Nutraceutical Benefits, Public Health and Dietary Implications of Drinking Raw Camel Milk - A Review

Authors: William Olaho Mukani*

DOI: 10.23880/oajvsr-16000277

Volume 9, Issue 2

Abstract

Camel milk has been used for many years by pastoralists in Africa, Mild East and Asia as a source of food and as a remedy for common ailments. There is increased demand for its use in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia, as more people become aware of its nutritional and medicinal values. The nutritional medicinal properties of camel milk seem to be due to its rich composition of unique bio-active therapeutic molecules such as lysozymes, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase enzyme, peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP) and N-acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase (NAGase). Camel milk contains sugars, microelements, and vitamins especially, vitamin B complex and C, iron and Zinc. Lactoferrin in camel milk has considerable antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. Camel IgG2 and IgG3 immunoglobulin subclasses have unique diseasefighting properties as nano-antibodies because of their small size due to the absence of light chains, which allows their easy penetration of tissues and antigens, thus enhancing their effectiveness in immune defense. Camel milk is a rich source of insulin (approximately 52 units of insulin in each liter of milk, which is 3 times that found in bovine milk). The insulin in camel milk is encapsulated in nano-particles (lipid vesicles) that make it possible to bypass the acidic gastric environment without being damaged by the enzymes and the acid therein. It is thus, a promising option for the treatment of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes in humans, as well as gestational diabetes. Camel milk is a natural source of Alpha-Hydroxide acids which are known to chubby and smoothen the skin. It can also be used as a precautionary for gastric ulcers and its regular intake can help to control blood sugar levels, coronary heart disease, viral, bacterial and some protozoal infections, gastroenteritis, some cancers, dropsy, jaundice, asthma, food allergies and the rehabilitation of the immune system in children. It has also been reported to have aphrodisiac properties. The nutritional and medicinal properties of camel milk and the public health challenges of taking it in raw form are reviewed in the respective sections below.

Keywords: Camel Milk; Nutraceutical Qualities; Public Health Challenges

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