Did you know that colostrum can be collected in advance for use?
Colostrum, the first milk produced by mammals, is crucial for newborns of all mammals. It provides essential nutrients, immune support, gut health benefits, and growth factors. It plays a vital role in transferring antibodies from the mother and helps newborns build passive immunity and protect against infections in the early days of life.
But why collect colostrum in the first place?
Collecting colostrum can be a proactive way to support human babies who may struggle to latch, need extra nourishment, or are facing medical challenges. Hold on! Did you know colostrum is commonly sourced from cows, too? In that case, it's termed Bovine colostrum. For farmers, collecting bovine colostrum from cows ensures that calves receive every essential nutrient, including protective antibodies, right from birth.
Bovine colostrum is gaining popularity as a supplement for humans and pets, for its gut health, immunity, and overall health benefits. Proper collection and storage preserve its effectiveness, whether for infants, animals, or human supplementation.
Let's learn more about why and how to collect colostrum and store it to ensure the best possible start to life.
Key Facts
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Also Read: Benefits of Bovine Colostrum Supplements for Adults
In simple words, ‘colostrum harvesting’ is collecting and storing your colostrum.
Mammary glands begin making colostrum while you’re pregnant, at around 16-17 weeks. The timings may vary from person to person.
You can begin expressing colostrum from week 36 of pregnancy. Always check with your healthcare provider or lactation expert first.
Still wondering, WHY?
Just keep scrolling to curb that curiosity!
There can be various reasons that you should collect colostrum in advance, such as:
There can be cases when feeding naturally becomes troublesome, such as:
If your baby has trouble latching
Premature birth, or
Multiple birth (twin or triplet)
Being smart and storing colostrum helps you make sure your little one still receive vital early nutrients.
Some babies are born with medical conditions like
Low blood sugar
Down’s syndrome
Congenital abnormalities
Heart complications, or
Cleft lip/palate
These newborns may need extra colostrum to stabilize their health and support their early development. And colostrum harvesting can be a savior!
Mother’s health plays a vital role in colostrum production. So, if you have:
A history of low milk production
Breast hypoplasia
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or
Previous breast surgery, consider collecting colostrum in advance.
It can be helpful to provide a crucial nutritional start for your baby.
There are few other medical conditions that might impact milk production and require new mothers to collect colostrum. These are:
Diabetes (including gestational diabetes)
Pre-eclampsia
High blood pressure (requiring beta blockers like labetalol), or
Raised BMI
Expecting to deliver via C-section? Having stored colostrum can help ensure your baby gets early nourishment while waiting for your milk to come in.
So, now when the “WHY” is clear, let’s explore “HOW”!
Your breasts make only a small quantity of colostrum. Thus, it is better that you:
Collect the colostrum using your hands.
Avoid using a breast pump, which you can use later after giving birth.
You can start collecting for a few minutes every day initially.
Gradually build up the frequency to 5 to 10 minutes at one time for 2 to 5 times per day.
You can follow these steps to collect colostrum:
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and dry them well. Also, ensure you have a clean and sterilized container/ spoon/ syringe.
Gently massage your breasts with your hands in a circular motion to stimulate flow.
Begin from the outside of your breast and move your hands towards your nipple.
Cup your hand around one breast and form a C shape around the nipple with four fingers under the breast and the thumb at the top. Place your fingers around the areola and gently compress toward the nipple.
Gently squeeze your thumb and index finger. Avoid pinching or holding too tight. Release and repeat in rhythmic motion.
Collect the expressed colostrum in a sterile syringe, spoon, or small container. Repeat the process with the second breast.
You can store colostrum in
A syringe or
Container in the refrigerator.
Note: Before storing, cover the syringe with a cap and put it in a plastic bag. Ensure that you’ve labeled it with the date and/or time of collection.
Refrigeration: Store at 4°C or below (39°F) for up to 48 hours.
Freezing: Freeze at -18°C (0°F) or below for up to 6 months.
Consumption Tip:
Thawing: Warm in a bowl of warm water before feeding (never microwave).
At the very beginning of the blog, you learnt of a boon, i.e, Bovine Colostrum. So, let’s understand a little more about its journey. Shall we?
Bovine colostrum which is known for its immune-supporting and gut-healing properties has become a popular supplement worldwide.
But ever wondered how it’s actually collected and processed?
It all starts soon after a cow gives birth.
