When it comes to colostrum supplements, Ancestral and Armra are probably two of the most well-known names out there. But just because they have big brands doesn’t mean they’re the best. In fact, both have some serious shortcomings that make them fall short when it comes to delivering the real benefits of colostrum.
Basically colostrum isn't "just" colostrum, and if you are getting something that isn't standardized, which neither armra or ancestral colostrum are, then you need 5 grams just to get enough immunoglobulins, which boost immunity, never mind the compounds that give it all of it's other benefits.
If you want a recommendation, we would generally suggest getting Nootrum colostrum, and once we break down the compounds and what they do you'll understand why we don't rate either Armra or Ancestral too highly in comparison. You can skip to the table at the bottom if you really don't want to read the article as that will pretty much say everything you need to know.
Why Colostrum is So Popular
So, why is everyone talking about colostrum? It’s packed with some amazing compounds that support your immune system, gut health, and even muscle recovery. These include:
- Growth Factors – These are key for helping with muscle recovery, skin health and tissue repair.
- Immunoglobulins (IgG) – They’re great for boosting your immune system and fighting off bad stuff.
- Lactoferrin – This is an anti-inflammatory powerhouse that also helps with immune function.
- PRPs (Proline-Rich Polypeptides) – These help keep your immune system balanced and functioning smoothly.
For colostrum to be really effective, though, these compounds need to be in good amounts. Sadly, Ancestral and Armra don’t really deliver on that front.
The Problems with Ancestral and Armra Colostrum
Ancestral Colostrum: Ancestral is a brand that likes to talk about how natural their products are, but the issue is they don’t give enough info on the concentration of the really important compounds in their colostrum. While their product does contain some of the right ingredients, they’re often diluted with fillers and the concentrations of things like IgG and growth factors aren’t clearly labeled. This makes it tough to know whether you’re really getting the amounts that research shows are necessary to make a difference.
Armra Colostrum: Armra goes the “premium” route with a sleek marketing strategy, but their colostrum doesn’t live up to the hype. Sure, they talk a lot about IgG, lactoferrin, and PRPs, but the actual amounts in each serving are pretty low. Again, they use proprietary blends, which means they aren’t fully transparent about how much of each ingredient you’re actually getting. You might be paying a premium price, but you’re not really getting the bang for your buck when it comes to the active compounds.
How Do Armra and Ancestral Colostrum Stack Up In Terms of Their Compounds
Colostrum is packed with a bunch of awesome compounds like Proline-Rich Polypeptides (PRPs), lactoferrin, growth factors, and Immunoglobulin G (IgG). These compounds work together to help with everything from boosting your immune system to improving muscle recovery. But for colostrum to really work its magic, it needs to be dosed correctly. Let’s take a look at the doses that research says are effective and how the amounts in Ancestral and Armra compare.
Proline-Rich Polypeptides (PRPs)
- What You Need: Research suggests that around 100-300 mg of PRPs per day is ideal for supporting immune function and overall health.
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In Ancestral & Armra:
- Ancestral (3g per serving): You’re probably getting around 60mg - 150mg of PRPs per serving, which is a bit lower than what you’d want.
- Armra (2g per serving): For Armra, you’re looking at about 40mg - 100mg per serving, so it’s still not quite enough to get the full immune benefits.
Lactoferrin
- What You Need: Studies suggest 100-200 mg of lactoferrin per day for optimal gut health and immune support.
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In Ancestral & Armra:
- Ancestral (3g per serving): Each serving has about 15mg - 30mg of lactoferrin, which is way under the target dose.
- Armra (2g per serving): You’ll get roughly 10mg - 20mg of lactoferrin here, so still not enough for the full benefits.
Growth Factors
- What You Need: To really help with muscle recovery and tissue repair, you need 1.5-3 mcg of growth factors per serving.
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In Ancestral & Armra:
- Ancestral (3g per serving): You’re likely getting 6.0 mcg - 12.0 mcg per serving, which is on the lower end of what’s needed.
- Armra (2g per serving): For Armra, the amount is 4.0 mcg - 8.0 mcg per serving, which is even lower than what you’d want for full recovery.
Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
- What You Need: Clinical trials show that 1-2 grams of IgG per day is needed to support your immune system.
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In Ancestral & Armra:
- Ancestral (3g per serving): You’ll probably get around 0.30g - 0.45g of IgG per serving, which is less than half of what’s needed for immune support.
- Armra (2g per serving): For Armra, you’re getting around 0.20g - 0.30g of IgG per serving, so it’s still under the effective range.
Price Comparison:
- Armra Colostrum: At $45 for a 2g serving, you’re paying a premium price for a product that doesn’t quite deliver the needed doses of those key bioactive ingredients like IgG, lactoferrin, and PRPs.
- Ancestral Colostrum: At $65 for a 3g serving, you’re paying even more for a product with similarly low doses of the important compounds, so the higher price doesn’t really match up with what you’re getting.
For context here's a table breaking down the compounds in colostrum and what you'd get from our top rated colostrum supplement and from these two.
| Noot. | Ances. | Armra | Dose Used in Trials | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IgG | 500mg | 300mg | 200mg | 500mg |
| Lactofer. | 200mg | 15mg | 10mg | 200mg |
| PRPs | 200mg | 60mg | 40mg | 200mg |
| Growth Fs | 200ng | 6mcg | 4ng | 200ng |
You can probably see why we generally recommend Nootrum to most people.
Conclusion: Is Either Brand Worth It?
When it comes to colostrum, both Ancestral and Armra look great on paper, but they don’t really deliver in the way you’d expect. They’re both a bit too vague about their ingredient dosages, which makes it hard to know if you’re actually getting the good stuff in the amounts you need.
If you’re looking for a colostrum supplement that actually delivers results, it might be worth exploring other options that are more transparent about their ingredients and dosages. After all, when it comes to boosting your immunity, gut health, and recovery, you want to be sure you’re getting the full dose of what actually works.