The underground market for breastmilk has gained significant attention lately.
In 2025, a TikToker proudly shared how she earned over $13,000 by selling her breastmilk to bodybuilders, who believed it would aid in muscle growth. Meanwhile, in Australia, cancer patients have been known to scour Facebook groups for breastmilk, convinced of its therapeutic benefits.
Some consumers are not searching for just any breastmilk — they specifically want colostrum, often referred to as golden milk.
“Colostrum is the initial milk produced late in pregnancy and during the first few days after birth,” explains Erin Kenney, MS, RD, a digestive health specialist and the founder of Nutrition Rewired. “Packed with antibodies and essential nutrients, it plays a crucial role in supporting a newborn’s immune system and gut development.”
Kenney notes that all female mammals produce colostrum, earning its nickname “Liquid Gold” due to its concentrated nutritional and immune-boosting properties. Today, it’s not only infants who are eager to indulge in this superfood from nature.
What are Colostrum Supplements?
A growing enthusiasm for colostrum is evident across the United States, with non-human mothers creating the products.
As noted by Kelly Candela, a registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Functional Nutrition Coach at Parsley Health, the majority of colostrum supplements — including the celebrity-endorsed ARMRA brand — are derived from bovine colostrum. A single jar typically retails for between $109 to $119.
Candela clarified that bovine colostrum supplements contain many of the same beneficial components as human colostrum, including immunoglobulins, growth factors, and protective proteins.
“These compounds contribute to colostrum’s potential benefits for gut health, immune function, and recovery,” Candela elaborated. “The strongest and most consistent evidence of benefits comes from studies focusing on gut and immune health.”
As demand increases, thousands of brands have entered the colostrum market. In the past year, consumers in the US have spent $19 million on colostrum supplements, with SPINS noting a remarkable 155% increase in products containing colostrum, marking it the fastest-growing ingredient in dietary supplements.
Experts attribute this surge in popularity to various factors, including emerging research highlighting colostrum’s benefits and endorsements from celebrities.
Benefits of Colostrum Supplements
While research on colostrum is still evolving, some studies indicate promising outcomes. A 2022 review highlighted how colostrum strengthens the gut lining and reduces intestinal permeability, aiding digestive health and immune function. Similarly, a 2024 systematic review demonstrated that colostrum supplementation reduced diarrhea incidence in 15 out of 20 studies analyzed.
Furthermore, colostrum has been linked to a decrease in upper respiratory infections (URTIs) among students and athletes. A randomized trial involving medical students, who often face high stress and exposure risk, found that colostrum supplements offered notable immune protection.
Much of the research on colostrum has concentrated on sports performance. It appears that colostrum can assist athletes in maintaining performance during intense training sessions, although evidence regarding changes in muscle mass or body composition remains less conclusive.
“There’s some evidence indicating that topical colostrum may alleviate symptoms related to vaginal dryness in women,” Candela observed. “Overall, the benefits of oral colostrum, especially concerning gut and immune support, seem to apply to both genders.”
Some brands conduct their own investigations into colostrum’s efficacy. For instance, dual-arm clinical research on ARMRA revealed that, after 12 weeks, 86% of participants reported reduced bloating, 80% experienced improved strength and lean muscle mass, and 79% noted thicker hair.
What to Look for in a Quality Colostrum Supplement
With numerous colostrum supplements available, it can be challenging to determine which ones are the best. Experts recommend considering the source of the colostrum and its processing methods.
“ARMRA utilizes a cold-chain biopotent technology that preserves over 400 active compounds during the heating process,” observed Katelyn Bedford, a Holistic Nutritionist and founder of Wellness the Right Way.
Bedford further explained that this proprietary cold-chain process secures the essential ingredients, allowing users to fully benefit from the product, even if consumed in smaller amounts. Additionally, it’s crucial not to mix colostrum in hot liquids as high temperatures can denature its valuable proteins and antibodies.
Bedford also advises looking for brands such as ARMRA, which sources from grass-fed cows using colostrum without hormones, antibodies, or GMOs. ARMRA also eliminates casein, the most common dairy allergen, to ensure a purer product while maintaining its full array of bioactive nutrients.
While most experts, including Bedford and Candela, agree that colostrum is generally safe, it does contain lactose. Thus, it should be avoided by individuals with a true cow’s milk protein allergy. For those who are lactose intolerant, colostrum might induce bloating.
“Colostrum isn’t a miracle solution, but it is biologically active,” Candela concluded. “When consistently taken in a high-quality form, it can significantly support gut integrity and immune health, especially in times of stress, illness, or during intensive training.”
This article was written by Miska Salemann, a Commerce Writer/Reporter for the New York Post. As a health-conscious member of Gen Z, Miska consults experts on the benefits, safety, and design of both emerging and established wellness products. She rigorously tests wellness and fitness products, often accompanied by her adorable toddler. Prior to joining The Post, she covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
