The Effects of Colostrum Bovinum Supplementation on Human Body Fat Content and/or Blood Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.
- 2026-05-15
- Nutrients 18(10)
- Zuzanna Goluch
- Ewelina Książek
- Aldona Wierzbicka-Rucińska
- Ireneusz Skawina
- Robert Dudkowiak
- PubMed: 42197039
- DOI: 10.3390/nu18101579
Study Design
- Type
- Systematic Review
- Methods
- Systematic review of clinical trials published between 2001 and 2025, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, assessed using Cochrane risk-of-bias tools.
- Rigorous Journal
Bovine colostrum (COL) is widely used in dietary supplements, and previous studies have suggested its potential benefits for immune function, selected clinical conditions, wound healing, and athletic performance. This systematic review analyzed clinical trials published between 2001 and 2025 that investigated the effects of COL on human body fat and blood lipid profiles. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, and study quality was assessed using Cochrane risk-of-bias tools. Thirteen studies were included. One study in older adults reported that COL supplementation at 60 g/day for 8 weeks significantly reduced body fat percentage by 0.4% (p < 0.05). Another study found that COL supplementation at 10 g/day combined with plant proteins for 12 weeks significantly attenuated the increase in leg tissue fat percentage compared with placebo (PLA) (0.48 ± 1.29% vs. 1.12 ± 1.27%, respectively; p < 0.05). Changes in blood lipid profiles were reported in two studies. In individuals with type 2 diabetes, COL supplementation at 10 g/day for 4 weeks significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride levels in both men and women, by 8.27% vs. 7.62% and 11.96% vs. 21.46%, respectively. In another study involving older adults, COL supplementation at 30 g/day for 12 weeks significantly reduced TC (5.88 to 5.38 mmol/L) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (3.68 to 3.28 mmol/L) compared with PLA. Owing to substantial methodological heterogeneity and inconsistent findings, further randomized, double-blind trials are needed in larger groups of overweight or obese participants, with intervention periods lasting at least six months. Future studies should use a standardized COL dose of 20-25 g/day, controlled caloric deficits, and a four-arm design comparing placebo and COL under normocaloric and energy-restricted dietary conditions. Assessments should include blood metabolic biomarkers, body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, gut microbiome composition, and fecal short-chain fatty acids to determine whether any observed benefits are attributable to COL alone or to its combination with dietary intervention.
Research Insights
COL supplementation at 30 g/day for 12 weeks significantly reduced TC (5.88 to 5.38 mmol/L) ... compared with PLA
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 30 g/day
COL supplementation at 60 g/day for 8 weeks significantly reduced body fat percentage by 0.4% (p < 0.05)
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 60 g/day
COL supplementation at 10 g/day combined with plant proteins for 12 weeks significantly attenuated the increase in leg tissue fat percentage compared with placebo (PLA) (0.48 ± 1.29% vs. 1.12 ± 1.27%, respectively; p < 0.05)
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 10 g/day combined with plant proteins
COL supplementation at 30 g/day for 12 weeks significantly reduced ... low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (3.68 to 3.28 mmol/L) compared with PLA
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 30 g/day
COL supplementation at 10 g/day for 4 weeks significantly reduced ... triglyceride levels in both men and women, by ... 11.96% vs. 21.46%, respectively
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 10 g/day