Why Colostrum?

In this mini episode, Kriegler shares information about colostrum, including:

• Colostrum is the first milk produced by all mammals, and it is especially nutrient-dense with antibodies and bioactives that support the immune system.
• For supplementation, colostrum is collected from cows, which produce colostrum in the first 24 hours after giving birth; it is typically gathered only after calves have nursed (on average, cows produce about 50 to 70 percent more colostrum than the calves need). This excess colostrum — gathered via about three milkings — is later processed into supplement form.
• The health benefits of colostrum include support for immune resilience, intestinal barrier integrity, skin health, wound healing, and recovery after exercise.
• The LTH Revive Colostrum is strictly from first-milkings and sourced primarily from family farms in the Midwest, many of which are in southwestern Wisconsin.
• The production process is rigorous. To be turned into a supplement, the excess colostrum is immediately flash frozen to preserve its bioactive ingredients. It’s then transported in cooled trucks to the processing plant, where it’s certified for traceability back to the farm — and oftentimes even the cow itself.
• The production process begins with slowly thawing the colostrum in a temperature-controlled room: It never goes above 45 degrees F in order to maintain the bioactive ingredients. Once thawed, the colostrum is sampled for nutrient quantity and quality analysis. It’s kept at cool temperatures until it’s time for pasteurization: 15 seconds at 125 degrees F (the minimum time and temperature allowed). It’s then spray dried to become stable at room temperature and air sealed. Once in powder form, the colostrum is independently tested and verified for nutrient quantity and quality.
• The necessary dosage for noticing the benefits of colostrum is low, according to Kriegler, with many starting with just one to three grams daily.
• The LTH Revive Colostrum from Life Time comes in a powder form with no added flavorings or sweeteners. Some people choose to put it on their tongue and let it dissolve. You can also add it to any cool liquid or protein shake (you don’t want to expose it to temperatures above 140 degrees F to avoid damaging the bioactive components). Kriegler notes that people may enjoy mixing it into yogurt, cooled oatmeal, or applesauce, or even sprinkling it on scrambled eggs as it naturally has a slightly buttery taste.