The first milk, or colostrum, is harvested within the first few hours (ideally within 6 hours) of calving. This timing is crucial, as it ensures maximum concentration of antibodies, growth factors, and bioactive compounds.
Once collected, the colostrum undergoes careful pasteurization to eliminate pathogens while preserving its nutrients.
After that, it's gently dried (spray or freeze drying) and standardized to ensure consistent quality and potency.
The final product is then used in capsules, powders, or functional foods, designed to support human immunity, gut health, and recovery.
So, whether it’s to support a newborn calf or packaged as a health-boosting supplement for you, bovine colostrum goes through a meaningful path; from the farm to your shelf.
Colostrum Supplements: Why Early Collection MattersColostral IgG (Immunoglobulin G) Levels Drop by 3.7% Every Hour After CalvingEarly Collection = Higher IgG & More Immune Benefits ️ |
Colostrum harvesting ensures the young one receives health benefits such as immune support, gut protection, and essential nutrients when direct breastfeeding isn’t an option. The same holds true for calves, as timely colostrum feeding ensures their survival, growth, and long-term health benefits.
In addition, bovine colostrum is emerging as a potent supplement that supports digestive health, the immune system, muscle recovery, and complete well-being. Best practices for collecting and processing colostrum ensure maximizing its benefits while also assuring the best quality. The process also helps to widen the reach of this nutrient-rich superfood to those who need it most.
Hand expression is the easiest way for colostrum collection. Gently massage your breast and express small drops into a clean container or syringe.
You can start around 36 weeks if advised by your doctor. However, it’s not necessary for everyone.
Wash your hands, gently massage your breasts, and use your fingers to express colostrum into a clean container or syringe.
Yes, you can, but hand expression is usually more effective for small amounts. A pump may not work well as the colostrum quantity is very small, and it is thicker.
Yes, frozen colostrum is beneficial and packed with antibodies, and immune-boosting properties.
Yes, you can give colostrum to support their overall health. It is especially beneficial for sick babies and those with weak immunity.
It’s ready when you notice thick, yellowish or clear fluid coming from your breasts, usually after 16-20 weeks.
Playford, Raymond John, and Michael James Weiser. "Bovine colostrum: Its constituents and uses." Nutrients 13.1 (2021): 265. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7831509/
Dande, Nivedita Deepak, and Prajakta Jayant Nande. "Nutritional composition of bovine colostrum: palatability evaluation of food products prepared using bovine colostrum." International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases 10.1 (2020): 8-13. https://journals.lww.com/ijnp/fulltext/2020/10010/nutritional_composition_of_bovine_colostrum_.2.aspx
Arslan, Ayşenur, et al. "Bovine colostrum and its potential for human health and nutrition." Frontiers in Nutrition 8 (2021): 651721. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8255475/
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TL;DR
Your gut is more than a digestive organ. It’s a living ecosystem that affects immunity, metabolism, mood, and energy. This doctor-style guide explains how the gut and microbiome work, what damages them, and realistic food, lifestyle, and supplement strategies to support long-term gut health. |
So, how well do you understand your gut?
Most of us often treat our gut like a simple machine that takes in food and expels waste. If something feels off, we reach for a quick fix, an antacid, a laxative, a trending "detox" tea, or simply avoid spicy food for a few days.
In reality, your gut is much more than an organ system.
It's an ecosystem that houses trillions of microbes, responding to what you eat, how you sleep, the nutrients you take, and everything you do.
This living ecosystem (medically called gut microbiome) quietly shapes your metabolism, your skin, and even your mood. Do you want to know how?
This article is a doctor-style guide that offers:
The basics of your gut and how it functions
The gut microbiome and why it is central to gut health
Evidence-based ways to support gut healing and long-term maintenance
When we say gut, we are mainly talking about:
The mouth and esophagus
The stomach
The small intestine
The large intestine (colon)
Plus, closely linked organs like the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, which release bile and digestive enzymes. Additionally, the rectum and anus facilitate the excretion of waste products. Together, this system helps with:
That's the primary function of the gut. It helps break down complex food molecules into simple nutrients. Remember your high school chapter where you learnt that:
Acids and enzymes break down proteins in the stomach.
Pancreatic and bile juice from the liver help in digesting fats and carbohydrates in the small intestine.
This makes the food particles so small that they can be easily absorbed later.
Once the digestive tract breaks down the food, the gut's next job is to absorb nutrients. The lining of the small intestine, covered with folds, tiny villi, and microvilli, absorbs essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids, sugars, and fats.
