Effect of camel milk on glycaemic control and lipid profile of patients with type 2 diabetes: Randomised controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Traditionally, camel milk has been prescribed for diabetes, possibly due to content of insulin-like molecules. In this clinical trial, 40 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who used long-acting insulin analogues were randomly assigned into two groups and received 500 mL of raw camel or cow milk daily for three months. Fasting blood sugar decreased significantly in the camel milk group compared with that in the cow milk group. A significant reduction (P ˂ 0.05) in HbA1c was observed in both groups (camel milk, −3.0 ± 2.0%; cow milk, −1.9 ± 2.6%). The dose of insulin required was decreased in patients that received camel milk (13.7%). Total cholesterol significantly decreased in the cow milk group in comparison with the camel milk group. Insulin resistance and other serum lipids showed no statistical differences between the two groups. Camel milk could be effective for glycaemic control in T2DM patients using long-acting insulin.