Lactoferrin
Summary
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein found in milk. Pooled trials found fewer respiratory infections, mainly in infants and children; in adults the odds did not change. In pregnant women with iron-deficiency anaemia it raised haemoglobin about as well as ferrous sulfate, with fewer stomach side effects. It is made from milk, so milk allergy is a concern.
Key facts
- A glycoprotein in human and cow’s milk with antimicrobial and immune-modulating properties[1]
- Lower incidence in infants and children (odds ratio 0.78) but not in adults (odds ratio 1.00)[1]
- IL-6 fell but CRP and natural-killer cell activity did not change; 200 mg/day was the dose linked to less inflammation[1]
- 4 trials (600 women): haemoglobin rose at least as much as with ferrous sulfate, with fewer gastrointestinal side effects[3]
- 2 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedLactoferrin has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity in laboratory studies; how much of this survives digestion of oral supplements is not established in the sources cited here.[2][1]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
At a glance: strongest evidence per outcome
| Outcome | Grade | Effect | Strongest evidence | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infections | Grade C | Improved | Meta-analysis of 6 trials · n = 1,194 · 2021 | 1 row |
| Iron | Grade C | Improved | Meta-analysis of 4 trials · n = 600 · 2017 | 1 row |
Every graded row
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory tract infections | Improved | Grade C | Meta-analysis · n = 1,194 · 2021 Participants in 6 randomized trials (9 eligible) Form: Lactoferrin · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: Varied across trials Odds of a respiratory infection were 43% lower than control (odds ratio 0.57); two trials were at high risk of bias. | 34620326 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
| Haemoglobin in iron-deficiency anaemia of pregnancy | Improved | Grade C | Meta-analysis · n = 600 · 2017 Pregnant women with iron-deficiency anaemia Form: Oral bovine lactoferrin versus ferrous sulfate · Dose: Daily oral lactoferrin · Duration: 4 weeks (primary outcome) Haemoglobin rose 0.77 g/dL more than with ferrous sulfate overall (no difference in mild anaemia), with significantly fewer gastrointestinal side effects. | 29059584 (opens PubMed)Source [3] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bovine lactoferrin (from whey) | Varies | No head-to-head human absorption data in the sources cited here. | Fewer gastrointestinal side effects than ferrous sulfate in pregnancy trials.[3] | Infection, inflammation and anaemia trials |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from 35 mg to 833 mg of lactoferrin per day in infant and child formulas, with 200 mg/day the adult dose linked to lower inflammation; anaemia trials ran 4 weeks or longer.[1][3]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
None found in our sources.
Who should be careful
- Adults hoping to prevent colds
- Pooled adult trials showed no change in respiratory infection odds.[1]
- Anaemia without a diagnosis
- The pregnancy trials enrolled women with confirmed iron-deficiency anaemia; a blood test comes first.[3]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Where to buy Lactoferrin
Products from brands we partner with that contain Lactoferrin. Listing a product is not a claim that it works; check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
- SupersmartPaid linkLactoferrin2 capsules: 500 mg lactoferrin from whey protein; 30 servings. That is above the 200 mg/day adult dose linked to lower inflammation and inside the 35–833 mg range in child trials; adult trials found no fewer respiratory infections. Contains milk.Shop at Supersmart (opens in new tab)Price and label checked 2026-10-11 on the brand’s site.
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Frequently asked questions
Does lactoferrin mean fewer colds?
Pooled trials found fewer respiratory infections in infants and children, but not in adults.[1]
Does lactoferrin raise iron levels?
In pregnant women with iron-deficiency anaemia, it raised haemoglobin about as well as ferrous sulfate, with fewer stomach side effects.[3]
How much lactoferrin did adult studies use?
200 mg a day was linked to lower inflammation in adults.[1]
Sources
- [1]Effect of Lactoferrin Supplementation on Inflammation, Immune Function, and Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Adv Nutr, 2022. meta-analysis
- [2]Lactoferrin reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr ESPEN, 2021. meta-analysis
- [3]Lactoferrin or ferrous salts for iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy: A meta-analysis of randomized trials. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 2017. meta-analysis
What changed
- New monograph. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, journal and year from the PubMed record); each evidence row written from its abstract; intake and safety facts from the cited fact sheets.