Colostrum might not be just for babies anymore. It’s also available in pill or powder form as a nutrient-boosting supplement that’s generating buzz on social media.

New mothers produce colostrum in liquid form after giving birth. 

The fluid is packed with protein, nutrients and antioxidants to help boost babies’ immunity.

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The supplement version — called bovine colostrum — is derived from the milk produced by cows in the initial days after giving birth.

Fox News Digital spoke with nutrition experts to find out whether colostrum supplements live up to the hype — and whether they pose any risks. 

Potential benefits and limitations

Some studies have shown potential benefits of using bovine colostrum supplements, according to Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian.

Those include preventing and shortening the duration of diarrhea, helping to prevent upper airway infections, and supporting a healthy immune system. 

Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, said colostrum supplements could have some benefits, but the evidence is “not definitive.” (Erin Palinski-Wade)

“These studies are small, however, and the evidence is not definitive,” Palinski-Wade told Fox News Digital. 

“More research is needed to fully understand the health effects of bovine colostrum supplements.”

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Sherry Coleman Collins, a food allergy dietician and expert in the Atlanta metropolitan area, agreed that the evidence for human supplementation with bovine colostrum is “extremely limited.”

Collins told Fox News Digital, “There is not enough evidence for me to recommend it for anyone for any reason.” 

Bovine colostrum supplements are derived from the milk produced by cows in the initial days after they give birth. (iStock)

“We know that human colostrum is very beneficial for babies, providing specific nutritional value and immunological benefit through transferring some of mother’s immunity to baby,” she told Fox News Digital.

“However, we do not have enough evidence about bovine colostrum in humans to make any real statements about its impact on human health,” said Collins.

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The dietitian also noted that the processing of milk impacts its nutrition and would likely reduce some immunity benefits. 

Michelle Routhenstein, a New York City-based registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in heart disease, said she does not recommend bovine colostrum supplements, “due to limited scientific evidence on their efficacy and potential variability in product quality.”

Risks involved with bovine colostrum

“These supplements are generally considered safe for healthy adults using them for a short duration, but there are still risks to consider,” said Palinski-Wade.

Individuals with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance should avoid bovine colostrum supplements, the dietitian said. 

“Bovine colostrum contains estrogen, which may negatively impact individuals at risk for certain cancers, such as breast, ovarian or prostate cancer,” she said. 

Colostrum supplements are available in pill or powder form. (iStock)

People with a history or risk of these cancers should speak to a doctor before taking these supplements, Palinski-Wade advised.

“These supplements also have not been tested on women who are pregnant or lactating and should be avoided in this population unless cleared by their physician,” she said.

Other potential risks include contamination by harmful bacteria, interactions with medications and unknown long-term effects, according to Routhenstein.

Safety tips

For those who decide to try the supplements, experts emphasized the importance of choosing a reputable seller.

“When purchasing bovine colostrum supplements, it’s important to choose reputable brands and sources to ensure quality and safety,” said Routhenstein.

“Bovine colostrum contains estrogen, which may negatively impact individuals at risk for certain cancers.”

“Look for supplements that are manufactured by reputable companies, adhere to good manufacturing practices (GMP), and undergo third-party testing for purity and potency.”

For optimal temperature regulation and storage of bovine colostrum supplements, Routhenstein said it’s best to consider purchasing from reputable third-party dispensaries specializing in health and wellness products.

Bovine colostrum supplements may not be suitable for individuals with dairy allergies, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those taking immunosuppressant medications, a dietitian said. (iStock)

“All supplements have limited oversight and don’t need to be proven safe or effective before being sold in the U.S.,” Collins said. “For this reason, there’s no guarantee on purity or potency in many cases.”

“Because bovine colostrum is likely to be sold as a dietary supplement, I would say buyer beware.”

For all supplements, Collins recommends looking for the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) symbol, which indicates that the product “does not contain harmful levels of specified contaminants” and that it is “made using safe, sanitary and well-controlled manufacturing practices according to FDA and USP guidelines.”

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Certain groups of people should be careful to avoid colostrum supplements, the dietitian said.

“I always caution people with compromised liver, kidney or immune systems about taking dietary supplements,” she said.

For anyone else interested in trying colostrum supplements, experts advised consulting with a doctor before trying them. (iStock)

Bovine colostrum supplements may not be suitable for individuals with dairy allergies, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those taking immunosuppressant medications, according to Routhenstein.

