Colostrum Craze: Wellness Brands Tout Benefits for Adults, but Science Remains Inconclusive

As of November 11th, 2025, a growing number of wellness brands are marketing colostrum, the nutrient-dense early breastmilk, as a supplement for adults. Colostrum is often referred to as "liquid gold" by lactation specialists and infant-health researchers due to its high concentration of antibodies, proteins, and other beneficial compounds.

While colostrum is undoubtedly essential for newborns, whose immune systems are still developing, the evidence for its effectiveness in healthy adult populations is limited. Brands like Kourtney Kardashian Barker's Lemme range are selling colostrum in various forms, from gummies to liquid supplements, touting its potential to support immunity, digestion, and even skin health.

However, experts caution that the unique properties that make colostrum so valuable for infants do not automatically translate to adult health. Adults have fully developed digestive and immune systems and can obtain necessary nutrients from a varied diet. The processed, flavored, and smaller doses of colostrum found in supplements may not provide the same benefits as the concentrated form consumed by newborns.

Some preliminary studies suggest colostrum may help reduce intestinal permeability, or "leaky gut," in specific contexts, such as after intense exercise or when taking certain medications. But these findings are considered early and would require larger, more robust clinical trials to draw any conclusions about its general digestive benefits for healthy adults.