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Pair Colostrum with These 5 Supplements for Maximized Benefits

By Ethan Boldt

March 11, 2025

Bovine colostrum is surging as a new supplement to add to one’s nutrition regimen, in part because of its impressive benefits for gut health, a healthy immune system and more.

But how exactly does bovine colostrum fit into one’s supplement routine? Are there particular supplements that complement bovine colostrum or work in a complementary way for even better results?

Colostrum with probiotics, for example, can support the digestive tract's ability to absorb nutrients, such as from foods, supplements, vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it’s important to understand what other supplements may work best with colostrum to take advantage of its absorption ability.

Of course, you should always consult your healthcare professional prior to beginning any new dietary or lifestyle regimen.

1. Colostrum and collagen

Colostrum and collagen are probably the most popular supplement combination when it comes to bovine colostrum, in part because of potential complementary benefits.

Colostrum is a nutrient-filled fluid that houses growth factors and helps activate tissues, including collagen production and normal skin regeneration. This makes collagen supplements a perfect pairing, for collagen supports joint health and more.

Ancient Nutrition offers a Colostrum + Collagen supplement, with grass-fed colostrum, clinically studied collagen and SBO probiotics (to help with nutrient absorption). The formula provides powerful support for a healthy gut microbiome, which is key for a healthy, thriving immune system as well as healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.

The grass-fed colostrum combines bioactives like lactoferrin to support your body's built-in first line of defense: your healthy immune system. Meanwhile, clinically studied fermented eggshell membrane collagen adds benefits for the joints.

These Colostrum + Collagen capsules provide a convenient and effective way to get all the beneficial properties of two ancient superfoods plus a clinically studied probiotic together.

Complementary benefits:

• Support a healthy gut microbiome

• Support for and a healthy immune system

• Reduce occasional constipation, gas and bloating

• Reduce the appearance of crow’s feet and skin tone

• Promote healthy joints hair thickness

• Support for a healthy gut

How to use:

• Take three Colostrum + Collagen capsules per day.

2. Colostrum and whey protein

Another supplement that colostrum pairs well with is whey protein powder, another dairy-based supplement. While each supplement offers its own benefits, together they synergistically may assist with muscle strength (in addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise), post-exercise muscle recovery, joint health, immune system health and more.

In a study involving soccer players, bovine colostrum helped muscle tissue recover normally and boosted stamina. In a study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, bovine colostrum helped improve post-exercise recovery markers for endurance runners.

Ancient Nutrition’s Colostrum is sourced with care from grass-fed cows raised in the U.S. without added hormones. It’s minimally processed and collected within the first 48 hours after calving, ensuring that both you and the calves get the best nature has to offer. Ancient Nutrition’s Colostrum powder is either unflavored or lemon bar flavor.

Meanwhile, whey protein is one of the most absorbable sources of high protein and can aid in increasing strength and lean muscle. With its extensive amino acid profile and easy digestibility, muscles can simply recover, rebuild and remain strong better with whey (in addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle, including regular muscle-building exercise).

Ancient Nutrition’s Whey Protein features higher amounts of most amino acids than some leading whey protein supplement competitors. The bioactivity of these amino acids gives whey protein its many beneficial properties. It also features added A2/A2 type of beta-casein milk protein, which is often easier to digest for many people compared to the more common A1 protein.

Complementary benefits:

• Greater absorption of whey protein

• Support a healthy response to stress

• Build strength

• Increase lean muscle mass

• Supports recovery after exercise

How to use:

• Use both powders in a protein smoothie

• Use vanilla whey protein and lemon bar colostrum in this lemon cheesecake bar recipe

• Also check out these bovine colostrum recipes or these ways to use whey protein for other ideas

• Do NOT bake with colostrum, as heating will degrade its bioactive components

3. Colostrum and immune system support supplements

Thanks to immunoglobulins, colostrum can help promote a healthy immune system. While more studies need to be conducted, a 2024 review in the journal Nutrients revealed that bovine colostrum had a positive effect on the healthy immune systems in adults of all ages.

A separate review noted that bovine colostrum can help promote the normal function of lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. It also promotes the normal regulation of cytokines that produce healthy immune system effects.

In addition, research regarding athletes who use bovine colostrum shows that this supplement offers immune system support, which particularly aids athletes who engage in heavy training.

Ancient Nutrition’s Colostrum supplement combines colostrum, lactoferrin and probiotics for powerful immune system health support. Therefore, it stands to reason that combining with immune system support supplements like vitamin C, zinc and elderberry may offer additional healthy immune system benefits.

Complementary benefits:

• Support a healthy immune system

How to use:

• Take colostrum along with select immune system support supplements like a vitamin C, zinc or Ancient Multivitamin Immune

4. Colostrum and probiotics

Colostrum and probiotics can work together to support both gut health and a healthy immune system. Probiotics also help support healthy gut barrier integrity as well as boost nutrient absorption.

In fact, Ancient Nutrition’s Colostrum pairs colostrum and lactoferrin with clinically studied SBO probiotics to help promote healthy digestion, healthy elimination and overall digestive comfort.

A 2019 pilot study of probiotic/colostrum supplementation on gut function published in PLoS One showed that, in vitro, the combination helped promote healthy gut barrier integrity, along with other benefits.

Complementary benefits:

• Promotes healthy intestinal barrier function

• Helps maintain healthy gut microflora

• Supports healthy microbial balance

How to use:

• Simply take Ancient Nutrition’s Colostrum that already includes Bacillus coagulans, one of the most clinically studied probiotics strains on the planet

5. Colostrum and omega-3 fatty acids

Some human and animal studies have investigated the effects of colostrum supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids to look for benefits that involve promoting a healthy response to oxidative stress.

Published in the Journal of Dairy Science in 2020, a study of newborn calves showed that supplementing colostrum with omega-3 fatty acids helped promote a healthy response to oxidative stress and promoted healthy immune system.

Similarly, studies in humans demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acid intake changed the composition of breast milk, with higher levels of DHA and EPA being discovered in the milk of women who supplemented with fish oil.

Complementary benefits:

• Support a healthy response to oxidative stress

How to use:

• Take a bovine colostrum and separate omega 3 supplement such as Omega-3s Whole Body each day