Lactoferrin
Lactotransferrin / LF / Apo-lactoferrin
A multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein (80 kDa) found in high concentration in colostrum, breast milk, tears, and mucosal secretions. Lactoferrin exerts broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal), modulates iron homeostasis, enhances innate and adaptive immunity, and has anti-inflammatory and prebiotic effects. GRAS status from the FDA for food use.
Half-life
~4–6 hours (oral; longer tissue retention)
Typical Dose
100–600 mg/day oral
360/600Route
oral
Category
immune
Evidence Overview
Strength of evidence across clinical, expert, and experimental lanes.
How Lactoferrin is dosed in practice
Usually taken by mouth. Typical range: 100–600 mg/day oral. Half-life: ~4–6 hours (oral; longer tissue retention). Each card gives the dose, frequency and duration from one evidence lane: Clinical (human trials), Expert (practitioner protocols) or Experimental (early or animal data). These ranges describe what has been studied or used; they are not a prescription.
Work out the units to draw with the reconstitution calculator, how long a vial lasts with the vial duration calculator, and how levels fall between doses with the half-life calculator.
In healthy adults, 200 or 600 mg/day for 12 weeks slightly shortened infections but did not reduce how often they occurred (2021); 600 mg/day did not prevent COVID-19 (2023). Sepsis-prevention evidence comes from preterm infants, not adults.
- Randomized trial in healthy adults (2021)
- COVID-19 prevention trial (2023)
- Systematic review in preterm infants (2020)
Used by integrative practitioners for gut health, iron optimization, and immune defense. Apo-lactoferrin (iron-free form) preferred for antimicrobial effects. Bovine lactoferrin shares ~70% homology with human lactoferrin and is clinically effective. Take on empty stomach for maximum antimicrobial effect.
- Integrative medicine practitioners — gut and immune protocols
- Functional medicine approach to iron optimization
- Pediatric immunology clinical experience
Popular supplement with strong user reports of reduced infection frequency and improved gut health. Some users take higher doses (up to 1200 mg/day) during acute illness. Growing interest in liposomal forms for enhanced bioavailability.
- Consumer supplement reviews — immune support category
- Reddit r/Supplements — lactoferrin experience reports
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Upgrade to ProSafety & Contraindications
- Known allergy to cow's milk proteins
- Hemochromatosis or iron overload conditions (iron-binding effects)
- Immunosuppressed transplant patients (immune-enhancing effects)
Lactoferrin: common questions
What is Lactoferrin?
A multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein (80 kDa) found in high concentration in colostrum, breast milk, tears, and mucosal secretions. Lactoferrin exerts broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal), modulates iron homeostasis, enhances innate and adaptive immunity, and has anti-inflammatory and prebiotic effects. GRAS status from the FDA for food use.
How is Lactoferrin dosed?
Lactoferrin is usually taken by mouth. Typical range in DoseCraft's library: 100–600 mg/day oral. Clinical (human trials): 200–600 mg/day (adults); Once or twice daily; 12 weeks. Expert (practitioner protocols): 300–600 mg/day oral on empty stomach; Once or twice daily, away from meals; Ongoing for immune support; 4–8 weeks for acute protocols. Experimental (early or animal data): 200–600 mg/day; up to 1200 mg during illness; 1–3 times daily; Ongoing. These ranges describe what has been studied or used; they are not a prescription.
Is Lactoferrin FDA-approved?
Lactoferrin is sold as a dietary supplement, which the FDA does not approve for safety or effectiveness before sale.
What is the half-life of Lactoferrin?
DoseCraft's library lists a half-life of ~4–6 hours (oral; longer tissue retention). Half-life sets how often a compound is dosed and how long it takes to clear: about five half-lives.
Who should not use Lactoferrin?
Listed contraindications: Known allergy to cow's milk proteins; Hemochromatosis or iron overload conditions (iron-binding effects); Immunosuppressed transplant patients (immune-enhancing effects).
Information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any peptide regimen.
Page updated . How we grade evidence: methodology.