Short answer: Alpha Lipid Lifeline is a dairy-based food supplement (bovine colostrum with Alpha Lipid™ and calcium), not a medicine. Most people tolerate it well. The most commonly reported side effects are mild digestive discomfort such as bloating, wind or loose stools — usually when someone starts with a full serving instead of building up. It is suitable for children aged 5 years and over, and anyone with a dairy or milk-protein allergy, or who is pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or on regular medication, should have a chat with their doctor first.
This article is general information, not medical advice, and is based on the public sources listed at the end. Always check with your health professional about your own situation.
What is Alpha Lipid Lifeline exactly?
Alpha Lipid Lifeline is a powdered colostrum drink produced by New Image™ International in New Zealand. Each 450g can contains bovine (cow) colostrum — the first milk a cow produces after calving — combined with the company's Alpha Lipid™ delivery system and calcium. One serving is about 1.5 scoops (16g), mixed with water or milk.
Because it is a food, it is not regulated as a medicine. In Australia the TGA decides whether an oral product is a food or a medicine based on its ingredients, the claims made about it, and how it is labelled and advertised — and a supplement that makes a health claim does not automatically become a medicine. You can read the TGA's own explanation of that food–medicine interface here. That is an important distinction: no supplement should be used instead of prescribed treatment. You can read the full ingredients breakdown on our how to take page.
Common side effects people report
Colostrum is a dairy product, and the reactions most often described are digestive and mild:
- Bloating or wind — the most common report, particularly in the first week
- Feeling unusually full after drinking it, especially on an empty stomach
- Loose stools or a change in bowel habits
- Mild nausea if taken on a very empty stomach or mixed too thickly
Published reviews of bovine colostrum describe it as generally well tolerated, with gastrointestinal symptoms being the most frequently reported issue — including in reviews of its use in paediatric nutrition. In most cases these settle within a few days, especially if you start with half a serving and build up.
Who should check with a doctor first
Dairy or milk-protein allergy
If you have a true allergy to cow's milk protein (not simply lactose intolerance), ask your doctor before taking a bovine colostrum product. A genuine allergy is different from the mild bloating described above and needs proper assessment.
Lactose intolerance
Colostrum naturally contains lactose. Many people with lactose intolerance tolerate small servings, but if dairy regularly causes you problems, it is worth checking with your doctor before starting.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
There is not enough reliable evidence about bovine colostrum supplements during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so the sensible approach is to ask your doctor or midwife first rather than starting on your own.
Diabetes and blood-sugar medication
This is one of the most common questions, partly because colostrum is often discussed in the context of gut health and immunity. Colostrum is not a treatment for diabetes and has no approved claim for blood-sugar control. If you take insulin or other blood-sugar medication, mention any new supplement to your doctor or diabetes educator.
Regular medication, autoimmune conditions and immunosuppression
If you take regular medication, are immunosuppressed, or have an autoimmune condition, check with your doctor before adding any supplement. This is standard advice for supplements generally, not a specific warning about this product.
Children
Alpha Lipid Lifeline is suitable for children from 5 years old, taken as a smaller serving. For children under 5, or where a child has a health condition or is on medication, ask your GP or paediatrician first. Bovine colostrum has been studied in paediatric nutrition — for example, this 2024 review in Nutrients — which is a useful starting point if you want to read the research yourself.
How to start without the discomfort
- Start with half a serving (about ¾ scoop) for the first 3–5 days
- Mix with 150–200ml of water — not too thick
- Take it in the morning, on a lightly empty stomach, then wait 20–30 minutes before eating
- Build up to the full 1.5 scoops once you know how your stomach responds
- If symptoms continue for more than a week, stop and have a chat with your doctor
Full mixing instructions, flavour tips and the daily routine are on our how to take Alpha Lipid Lifeline page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Alpha Lipid Lifeline cause side effects?
Most people tolerate it well. The most commonly reported issues are mild digestive symptoms — bloating, wind or loose stools — usually when starting with a full serving. Starting with half a serving for the first few days reduces the chance of discomfort.
Is Alpha Lipid Lifeline suitable for children?
Yes — from 5 years old, taken as a smaller serving. For children under 5, or a child with a health condition or on medication, ask your GP or paediatrician first.
Is Alpha Lipid Lifeline safe for diabetics?
Colostrum is not a treatment for diabetes and has no approved claim for blood sugar control. If you have diabetes or take blood-sugar medication, mention it to your doctor or diabetes educator.
Can I take Alpha Lipid Lifeline while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There is not enough reliable evidence about bovine colostrum supplements during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Ask your doctor or midwife first.
Is Alpha Lipid Lifeline FDA approved?
No. Alpha Lipid Lifeline is a food supplement rather than a medicine, so it is not FDA approved (or TGA approved in Australia) for treating any condition. It is manufactured by New Image International in New Zealand and sold through official distributors.
Where this information comes from
We would rather show our working than ask you to take our word for it. The sources behind this article are:
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia) — how food and medicine are regulated, which explains why a supplement like this is not a medicine and cannot carry approved treatment claims.
- Bovine Colostrum in Pediatric Nutrition and Health, Nutrients 2024 — review on PubMed.
- The role of bovine colostrum in feeding intolerance in preterm neonates, Frontiers in Nutrition 2025 — systematic review on PubMed, useful for what the research says about tolerance and digestion.
- Manufacturer's product information — New Image™ International (New Zealand), including the recommended serving size (1.5 scoops / 16g) and the recommended age (5 years and over).
These are general references, not claims that the product treats or prevents any condition.
Ready to start? Buy Alpha Lipid Lifeline 450g (A$87) · Compare packs and prices · Read customer reviews
