INCLUSION CRITERIA
We included peer-reviewed human studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published in indexed journals. We prioritized systematic reviews and meta-analyses as the highest level of available evidence.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SYSTEM
Evidence-Informed.
Formulated with Purpose.
Every LimmiGlow formula starts with the question: what does the research actually say?
INGREDIENT 01 · ORIGIN
Bovine Colostrum
Supplement Facts — Origin
| Amount Per Serving | Amount | %DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 10 | |
| Sodium | 5mg | <1% |
| Calcium | 20mg | 2% |
| Bovine Colostrum (Grass-fed whole colostrum powder) | 2,300mg | † |
| Standardized to 25% Immunoglobulin G (IgG) | 575mg | † |
† Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: None
Allergen: Contains Milk
What the research has examined
GUT BARRIER INTEGRITY Moderate
Research on bovine colostrum and intestinal permeability — often described as ‘leaky gut’ — represents one of the most consistent bodies of evidence in sports nutrition supplementation.
Key finding
Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses have reported that bovine colostrum supplementation was associated with reductions in markers of intestinal permeability, including lactulose:mannitol ratios and zonulin levels, particularly in populations experiencing exercise-induced gut stress.
Nuance
Effect sizes vary across studies, and most trials are conducted in athletic or physically active populations. Evidence in healthy sedentary adults is more limited.
IMMUNE RESILIENCE Mixed
Bovine colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) and bioactive peptides. Research has examined whether supplementation supports immune markers and reduces incidence of upper respiratory illness.
Key finding
Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have reported reductions in upper respiratory tract infection incidence among athletes taking bovine colostrum compared to placebo.
Nuance
Immune response is multifactorial. Results are most consistent in high-training-load athletic contexts. Generalizing to broader populations requires caution.
Key studies
-
Meta-Analysis + SR
Bovine Colostrum in Increased Intestinal Permeability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hajihashemi P, et al.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2024
Limitation: Doses, durations, and populations vary substantially across included studies. Study quality is heterogeneous.
PubMed · PMID 38361147 (opens in new tab) -
Systematic Review
A Systematic Review of the Influence of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Leaky Gut Syndrome in Athletes
Dziewiecka H, et al.
Nutrients, 2022
Limitation: Doses, durations, and populations vary substantially across included studies. Study quality is heterogeneous.
PubMed · PMID 35745242 (opens in new tab) -
Systematic Review
Dietary Supplements on Markers of Exercise-Associated Gut Damage and Permeability: A Systematic Review
Chantler S, et al.
PLOS ONE, 2022
Limitation: Doses, durations, and populations vary substantially across included studies. Study quality is heterogeneous.
PubMed · PMID 35417467 (opens in new tab) -
Systematic Review
Bovine Colostrum Applications in Sick and Healthy People: A Systematic Review
Guberti M, et al.
Nutrients, 2021
Limitation: Doses, durations, and populations vary substantially across included studies. Study quality is heterogeneous.
PubMed · PMID 34202206 (opens in new tab) -
Randomized Controlled Trial
Bovine Colostrum Supplementation and Upper Respiratory Illness in Active Males
Jones AW, et al.
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 2014
Limitation: Immune outcomes and markers vary across studies; some trials report conflicting findings. Most evidence is in athletic populations.
PubMed · PMID 24200515 (opens in new tab) -
Meta-Analysis + SR
Immunological Outcomes of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Główka N, et al.
Nutrients, 2020
Limitation: Immune outcomes and markers vary across studies; some trials report conflicting findings. Most evidence is in athletic populations.
PubMed · PMID 32276466 (opens in new tab)
INGREDIENT 02 · VITALITY
Collagen Peptides
Supplement Facts — Vitality
| Amount Per Serving | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 70 |
| Protein | 18g |
| Calcium | 26mg |
| Collagen Peptides (Source: Bovine hide) | 20,000mg |
Other Ingredients: None
Allergens: None (gluten-free, lactose-free, dairy-free)
| Amount Per Serving | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 90 |
| Total Carbohydrate | 3g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Protein | 18g |
| Sodium | 120mg |
| Calcium | 26mg |
| Collagen Peptides | 20,000mg |
Other Ingredients: Cocoa powder, acacia powder, natural flavor, sodium chloride, xanthan gum, stevia extract powder (Reb A), silica
Allergens: None (gluten-free, dairy-free)
What the research has examined
SKIN ELASTICITY & HYDRATION Moderate / Mixed
Hydrolyzed collagen’s effect on skin aging markers is one of the most extensively meta-analyzed areas of nutricosmetic research.
Key finding
Multiple independent meta-analyses — including analyses from 2021, 2023, and 2025 — have reported improvements in skin elasticity and hydration following hydrolyzed collagen supplementation, typically over 8–12 week periods.
