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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Andrographis vs Lactoferrin: they're closely matched on evidence (7 vs 6.3/10); they're alternatives for support immune system — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Andrographis and Lactoferrin are closely matched across evidence, studies, and safety.
Verdict
Likely helps
3 of 4 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Too few graded studies
1 of 1 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both Andrographis and Lactoferrin have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
400mg extract (standardized to 10-30% andrographolides), 3x daily for acute use
At first sign of cold symptoms, With meals
Standardized extract (10-30% andrographolides)
200–300 mg daily for adults; 100–200 mg/day for children (a typical label dose, not the dose used in the cited trials, which used 600 to 3,400 mg a day in adults, and no cited trial states a dose for children)
30–60 minutes before breakfast, Between meals on an empty stomach
Bovine lactoferrin capsule or powder (≥95% purity)
2-5 days
2-5 days
2-5 days
4–8 weeks of use
4–8 weeks
4–8 weeks
6–12 weeks
Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Active Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis
In pooled analyses, when compared with placebo, clinical response rates were significantly higher for Indigo naturalis (IN) (RR 3.70, 95% CI 1.97-6.95), but not for Curcuma longa (CL) (RR 1.60, 95% CI 0.99-2.58) or Andrographis paniculata (AP) (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.71-1.26).
Safety of Andrographis paniculata: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety (2021) · Meta analysis
Incidence of serious AEs was very rare with the pooled incidence (95% CI) from RCTs of 0.02 per 1000 patients (0.0-0.5).
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of Andrographis paniculata standardized extract (ParActin®) on pain reduction in subjects with knee osteoarthritis
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2019) · Rct · n=103
Patients treated with 300 or 600 mg/day of ParActin® showed a significant reduction in pain at days 28, 56, and 84 compared with a placebo group.
Effect of Lactoferrin Supplementation on Inflammation, Immune Function, and Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Advances in Nutrition (2022) · Meta analysis
Lactoferrin significantly reduced IL-6 in adults (mean difference: -24.9 pg/mL; 95% CI: -41.64, -8.08 pg/mL)
Lactoferrin reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (2021) · Meta analysis · n=1194
Pooled analysis of RCTs showed significant reduction in respiratory tract infection risk with lactoferrin supplementation
Comparative Effects between Oral Lactoferrin and Ferrous Sulfate Supplementation on Iron-Deficiency Anemia: A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.
Nutrients (2022) · Meta analysis
Lactoferrin supplementation had better effects on serum iron (WMD: 41.44 ug/dL; p < 0.00001), ferritin (WMD: 13.60 ng/mL; p = 0.003) and hemoglobin concentration (11.80 g/dL; p < 0.00001), but a reducing effect on fractional iron absorption (WMD: −2.08%; p = 0.02) and IL-6 levels (WMD: −45.59 pg/mL; p < 0.00001) compared with ferrous sulfate.
Two placebo-controlled trials of the same standardised extract (KalmCold, also sold as AP-Bio). At 200 mg a day, 223 adults with an uncomplicated upper respiratory infection had lower overall symptom scores than placebo by day 5 (PMID 20092985). In a 300-person trial of 200 or 400 mg a day for 7 days, both doses lowered symptom scores on day 3 by the same amount, with no difference on days 5 and 7, and no participant reported adverse physical symptoms (PMID 36842634). 400 mg was no better than 200 mg, so the curve is flat and no optimal dose is given. The respiratory infection meta-analysis (PMID 28783743) reports symptom benefits but no doses, so it is not plotted.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Both Andrographis and Lactoferrin are closely matched — the best choice depends on your specific health goals.
For support immune system, Lactoferrin has a higher relevance score (92 vs 90).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.