Abstract

CAMEL MILK; A SUPERFOOD FOR CARDIOVASCULAR CHALLENGES AND DIABETES

Taherah Mohammadabadi*, Asif Ur Rehman and Rajesh Jain

ABSTRACT

Currently, consumers' interest in camel milk has been increased due to its health benefits. Camel milk is richer in vitamins C and minerals like Mn, iron, Cu and Zn than cow milk. Camel milk has high amount of immunoglobulins and protective enzymes like lactoferrin, peptidoglycan recognition protein, lactoperoxidase and lysozyme. Furthermore, lactic acid bacteria of camel milk as strong probiotic are important for the gut health and function. Smaller size of nanobodies of camel milk prevent food allergy and enhance the immune system and inflammations. Camel milk contains insulin like proteins which does not form coagulum in the acidic condition of stomach and may be an adjunct alternative for insulin in type 1 and 2 and gestational diabetes. Camel milk may provide about 60% of the insulin in type 1 diabetic patients. Camel milk is effective in normalizing cholesterol content and hence better management of cardiovascular diseases. Probiotic bacteria of camel milk may interfere with cholesterol absorption from the intestine by de conjugating bile salts and preventing reabsorption. Hypocholesterolemia peptides have been resulted in cholesterol reduction by binding to cholesterol or reducing the micellar solubility of cholesterol and inhibiting cholesterol absorption. Lactoferrin, immunoglobulins and antioxidants of camel milk led to improve cardiovascular challenge in type 1 and 2 diabetes. Using of camel milk for 6 months reduced LDL and triacylglycerol’s in type 1 diabetic cases. Reduction of 1% in cholesterol reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 2–3%. Therefore, camel milk is not only complete food, but also it may be recommended as miraculous superfood for diabetes, heart health and cardiovascular disorders.

Keywords: Camel milk, health, cardiovascular disease, diabetes.