Nuance
Heterogeneity exists across trials in terms of collagen source, dose (ranging from 2.5g to 15g daily), and outcome measurement methods. A 2025 meta-analysis (Myung SK, Park Y.) noted that effect sizes were substantially attenuated when analyses were restricted to studies with lower risk of bias or without industry funding. Study quality and funding source are material considerations when interpreting the totality of the evidence. Skin aging is multifactorial, and results may vary by baseline skin condition and age.
JOINT & CONNECTIVE TISSUE HEALTH Moderate
Collagen peptides provide the amino acid precursors — glycine, proline, hydroxyproline — that support endogenous collagen synthesis in connective tissue.
Key finding
A 2021 systematic review reported improvements in joint pain scores and functional outcomes with collagen peptide supplementation, particularly in athletes and individuals with activity-related joint discomfort.
Nuance
Most well-designed trials combine collagen with vitamin C to support collagen synthesis. Evidence is promising but the mechanisms linking oral supplementation to joint tissue remodeling are still being characterized.
BONE MINERAL DENSITY Limited / Ingredient-Specific
Researchers have examined whether collagen peptide supplementation, alongside calcium and vitamin D, supports bone density outcomes — but the evidence is specific in ways that matter.
Key finding
A 2018 RCT and a 2022 RCT reported positive effects on bone mineral density markers in postmenopausal women when specific collagen peptides were combined with calcium and vitamin D supplementation.
Nuance
Both trials used specific branded or proprietary collagen peptide preparations — findings cannot be automatically assumed to apply to all collagen peptide products, including Vitality. The 2022 RCT administered collagen alongside calcium and vitamin D, making it difficult to isolate collagen's independent contribution to bone outcomes. Population studied (postmenopausal women) limits generalization. Evidence in younger, active populations is limited.
Key studies
-
Meta-Analysis + SR
Effects of Hydrolyzed Collagen Supplementation on Skin Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
de Miranda RB, et al.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2021
PubMed · PMID 33742704 (opens in new tab) -
Meta-Analysis + SR
Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Pu SY, et al.
Nutrients, 2023
PubMed · PMID 37432180 (opens in new tab) -
Meta-Analysis + SR
Effects of Collagen Supplements on Skin Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Myung SK, Park Y.
American Journal of Medicine, 2025
Limitation: The authors noted that effect sizes were attenuated in analyses restricted to studies with lower industry funding and lower bias risk.
PubMed · PMID 40324552 (opens in new tab) -
Systematic Review
Collagen Peptide Supplementation on Body Composition, Collagen Synthesis, and Recovery from Joint Injury and Exercise
Khatri M, et al.
Amino Acids, 2021
PubMed · PMID 34491424 (opens in new tab) -
Randomized Controlled Study
Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women
König D, et al.
Nutrients, 2018
Limitation: Uses a specific branded collagen peptide (FORTIBONE®); results may not generalize to all collagen peptide products including Vitality.
PubMed · PMID 29337906 (opens in new tab) -
Randomized Controlled Trial
Calcium, Vitamin D, and Collagen Peptides on Bone Mineral Density
Lampropoulou-Adamidou K, et al.
Journal of Clinical Densitometry, 2022
Limitation: Collagen was given alongside calcium and vitamin D; the independent contribution of collagen to bone outcomes cannot be fully isolated from co-supplementation.
PubMed · PMID 34980546 (opens in new tab)
INGREDIENT 03 · PERFORMANCE
Creatine Monohydrate
Supplement Facts — Performance
| Amount Per Serving | Amount | %DV |
|---|---|---|
| Creatine Monohydrate | 5,000mg | † |
† Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: None
Allergens: None
What the research has examined
MUSCULAR STRENGTH & PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE Strong
Creatine monohydrate has the most robust evidence base of any sports nutrition supplement for improving muscular strength and power output.
Key finding
The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) classifies creatine monohydrate as the most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement for increasing high-intensity exercise capacity. Multiple meta-analyses have confirmed lean mass and strength gains with resistance training, including in older adults.
Nuance
Effect size is most consistent when combined with structured resistance training. Individual response varies based on baseline muscle creatine saturation.
COGNITIVE FUNCTION Emerging
An emerging area of research has examined whether creatine supplementation influences brain creatine stores and cognitive performance.
Key finding
A 2024 meta-analysis and a 2022 narrative review reported that creatine supplementation was associated with improvements in short-term memory and reasoning tasks, particularly under conditions of mental fatigue or sleep deprivation.
Nuance
The cognitive effects of creatine are less established than its physical performance effects. Studies vary in dose, population, and cognitive task design. This remains an active area of investigation.
