Home Ingredients Bioferrin® (Lactoferrin — Glanbia)
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Bioferrin® (Lactoferrin — Glanbia)

Evidence Level
Strong
2 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
4/5 Evidence Score

Bioferrin® is a lactoferrin ingredient from Glanbia — distinguished by milk-derived lactoferrin (iron-binding glycoprotein) with documented immune support, iron metabolism, and antimicrobial activity. Used for: immune support, iron metabolism, gut health, antimicrobial activity, infant nutrition.

Studied Dose 100-1000 mg/day lactoferrin (varies by application; immune support typical 100-300 mg)
Active Compound Lactoferrin (iron-binding glycoprotein, ~80 kDa)

Benefits

Immune Support

Lactoferrin documented immune-modulating effects — supports innate immunity, antibody response, immune cell function.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Iron Metabolism Modulation

Lactoferrin's primary biological function is iron binding and transport — modulates iron availability without contributing to iron overload.

Supported by Trial 2

Antimicrobial Activity

Lactoferrin sequesters iron from pathogens and has direct antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Gut Health

Supports gut barrier function and beneficial microbiome composition.

Infant Nutrition Heritage

Lactoferrin is naturally abundant in colostrum and infant formula applications — established safety and long history of use in infants.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Iron Binding and Transport

Lactoferrin binds two iron atoms with high affinity; modulates iron availability; sequesters iron from pathogens that need iron for growth.

2

Immune Cell Modulation

Activates NK cells, modulates T-cells, enhances antibody response.

3

Direct Antimicrobial Activity

Lactoferricin (peptide derived from lactoferrin) has direct membrane-disrupting antimicrobial activity.

4

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Modulates inflammatory cytokines; supports tissue homeostasis.

5

Gut Barrier Support

Strengthens intestinal epithelial barrier; modulates gut microbiome.

Clinical trials

1
Bovine Lactoferrin in Preterm Infants — RCT (Plaza-Astasio 2025)
PubMed

Randomized controlled trial of bovine lactoferrin supplementation in preterm infants. (Plaza-Astasio et al. 2025, Nutrients)

Preterm infants.

An RCT evaluating bovine lactoferrin for sepsis prevention and immune/antioxidant outcomes in preterm infants. Generic bovine lactoferrin, not Bioferrin specifically.

2
Iron Plus Lactoferrin vs Iron Alone in Children — Meta-analysis (Zhong 2026)
PubMed

Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing iron combined with lactoferrin versus iron alone. (Zhong et al. 2026, Nutrition Reviews)

Children with or at risk of iron deficiency.

A meta-analysis evaluating whether adding lactoferrin to iron improves iron-status outcomes in children compared with iron alone.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated.
Mild GI distress (rare).
Dairy allergen — milk-derived; avoid with dairy/milk allergy.
Allergic reactions to lactoferrin specifically rare.

Important Drug interactions

Generally minimal drug interactions.
Iron supplements — lactoferrin modulates iron absorption.
Pregnancy — lactoferrin naturally occurs in colostrum; generally considered safe.
Lactation — lactoferrin natural component of milk; safe.
Children — established safety in infants and children.
Dairy allergy — avoid.

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Frequently asked questions about Bioferrin® (Lactoferrin — Glanbia)

What is Bioferrin?

Bioferrin® is a lactoferrin ingredient from Glanbia — distinguished by milk-derived lactoferrin (iron-binding glycoprotein) with documented immune support, iron metabolism, and antimicrobial activity. Used for: immune support, iron metabolism, gut health, antimicrobial activity, infant nutrition.

What is Bioferrin used for?

Bioferrin is researched primarily for Immune Support and Gut Health. Lactoferrin documented immune-modulating effects — supports innate immunity, antibody response, immune cell function.

What is the recommended dosage of Bioferrin?

The clinically studied dose is 100-1000 mg/day lactoferrin (varies by application; immune support typical 100-300 mg) Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Bioferrin safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Bioferrin is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated. Mild GI distress (rare). It may also interact with some medications. Bioferrin is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Bioferrin interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Generally minimal drug interactions. Iron supplements — lactoferrin modulates iron absorption. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Bioferrin?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Bioferrin as Strong (4 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 6 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(6 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Paesano R, Berlutti F, Pietropaoli M, Pantanella F, Pacifici E, Goolsbee W, Valenti P Lactoferrin efficacy versus ferrous sulfate in curing iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women Biometals. 2010;23(3):411-7. doi: 10.1007/s10534-010-9335-z.PubMedUsed to support: Supports the iron-status claim: oral bovine lactoferrin raised hemoglobin and serum iron in pregnant women with iron deficiency/anemia, comparable to or better than ferrous sulfate with fewer GI effects. Honesty: generic bovine lactoferrin (not Bioferrin-specific); comparative design from one research team.
  2. Paesano R, Pacifici E, Benedetti S, Berlutti F, Frioni A, Polimeni A, Valenti P Safety and efficacy of lactoferrin versus ferrous sulphate in curing iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in hereditary thrombophilia pregnant women: an interventional study Biometals. 2014;27(5):999-1006. doi: 10.1007/s10534-014-9723-x.PubMedUsed to support: Supports iron-deficiency-anemia correction with oral bovine lactoferrin in a higher-risk (thrombophilia) pregnant population. Honesty: generic lactoferrin, small interventional study from the same group; Bioferrin-specific data are lacking.
  3. Oda H, Wakabayashi H, Tanaka M, Yamauchi K, Sugita C, Yoshida H, Abe F, Sonoda T, Kurokawa M Effects of lactoferrin on infectious diseases in Japanese summer: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2021;54(4):566-574. doi: 10.1016/j.jmii.2020.02.010.PubMedUsed to support: Supports the immune/antimicrobial claim: enteric-coated bovine lactoferrin reduced summer-season infectious symptoms versus placebo. Honesty: modest effects on self-reported symptoms; generic lactoferrin, industry-affiliated authors.
  4. Vitetta L, Coulson S, Beck SL, Gramotnev H, Du S, Lewis S The clinical efficacy of a bovine lactoferrin/whey protein Ig-rich fraction (Lf/IgF) for the common cold: a double blind randomized study Complement Ther Med. 2013;21(3):164-71. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2012.12.006.PubMedUsed to support: Supports the immune-support claim: a bovine lactoferrin/whey Ig-rich fraction modestly reduced cold symptom burden versus placebo. Honesty: lactoferrin combined with a whey Ig fraction (not lactoferrin alone), small trial; the signal is modest.
  5. Plaza-Astasio V, et al. Preventing Sepsis in Preterm Infants with Bovine Lactoferrin: A Randomized Trial Exploring Immune and Antioxidant Effects. Nutrients. 2025;.PubMedUsed to support: RCT of bovine lactoferrin in preterm infants examining sepsis prevention and immune/antioxidant markers. Generic bovine lactoferrin, not Bioferrin-specific.
  6. Zhong J, et al. Is Iron Combined With Lactoferrin More Effective Than Iron Alone in Improving Iron Metabolism in Children With or Without Anemia? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Controlled Clinical Trials. Nutr Rev. 2026;.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis evaluating whether adding lactoferrin to iron improves iron-status outcomes in children versus iron alone.