Additionally, the gut helps your body eliminate what it no longer needs (detoxification). The large intestine (colon) absorbs water and electrolytes, forming stool. Regular, comfortable bowel movements are a sign of a 'healthy' gut.
Talking About Detoxification, Read Here: Top 11 Herbs to Detoxify Your Body Naturally.
The gut also functions as a security checkpoint, with its lining (the gut barrier) acting as a selective gatekeeper that separates the contents of the gut from the rest of the body—allowing nutrients in while keeping harmful substances out. Supported by tight junctions, this barrier prevents toxins, undigested food, and harmful bacteria from entering the bloodstream.
When inflamed or damaged, this lining can become more reactive, leading to leaky gut, constipation, bloating, and discomfort.
Read Here: 10 Signs Your Gut Health Might Be Out of Balance
Up to this point, we've looked at the gut as an organ system. Now, let's expand our learning and begin to understand the gut as an ecosystem.
The human digestive tract is home to a diverse community of microorganisms, mainly bacteria, but also viruses and fungi. Together, they are called the gut microbiome (Shurney 2019 ¹.
The words' bacteria' or 'fungi' often sound negative, but these are good guys that support crucial functions.
Yes, you heard it right. These microbes aren't random. Many of them have coevolved with humans and perform functions your own body can't do alone, especially in breaking down food components and training the immune system.
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Gut Microbiota vs. Gut Microbiome You might have seen a few articles that use the terms gut microbiota and gut microbiome interchangeably. Though related, the two are different. Gut microbiota = the actual microbes Gut microbiome = the microbes plus all their genes and the substances they produce |
Your gut microbial system starts forming early in life and is shaped by (Shurney, 2019 ¹:
Birth mode (vaginal birth vs C-section)
Breastfeeding vs formula
Your long-term diet patterns
Infections, antibiotic use, and alcohol use
Environment, hygiene, stress, sleep, and movement
By adulthood, most people have a relatively stable but still adaptable microbiome.
There's no single composition that defines a balanced gut microbiome. However, a balanced microbiome usually has these three characteristics (Rinninella et al., 2019)2:
High and diverse levels of beneficial microbes, combined with a low presence of harmful bacteria, create a more balanced and healthier gut environment.
Stability to handle small changes in diet and routine without causing any functional interruptions.
Resilience gradually returns to its original state of functioning after disruptions (such as an infection, stress, or a short course of antibiotics).
Wondering what your gut microbiome does? When your gut microbiome is diverse and balanced, it supports metabolism, immune function, and communication with the rest of your body.
Your gut bacteria play a major role in how your body digests and uses nutrients (Rowland et al., 2018)3.
They produce important vitamins, break down complex foods, and convert fiber into short-chain fatty acids — the fuel that nourishes your gut lining and keeps your digestive system balanced.
These short-chain fatty acids also support the gut barrier, improve colonic hydration, and help regulate metabolism.
Read Here: The Gut Health-Weight Loss Connection
Your gut not only digests food but also helps prevent you from falling sick again and again. Surprised? Well, that's true.
About 70% of your immune system is connected to your gut. That means the health of your gut directly affects how often you fall sick. A healthy gut helps your immune system distinguish between real threats and harmless substances, keeping unnecessary inflammation in check and helping your body stay balanced.
Additionally, microbes help maintain a balanced local immune response (not too weak or in a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state) (Wu & Wu, 2012)4.
Your gut has enteroendocrine cells (EECs), which release hormones that:
Signal hunger or satiety to the brain
Help regulate insulin and blood glucose levels
Influence how quickly food moves through your digestive tract
The gut microbiome interacts with EECs and interferes with the signals by:
Changing how you extract calories from food
Influencing the production of certain gut hormones
Modulating low-grade inflammation, which is linked to insulin resistance and metabolic health (Boulangé et al., 2016)5
That's how these microbes indirectly regulate how your body responds to hunger, fullness, and blood sugar.
Struggling With Blood Sugar? Read Here Foods to Avoid with Trulicity
Your gut has its own nervous system (the enteric nervous system, ENS). The ENS continuously communicates with the brain through the gut-brain axis.
This two-way communication happens through:
Nerves, especially the vagus nerve, which carries signals between your gut and brain
Chemical messengers, neurotransmitters, and metabolites made in or influenced by the gut
Stress hormones (cortisol), which can change gut movement and sensitivity
Gut microbes can influence hormone and neurotransmitter release and the immune response, thereby affecting brain function and behavior (Mhanna et al., 2023)6. Remember the time when your gut was reacting before an exam, an important meeting, or an argument? Now, you know the reasons!
