Somalilandsun – The Somali people who since the beginning of time herded camels have always trusted the amazing medicinal importance of the camel milk and meat. Their strong believe of the important and unique medicinal and nutritional values of the camel milk have been finally vindicated by the science experts.
Somali nomads have used the camel milk to cure multiple illnesses and complications but, it is only now that the rest of the world and, particularly scientists and medical professionals have come to realize that what the Somali nomads have known for thousands of years and generations is scientific after all . It is therefore about time, that the rest of the world should not only recognises and respects the specialist knowledge and expertise of the Somali nomads on camels but also to work and learn from them.
Here are some of the medicinal benefits of the Camel Milk
• Camel milk is closer to human milk than any other milk.
• It is often easily digested by lactose-intolerant individuals.
• It is rich in healthy vitamins and minerals, especially B vitamins, vitamin C and iron.
• The lactoferrin in camel milk has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-tumor properties.
• It contains disease-fighting immunoglobulins which are small in size, allowing penetration of antigens and boosting the effectiveness of the immune system.
• It is a rich source of insulin. Containing approximately 52 units of insulin in each liter of camel milk, making it a great treatment option for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetics as well as Gestational Diabetes.
The Camel milk has traditionally been used to treat diabetes. Camel milk contains high levels of insulin or an insulin-like protein which pass through the stomach without being destroyed. The stomach’s acidity would normally destroy insulin – this is why developing ‘oral insulin’ is such a challenge. A month-long study in people with Type 1 diabetes suggested that drinking almost a pint of camel milk daily improved blood glucose levels, greatly reducing the need for insulin.
If diabetes is not adequately controlled the patient has a significantly higher risk of developing complications, such as hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, and nonketotic hypersosmolar coma. Longer term complications could be cardiovascular disease, retinal damage, chronic kidney failure, nerve damage, poor healing of wounds, gangrene on the feet which may lead to amputation, and erectile dysfunction.
• It lacks beta casein and other common allergens found in cow milk and contains immune system components that might benefit children allergic to milk and other foods.
• It improves the quality of life for people with autoimmune disorders. Helping the immune system respond properly and no longer attacking a person’s own body tissues.
• Camel milk is a good source of protein and referred to as whole food. It has enough nutrients to sustain life and is often given to babies suffering from malnutrition.
• Compared to cow, buffalo and ewe milk fat, camel milk fat has fewer short-chained fatty acids and high concentrations of volatile acids especially linoleic & polyunsaturated acids, increasing brain health and overall wellness.
Camel milk is a rich source of proteins with potential antimicrobial and protective activities; these proteins are not found in cow milk or found only in minor amount, moreover camel milk is used in some parts of the world as a cure for certain diseases. Camel milk is a whole food meaning it has enough nutrients to sustain a person through the day.
In many countries, camel milk is given to babies suffering from malnutrition. Compared to cow, buffalo and ewe milk fat, camel milk fat contains less short-chained fatty acids, but the same long-chained fatty acids can be found. Some researchers claim that the value of camel milk is to be found in the high concentrations of volatile acids and, especially, linoleic acid and the polyunsaturated acids, which are essential for human nutrition.
Nutrition value of camel milk :
•Lactose •Lanolin •Protein •Calcium •Carbohydrate •Sugars, natural & added •Fiber •Ash •Lactic acid •Sp. Gravity •Fat •Cholesterol Vitamins •Vitamin A •Vitamin B2 •Vitamin E •Vitamin C Minerals •Sodium •Potassium •Iron •Phosphorus •Magnesium
Nutritional fact of camel milk:
•Camel milk is low in lactose compared with cows’ milk. However, levels of potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, sodium and zinc are higher than in cows’ milk. •Cholesterol in camel milk is lower than cow or goat milk. •Camel milk is 3 times higher in vitamin C than cow’s milk and 10 times higher in iron. •It is also high in unsaturated fatty acids and B vitamins but less in vitamin A and B2. •The fat content in camel’s milk is similar to that of cow’s milk. •Camel milk is rich potassium, iron and minerals such as sodium and magnesium.
