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ARMRA Colostrum is the latest darling among fitness and wellness personalities. Personally, I’ve seen countless influencers in my Instagram feed plugging the product for everything from gut health to better skin. So, what is colostrum and do you need to be taking it?
If you’ve spent time around a breastfed newborn, you may know colostrum is the first milk a mother’s body produces for her infant. All mammals produce colostrum after birth. Colostrum is super nutrient dense and, as such, sometimes called “liquid gold.”
ARMRA claims their powdered colostrum contains over 200 bioactive nutrients that can repair the body’s mucosal barriers and regenerate aging cells for improved digestion, immune health, metabolism, skin appearance, energy level, mood, athletic performance, and workout recovery.
Keep reading our ARMRA review to find out what Matt Dustin, one of GGR’s staff writers, thought about using this supplement, and my take as a registered dietitian on the benefits of colostrum.
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Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
We Search High and Low for the Best Sports Nutrition Supplements
At GGR, we don’t limit sports supplement reviews to pre-workout and protein powders. Our testers are always game to try products that promise to support total-body well-being, like colostrum.
GGR product testers are credentialed fitness and nutrition professionals, including certified personal trainers, certified nutrition coaches, Olympic athletes, and registered dietitians.
GGR staff writer Matt Dustin, CES, PN1-NC, gave ARMRA a whirl and shared his thoughts on how it mixes, tastes, and any benefits he experienced. Using GGR’s product testing methodology, he also rated ARMRA on a scale of 1 to 5 stars for price per serving, formulation, side effects, third-party testing, and customer experience.
ARMRA
ARMRA Colostrum Immune Revival
Product Highlights
- Bioactive whole food immune supplement
- Features over 400 research-backed ingredients
- Listed benefits: Strengthen skin, lung, and gut barriers, improve microbiome and cellular health, and general whole body wellness
- Too use add supplement to a cool beverage and mix well
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Available in 3 flavors – including unflavored
- Keto certified and NON-GMO
- Made in the United States in GMP certified facility
- 3rd party clinical trial study found supplement effective
Cons
- Contains proprietary ingredients
- For best results recommended take 3-4 servings per day
- Only save 5% with a subscription
- Flavored varieties $10 more expensive
Bottom Line
ARMRA Colostrum immune revival is a powdered supplement with over 400 ingredients. It has been third party tested for effectiveness. Customer reviews found the supplement effective but complained about the expensive price. It is under $2 dollars per serving, however, for best results it is recommended you take 3-4 servings per day, significantly increasing the daily price.
A Quick Look at ARMRA
ARMRA was created by Dr. Sarah Rahal, a pediatric neurologist, as a means to heal herself and defend against potentially harmful chemicals we encounter in daily life. According to the website, Dr. Rahal found more than 5,000 studies supporting the use of colostrum for better health.
ARMRA sells two versions of colostrum sourced from cows. One is called immune revival and the other performance revival. The first is available unflavored or flavored, while the performance product is chocolate flavored and contains cacao, cumin, and tart cherry powder to support endurance and recovery.
This is not the only colostrum supplement on the market. Most competitors contain colostrum from grass-fed cows and cost less, but ARMRA claims their colostrum is more pure, potent, and bioavailable due to their low-heat processing.
Before You Buy
- The unflavored canisters contain 120 servings, but the flavors only contain 90 servings.
- ARMRA recommends 3 or 4 servings daily for best results.
- It should be mixed with cold liquids only.
Is ARMRA Worth It?
We think ARMRA is best for those who like to stay on top of supplement trends and prefer all-natural products. Many customers report improved skin, hair, and nails with this product, so it’s a good choice for beauty lovers.
It’s recommended to take 3 or 4 servings of ARMRA daily, which means you’ll be dropping over $100 a month on colostrum. Since this colostrum comes from cows, it’s not a good choice for vegans or anyone who is dairy-free for personal or health reasons.
