The black market for breastmilk isn’t exactly so secret anymore.
Back in 2025, a TikToker boasted that she made over $13,000 by selling their breastmilk to bodybuilders, convinced that it would help them bulk up. In Australia, there are reports of cancer patients searching Facebook groups for breastmilk, under the belief that it will help treat their disease.
Sometimes, it’s not just regular breastmilk they want — it’s specifically colostrum. The so-called golden milk.
“Colostrum is the first form of milk produced during late pregnancy and the first few days after birth,” explained Erin Kenney, MS, RD, digestive health specialist and founder of Nutrition Rewired. “Rich in antibodies and nutrients, it helps support a newborn’s immune system and gut development.
Kenney adds that all female mammals produce colostrum, which is sometimes referred to as “Liquid Gold” because of its concentrated nutritional and immune benefits. And today, it’s not just babies who want to get their hands on nature’s superfood.
What are colostrum supplements?
A colostrum craze is sweeping America, and human moms aren’t the ones doing the making — or milking.
According to Kelly Candela, a registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Functional Nutrition Coach at Parsely Health, most colostrum supplements — including the celeb-backed ARMRA brand — are made with bovine colostrum, from cows. A single jar retails between $109 and $119.
Candela explained that bovine colostrum supplements contain many of the same helpful components as human colostrum, such as immunoglobulins, growth factors and protective proteins.
“These compounds are what give colostrum its potential benefits for gut health, immune support, and recovery,” Candela explained. “The strongest and most consistent evidence for bovine colostrum is in gut and immune health.”
Thousands of brands have leaned into the colostrum market as demand surges. In the last year, consumers in the US spent $19 million on colostrum supplements. SPINS reported a 155% jump in products containing colostrum, marking it as the fastest-growing ingredient within the space.
Experts agree that the surge in popularity could be attributed to several factors, including new research into the benefits of colostrum and celebrity endorsements.
Colostrum Supplement Benefits
The science on colostrum is mixed, and many experts agree that more research is needed. However, some interesting data has emerged as researchers begin to look into its far-reaching benefits.
A 2022 review found that colostrum can strengthen the gut lining and reduce intestinal permeability, aiding in digestive health and immune function. Additionally, a 2024 systematic review found that colostrum supplementation decreased diarrhea frequency in 15 out of the 20 of the studies examined.
Colostrum has also been shown to lower the risk of upper respiratory infections (URTIs) in students and athletes. A randomized trial with medical students — who could be at higher risk due to workload stress and exposure — found that colostrum supplements provided significant immune protection.
Much of the research on colostrum has focused on sport. In terms of training and recovery, Colostrum also appears to help athletes maintain performance during demanding training periods. However, Candela points out that evidence for changes in muscle mass or body composition is more limited.
“For women specifically, there is some evidence that topical colostrum can help improve symptoms related to vaginal dryness,” Candela added. “Beyond that, the benefits of oral colostrum, including gut and immune support, appear to apply equally to both men and women.”
Some brands also conduct their own studies on colostrum’s benefits. Dual-arm clinical research on ARMRA found that after 12 weeks, 86% of users experienced less bloating, 80% saw improvements in strength and lean muscle mass and 79% noticed thicker hair.
What should someone look for in a high-quality colostrum supplement?
Not all colostrum supplements are made the same, and with so many options on the market, it can be difficult for consumers to know where to start. Experts stress that users should consider the source of the colostrum and how it was processed.
“ARMRA uses a cold-chain biopotent technology that they say protects over 400 active compounds during the heating process,” noted Katelyn Bedford, a Holistic Nutritionist and founder of Wellness the Right Way.
Bedford explained that the proprietary, cold-chain process locks in the potent ingredients so users reap the full benefits. even if it’s delivered in a smaller serving size. This is also why colostrum should not be mixed into hot liquids. High heat can denature critical proteins and antibodies.
Bedford also recommends looking for brands like ARMRA that source from cows on grass-fed farms, colostrum with no hormones, antibodies or GMOs. ARMRA also removes casein from its colostrum, as it’s the most common dairy allergen. This ensures a purer product while still maintaining its full spectrum of bioactive nutrients.
While most experts — including Bedford and Candela — agree that colostrum doesn’t typically cause side effects, it does contain lactose. For that reason, it should not be used by anyone with a true cow’s milk protein allergy. For those who are lactose-intolerant, it could cause bloating.
“Colostrum isn’t magic, but it is biologically active, and when a high-quality product is taken consistently, it can meaningfully support gut integrity and immune health, especially during periods of stress, illness risk or heavy training,” concluded Candela.
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
