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Habit stacking, the idea of pairing a new habit you want to form with an existing habit you already do, is really important to me. When I’m on the treadmill, I listen to an informative podcast. When I make my post-workout smoothie, I add a scoop of collagen powder. And when I’m holding off on my morning coffee, I drink the ARMRA colostrum instead.
It all started when I found out how detrimental drinking coffee first thing can be. “Coffee contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant,” functional nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan, founder of iThrive, previously told Vogue. “This means it can boost your metabolism by increasing the body’s heart rate and energy expenditure. That’s why drinking coffee in the morning, about 90 minutes after waking up, works well, because it syncs up with the body’s natural cortisol rhythm.” Excess stimulation aside, I found that I’d be more likely to be jittery or have an upset stomach if I ate or drank nothing before my cup o’ joe. So I started training myself to indulge in something else first. A cup or two of water, according to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2020, works wonders to improve working memory and boost your mood. Wanting something a bit tastier, I started adding a squeeze of half a lemon, which is known to “help kick-start the digestion process in the morning,” per nutritionist Laura Parada, director of Slow Life House. Though lemon water stuck around for a while, and was certainly effective, at some point I swapped it for a greens powder (Athletic Greens’ AG1, to be exact)—a habit I halted the moment I tested the ARMRA colostrum.
It was my colleague Laura Jackson, Vogue’s shopping writer, who put me on to it. Always in the know on all things wellness, she mentioned she’d really been liking the product after discovering it on Instagram. “I’m not necessarily a supplements person, and I really gravitated towards all the things it promotes,” she tells me. “My sister also ordered it at the same time, and we both were like ‘Oh, wow, I haven’t gotten sick in a long time. My digestion feels better. My skin, nails, and hair feel stronger. ” Eager to put these claims to the test myself, I called in a few months’ worth of samples and started my own trial. Ahead, everything you need to know about colostrum—plus my experience after taking it consistently for six months.
ARMRA Colostrum
- Why We Love It: A bovine-derived colostrum supplement packed with 400-plus bioactive nutrients (from regenerative peptides and growth factors to biotin, zinc, and iron), ARMRA is a Vogue editor favorite for its well-rounded mind and body benefits. By taking one scoop per day, available in a handful of flavored and unflavored options, one can experience an improvement in immunity, gut health, mood, skin, and hair conditions with consistent use.
- Key Ingredients: Proprietary ARMRA Colostrum concentrate (bovine)
- Best For: Gut health, digestion, immune support, elevated mood, improved skin and hair
- Flavors: Unflavored, Sungold Apricot, Vine Watermelon, Blood Orange
- Servings: 120
What is colostrum?
For those unfamiliar, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose explains, “colostrum is the first form of milk produced by the mammary glands of humans and other mammals immediately following the delivery of a newborn.” Rich in antibodies and antioxidants (like growth factors and other bioactive compounds), it acts as a natural antibiotic that protects newborns from environmental germs and infections. “While it’s essential for newborns, high-quality bovine colostrum has been studied for its immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative effects in adults,” nurse practitioner Liliana Lopez adds. “It acts like a blueprint for resilience, helping the body defend itself while enhancing skin vitality, muscle recovery, and overall wellness.”
How is ARMRA Colostrum derived?
ARMRA brings these properties to the masses via bovine colostrum concentrate sourced from family farms in the U.S. “ARMRA upholds a commitment to calf-first sourcing,” Dr. Sarah Rahal, a double board-certified pediatric neurologist and the founder and CEO of ARMRA, says. “This means ARMRA only collects overflow colostrum: the surplus remaining after the calves are fully fed and receive all the vital nutrients they need. Typically, this surplus is discarded as an industry waste product; instead, ARMRA upcycles it to ensure the calves’ needs come first and no colostrum goes to waste.” The colostrum is turned into a loose powder, designed to be mixed and ingested with water or your favorite liquid. (FYI, Dr. Murphy-Rose notes that “colostrum supplements are generally considered safe for most people, but those with dairy allergies should avoid them,” as this is bovine-derived.)
What are the benefits of colostrum?
The benefits of colostrum lie in its nutrient-rich composition, including protein, fat, sugar, white blood cells, immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, micronutrients, and vitamins A, B, C, and E, per Dr. Murphy-Rose. “Colostrum has been found to strengthen the immune system, help restore gut health, and accelerate cellular repair,” Dr. Lopez says. “The natural growth factors in colostrum support collagen production and skin elasticity, making it a powerful tool for antiaging. Many athletes use it to reduce inflammation and enhance muscle repair. It also has been found to have gut-healing and immune-supporting properties.”