Great for:
- Anyone looking for full-body nutritional support
- Individuals who prioritize gut health
- Fans of natural, clean-label supplements
Not recommended for:
- Shoppers with a tight budget
- Anyone who doesn’t consume animal products
- Individuals with severe lactose intolerance and/or a dairy allergy
ARMRA Specs
Price per serving | $0.92 (unflavored), $1.33 (flavored) |
Flavors | Unflavored, Blood Orange, Vine Watermelon |
Active ingredients | Bovine colostrum |
Third-Party Tested | Yes |
Experience Using ARMRA
Matt Dustin is a GGR staff writer, certified exercise specialist, and certified nutrition coach. He started using the unflavored version of ARMRA colostrum and shared his thoughts.
While he gave it high marks for flavor, solubility, and side effects, he didn’t notice much in the way of benefits. “By all manufacturing standards and claims, this seems like it should be quite potent, but I haven’t felt anything,” said Matt.
Price Per Serving
One canister of unflavored ARMRA Immune Revival costs $109.99. It contains 120 servings, making the price per serving about $0.92. The watermelon and blood orange flavors cost $119.99 and contain 90 servings for a higher price per serving of $1.33.
The less than $1 price per serving earned 5 stars, but be aware the daily and monthly price adds up quickly if you use as directed. Remember: ARMRA recommends using 3 to 4 servings daily. Doing so would make the price per day $2.76 to $3.68 for the unflavored and $4 to $5 for the flavored veersions.
Formulation
Each serving of ARMRA contains 1 gram of colostrum concentrate sourced from grass-fed cows in the United States. Surplus colostrum is collected after the cows feed their calves to support animal welfare.
The formula is free from soy, gluten, sugar, and artificial ingredients. ARMRA is non-GMO Project Verified and tested for the presence of glyphosate, a crop herbicide. ARMRA claims their colostrum contains health-promoting compounds, including:
- B vitamins
- Vitamin C
- Trace minerals (including zinc, copper, selenium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium)
- Antioxidants
- Amino acids
- Immunoglobulins
- Tissue growth factors
- Prebiotics
- Antimicrobials
- Immune modulating factors
- Adaptogens
- Mitochondrial regenerators
There is compelling evidence that colostrum supplements are safe and effective. The most well-documented benefits include improved gut permeability1, which may result in better nutrient absorption and less bloating, intestinal inflammation, and other digestive issues, and enhanced immunity2, which may result in fewer colds and infections.
A 2022 study3 found athletes who took colostrum for 6 months had reductions in inflammation and oxidative stress following intense training. That’s important because exercise-induced inflammation prolongs recovery and impedes muscle repair and growth. More research is needed to determine if colostrum is advantageous for improving body composition and exercise performance4, plus the optimal dosages for sport.
ARMRA claims their colostrum is clinically proven to be better absorbed and more effective than other types of colostrum. They repeatedly cite a third-party clinical trial, but we couldn’t locate the original study to fact-check it and found no studies outright comparing ARMRA to other forms of colostrum.
Most of the studies in a 2022 systematic review5 looking at colostrum for gut health used 20 grams per day, which is significantly less than a serving of ARMRA.
“I’m not sure how strong 1 gram of colostrum concentrate is compared to the recommended 20- to 60-gram dose,” said Matt. Because of uncertainty about the dosage, he rated formulation 3 out of 5 stars.
Taste and Solubility
Matt said his ARMRA dissolved easily his drinks, earning a 5-star rating for solubility. He also rated taste 5 stars since the unflavored was essentially tasteless and inoffensive. “It has a very light aftertaste in plain water, but disappears in anything flavored,” said Matt.
Now, for a quick note on preparing ARMRA: Please do not take ARMRA dry, as many customers report doing. This product is designed to be dissolved in liquid. Dry scooping powdered supplements doesn’t give you an edge and comes with an increased risk of side effects.