WOMEN + CREATINE Moderate / Growing Body of Research
Research specifically examining creatine supplementation in women has grown substantially in recent years, though female-specific evidence remains less extensive than the broader mixed-sex literature.
Key finding
A 2025 systematic review examined creatine supplementation in active females and reported benefits across measures of muscular strength and power, while noting that the evidence base for women specifically is less extensive than for mixed-sex populations. A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis found no adverse outcomes associated with creatine supplementation in females at standard supplemental doses.
Nuance
Evidence from female-specific trials is heterogeneous in terms of dose, training background, and outcome measures. Many creatine performance studies use primarily male subjects. Generalizing male-population findings to women requires caution. Individual response may vary.
Key studies
-
Position Review
ISSN Position Stand: Safety and Efficacy of Creatine Supplementation in Exercise, Sport, and Medicine
Kreider RB, et al.
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2017
PubMed · PMID 28615996 (opens in new tab) -
Meta-Analysis
Creatine Supplementation During Resistance Training in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis
Chilibeck PD, et al.
Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, 2017
PubMed · PMID 29138605 (opens in new tab) -
Meta-Analysis
Creatine Supplementation During Resistance Training in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis
Devries MC, Phillips SM.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2014
PubMed · PMID 24576864 (opens in new tab) -
Meta-Analysis + SR
Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Females Taking Oral Creatine Monohydrate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
de Guingand DL, et al.
Nutrients, 2020
PubMed · PMID 32549301 (opens in new tab) -
Systematic Review
Does Creatine Supplementation Enhance Performance in Active Females? A Systematic Review
Tam R, et al.
Nutrients, 2025
Limitation: Evidence is limited relative to male-population research; heterogeneity in training status, dose, and outcome measures across female-specific trials.
PubMed · PMID 39861368 (opens in new tab) -
Meta-Analysis + SR
The Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Cognitive Function in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Xu C, et al.
Frontiers in Nutrition, 2024
Limitation: Cognitive effects are more established under conditions of mental fatigue or sleep deprivation; effects in rested, healthy adults are less consistent.
PubMed · PMID 39070254 (opens in new tab) -
Review
Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Brain Function and Health
Forbes SC, et al.
Nutrients, 2022
Limitation: Narrative review; variable certainty across cognitive domains and populations studied.
PubMed · PMID 35267907 (opens in new tab)
METHODOLOGY
How We Read the Research
Not all research is equal. Evidence hierarchy is a useful starting framework, but the strength of a conclusion depends on more than study type alone.
Meta-Analysis + Systematic Review
A systematic review identifies and synthesizes all available evidence on a question using pre-defined criteria. A meta-analysis pools data across studies to estimate effect sizes. Together, they represent the highest level of synthesized evidence — but quality depends heavily on the underlying trials included.
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Participants are randomly assigned to receive a treatment or placebo and followed over time. RCTs are the gold standard for establishing causality. Sample size, blinding, duration, and population all affect the reliability of findings.
Observational Human Research
Studies that track outcomes in people without assigning treatments. Useful for identifying associations and patterns at scale, but cannot establish causation. Confounding factors are a persistent limitation.
Preclinical + Mechanistic Research
Laboratory and animal research that explores biological pathways. Informative for understanding how an ingredient might work, but cannot be directly translated to human outcomes without further evidence.
Evidence hierarchy alone does not determine quality. A well-designed RCT in a relevant population can outperform a poorly-conducted meta-analysis that aggregates low-quality trials. What matters: study design, heterogeneity across included studies, risk of bias, funding source, population relevance, ingredient dose and form, and the totality of evidence across independent research groups.
METHODOLOGY
Our Editorial Standards
EVIDENCE WEIGHTING
Each research area is given an evidence label: Strong, Moderate, Emerging, Mixed, or Limited — reflecting the consistency, quality, and sample size of the available literature, not a proprietary scoring system.
Strong
Moderate
Emerging
Mixed
Limited
HONEST REPORTING
Where evidence is mixed or limited, we say so. We do not cherry-pick favorable studies. Nuance notes accompany each research area to surface important limitations or context.
WHAT WE DON’T CLAIM
We do not claim our products ‘treat,’ ‘cure,’ or ‘prevent’ any condition. We do not use unverified certifications, invented statistics, or misleading before/after claims.
READING THE RESEARCH
CONTEXT MATTERS
INGREDIENT ≠ FINISHED PRODUCT
Unless a finished LimmiGlow formula itself has been clinically studied, ingredient-level research should not be presented as equivalent to a clinical trial of Origin, Vitality, or Performance. We present ingredient research — not product claims.
DOSE + FORM MATTER
Results from trials using one dose, ingredient form, population, or study duration cannot automatically be assumed to apply to every formulation or consumer. We formulate to meet or exceed doses used in positive trials, but individual response to any supplement will vary.
