Discover the amazing world of colostrum: In this blog article you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the nutritional wonder that is colostrum. The following questions are discussed here:

What is colostrum?

Colostrum is the first milk of mammals, which supplies the newborn with all the important nutrients in the first 72 hours after birth and thus builds up the immune system.

For this reason, colostrum – also known as Biestmilch or Pfaffenmilch – contains vital antibodies and growth factors, vitamins, minerals, trace elements and many other valuable vital substances.

You can read more about this here: What is colostrum?

How does colostrum differ from normal cow’s milk?

After the administration of colostrum, which is only produced in the first 72 hours after birth, the cow then goes on to produce milk normally.

Colostrum differs from normal milk in several ways: it has a different composition and a significantly higher nutrient density, which is specially tailored to the newborn. It contains growth factors, antibodies and significant amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals.

What are the differences between cow colostrum and human colostrum?

Cow’s first milk and human colostrum are 99% identical in terms of their composition. Nevertheless, there are certain differences.

Bovine colostrum has more growth factors and immune factors – especially immunoglobulin G, whereas human colostrum has more immunoglobulin A. Human colostrum also has more lactose and less fat. There are also marginal differences in antibiotic properties*.

(*Unfortunately, as a manufacturer/distributor of foodstuffs, we are prohibited from making healing statements regarding the effects of colostrum products on humans. We must therefore refer to worldwide medical publications and studies or to the relevant specialist literature).

What does colostrum contain?

Colostrum contains a balanced combination of nutrients – over 400 in total – including amino acids as well as vitamins, minerals, immunoglobulins, growth factors, lactoferrin, proline-rich polypeptides, cytokines, glycoproteins, gangliosides, lactoperoxidase, oligosaccharides and many others. This highly complex mix of nutrients cannot be produced artificially in the laboratory or replaced by plant substances.

You can read more about this here: Colostrum ingredients

Why is colostrum so important?

Colostrum is so important because it is the first food a newborn baby receives. It also has a vital function because it provides the infant with all the necessary nutrients and builds up the immune system.

First milk also offers newborn babies optimum protection against pathogenic germs such as viruses, bacteria or fungi and ensures healthy growth*.

(*Unfortunately, as a manufacturer/distributor of foodstuffs, we are prohibited from making healing statements regarding the effects of colostrum products on humans. We must therefore refer to worldwide medical publications and studies or to the relevant specialist literature).

Is cow colostrum also good for humans?

Cow colostrum contains almost the same ingredients as human colostrum – in fact, they are 99% identical. In evolutionary terms, this makes perfect sense, as cows have long shared the same habitat with humans as breeding animals.

Colostrum contains a total of over 400 nutrients. Gentle processing methods also make the raw material very well tolerated.

You can read more about this here: Colostrum for adults

Is colostrum safe for human consumption?

Yes, colostrum is of course safe for human consumption. That is why it is also approved as a natural food in the EU.

Colostrum is also valued as a traditional food in many cultures. If you have allergies or are taking medication, it may be advisable to consult a doctor beforehand.

Is colostrum suitable for people with lactose intolerance?

As a rule, cow’s colostrum is also well tolerated by people with lactose intolerance, as it does contain lactose – but in much smaller quantities than in normal milk.

However, reactions such as flatulence, nausea or diarrhea can occur if you are severely intolerant to lactose. It is best to clarify this issue with a doctor if you suffer from lactose intolerance.

Is colostrum also well tolerated in the long term?

Yes, colostrum is approved as a purely natural food and is therefore of course also ideally suited for long-term consumption.

There are no observations to date that it would be disadvantageous to consume colostrum over a longer period of time. Of course, the corresponding consumption recommendations should always be observed and a doctor should be consulted if symptoms occur.

Are there any side effects when taking colostrum?

There are no known side effects when taking colostrum. As a result, complaints are very rare. However, in some cases it is advisable to start the intake slowly in order to observe the individual tolerance.

Is colostrum also suitable for children?

Yes, colostrum is also very suitable for children and adolescents. The amount consumed is primarily measured by body weight. For children in particular, the highest possible quality of the product should be a priority – organic animal husbandry, strict controls and careful, gentle processing are prerequisites for a high-quality product.

Read more about this here: Colostrum for children

How is colostrum taken?

Colostrum is available in the form of powder, capsules or liquid extract. The exact dosage and intake time vary depending on the product and purpose. Please follow the instructions on the packaging.

It is generally recommended to take colostrum capsules with sufficient liquid and colostrum extract with a glass of water, fruit juice, smoothie or stirred into muesli.

What is the recommended dosage of colostrum?

Colostrum is a purely natural food and not a medicine – so there is no need to worry about consuming too much. However, the amount should of course be adjusted to your body weight.

For liquid colostrum, a daily amount of 1 tablespoon per 30 kg of body weight is recommended. For the regular intake of colostrum powder for prophylactic purposes, one capsule per 25 kg body weight is recommended daily.

Why should I not consume colostrum with hot drinks or food?

Colostrum should never be heated above a temperature of 42 °C, as many of the vital substances it contains are extremely temperature-sensitive and can be damaged by heat and thus become ineffective.

The situation is different with the addition of cold drinks – fruit juices, for example, do not affect the ingredients – the liquid colostrum can therefore be mixed and taken with water, milk or fruit juice without any problems.

