Researchers tested whether sheep milk could help treat inflammatory bowel disease in mice with colitis, a condition that causes gut inflammation. They found that sheep milk reduced harmful inflammatory chemicals in the gut, strengthened the intestinal barrier, and increased beneficial bacteria. The study used advanced lab techniques to measure inflammation markers, gut bacteria composition, and protective proteins. While these results are promising, this research was done in mice, so scientists will need to test whether these benefits apply to humans before recommending sheep milk as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether sheep milk could reduce inflammation and improve gut health in mice with colitis (a disease that inflames the intestines)
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice that were given a chemical to create colitis symptoms similar to human inflammatory bowel disease
  • Key finding: Sheep milk treatment reduced inflammatory chemicals in the gut, increased protective proteins that line the intestines, and boosted beneficial bacteria—suggesting it may help protect against gut inflammation
  • What it means for you: This research suggests sheep milk might be helpful for gut health, but these are early-stage findings from animal studies. People with inflammatory bowel disease should not change their treatment based on this study alone and should talk to their doctor before trying sheep milk as a supplement

The Research Details

Scientists gave mice a chemical called DSS to create colitis (gut inflammation) similar to what happens in human ulcerative colitis. They then treated some mice with sheep milk at different doses while other mice received no treatment. The researchers measured multiple things: inflammatory chemicals in the gut, the composition of gut bacteria, protective proteins in the intestinal lining, and beneficial compounds produced by gut bacteria. They used several advanced laboratory techniques including blood tests, genetic analysis, microscopy, and chemical analysis to get a complete picture of how sheep milk affected the mice’s gut health.

This comprehensive approach matters because it shows not just whether sheep milk helped, but how it helped. By measuring inflammation, gut bacteria, and intestinal barrier function, the researchers could understand the different ways sheep milk might protect the gut. This multi-angle approach makes the findings more believable and helps scientists understand the actual mechanisms at work.

This study used multiple scientific methods to verify results, which strengthens confidence in the findings. However, the research was conducted only in mice, which have different digestive systems than humans. The study appears to be well-designed with appropriate controls, but human studies would be needed to confirm these benefits apply to people with inflammatory bowel disease.

What the Results Show

Sheep milk treatment significantly reduced inflammatory chemicals in the gut, particularly IL-1β and TNF-α, which are key molecules that cause inflammation in colitis. The treatment also reduced other inflammatory markers like COX-2 and iNOS. Additionally, sheep milk increased protective proteins (MUC2, MUC3, ZO-1, claudin-1, and occludin) that form a barrier in the intestines, helping prevent harmful substances from crossing into the bloodstream. These changes suggest sheep milk works through multiple pathways to reduce inflammation and strengthen the gut’s natural defenses.

The study found that sheep milk helped rebalance the gut bacteria community, increasing beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia and Lactobacillus while reducing harmful bacteria. Sheep milk also boosted short-chain fatty acids, which are beneficial compounds produced when good bacteria break down fiber. These fatty acids are important for gut health and reducing inflammation. The effects appeared to be dose-dependent, meaning higher amounts of sheep milk produced stronger protective effects.

Previous research has shown that sheep milk contains bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but this study provides detailed evidence of how these compounds actually work in the gut. The findings align with earlier research suggesting that probiotics and fermented dairy products can help with inflammatory bowel disease, but this study specifically demonstrates sheep milk’s mechanisms in a controlled setting.

This research was conducted only in mice, which have different digestive systems and immune responses than humans. The study did not include human participants, so we cannot be certain these benefits would occur in people. The sample size of mice was not specified in the abstract, making it difficult to assess statistical power. Additionally, this was a single study, so results would need to be confirmed by other independent researchers before drawing firm conclusions about human health benefits.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal study, sheep milk appears promising for gut health, but it is too early to recommend it as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease in humans. People with colitis or ulcerative colitis should continue following their doctor’s prescribed treatments. If interested in trying sheep milk, discuss it with a healthcare provider first, as it should complement—not replace—medical treatment. Confidence level: Low to Moderate (animal study only)

People with inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis may find this research interesting as a potential future treatment option. Researchers studying gut health and probiotics should pay attention to these findings. People interested in dairy alternatives and gut health may also be interested. However, people with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance should be cautious, as sheep milk is still a dairy product.

In this mouse study, benefits appeared relatively quickly, but realistic timelines for human benefits are unknown. If human studies eventually confirm these findings, it would likely take weeks to months of regular consumption to notice improvements in gut symptoms. Anyone trying sheep milk should give it at least 4-8 weeks before evaluating whether it’s helping.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily sheep milk consumption (amount in ounces or milliliters) and rate digestive symptoms on a scale of 1-10 (including bloating, pain, and bowel regularity) to monitor personal response over 8-12 weeks
  • If interested in trying sheep milk, start with small amounts (4-6 ounces daily) and gradually increase while tracking digestive symptoms using the app to identify any personal benefits or adverse reactions
  • Create a long-term tracking dashboard showing weekly average symptom scores, sheep milk consumption patterns, and any correlations between intake and symptom improvement, with monthly reviews to assess whether continued use is beneficial

This research was conducted in mice and has not been tested in humans. These findings should not be used to replace medical treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease. Anyone with digestive conditions should consult their healthcare provider before making dietary changes or starting new supplements, including sheep milk. People with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance should be particularly cautious. While this study is promising, much more research is needed before sheep milk can be recommended as a treatment for human inflammatory bowel disease.