Buyer protection
Contents
Donkey milk is a food – not a remedy for the kidneys or a treatment for kidney diseases. If you are researching your diet because of kidney issues, one thing above all else is essential: individual consultation with your doctor or a nutrition professional. In this article, you will learn what makes donkey milk a food, why laboratory experiments and animal studies cannot be used to make statements about humans, and what questions you can ask during your doctor’s appointment.
Donkey milk is a food – and remains one
The internet is full of claims that donkey milk can influence certain organs or bodily functions. We believe such statements are based on misunderstandings. Donkey milk is the milk of donkeys. It has been drunk, used in cooking, and applied in personal care for centuries. Legally and factually, it is a food, just like other types of milk.
Foods do not treat diseases. This applies to cow’s milk, goat’s milk, and donkey milk as well. If you have a kidney disease, you should therefore not pin your hopes on a single food, but plan your entire diet together with professionals.
What’s in donkey milk: the nutritional values explained
The composition of donkey milk varies depending on the animal, its feed, and the stage of lactation. As a rough guide, every 100 ml contains approximately:
| Component | Donkey milk per 100 ml (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 35–45 kcal |
| Fat | 0.3–1.8 g, usually less than 1 g |
| Protein | 1.5–1.9 g |
| Lactose (milk sugar) | 6–7 g |
| Calcium | 60–90 mg |
In addition, donkey milk – like other types of milk – contains other minerals, such as potassium and phosphorus, the levels of which also vary. It also naturally contains the proteins lysozyme and lactoferrin. This is a description of its composition, not a statement about its effects on the body. You can find more about the individual components in our article on the ingredients and nutritional values of donkey milk.
Important: Donkey milk contains milk protein and lactose. With approximately 6–7 g of lactose per 100 ml, it actually contains more than cow’s milk (around 4.7 g). If you have a milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance, please consult your doctor.
Diet for kidney diseases: individual consultation
Diet often plays an important role in kidney diseases. However, what amounts are appropriate varies greatly. This depends on several factors, including the stage of the disease, laboratory values, medications, and whether dialysis is being performed. Typical points that doctors and nutrition professionals determine individually include:
- Protein intake: how much protein is appropriate per day – milk and dairy products are also included in this calculation.
- Potassium: whether and to what extent high-potassium foods should be restricted.
- Phosphorus: how much phosphorus should be consumed from food.
- Fluids: how much fluid is permitted or recommended per day – milk is also a fluid.
- Calories and carbohydrates: for example, if other diseases are present at the same time.
Every type of milk provides protein, minerals, and fluids. Whether and in what quantity donkey milk fits into such a dietary plan can therefore only be determined in consultation with your doctor or a nutrition professional. If you have an existing medical condition, please do not change your diet on your own.
Why animal studies cannot be used to make statements about humans
Donkey milk is studied scientifically, primarily because of its composition. Some of this research takes place in laboratories or involves animals, such as mice or rats. Such experiments are basic research. They help researchers formulate questions – but they do not answer what happens in humans.
There are several reasons for this:
- Animals differ significantly from humans in their metabolism, body size, and diet.
- In animal models, changes are often induced artificially. This does not reflect the course of a disease in humans.
- The amounts, duration, and method of administration cannot simply be transferred to everyday life.
- Individual studies must be independently repeated and tested in humans before any reliable conclusions can be drawn.
This is why we do not draw conclusions about effects in humans from animal studies and laboratory models – and we do not present such results as an argument for our products either. For us, donkey milk is a special food – nothing more, nothing less.
How to recognize reliable information
A critical eye is particularly important when it comes to health topics. These questions can help you evaluate texts about food:
- Who was studied? Cells, animals, or humans? Only studies involving humans can provide information about humans – and even then, only about the group that was studied.
- Is a food presented as a solution? If so, caution is advised. Food cannot replace medical treatment.
- Is the reader encouraged to make a purchase? If study results and product advertising are placed directly alongside each other, the text is more likely to be marketing than information.
- What does your doctor say? If you have an existing medical condition, this is the most important source of information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is donkey milk a remedy for the kidneys?
No. Donkey milk is a food. Foods do not treat diseases. If you have questions about your kidneys, please consult your doctor.
Can I drink donkey milk if I have a kidney disease?
This cannot be answered generally. Like all milk, donkey milk contains protein, minerals, and fluids. Whether it fits into your personal dietary plan is best discussed with your doctor or a nutrition professional.
What about studies on donkey milk?
Donkey milk is studied primarily because of its composition. Many studies are laboratory-based or involve animal testing. Such results cannot be used to draw conclusions about effects in humans.
How much protein does donkey milk contain?
Approximately 1.5 to 1.9 g per 100 ml. The exact values vary depending on the animal, its feed, and the stage of lactation.
Donkey milk is a food and not a medicine. If you have health-related questions, please consult your doctor.
