If you are an adult wondering how much colostrum to take, the short answer is on the label: 1½ scoops (16g) of Alpha Lipid Lifeline®, once a day, 30 minutes before food. This guide explains that colostrum dosage in plain English — how it compares with other colostrum products, how long it usually takes to notice anything, and who should check with a doctor first.
The manufacturer's directions for Alpha Lipid Lifeline® are straightforward: take 30 minutes before eating, 1½ scoops (16g), mixed with 150ml of either cold water or milk. The New Zealand product page sets one serve per day, and a 450g can holds roughly 28 servings, so one can lasts about four weeks at the standard rate. Each 16g serve supplies 1,680mg colostrum, 300mg IgG, 1 billion CFU of probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis), 1,000mg calcium and about 2.6g protein.
What is the right colostrum dosage for adults?
For most healthy adults the dosage is the one on the label: 16g of Alpha Lipid Lifeline® once a day, mixed with 150ml of cold water or milk and taken 30 minutes before eating. The New Zealand product page sets the 450g can is sized roughly 28 serves, or about four weeks.
No single colostrum dosage applies to every product, because products differ in how much actual colostrum and IgG each serve contains. That is why the label, not a general rule, is the place to start — and why it is worth comparing grams of colostrum and milligrams of IgG per serve before you choose one. Our step-by-step guide to taking Alpha Lipid Lifeline® covers the practical side, and the questions customers ask us most often cover the rest.
How colostrum serving sizes differ across products
Colostrum is sold in three main formats in Australia, and "one serve" means something different in each. If you are choosing between brands rather than formats, our checklist for comparing colostrum in Australia takes that next step.
- Plain powder. Scooped and mixed with liquid; a serve is a defined gram weight of colostrum (16g for Alpha Lipid Lifeline). Labels state both grams of colostrum and milligrams of IgG, making this the easiest format to compare.
- Capsules and tablets. Convenient and travel-friendly, but each capsule usually holds a few hundred milligrams, so reaching gram-level amounts takes several capsules a day. Some are standardised to a fixed IgG figure worth checking. See our notes on colostrum capsule benefits if you are weighing capsules against powder.
- Flavoured shakes and blends. These often list 20–30g per scoop, but most of that is protein, carbohydrate, sweetener and flavour; the colostrum inside may be only a few grams, so a bigger scoop does not automatically mean more colostrum.
Why IgG content matters more than grams. Immunoglobulins — chiefly IgG — are the fraction of colostrum most often measured in human research. Two 16g powders can differ by hundreds of milligrams of IgG depending on the herd, the collection window after calving, and how gently it was processed. When comparing products, look for a stated IgG per serve figure, and check whether the label separates colostrum from total scoop weight. For a closer look at how a lipid-coated powder differs, see our comparison guide.
How long until you notice anything?
Honestly: experiences vary, and there is no guaranteed timeline. Some people say they notice a difference within a couple of weeks; others take it for a month or more and notice nothing obvious. Colostrum is a food supplement, not a medicine: it is not intended to produce the fast, measurable effect a drug does.
Research gives a sense of the timeframes used when bovine colostrum is studied in adults:
- A meta-analysis of bovine colostrum and upper respiratory symptoms pooled trials that generally ran over weeks of daily use, not days (PubMed 27462401).
- A 2024 meta-analysis on intestinal permeability likewise examined daily supplementation over several weeks (PubMed 38361147).
- Broader reviews describe a wide range of doses and durations, which is one reason no single timeline fits everyone (PubMed 34235166).
A practical approach: start at the labelled serve, take it consistently at roughly the same time each day for four to eight weeks. If you have a health concern, raise it with your doctor instead.
When and how to take it
- Timing: 30 minutes before eating. Many people take it first thing in the morning, before breakfast.
- Amount: 1½ scoops (16g) — one serve per day, per the manufacturer's product page.
- Mixing: 150ml of cold water or milk. Shake or stir until dissolved; a little foam is normal.
Why not to add it to hot drinks. As a general precaution, the proteins in colostrum — including immunoglobulins — are heat-sensitive, and high temperatures can degrade them. That is why it is usually mixed into cold or room-temperature liquid rather than stirred into boiling water or hot coffee. If you want it in coffee, let the coffee cool to a drinkable, merely warm temperature first. Cold milk, water, smoothies and yoghurt all work well. The manufacturer's directions specify cold water or milk, which is the safest default.
Keep the can sealed in a cool, dry place. More detail is in our guide to taking Alpha Lipid colostrum, its ingredients and benefits.