SCIENCE EVOLVES
Research can produce conflicting findings, and later work sometimes challenges earlier conclusions. LimmiGlow presents material limitations alongside favorable evidence rather than selectively showing only positive results.
RESEARCH LIBRARY
21 Peer-Reviewed Sources
Showing all 21 studies
-
01
Hajihashemi P, et al. (2024).
“Bovine Colostrum in Increased Intestinal Permeability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
Meta-Analysis + SRPubMed (opens in new tab) -
02
Dziewiecka H, et al. (2022).
“A Systematic Review of the Influence of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Leaky Gut Syndrome in Athletes.”
Nutrients
Systematic ReviewPubMed (opens in new tab) -
03
Chantler S, et al. (2022).
“Dietary Supplements on Markers of Exercise-Associated Gut Damage and Permeability: A Systematic Review.”
PLOS ONE
Systematic ReviewPubMed (opens in new tab) -
04
Guberti M, et al. (2021).
“Bovine Colostrum Applications in Sick and Healthy People: A Systematic Review.”
Nutrients
Systematic ReviewPubMed (opens in new tab) -
05
Jones AW, et al. (2014).
“Bovine Colostrum Supplementation and Upper Respiratory Illness in Active Males.”
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
Randomized Controlled TrialPubMed (opens in new tab) -
06
Główka N, et al. (2020).
“Immunological Outcomes of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”
Nutrients
Meta-Analysis + SRPubMed (opens in new tab) -
07
de Miranda RB, et al. (2021).
“Effects of Hydrolyzed Collagen Supplementation on Skin Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”
International Journal of Dermatology
Meta-Analysis + SRPubMed (opens in new tab) -
08
Pu SY, et al. (2023).
“Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”
Nutrients
Meta-Analysis + SRPubMed (opens in new tab) -
09
Myung SK, Park Y. (2025).
“Effects of Collagen Supplements on Skin Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”
American Journal of Medicine
Meta-Analysis + SRPubMed (opens in new tab) -
10
Khatri M, et al. (2021).
“Collagen Peptide Supplementation on Body Composition, Collagen Synthesis, and Recovery from Joint Injury and Exercise.”
Amino Acids
Systematic ReviewPubMed (opens in new tab) -
11
König D, et al. (2018).
“Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women.”
Nutrients
Randomized Controlled StudyPubMed (opens in new tab) -
12
Lampropoulou-Adamidou K, et al. (2022).
“Calcium, Vitamin D, and Collagen Peptides on Bone Mineral Density.”
Journal of Clinical Densitometry
Randomized Controlled TrialPubMed (opens in new tab) -
13
Kreider RB, et al. (2017).
“ISSN Position Stand: Safety and Efficacy of Creatine Supplementation in Exercise, Sport, and Medicine.”
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Position ReviewPubMed (opens in new tab) -
14
Chilibeck PD, et al. (2017).
“Creatine Supplementation During Resistance Training in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis.”
Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine
Meta-AnalysisPubMed (opens in new tab) -
15
Devries MC, Phillips SM. (2014).
“Creatine Supplementation During Resistance Training in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis.”
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Meta-AnalysisPubMed (opens in new tab) -
16
de Guingand DL, et al. (2020).
“Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Females Taking Oral Creatine Monohydrate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”
Nutrients
Meta-Analysis + SRPubMed (opens in new tab) -
17
Tam R, et al. (2025).
“Does Creatine Supplementation Enhance Performance in Active Females? A Systematic Review.”
Nutrients
Systematic ReviewPubMed (opens in new tab) -
18
Xu C, et al. (2024).
“The Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Cognitive Function in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”
Frontiers in Nutrition
Meta-Analysis + SRPubMed (opens in new tab) -
19
Forbes SC, et al. (2022).
“Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Brain Function and Health.”
Nutrients
-
20
Rawson ES, Venezia AC. (2011).
“Use of Creatine in the Elderly and Evidence for Effects on Cognitive Function in Young and Old.”
Amino Acids
-
21
Antonio J, Ciccone V. (2013).
“The Effects of Pre versus Post Workout Supplementation of Creatine Monohydrate on Body Composition and Strength.”
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Randomized Controlled StudyPubMed (opens in new tab)
SAFETY & DISCLAIMER
Important Information
Individual results will vary. Supplement research is conducted on study populations and cannot predict outcomes for any specific individual.
These products are not intended for use by individuals under 18 years of age, or by pregnant or nursing individuals, without prior consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
FORMULATED FOR THE INTENTIONAL WOMAN
The Science Is Here.
The Choice Is Yours.
Three ingredients. One system. Built on research, not promises.