For anyone else interested in trying colostrum supplements, both dietitians advised consulting with a doctor before trying them.

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“I think this is just a case of too much speculation with too little actual research at this time,” Collins said. 

“Could bovine colostrum benefit some people? Maybe. But there are a lot of other proven ways to improve health that don’t involve supplements or speculation — like eating enough fruits and vegetables — and I would encourage people to spend their hard-earned dollars there first.”

The FDA does not test or approve dietary supplements before they are sold, according to the agency’s website. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo)

The FDA does not test or approve dietary supplements before they are sold, according to the agency’s website.

“Consumers may contact the dietary supplement manufacturer or a commercial laboratory for an analysis of a product’s content,” the agency stated.

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The FDA recommends that consumers talk to their doctor, pharmacist or another health care professional before choosing to take any supplement, and warned that some supplements may interact with other medications.

Fox News Digital contacted the FDA requesting additional comment.

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Ketamine could be a viable remedy for veterans struggling with depression, new research has suggested.

The University of Michigan released a study on the effects of ketamine in cases of severe or treatment-resistant depression among veterans.

Half of the study participants experienced significant relief after undergoing six weeks of ketamine therapy, according to a Michigan Medicine press release.

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The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, looked into the data of 215 veterans receiving intravenous ketamine therapy at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals.

All the participants had also undergone previous depression treatments without any improvement.

Nearly half of all patients saw a “meaningful drop” in depression scores after six weeks of infusions, according to the analysis by the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS).

About 25% saw their depression score drop by half within six weeks of treatment, while 15% went into full remission despite the complexity of their mental health status.

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Almost all patients surveyed continued their treatment every few weeks or months.

“Further study is needed to determine optimal infusion frequency and potential for adverse effects with repeated ketamine infusions for depression,” the study findings stated.

Nearly half the participants in a new study saw a “meaningful drop” in depression scores after six weeks of IV ketamine infusions, the study found. (iStock)

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, VA press secretary Terrence Hayes backed ketamine therapy as an option for veterans.

“VA supports the evidence-based use of ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant depression and severe suicidal ideation,” he said.

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“Many veterans with these mental health conditions are treated with IV ketamine annually – both at VA facilities and by community providers.”

Dr. Justin Gerstner, psychiatrist and chief medical officer at Ellie Mental Health in Minnesota, told Fox News Digital that he thinks these findings on ketamine are “great,” as the VA population is “in need of new, innovative treatments for depression.”

(Gerstner was not involved in the Michigan study.)

A doctor holds a vial of ketamine at the MindPeace Clinic in Richmond, Virginia. (Julia Rendleman for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

“This study shows that this helps some of the hardest-to-treat veterans with depression,” he said.

As more psychedelic-assisted therapies emerge to treat numerous mental health issues, the doctor said ketamine is among the ones that produce results “pretty quickly.”

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Another benefit of ketamine therapy, according to Gerstner, is that it eliminates the need for patients to take medication every day, as with other treatment methods.

Gerstner said he uses ketamine therapy in his own practice, where the response from clients has been “great.”

Carl Montalbino, 67, receives his ketamine treatment while nurse Melissa Dougher checks his vitals on July 5, 2022, at MindPeace Clinic in Richmond, Virginia. (Julia Rendleman for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

“It’s been quite transformative for a lot of our clients,” he told Fox News Digital. “It’s really a rewarding experience to be a part of that.”

Gerstner’s practice usually administers ketamine to clients via IV injection in two- to three-hour sessions, partnered with psychotherapy before and after treatment.

Potential risks and limitations

While ketamine can work as a “really powerful anti-depressant and anti-suicidal drug,” Gerstner said, he warned that it is “not the right answer for everybody or everything.”

“This is a really powerful medication and the way that it’s used can vary quite drastically.”

There are some risks and limitations involved, he said — including the potential for ketamine to be abused.

There isn’t too much regulation surrounding how ketamine treatments are administered, Gerstner noted, since the drug was previously approved for anesthetic use. 

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“The field is wide open, and it’s a little bit like the Wild West,” he said. “This is a really powerful medication and the way that it’s used can vary quite drastically.”