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Gut = Your Second Brain This is why the gut is often called the "second brain" and why stress, anxiety, and sleep problems can show up as gut symptoms and vice versa. |
That's how your gut health is responsible for your metabolism, energy, mood, immunity, and that instant 'gut feeling' you get before making a big decision.
Also Read: Is Bowel Leakage a Sign of Cancer?
Certain lifestyles and events may disrupt the gut microbial balance, such as:
Repeated or broad-spectrum antibiotics
Significant psychological or physical stress
Major dietary changes or long-term ultra-processed diets
Radiation, infections, or altered gut motility
Medically, ‘dysbiosis’ is used to mention an imbalanced gut microbiome (Shurney, 2019)¹. Though there's no one strict medical definition, it generally means:
Fewer helpful species, more potentially harmful ones, and less overall diversity.
This relationship is bidirectional. An imbalanced microbiome can contribute to disease, and chronic diseases can further disrupt it.
Research links dysbiosis with certain conditions like inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain mood disorders. It doesn't mean the microbiome "caused" these conditions on its own, but it likely plays a meaningful role.
An unbalanced gut microbiome may affect your mood, skin, and mental well-being.
So, it's important to balance your gut microbiome and its diversity.
But there's no single food, supplement, or 7-day protocol that can "reset" your gut. From a medical perspective, it requires slow, consistent habits that change your gut environment, feed the 'good' microbes, and strengthen the gut lining.
There's no single food that can build or break your microbial balance. Your gut microbes love fiber and a variety of real foods.
Take balanced meals that focus on essential nutrients such as protein, fibre, and vitamins.
Add antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to your diet to protect your gut from oxidative damage.
Anti-inflammatory foods can lower chronic inflammation, strengthening your gut lining.
Limit the overconsumption of ultra-processed or junk foods. Choose home-cooked over packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and instant/ready meals.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption or smoking, as these toxins slowly interfere with your gut lining and microbes.
Find Here: 21 Days Anti-inflammatory Diet Plan Free PDF.
Once you have established a gut-friendly diet, gently add specific foods that microbes love.
Prebiotics are the non-digestible fibers that your good gut bacteria love to eat. You can get them from:
Onions, garlic, and leeks
Asparagus, artichokes
Oats, barley
Lentils, chickpeas, beans
Bananas (especially slightly underripe)
Fermented foods are rich in beneficial microorganisms, which add live cultures and metabolites to your gut. Typical examples are: yoghurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and tempeh.
If you have a gut imbalance, your doctor may recommend a probiotic supplement to restore the diversity.
Note: Not everyone needs a probiotic supplement. For many people, a varied, fiber-rich, and fermented-food-inclusive diet is enough.
Read Here: 7 Surprising Reasons Why Men Should Take Probiotics.
Are you someone who rushes to antibiotics every time a minor headache hits? You might be relieving the symptoms, but you're definitely disrupting your gut balance.
Antibiotics don't distinguish between "good" and "bad" bacteria. Repeated or unnecessary courses can:
Reduce microbial diversity
Allow resistant or less helpful species to dominate
It can take months (or longer) for the microbiome to partially recover after a course of antibiotics. Certain other medications, like long-term acid suppressants, some painkillers, and particular diabetes or psychiatric drugs, can also influence gut function and microbes.
Don't stop prescribed medications, but review your long-term medications with your doctor regularly. Talk about the side effects and their management.
Use OTC antibiotics only when truly needed.
Support your microbiome with diet and lifestyle while on medications.
Read In Detail: Can Your Gut Health Also Cause You Acne?
Now, you know your gut microbiome and brain constantly communicate with each other like best friends. When one is off, the other already knows. So focus on your mental well-being.
Aim for a reasonably consistent 7-9 hour sleep window most nights.
Lower the lights and reduce evening screen time.
Avoid heavy meals 2-3 hours before bed.
Manage your cortisol levels by following stress care techniques that work for you.
We agree that life is complex at times. You can't remove all stress, but you can always turn down the background volume. Set realistic boundaries, pursue your hobby, practice yoga and meditation, and avoid doomscrolling.
Your gut prefers movement and rhythm over intensity. Start little (but regular) and support your gut health with:
Walking, light cycling, yoga, or any low–moderate activity most days of the week.
Even 10–15 minutes of slow walking after meals can help with blood sugar and energy.
