farmer in our comments, this is easy to do as a mother cow produces far more colostrum than is necessary for her newborn.
Always shop colostrum sourced from grass-fed cows.
