Lactoferrin
Other ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein found in milk, colostrum, tears, saliva, and neutrophil granules. Oral bovine lactoferrin has emerging clinical evidence for reducing some respiratory and pediatric infection outcomes, but products and populations vary. It is usually well tolerated, but milk allergy, iron disorders, pregnancy, and immunocompromised states require individualized review.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Lactoferrin is an other most often used for may reduce respiratory infection risk in some trials, may support gut immune barrier function, may support antimicrobial defense at mucosal surfaces. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as emerging. A typical adult dose is 100-300 mg/day for general immune support; higher doses such as 600 mg/day have been used in some clinical studies, commonly taken as bovine lactoferrin capsule or powder with clear dose and allergen labeling. This profile indexes 3 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating emerging. Most-documented uses: may reduce respiratory infection risk in some trials, may support gut immune barrier function, may support antimicrobial defense at mucosal surfaces. 3 sources indexed (2014–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Lactoferrin binds iron, limiting availability to some microbes, and can interact with microbial membranes, viral attachment processes, intestinal barrier signaling, and immune cell cytokine responses. It may support gut immune defenses and mucosal immunity while also influencing iron handling depending on iron saturation and host status. Effects are context-dependent and not a substitute for antimicrobial therapy or vaccination.3,1
Dosing & protocol.
Can be taken with or without food. Some users prefer between meals, but clinical necessity is not established.1,2
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Bovine lactoferrin capsule.
Apolactoferrin and high-dose products are usually premium priced. Updated 2026-06-04.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Rash or allergy in milk-sensitive users
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
2- 1Efficacy of lactoferrin supplementation in pediatric infections: a systematic review and meta-analysisGao Y et al. · Frontiers in Pediatrics · 2025
Pediatric RCTs suggested possible infection-related benefits with heterogeneity.
- 2Lactoferrin reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsAli AS et al. · Clinical Nutrition ESPEN · 2021
Pooled RCTs found reduced odds of respiratory infections with lactoferrin supplementation.
Reviews & position papers
1- 3Nutraceutical and Health-Promoting Potential of Lactoferrin, an Iron-Binding Protein in Human and AnimalSiqueiros-Cendon T et al. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2014
Review summarized antimicrobial, immune, and iron-binding mechanisms of lactoferrin.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Lactoferrin, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein found in milk, colostrum, tears, saliva, and neutrophil granules. Oral bovine lactoferrin has emerging clinical evidence for reducing some respiratory and pediatric infection outcomes, but products and populations vary. It is usually well tolerated, but milk allergy, iron disorders, pregnancy, and immunocompromised states require individualized review.
What is Lactoferrin used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Lactoferrin include: May reduce respiratory infection risk in some trials; May support gut immune barrier function; May support antimicrobial defense at mucosal surfaces; May improve iron handling in selected contexts. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as emerging.
What is a typical dose of Lactoferrin?
A typical adult dose of Lactoferrin is 100-300 mg/day for general immune support; higher doses such as 600 mg/day have been used in some clinical studies. The commonly recommended form is Bovine lactoferrin capsule or powder with clear dose and allergen labeling. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Lactoferrin?
Reported side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, rash or allergy in milk-sensitive users. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Lactoferrin?
NutriStack rates this as Emerging, meaning early RCT signal, mechanistic data, or limited human evidence. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Lactoferrin in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.