Eating at regular times. If you maintain a strict diet throughout the day but end up overeating at night. It's really worthless.
Don't be overwhelmed. You don't need a perfect routine. You just need enough consistency that your gut can predict when food is coming and how active your body will be.
Read More: Understanding Borborygmi: Can Stomach Noises Be a Sign of Bowel Cancer?
Sometimes, a balanced meal and a regular lifestyle are not just enough, and your body needs external support. In that case (or when your doctor recommends), you can seek the right, science-backed supplements:
Fibre supplements to feed your gut bacteria. They provide additional fuel for beneficial gut bacteria and increase stool bulk.
Probiotic supplements contain specific live strains of bacteria or yeasts. They may be helpful when you’ve had recent antibiotics or identified the deficiency of certain strains in your microbial colony.
Some supplements, such as bovine colostrum, are clinically proven to strengthen the gut lining. They are beneficial for people with a sensitive gut, frequent bloating, and other symptoms.
Emerging evidence shows that Vitamin E tocotrienols alter the composition of the gut microbiome. They promote a healthier balance of bacteria and restore the diversity.
You can also use a gentle detox (such as zeolite) to reduce toxin burden and enhance nutrient absorption.
Read Here: What Is The Best Time to Take Fiber Supplements
Before starting a new supplement, always consult a healthcare provider, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an underlying condition.
Your gut isn't just a digestive organ, but a whole ecosystem. When that system is in balance, you barely notice it. When it’s not, it signals through bloating, discomfort, irregular bowel movements, low energy, skin issues, or mood changes.
The goal of gut care is not perfection. It’s about creating a gentler, more predictable environment for your gut lining and microbiome to function effectively.
Think of this guide as a starting point for a better relationship with your gut. Instead of fighting it or ignoring it, you’re finally working with it.
Gut health affects your immunity, energy, skin, and mood.
A healthy gut means good digestion, a strong gut lining, and a balanced microbiome.
Supplements (like fiber and probiotics) can support gut health.
Your food choices, stress, sleep, physical activity, and medications shape your gut health.
Disclaimer: This article is for education, not diagnosis. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are serious, it’s safer to check with a healthcare professional rather than ignore them.
Bloating, excess gas, fatigue, persistent hormonal acne, constipation, and diarrhea are some common signs of an unhealthy gut.
To improve your gut health naturally, focus on a fiber-rich, plant-diverse diet, regular movement, good sleep, and stress management. Emphasize more fiber, less ultra-processed foods, and consistent physical activity to support a healthier microbiome.
Gut health requires consistency and can take months to heal completely. However, with the right diet and supplements, you can begin to notice significant improvements.
Not everyone needs a probiotic pill. Many people can support their microbiome through diet and fermented foods.
Leaky gut isn't a medical term, but it's real. In medical terms, we use the term “increased intestinal permeability,” not “leaky gut,” as a formal diagnosis. The gut barrier can become more permeable during inflammation or disease.
Shurney D. The gut microbiome: unleashing the doctor within. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2019;13(3):265-268. doi:10.1177/1559827619826551. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6506970/
Rinninella E, Raoul P, Cintoni M, et al. What is the healthy gut microbiota composition? A changing ecosystem across age, environment, diet, and diseases. Microorganisms. 2019;7(1):14. doi:10.3390/microorganisms7010014. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6351938/
Rowland I, Gibson G, Heinken A, et al. Gut microbiota functions: metabolism of nutrients and other food components. Eur J Nutr. 2018;57(1):1-24. doi:10.1007/s00394-017-1445-8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5847071/
Wu H-J, Wu E. The role of gut microbiota in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity. Gut Microbes. 2012;3(1):4–14. doi:10.4161/gmic.19320. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3337124/
Boulangé CL, Neves AL, Chilloux J, Nicholson JK, Dumas M-E. Impact of the gut microbiota on inflammation, obesity, and metabolic disease. Genome Med. 2016;8(1):42. doi:10.1186/s13073-016-0303-2. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4839080
Mhanna A, Martini N, Hmaydoosh G, et al. The correlation between gut microbiota and both neurotransmitters and mental disorders: A narrative review. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023;103(5):e37114. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000037114. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10843545/
Thyroid issues often sneak up on women as fatigue, hair thinning, menstrual irregularities. Fortunately, early detection and smart nutrition/ supplement support (selenium + myo-inositol, vitamin D, iron/ferritin) can make a meaningful difference.
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