Therapeutic and Clinical Uses of Donkey Milk: Current Evidence and Potential Applications
Donkey milk has attracted scientific interest because its composition shares several characteristics with human milk, including a relatively high lactose concentration, low fat and protein concentrations, and a whey-rich protein profile. Research has particularly investigated its potential use in selected children with cow's-milk protein allergy (CMPA). Other proposed therapeutic applications remain largely investigational.
1. Cow's-Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA)
- Several observational and prospective studies have investigated donkey milk in children with cow's-milk protein allergy.
- Many selected children in these studies tolerated donkey milk, although reactions have also been reported.
- The protein composition of donkey milk differs from bovine milk, which may contribute to its tolerability in some children.
- Clinical studies have also reported good palatability and acceptable growth in selected children receiving donkey milk under supervision.
A prospective study involving 81 children with cow's-milk protein allergy or cow's-milk-associated FPIES reported good tolerability among the selected participants. However, these findings do not establish donkey milk as a universal substitute for specialized allergy formulas.
2. Donkey Milk and Atopic Dermatitis
- Donkey milk has been investigated for possible effects on inflammatory and allergic skin conditions.
- Bioactive proteins such as lysozyme and lactoferrin have anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial properties in experimental systems.
- Evidence from human clinical studies remains insufficient to establish donkey milk as a treatment for atopic dermatitis.
Some experimental and early clinical observations suggest possible dermatological benefits, but larger controlled clinical trials are needed before donkey milk can be recommended as a treatment for eczema, psoriasis or acne.
3. FPIES and Other Food-Protein Disorders
- Donkey milk has been studied in selected children with cow's-milk protein allergy and food-protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES).
- Some children have tolerated it, but the available evidence is based mainly on small studies and selected clinical populations.
- Evidence is insufficient to describe donkey milk as an established treatment for FPIES or eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders.
FPIES and eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases require specialist diagnosis and nutritional management. Donkey milk should not be introduced as a treatment without appropriate medical supervision.
4. Nutrition in Older Adults
- Donkey milk contains relatively high proportions of whey proteins compared with casein.
- Its protein composition has generated interest in nutritional research involving older adults.
- However, evidence that donkey milk prevents sarcopenia or significantly improves muscle protein synthesis in elderly people remains insufficient.
Experimental studies have investigated possible antioxidant, metabolic and immunomodulatory effects of donkey milk. These findings are interesting, but they should not be interpreted as proof of clinical benefits against sarcopenia or aging-related disease.
5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Lysozyme, lactoferrin and other milk components have demonstrated biological activity in laboratory and animal studies.
- Donkey milk has therefore been investigated for possible effects on intestinal inflammation and the gut microbiota.
- There is currently insufficient high-quality human evidence to recommend donkey milk as a treatment for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Changes in inflammatory markers or intestinal microbiota observed in experimental studies cannot be directly translated into a proven treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.
6. Immune and Antimicrobial Properties
- Lysozyme: Donkey milk contains relatively high concentrations of lysozyme compared with bovine milk.
- Lactoferrin: This iron-binding protein has antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties.
- Immunoglobulins: Donkey milk contains antibodies, although their concentrations and biological significance vary.
- Other bioactive compounds: Various proteins and peptides have demonstrated biological activity in laboratory studies.
7. Cosmetic and Dermatological Applications
Donkey milk is used as an ingredient in some cosmetic products, including soaps, creams and lotions. Its proteins, lipids, vitamins and other constituents have generated interest in skin-care research.
- Some formulations may have moisturizing or skin-conditioning properties.
- Experimental studies have investigated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of donkey-milk components.
- Human evidence for treating psoriasis, eczema, acne or wound healing remains limited.
Historical associations between donkey milk and beauty practices are of cultural interest, but historical use should not be presented as clinical validation.
8. Emerging and Investigational Applications
| Potential Application | Current Evidence |
|---|---|
| Type 1 diabetes | Preliminary experimental evidence; insufficient human clinical evidence. |
| Metabolic disorders | Potential effects reported mainly in experimental studies; clinical significance remains uncertain. |
| Autism spectrum disorder | Insufficient evidence; donkey milk should not be presented as a treatment. |
| Cancer research | Some milk proteins and peptides show activity in laboratory studies, but this does not establish an anticancer treatment. |
| Intestinal inflammation | Experimental evidence exists; controlled human studies are needed. |
| Skin inflammation | Preliminary laboratory and cosmetic research; clinical efficacy remains uncertain. |
9. What Does the Evidence Actually Support?
- Donkey milk has a distinctive nutritional and biochemical profile.
- Its composition has several similarities to human milk.
- It has been studied as a possible alternative milk for selected children with cow's-milk protein allergy.
- Several studies report good tolerability in selected allergic children.
- Lysozyme and lactoferrin provide biologically interesting antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties.
- Most proposed applications outside food allergy remain experimental or insufficiently supported by clinical trials.
10. Important Safety and Nutritional Considerations
Donkey milk is relatively low in fat and energy compared with human and bovine milk. Therefore, compositional similarity does not mean nutritional equivalence to breast milk.
For infants, especially those with food allergy, the nutritional adequacy, microbiological safety and allergenic potential of any milk substitute must be carefully considered. Donkey milk should not be used as an unsupervised replacement for breast milk or medically appropriate infant formula.
Summary
Donkey milk contains several biologically interesting components, particularly lysozyme, lactoferrin and whey proteins. Its relatively high lactose concentration and low fat and casein concentrations also give it several compositional similarities to human milk.
The strongest human evidence concerns its potential tolerability in selected children with cow's-milk protein allergy. However, current clinical guidelines do not establish donkey milk as a universal first-line replacement for specialized infant formulas. Evidence for applications involving eczema, inflammatory bowel disease, sarcopenia, recurrent infections, diabetes and cancer remains insufficient for therapeutic claims.
Therefore, donkey milk should currently be described as a nutritionally distinctive food with promising biomedical research potential, rather than as a proven pharmaceutical treatment.
Read also: Chemistry of Donkey Milk