Side Effects
Our tester, Matt, didn’t experience any side effects while taking ARMRA so he rated this category 5 out of 5 stars. The unflavored colostrum contains one ingredient, so it’s unlikely to cause issues for most people—unless you can’t tolerate dairy.
This product comes from cow’s milk, but ARMRA claims it’s very low in lactose and casein-free. They say it’s usually well tolerated by people with lactose sensitivity, and safe for most people allergic to milk. That may be so, but I’d advise you to use caution. Individuals who are allergic to dairy or have lactose intolerance should get a doctor’s approval before trying a colostrum supplement.
RELATED: Best Lactose-Free Protein Powder
Third-Party Testing
ARMRA uses third-party labs to test their products for contaminants, including heavy metals, and glyphosate. I couldn’t find the analysis reports on their website and there is no recognizable third-party testing seal, such as NSF or Informed Sport, on the product. Certified products are the gold standard, so we rated them a 4 out of 5 stars for third-party testing.
ARMRA vs AG1
AG1
Athletic Greens AG1
Product Highlights
- Contains 75 minerals and nutrients in one serving
- Available in travel pouches and bundle and save options
- Said to support gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, and naturally occuring enzymes
- Supports immunity with key ingredients like vitamin C and mushrooms
- Magnesium is added to boost energy
- May aid in recovery as it features superfood complex with adaptogens and antioxidants
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Backed by notable health experts
- Transparent and detailed ingredient list
- 75 vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Expensive
- Some reviewers dislike the taste
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a greens powder with a unique blend of minerals, nutrients, power greens, enzymes, and probiotics and you're willing to spend some money, Athletic Greens may be a good choice for you.
Athletic Greens, aka AG1, doesn’t contain colostrum but is an uber-trendy greens powder that’s nutrient dense and promises to benefit energy, immunity, mood, and gut health. If you’re trying to decide between ARMRA and AG1, here’s what to know.
At first glance, AG1 costs more per serving. However, if you take multiple servings of ARMRA per day, as recommended, the cost ends up being similar—around $3 per day. AG1 doesn’t come in flavors, so ARMRA might be better if you want options.
The main ingredient in ARMRA is colostrum, while the ingredient list on AG1 reads like a book.
AG1’s formula contains a long list of vitamins and minerals, plus superfoods, antioxidants, digestive enzymes, adaptogens, and probiotics.
AG1 claims their daily green drink delivers 75 nutrients versus the more than 200 nutrients in ARMRA. Our testers didn’t notice a huge difference in their health while taking either of these products, but either one is a good choice to supplement your diet.
Check out our full Athletic Greens Review to learn more.
ARMRA | AG1 | |
Price per serving | $0.92 (unflavored), $1.33 (flavored) | $3.30 |
Recommended Dosage | 1 scoop, 3-4x/day | 1 scoop/day |
Active ingredients | Bovine colostrum | Vitamins, minerals, whole-food sourced nutrients, probiotics, adaptogens |
Flavors | Unflavored, Blood Orange, Vine Watermelon | N/A |
Contain Proprietary Blends | No | Yes |
Third-Party Tested | Yes | Yes |
Customer Experience
ARMRA accepts returns of their stick packs within 30 days of purchase, but the jars of colostrum are final sale since they’re considered a food item. If you happen to order multiple jars, unopened and unused jars can be returned for a refund.
If you need assistance, there is an in-depth help center on the website and customer service is available by email at help@tryarmra.com or via contact form. Since there’s no money-back guarantee, we rated customer service a 3 out of 5 stars.
Ordering ARMRA
You can order from tryarmra.com or Amazon. On the ARMRA website, you’ll be prompted to select your flavor and size. If it’s your first time, the travel sticks cost less than the jar and include 30 servings, so that’s a nice way to sample it. At the time of this writing, both the jars and sticks cost more on Amazon.
