Effects of 12 weeks colostrum milk supplement among older adults: A randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial

The effects of milk intake, particularly bovine colostrum-enriched skim milk among older adults, were investigated. Sixty-six adults aged 50-69 years old were recruited for a 12-weeks double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were instructed to consume colostrum-enriched or placebo skim bovine milk in two sachets daily. Participants in the intervention and placebo groups showed significant (p <0.05) drop in BMI, hip circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, improvement in physical fitness test and increment in differential white cell count. Further, consumption of bovine colostrum-enriched skim milk could significantly (p <0.05) improve verbal memory (as indicated by Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test score), and reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels among older adults. However, none of the outcome measurements showed a significant interaction effect of group and time. In conclusion, consuming milk, especially the bovine colostrum-enriched skim milk could provide beneficiary health effects and promote healthy ageing among older adults.(c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.