Various clinics have seen success with administering the drug in different forms, including oral, IV and injectable, according to Gerstner.

Various clinics have seen success with the drug being administered in different forms, including oral, IV and injectable. (Julia Rendleman for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

For patients with severe treatment-resistant depression, a typical IV regimen is administered every two to three days in a hospital-based outpatient clinic, according to Michigan Medicine and VAAAHS.

“Those things are really all over the map,” Gerstner said. “It’s hard to regulate and there’s some risk in that, but it’s also what we have to do while learning what’s best.” 

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For veterans who are seeking better treatment, ketamine could be a “really important thing to consider for depression,” said Gerstner

“If they’re suffering with depression and feel like they’re not getting what they need, and they haven’t had a discussion about ketamine, it’s OK to ask [their provider] about it,” he added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the University of Michigan requesting additional comment on the research.

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Most people have sacrificed sleep at some point, but those extra waking hours could come at a price.

While it can be tempting to burn the midnight oil — whether it’s to get some work done, knock out a home project or care for a loved one — forgoing rest can wreak havoc on your health.

Fox News Digital spoke to experts about the short- and long-term effects of pulling an all-nighter — and how to rebound after a period of missed sleep.

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Here’s a deep dive.

What does staying up all night do to the body?

Pulling an all-nighter can have several impacts on the body, both physically and mentally, according to Dr. Leah Joseph, a primary care physician with New York-based Teladoc Health. 

“The physical effects include weakening your immune system, which makes you more susceptible to illnesses,” she told Fox News Digital. 

“Your body may also release a higher level of cortisol, which leads to elevated stress levels.”

In addition, sleep deprivation can result in impaired memory, concentration and overall cognitive function, Joseph noted.

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“The mental effects include mood changes, which can contribute to irritability, anxiety or depression,” she said. 

“It also affects your decision-making, as your judgment may be negatively affected.”

Alex Dimitriu, M.D., who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and is founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California, also warned of adverse effects.

“Even a single night of insufficient sleep leads to a buildup of toxins in the brain similar to those seen in people with Alzheimer’s disease.”

“There is evidence that even a single night of insufficient — or worse yet, absent — sleep leads to a buildup of toxins in the brain similar to those seen in people with Alzheimer’s disease,” he told Fox News Digital. 

“Similar to Alzheimer’s, even one night of lost sleep can cause fatigue, impaired impulse control, mood instability, diminished attention and memory — all symptoms similar to ADHD.”

Staying up all night can significantly disrupt your sleep schedule and circadian rhythm, a doctor warned.  (iStock)

“Underslept” people are more likely to suffer from a variety of psychiatric conditions, Dimitriu said. 

Those include depression, anxiety, substance use, memory impairment and possibly an eventual increased risk of dementia. 

“The brain needs sleep to clean up and reset,” he said.

Physically, lost sleep causes increased carb craving, diminished immunity and increased stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, he added. 

“The brain needs sleep to clean up and reset.”

“The increased stress hormones, in turn, can elevate heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar.”

Is an occasional all-nighter safe?

While pulling an occasional all-nighter may include include fatigue, irritability, impaired cognitive function and a temporary disruption of the sleep-wake cycle, Joseph said it may not cause significant long-term damage on its own.

Consistently skipping sleep over an extended period can lead to chronic sleep deprivation, which can have severe consequences over time.  (iStock)

“Occasional all-nighters may not cause significant long-term damage if followed by sufficient recovery sleep,” she said. “The human body is resilient and can generally recover from short-term sleep deprivation.”

Consistently skipping sleep over an extended period can lead to chronic sleep deprivation, however, which can have more severe consequences over time. 

Those impacts can include an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, impaired immune function and mental health issues, Joseph said.

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Sleep deprivation will affect different people in different ways, she noted, as individual factors and resilience play a role. 

“An all-nighter never killed anyone,” Dimitriu agreed. “However, they add up, and you will still feel miserable after a night of no sleep, and will not perform at your best.”

The physical effects of all-nighters include weakening of the immune system, which makes people more susceptible to illness. (iStock)

What to do after an all-nighter

Staying up all night can significantly disrupt your sleep schedule and circadian rhythm, Joseph said.

“The circadian rhythm is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours,” the doctor said. 

“When you stay up all night, you throw off this cycle, leading to several potential effects on your sleep schedule.”