What does colostrum taste like?

Colostrum has a slightly sour taste compared to normal milk. However, the taste can also vary slightly depending on the processing method. However, colostrum is often not consumed pure, but chilled in smoothies, yogurt, muesli or drinks.

How is colostrum obtained?

The cow’s colostrum is collected shortly after the calf is born – ideally within the first 24 hours. After that, the cow produces more and more normal milk instead of colostrum.

The raw material for Bestvital® BIO colostrum products comes 100% from surplus milkings. The cow produces a total of 15-20 liters of colostrum, but the calf usually only needs 5-7 liters. Only the raw material that is not drunk is processed further.

Do the calves still get enough colostrum?

Yes, the calf naturally receives as much colostrum as it needs. Only surplus milk is used in the production of Bestvital® BIO Colostrum products.

This means that the first colostrum is always given to the calf. It usually drinks 5 to 7 liters. However, as the mother animal produces considerably more colostrum (approx. 15-20 liters), the surplus can be put to good use.

How is colostrum processed?

Colostrum is carefully processed into Bestvital® BIO products after the raw materials have been collected. To ensure that the sensitive growth and immune factors are not denatured by heat and that optimum bioavailability is guaranteed at all times, it is cold sterile-filtered and – in the case of the powder – gently freeze-dried.

What is the difference between raw and processed colostrum?

The raw colostrum is collected from the cow and further processed for products. This is because it is not suitable for human consumption in its raw state – it would also spoil too quickly. Processing eliminates germs, increases the shelf life and sometimes also concentrates certain nutrient groups.

Colostrum is available for consumption both as a powder and in liquid form.

Why is colostrum defatted?

Most of the lipids contained in the raw colostrum are removed, as they are difficult for humans to digest and significantly impair the shelf life of the product.

The fats bind various ingredients, ensure good dissolution and distribution and also have a certain protective function for the immune factors contained in the colostrum. De-fatted colostrum is therefore the better end product.

What is the difference between freeze drying and spray drying?

Colostrum powder can be obtained by freeze-drying or spray-drying. In the complex freeze-drying process – the gentlest way of processing – the moisture is removed from the colostrum in its frozen state. The process takes a long time and is also cost-intensive.

The raw material is not exposed to heat or air. Spray drying, on the other hand, only takes a few seconds – the raw material is finely atomized and injected into hot gas.

How is the quality of colostrum ensured?

The colostrum raw material of Bestvital® BIO products is sourced exclusively from certified German and Austrian farms with controlled organic animal husbandry. Preservatives or hormone or antibiotic residues are therefore completely excluded.

Furthermore, in the elaborate production of the finished end products, attention is naturally paid to careful processing and the quality is checked several times.

How do I know if a colostrum product is authentic and of high quality?

Of course, it is primarily the manufacturer that guarantees high quality. Therefore, when buying colostrum products, always make sure that the manufacturer has sufficient experience in this field.

Furthermore, quality labels such as the organic seal can provide orientation as to whether the product is of certified quality. Bestvital® products come from certified dairy farms and naturally bear the European organic seal.

How should colostrum be stored?

Colostrum products should be stored in a dark, cool and dry place – ideally at a temperature between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius. However, the sensitive ingredients are not suitable for the freezer.

Colostrum powder (also in capsule form) should be stored in an airtight container to prevent contact with moisture and thus clumping.

How do the colostrum products on the market differ?

The colostrum products available on the European market differ according to their origin (geographically, but also in terms of which animal they come from), the type of processing (this has an influence on bioavailability), the quality (the nutrient content can vary as a result) and finally the price.

Bestvital® is Germany’s market leader for BIO colostrum products thanks to its many years of experience and quality.

Why should I prefer BIO colostrum?

When it comes to food, you should generally pay attention to high quality – organic quality is also clearly preferable for colostrum products, as they contain a wide variety of high-quality nutrients with maximum bioavailability.

With Bestvital® BIO Colostrum you can be sure that the products are made entirely without additives and are 100% free from hormone or antibiotic residues.

Why should I prefer colostrum from the cow?

Cow colostrum contains more than four times as many immune factors as human first milk, as these cannot be passed on before the calf is born due to the placental barrier.

The close similarity to human colostrum, especially with regard to immune substances and growth factors, makes cow colostrum particularly valuable for humans*.

(*Unfortunately, as a manufacturer/distributor of foodstuffs, we are prohibited from making healing statements regarding the effects of colostrum products on humans. We must therefore refer to worldwide medical publications and studies or to the relevant specialist literature).

Why is colostrum more expensive than normal milk?

Colostrum is significantly more expensive than normal milk, as the quantities available are very small – only a few liters of surplus are produced during a cow’s pregnancy.

Processing is also a significant cost factor – this is usually highly mechanized and very complex. In addition, casein or fat is removed, which further reduces the quantity of the end product.

Can animals also benefit from colostrum?

Yes, of course animals can also benefit from colostrum. The powder or liquid extract is simply dosed according to the pet’s body weight and then mixed into the food.

Colostrum is used as a useful feed supplement, especially when there is an increased need for nutrients, in times of high stress, for digestive problems, a weakened immune system or signs of ageing.

You can read more about this here: Colostrum for animals