Effect of camel milk on glycemic control and insulin requirement in patients with type 1 diabetes: 2-years randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Hypoglycemic effect of camel milk supplementation in experimental rat model and significant reduction in doses of insulin in type 1 diabetic patients have been observed in our previous studies. This long-term study was undertaken to assess the efficacy, safety and acceptability of camel milk as an adjunct to insulin therapy in type 1 diabetics. Subjects/Methods: In this 2-year randomized clinical, parallel design study, 24 type 1 diabetics were enrolled and divided into two groups. Group I (n ¼ 12) received usual care, that is, diet, exercise and insulin and Group II (n ¼ 12) received 500 ml camel milk in addition to the usual care. Insulin requirement was titrated weekly by blood glucose estimation. Results were analyzed by using the regression technique. Results: In camel milk group, there was decrease in mean blood glucose (118.58 ± 19-93.16 ± 17.06 mg/dl), hemoglobin A1c levels (7.81 ± 1.39-5.44 ± 0.81%) and insulin doses (32.50 ± 9.99-17.50 ± 12.09 U/day, Po0.05). Out of 12 subjects receiving camel milk, insulin requirement in 3 subjects reduced to zero. There was nonsignificant change in plasma insulin and anti-insulin antibodies in both the groups. Conclusion: It may be stated that camel milk is safe and efficacious in improving long-term glycemic control, with a significant reduction in the doses of insulin in type 1 diabetic patients.

Lead acetate toxicity on glucose level and liver enzymes ameliorated by camel's milk in wistar albino rat

“…26 The traditional believe in the Middle East is that regular consumption of camel milk helps in prevention and control of diabetes, it has also been reported that camel milk can have such properties. [27][28][29] Such beneficial effects of camel milk might be due to presence of insulin in the milk or some other substances able to modulate glucose level. Our results agree with previous studies that camel milk had a healthy effect by reducing the level of blood glucose that has been elevated by lead acetate exposure.…”

Chemical Composition and Medicinal Values of Camel Milk

“…In the same way, a recent study also proved that camel milk is rich source of insulin (Grover et al, 2014). Furthermore, it is proved that camel milk can be used as an adjunct to insulin therapy as it appears to be safe and efficacious in improving long-term glycemic control and also helps in the reduction of insulin requirement in type 1 diabetic patient (Agrawal et al, 2011). Biochemical studies have revealed the components of camel milk e.g.…”

Nutritional and medicinal value of camel (Camelus dromedarius) milk

“…Camel milk does seem to contain high levels of insulin or an insulin-like protein which appears to be able to pass through the stomach without being destroyed [67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75] and it does not form a coagulum in an acidic environment [76]. Radioimmunoassay tests of camel milk has revealed high concentration of insulin i.e.…”