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After pulling an all-nighter, it may take some time for the body to readjust, and this can lead to temporary insomnia or difficulties falling asleep at the usual time, according to Joseph. 

“Some potential effects that someone can suffer from include delayed sleep onset, irregular sleep patterns, increased sleep debt and difficulty regaining normalcy,” she said.

Exposure to morning sunlight can help regulate the circadian rhythm and get back to a regular sleep schedule, experts say. (iStock)

To mitigate the impact on your sleep schedule, prioritize getting back on track as soon as possible, said Joseph. 

Some strategies include shifting to an earlier bedtime, spending time outdoors during daylight hours to help regulate your circadian rhythm, and establishing a consistent sleep routine by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, according to Joseph.

“Personally, I also like to limit caffeine close to bedtime and stay hydrated,” she said. “If I do need a nap, I limit it to 20 to 30 minutes.”

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Dimitriu also recommended getting some sunlight exposure in the morning to reset your rhythm.

“Morning light is really important to getting you to bed at night,” he said.

Getting outdoor physical activity during the day, eating a light dinner and going to bed a little earlier than usual can also help regulate sleep cycles, the doctor advised.

“Prioritizing regular, sufficient sleep is essential for your overall well-being,” a doctor advised. (iStock)

Both experts agreed that the best strategy is to plan for healthy sleep and avoid all-nighters.

“Your performance after a night of not sleeping can be markedly diminished,” Dimitiu said. “All-nighters are often the result of poor planning, so try to plan ahead and avoid nights of lost sleep.”

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Joseph added, “While occasional all-nighters may not have severe long-term consequences, making them a habit can contribute to health issues over time.”

“Prioritizing regular, sufficient sleep is essential for your overall well-being.”

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Super Bowl staples were recalled because of a listeria outbreak effecting seven-layer bean dip, chicken enchiladas, cilantro salad dressing and taco kits.

Dairy products made by Rizo Lopez Foods are the source of the listeria outbreak that has killed two people and sickened more than two dozen since 2014, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a press release.

The agency said that the recalled dairy products and products made with recalled dairy products expanded on Friday to include popular brands like Trader Joe’s and 365 Whole Foods Market.

Other brands include: Bright Farms, Campesino, Casa Cardenas, Dole, Don Francisco, Don Pancho, Dos Ranchitos, El Huache, Food City, Fresh Express, H-E-B, La Ordena, Marketside, President’s Choice, Ready Pac Bistro, Rio Grande, Rizo Bros, Rojos, San Carlos, Santa Maria, Tio Francisco, Trader Joe’s, 365 Whole Foods Market.

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The CDC said that 26 people had been infected with the outbreak strain of listeria from eleven states.

The agency noted that 23 of those infected were hospitalized, and two people died in Texas and California. 

The CDC noted that the “true number” of sick people from this listeria outbreak is “likely higher” because some people recover without medical care or are never tested.

Health officials investigated illnesses in 2017 and 2021, but were only able to confirm the source based on new laboratory and inspection information when more people fell ill in December, officials said.

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“CDC investigated this outbreak in 2017 and 2021. Epidemiologic evidence in previous investigations identified queso fresco and other similar cheeses as a potential source of the outbreak, but there was not enough information to identify a specific brand,” the CDC said. “CDC reopened the investigation in January 2024 after new illnesses were reported in December 2023 and the outbreak strain was found in a cheese sample from Rizo-López Foods.”

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Symptoms of Listeria

Listeria, which can cause serious and even fatal infections in young children or people with weakened immune systems. 

Among pregnant women, listeria can cause a miscarriage or stillbirth.

Pregnant women usually have a fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. 

Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after, the CDC said.

The CDC said that people who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.

U.S. health officials said at least one death is tied to an outbreak of listeria food poisoning associated with sliced deli meats and cheeses that has sickened 16 people in six states, including 13 who were hospitalized.   ((Elizabeth White/CDC via AP, File / AP Newsroom))

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The CDC urged shoppers who may have purchased the recalled products to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

“Do not eat any recalled cheeses or dairy products,” the CDC said.

Rizo-López Foods said in a press release that “consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers for any of the products listed and dispose of them.”

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The company advised consumers to contact the company at (833)296-2233, which is monitored 24 hours a day.

Rizo-López Foods did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.