Then, you can decide to make a one-time purchase or enroll in a subscription. Subscribing saves you 5% on each order, which is only about $5 per tub—not a huge incentive, but it’s something. Orders over $80 ship free in the United States.
Customer Reviews
ARMRA has been reviewed by over 10,000 customers on their website who have given it an average 5-star rating. It has just over 3,000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.
Customers seem to have mixed feelings on taste and benefits. Many report health improvements, like improved regularity, stronger nails, more youthful skin, and faster growing hair. Several customers mention ARMRA helps them “feel younger.”
Here’s what some Amazon customers have to say:
Several customers note they experienced digestive issues after starting ARMRA, but here are some tips that helped one customer:
Final Verdict of Our ARMRA Review
ARMRA may seem like a product of stellar marketing, but there’s a lot of evidence that taking bovine colostrum can support cellular health. While our tester didn’t notice any immediate results, there are thousands of customers who swear by the product.
- ARMRA sources surplus colostrum from grass-fed cows.
- The unflavored colostrum contains just one ingredient and the flavors contain organic natural flavoring, color, and stevia.
- It’s expensive, but ARMRA is made with patent-pending manufacturing processes and undergoes third-party testing for safety.
Full Rating
ARMRA
ARMRA Colostrum immune revival is a powdered supplement with over 400 ingredients. It has been third party tested for effectiveness. Customer reviews found the supplement effective but complained about the expensive price. It is under $2 dollars per serving, however, for best results it is recommended you take 3-4 servings per day, significantly increasing the daily price.
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 109.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.26
ARMRA Review: FAQs
Does ARMRA really work for hair growth?
ARMRA contains growth factors, B vitamins, and minerals, like zinc, that are involved in hair growth. They claim 79% of participants in a clinical trial reported thicker hair and many customer reviews mention faster-growing hair as a benefit. However, everyone’s body is unique so you may experience different results using ARMRA.
Is ARMRA better than collagen?
Colostrum and collagen supplements have different uses and benefits. Both are marketed for improving connective tissue, especially skin, hair, and nail health. ARMRA also supports gut, immune, and cellular health, while collagen can support joint health. Collagen is also a source of protein and can be used to increase protein intake.
What are the side effects of ARMRA Colostrum?
Colostrum is unlikely to cause major side effects in healthy individuals, but some users report gas, bloating, and stomach pain while taking it. People with dairy allergies or severe lactose sensitivity should consult a doctor before trying colostrum, since it is derived from cow’s milk.
Does ARMRA help you lose weight?
ARMRA is not designed for weight loss, but they claim it may indirectly support weight loss by improving nutrient absorption in the gut, decreasing inflammation, regulating metabolism, and balancing blood sugar.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Chandwe, K., & Kelly, P. (2021). Colostrum Therapy for Human Gastrointestinal Health and Disease. Nutrients, 13(6), 1956. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061956
- Główka, N., Durkalec-Michalski, K., & Woźniewicz, M. (2020). Immunological Outcomes of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation in Trained and Physically Active People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 12(4), 1023. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041023
- Cieślicka, M., Ostapiuk-Karolczuk, J., Buttar, H. S., Dziewiecka, H., Kasperska, A., & Skarpańska-Stejnborn, A. (2022). Effects of Long-Term Supplementation of Bovine Colostrum on Iron Homeostasis, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Female Athletes: A Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients, 15(1), 186. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15010186
- Davison G. (2021). The Use of Bovine Colostrum in Sport and Exercise. Nutrients, 13(6), 1789. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061789
- Dziewiecka, H., Buttar, H. S., Kasperska, A., Ostapiuk-Karolczuk, J., Domagalska, M., Cichoń, J., & Skarpańska-Stejnborn, A. (2022). A Systematic Review of the Influence of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Leaky Gut Syndrome in Athletes: Diagnostic Biomarkers and Future Directions. Nutrients, 14(12), 2512. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14122512
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