Take your probiotics with bovine colostrum (BC) from now on. In this study from Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, researchers discovered that BC’s oligosaccharides influence gastrointestinal “glyco-gene” expression. Glyco-genes are responsible for metabolizing glycans for energy production. BC’s growth factors help to repair the intestinal lining to enforce a healthy terrain. This makes “adherence” super easy for beneficial bifidobacteria.

Adherence to the intestinal cells was “significantly enhanced (up to 52-fold) for all strains tested, which spanned species that are found across the human lifespan.”

Importantly, the changes to the intestinal cell surface did not support enhanced adhesion of the enteric pathogens tested.

Also known as first milk, BC is the golden, milky fluid newborn mammals drink on birth. Rich in growth factors and free oligosaccharides, BC helps calves and babies to seal the gastrointestinal lining when they are first born. Now researchers have found, at all ages, BC stimulates growth of beneficial bacterial populations in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Available as capsules, wafers, and powder, BC can be added into smoothies and other recipes and is suitable for all ages. Babies especially will thrive with daily colostrum.