Who should check with a doctor first
Colostrum is a dairy-based food supplement, so the usual cautions apply. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist or dietitian first if any of the following describes you:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Evidence on bovine colostrum in pregnancy and lactation is limited, so medical advice comes first.
- You take medication. This includes immunosuppressants, diabetes medication, thyroid medication and blood thinners — worth discussing with a pharmacist.
- Cow's milk (dairy) allergy. Colostrum is a dairy ingredient, so it is not appropriate if you have a diagnosed dairy allergy. Lactose intolerance is a different issue — check with your doctor.
- Diabetes. The manufacturer publishes no separate serving recommendation for people with diabetes. Review the nutrition panel with your GP or diabetes educator — each serve has 1,000mg calcium and about 2.6g protein, plus carbohydrate from the liquid you mix it with.
- Children under 5. The manufacturer states it is "for children over 5 years old, except under advice from a medical practitioner".
- Any ongoing medical condition, or surgery planned. Bring the label to the appointment.
If you notice digestive upset or a reaction you are unsure about, stop and seek advice — our article on possible side effects and who should be cautious covers this further.
Where to buy in Australia
iSell Nutrition is the official Australian distributor of Alpha Lipid Lifeline, supplied by New Image™ International of New Zealand. Current prices in Australian dollars:
| Pack | Price (AUD) | Approximate servings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 can (450g) | A$87 | ~28 |
| 6 cans | A$498 | ~168 |
| 12 cans | A$960 | ~336 |
| 24 cans | A$1,896 | ~672 |
| 27 cans + 3 cans free | A$2,339 | ~840 |
Shipping is free on Australian orders over A$99. Orders placed before 9am on a business day are dispatched the same day, and delivery in Australia usually takes 1–3 business days with tracking. The full price list is on the buy Alpha Lipid Lifeline in Australia page, and the single can is on the Alpha Lipid Lifeline product page.
Frequently asked questions
How much colostrum should an adult take per day?
1½ scoops (16g), once daily, mixed with 150ml of cold water or milk, 30 minutes before eating. Other brands set different serving sizes, so follow the pack you bought.
Can I take more than one serve a day?
Colostrum is a food rather than a medicine, so a second serve is not an overdose — if you want more nutrition in your day, taking more than one serve is fine. The label recommends one serve per day, and that is what most people stay with: 1½ scoops (16g). If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a health condition, or taking prescription medication, check with your doctor before you increase how much you take.
How long does a can last?
A 450g can holds roughly 28 servings at 16g per serve, so at one serve a day it lasts about four weeks. One can (A$87) works out at roughly A$3 a day, and larger packs lower the per-serve cost.
Are capsules or powder better?
Neither is inherently better — they suit different habits. Powder delivers a defined gram amount and mixes easily into cold milk or a smoothie. Capsules are handy for travel or if you dislike the taste, but you may need several a day to match a powder serve.
Can I take colostrum with coffee?
Yes, with one caveat: heat can degrade the immunoglobulins, so let the coffee cool to a drinkable, warm temperature before adding the powder, or use iced coffee. Cold water or milk remains the manufacturer's instruction.
Is colostrum safe for children?
The manufacturer recommend it for children over 5 years old except on the advice of a medical practitioner. For children aged 5 and under, ask your GP or paediatrician first and follow the label.
Can I take it with other supplements or medication?
Colostrum is a food, but that does not make interactions impossible. If you take prescription medication or are managing a health condition, check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
References
- Bovine colostrum and human health and nutrition — PubMed 34235166
- Bovine colostrum supplementation and upper respiratory symptoms (meta-analysis) — PubMed 27462401
- Bovine colostrum and increased intestinal permeability (2024 meta-analysis) — PubMed 38361147
- Bovine colostrum and immunity — PubMed 38999755
- Growth factors in bovine colostrum — PubMed 39064802
- Bovine colostrum and bone turnover markers in older adults — PubMed 24281841
- New Image (Australia) — Alpha Lipid Lifeline ingredients and directions — New Image (Australia)
- New Image (New Zealand) — one serve per day, ~28 servings per can — New Image (New Zealand)
- Therapeutic Goods Administration — how food and medicine are regulated — tga.gov.au
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Alpha Lipid Lifeline is a food supplement, not a medicine, and it is not a substitute for advice from a qualified health professional. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking medication, managing a health condition such as diabetes, or have a dairy allergy, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before use. Children under 5 years should only use it on the advice of a medical practitioner. Always read the label and follow the manufacturer's directions.