“ARMRA Colostrum leverages proprietary Cold-Chain BioPotent Pasteurization Technology to ensure colostrum’s 400-plus bioactive nutrients (like regenerative peptides, whole food prebiotics, tissue growth factors, adaptogens, trace minerals, vitamins, antibodies, immunoglobulins, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds) remain wholly bioavailable, delivering a bovine colostrum that’s uniquely optimized for human health,” Dr. Rahal notes. Anyone taking it can expect to see an improvement in gut health and digestion, immunity, sleep, mood, focus, energy, skin, hair, and metabolism just by having it daily.
My experience with ARMRA Colostrum
For the most part I’d say my experience parallels Jackson’s. In comparing the benefits we’ve both noticed, we agree that improved immunity and digestion are the biggest draw to ARMRA. About the former I tell all my friends and colleagues who ask me about the supplement that I literally never get sick anymore—a very important point given I usually catch a terrible cold during the frigid, germ-prone New York City winter. But this year, nothing. (Fingers crossed!) Jackson agrees: “I’ve been on the verge of sickness several times throughout this season, and it never fully became a full flu or full cold, and I really do credit some of that to the colostrum,” she says. When I asked our health experts about this, Dr. Murphy-Rose said that colostrum’s immune-supporting components (like immunoglobulins and gut protective properties) could theoretically help reduce the frequency of infections. Dr. Lopez says this is one of the biggest reasons people turn to colostrum—cosigning how it supports immune resilience and strengthens gut lining. “People report fewer colds, faster recovery, and relief from seasonal allergies when taking colostrum consistently,” she says. (To be clear, Rahal emphasizes that “ARMRA Colostrum is a whole food, not a drug, so [it] does not purport to treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.”)
In terms of digestion I have seen an overall improvement while taking colostrum, though I have become more consistent with my daily probiotic and have reduced my dairy, alcohol, and fried food intakes around the same time. However, I find that coffee settles better on my stomach, and my digestive tract feels more settled when I drink this. The other benefits are tricky to discern at the moment, but understanding that taking this supplement can only bolster other mind and body advantages does a lot to boost morale—knowing I’m taking something that is useful to my overall well-being.
Lastly, a question I always get asked is whether colostrum really works for hair growth. While I have not seen these results personally, the supplement “reignites and nourishes hair follicle stem cells to support hair regrowth and strengthen the scalp microbiome for stronger, healthier hair,” according to Dr. Rahal. Dr. Murphy-Rose mentions that while colostrum has been reported to aid hair growth, more research is needed. “Colostrum supplements like ARMRA may provide nutritional benefits to support hair growth, plus [they] may indirectly help by enhancing nutrient absorption in the gut,” she says.
That said, I really enjoy taking ARMRA because it allows me to easily fill those nutrient gaps. Though I have not noticed many of the purported physical benefits like better skin or hair, I like knowing that my body is supported from within. But to be honest the significant immune support is more than enough to keep me taking it.
How to take ARMRA Colostrum
ARMRA Colostrum is actually quite simple to take. Simply mix one scoop of the powder into any liquid or cold food, like yogurt or a smoothie (as long as it isn’t hot, as this can degrade the natural bioactive compounds, per Dr. Rahal). “To further enhance the benefits, many enjoy pouring ARMRA Unflavored directly into their mouth on an empty stomach to maximize contact with the mucosal surfaces of the mouth and esophagus,” she continues. “This provides additional benefits for dental health, the oral microbiome, and digestion. It can clump and stick to your gums, which only amplifies its effects on these surfaces.”
Personally, I did not like the experience of dry scooping the Unflavored into my mouth. The taste is quite milky! I much prefer the flavored options mixed with water. Vine Watermelon is my go-to, though the brand’s just-released Sungold Apricot is my current fixation. When buying take your pick of not only flavors but size options. The jar gives you 120 servings, though I like the travel sticks, which include one serving in a handy sachet. However you take it, one scoop (or one gram) is the serving size—though those wanting to amplify the benefits can take up to four scoops per day. I drink my colostrum first thing in the morning, but taking it at any point of the day works.
How long does it take to see results from ARMRA Colostrum?
All our experts agree that every body is different, meaning how long it takes to see results varies by person. “Many people notice improved digestion and immune resilience within a few weeks,” says Dr. Lopez. “Skin and collagen benefits typically take eight to 12 weeks, as cellular repair happens gradually. Hair and scalp improvements may take longer, as hair growth cycles work on a longer timeline.”
Like any supplement, consistency is key. Dr. Lopez says, “Every person’s health needs are different, and it’s always important to consult with your doctor before introducing a new supplement into your routine, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking other medications.”
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Meet The Experts
- Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist seeing patients in New York and the Hamptons. She’s also the founder of Skincare Junkie.
- Liliana Lopez, DNP, FNP, is a nurse practitioner and founder of En Su Casa Primary Health Care in Spring Valley, New York.
- Sarah Rahal, MD, is a double board-certified pediatric neurologist and the founder and CEO of ARMRA.