Health benefits of camel milk:
‘Insulin’ of the future: Camel milk has high concentration of insulin that has positive effect on the immunity. It does not thicken easily in an acidic environment. Diabetics in Somalia, Kenya and the USA who recognize the value of Camel milk are using Camel milk therapy to control their Diabetes.
Camel Milk based beauty products:
Camel milk is a natural source of Alpha-Hydroxide acids which are known to chubby the skin and smoothies fine lines. Camel Milk soap provides a most deluxe bath experience. Products from Camel milk are already hitting the shelves of shops such as soaps and yogurts.
Other benefits:
•Camel milk is supposed a precautionary in ulcers. •Regular intake of camel milk helps to control blood sugar levels. •Camel milk helps in reducing coronary heart disease. •Camel milk also benefits in infection, tuberculosis, gastroenteritis, etcetera and cancer. Immunoglobulin is the substance in the camel milk that contributes to immunity against infection. •Camel milk is also supposed to be a new Viagra. •Camel´s milk cures severe food allergies and rehabilitates the immune system in children. •Camel´s milk has a number of antibodies that are compatible with human ones and very small molecules that can easily enter the bloodstream by the intestines. Camel milk, used medicinally for centuries by nomadic people, is the closest to human mother’s milk and contains 10 times more iron and three times more vitamin C than cow’s milk, according to The Huffington Post. Camels possess unique, powerful immune-system components, which are contained in their milk. Camel milk might potentially benefit disorders including diabetes and autism.
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Diabetes
Low-fat camel milk not only contains healthy vitamins and minerals, but also is a rich source of insulin. This milk reportedly has about a quart of insulin in each liter, making it a potential treatment option for diabetics. The Huffington Post cites a 2005 study by India’s Bikaner Diabetes Care Research Center that observed the effects of camel milk on type 1 diabetes. Researchers determined that consuming camel milk significantly reduced insulin doses required to maintain long-term glycemic, or blood sugar, control. According to lead researcher Dr. R.P. Agrawal, 500 ml of raw, fresh camel milk daily improves the lives of diabetics due to an insulin-like protein that is absorbed rapidly and does not coagulate. However, Agrawal also states that insulin remains the most efficient treatment for diabetes, unless it is not an option. While research appears promising, additional scientific studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of camel milk for the treatment of diabetes.
Autism
Some camel milk proponents believe that camel milk might benefit people with autism. A study published in the 2005 edition of the “International Journal of Human Development” observed the effects of camel milk consumption, instead of cow milk, on autistic people. Researchers discovered that after a 4-year-old female participant drank camel milk for 40 days, her autism symptoms disappeared. A 15-year-old boy also recovered after 30 days of drinking the milk. In addition, several autistic 21-year-olds consumed camel milk for two weeks and were observed to be quieter and less self-destructive. Though the milk is believed beneficial, insufficient scientific evidence exists to prove the effectiveness of it in the treatment of autism.
Allergies
Camel milk lacks two powerful allergens found in cow milk and contains immune system components that might benefit children allergic to milk and other foods. A study published in the December 2005 edition of the “Israel Medical Association Journal” investigated the effects of camel milk on eight children with severe milk and other food allergies. After failing to respond to conventional treatments, study participants consumed camel milk under the direction of researchers. Daily progress reports indicated that all eight children fully recovered from their allergies with no side effects. In fact, researchers stated that results were spectacular when compared with traditional treatments. Disease-fighting immunoglobulins in camel milk were believed to play a key role in reducing allergic symptoms; however, additional scientific research is needed to sufficiently prove the effectiveness of camel milk in treating allergies.
Immune
The potent immune-system components in camel milk might help fight diseases. Purportedly, the small size of the immunoglobulins, or antibodies, found in camel milk enables easy targeting and penetration of foreign disease-causing substances, called antigens, for destruction by the immune system. People with autoimmune system disorders, such as Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis, have immune systems that attack their own body tissues. Although traditional treatments for autoimmune disorders suppress the immune system, camel milk benefits these disorders by boosting it, according to Israeli physiology professor emeritus Dr. Reuven Yagil. Despite conventional wisdom, Yagil asserts that his observations over a five-year period indicate that camel milk can control or even heal autoimmune disorders, but insufficient scientific evidence exists to prove the effectiveness of camel milk in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
By Mohamed Abdirahman -London
