Supplement
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein found in milk and tears that helps regulate immune defenses and inflammation. People mostly look at it for dry eye, where it may support the surface of the eye, though the evidence there is limited and comes from about 250 participants. Firmer findings lie elsewhere: hemoglobin and iron levels went up in iron deficiency anemia, and respiratory infections went down, with strong evidence for each.
- Updated
- How we grade
- 20 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade A
- Conditions studied
- 9
- Outcomes
- 11
- Graded outcomes
- 4610
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin Increase Large Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 2,992 people | |||
| Serum Iron Levels Large Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 1,500 people | |||
| Pregnancy IDA Treatment Moderate Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 2,041 people |
Respiratory Tract Infections
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTI Incidence Reduction Moderate Decrease | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 2,500 people |
Immune Health
- Inflammation Markers: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflammation Markers Moderate Decrease | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 1,200 people |
Neonatal Sepsis
- Late-Onset Sepsis Prevention: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late-Onset Sepsis Prevention Small Decrease | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 5,000 people |
Acne Vulgaris
- Acne Lesion Reduction: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acne Lesion Reduction Moderate Decrease | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 350 people |
Gut Microbiome
- Beneficial Bacteria Promotion: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneficial Bacteria Promotion Moderate Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 400 people |
Pediatric Infections
- Diarrhea Prevention: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea Prevention Moderate Decrease | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 1,500 people |
Pediatric Ibd
- Iron Status in IBD Children: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Status in IBD Children Moderate Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 92 people |
Skin Health
- Skin Hydration: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Hydration Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 400 people |
Key findings
- Hemoglobin IncreaseImproves (the measure goes up)
- Serum Iron LevelsImproves (the measure goes up)
- Pregnancy IDA TreatmentImproves (the measure goes up)
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Third-party tested Lactoferrin products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.
- Grade A
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Studies cited
20 studies from PubMed
- The effectiveness of oral bovine lactoferrin compared to iron supplementation in patients with a low hemoglobin profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
- Probiotics, Prebiotics, Lactoferrin, and Combination Products for Prevention of Mortality and Morbidity in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
- Lactoferrin: Antimicrobial impacts, genomic guardian, therapeutic uses and clinical significance for humans and animals
- Time to Kill and Time to Heal: The Multifaceted Role of Lactoferrin and Lactoferricin in Host Defense
- Effect of Lactoferrin Supplementation on Inflammation, Immune Function, and Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Lactoferrin for iron-deficiency anemia in children with inflammatory bowel disease: a clinical trial
- Lactoferrin modulates gut microbiota and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in mice with dysbiosis induced by antibiotics
- Lactoferrin reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Lactoferrin: an overview of its main functions, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial role, and clinical significance
- Enteral lactoferrin supplementation for prevention of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants
- Enteral Lactoferrin Supplementation for Preventing Sepsis and Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: A Meta-Analysis With Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- The Impact of Lactoferrin on the Growth of Intestinal Inhabitant Bacteria
- Effects of Lactoferrin on Subjective Skin Conditions in Winter: A Preliminary, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Lactoferrin or ferrous salts for iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy: A meta-analysis of randomized trials
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of lactoferrin with vitamin E and zinc as an oral therapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris
- A systematic review of lactoferrin use in dermatology
- Overview of Lactoferrin as a Natural Immune Modulator
- Efficacy and tolerability of oral lactoferrin supplementation in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: an exploratory study
- Dietary effect of lactoferrin-enriched fermented milk on skin surface lipid and clinical improvement of acne vulgaris
- Bovine lactoferrin supplementation for prevention of late-onset sepsis in very low-birth-weight neonates: a randomized trial