Colostrum vs. Lactoferrin: What Are They and How Do They Differ?

If you’ve spent some time in the health and wellness world, you’ve probably heard of colostrum powder. It is a product targeting health-conscious individuals and athletes that is trending on the internet and in your local retail stores. But what exactly is colostrum and how does it help you? In addition, lactoferrin is also gaining its popularity on the market as it also supports immunity, recovery, and gut health.

In this article, we will answer your questions about colostrum, compare it with lactoferrin. We will try to find which option is a better fit for you. 

What is Colostrum?

Colostrum is the nutrient-dense first milk produced after birth. It is rich in macro- and micronutrients, milk oligosaccharides, bioactive compounds, and growth factors. Today, it is common to see bovine colostrum (from cows) which is harvested shortly after a calf is born. Bovine colostrum is often sold in colostrum powder form in a jar or sachet or capsule. 

Colostrum has naturally evolved to support the newborn’s development and immunity — Its nutrient-dense ingredients have been studied for their beneficial effects. Recently, more adults have been adding colostrum into their daily routine as it can bring health benefits such as gut health and immunity. Many form factor variations are available on the market. For example, ARMRA sells their bovine colostrum for adults unflavored or in different flavors like chocolate, blood orange, etc.

What is Lactoferrin?

Lactoferrin is a bioactive protein that is commonly found in milk as well as other bodily fluids like saliva, tears. Lactoferrin can also be found in colostrum. Most mammals with the exception of dogs and rats have lactoferrin in their milk. 

The word “lactoferrin” comes from the combination of “lacto” = milk and “ferrin” = iron, suggesting its well-known property as an iron-binding protein. This unique property allows lactoferrin to balance the iron levels in the body as excess free-floating iron can be damaging to the intestinal lining (Kowalczyk et al., 2022). 

Recently, more and more lactoferrin is used as a standalone dietary supplement separated from colostrum. This is because the concentration of lactoferrin in a lactoferrin supplement is higher than in colostrum powder, making the benefits more prominent. 

Lactoferrin is the hero ingredient in IronKind as it naturally brings multiple health benefits like maintaining gut health, boosting iron absorption, and regulating iron levels. IronKind is special among its peers because it contains vegan lactoferrin — using precision fermentation technology, Intentional, powered by TurtleTree, avoids the inefficient extraction process from bovine milk.  Thus, IronKind is a more ethical and environmentally friendly source of lactoferrin.

Learn more about IronKind.

Colostrum vs. Lactoferrin: What’s the Difference?

Here is a quick side-by-side comparison between colostrum and lactoferrin:

Why Is Bovine Colostrum Controversial?

While bovine colostrum is popular, it raises several red flags in the health and wellness community:

• Unstable supply: The production of bovine colostrum is limited and solely dependent on the calving cycle. As the demand for bovine colostrum grows, it will be exponentially more difficult to supply enough bovine colostrum. 

• Animal welfare issues: There are ethical concerns pertaining to the bovine colostrum production process. To extract colostrum, first milk from maternal dairy cows will need to be taken away from the calf. This could be harmful for the development of the calves since colostrum from first milk provides the immunoglobulins young calves need. 

• Environmental impact: There have been many concerns over methane emissions of the dairy industry. In fact, cattle alone accounts for roughly 45% of all agricultural emissions (Mayerfeld et al., n.d.). Methane can trap heat better than carbon dioxide, meaning that methane has a 28-times greater global warming potential than carbon dioxide in a 100-year timescale (European Commission, n.d.).

Who Should Take Colostrum or Lactoferrin?

Colostrum: It is great for a well-rounded boost in digestion, recovery, and immunity. With a mixture of growth factors, milk bioactives, and oligosaccharides, many people can enjoy the overall benefits of colostrum powder in the market. However, bovine colostrum supplements can be expensive with the price ranging from $70 to $130 depending on the brand.

Lactoferrin: It offers a more targeted approach to health and wellness. Lactoferrin is ideal for those that want a balanced gut microbiome or want to regulate iron levels and boost iron absorption. Lactoferrin is a more natural solution to iron regulation compared to traditional iron supplements that come with gut side effects like bloating, nausea, and constipation. 

IronKind — Lactoferrin & Prebiotics as Alternatives for Colostrum

IronKind is a blend of vegan lactoferrin and prebiotics, naturally supporting sustained energy and gut health. It is a smarter and more sustainable way to maintain your energy throughout the day while promoting a balanced gut microbiome. Here are some key benefits of IronKind:

• Supports sustained energy

• Aids muscle recovery

• Balances gut microbiome and strengthens gut barrier

• Improves iron absorption and iron regulation

Ready to try IronKind?