Camel Milk

What is Camel Milk?

Camel milk has been used as a medicinal drink in the Middle East, Asian and African countries [2].
Camel milk is reported to have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties [2].
- Lactoferrin found in camel’s milk has higher levels of antimicrobial properties against gram positive and negative bacteria [3].
Camel milk does not contain B lactoglobulin and B casein which are common allergens in cow’s milk [4].
It contains proteins which are more easily digested by the body [4].
Camel’s milk has a high water content and is low in lactose. It is described as being white in colour with a sweet or salty taste [5].
Improvements in social cognition, social communication and social awareness, speech, language have been reported with the use of camel milk [4].
Camel milk contains a higher level of antioxidants vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E and minerals such as magnesium and zinc which have led to improvements in oxidative stress [1].
Camel milk was shown to have a neuroprotective potential and this was linked to its antioxidant properties [6].

Nutrient Breakdown

Camel milk contains a variety of nutrients including:

Camel milk is lower in lactose than cow’s milk. One study found that individuals with lactose intolerance were able to consume camel milk with no symptoms of intolerance [2].
El-Fattah et al. reported that the pasteurization of camel milk did not appear to affect its antioxidant activity [7].
The antimicrobial components of camel milk were found to be more heat resistant compared to cow’s milk [8].

Serving size

Camel milk is different from other milks in that it should not be consumed in large amounts right away. We recommend starting with 1 fluid ounce and increasing as tolerated.

Foods Containing Camel Milk

Frozen camel milk
Fresh camel milk
Camel milk powder
Camel milk kefir

You might be wondering where to even get camel’s milk - we like Desert Farms.

Camel Milk Alternatives

Food Reactions

The body can respond to foods in many different ways including food allergies, food sensitivities, or food intolerances. If you suspect a food reaction, you can either choose to avoid the food or seek food reaction testing. Click here more information on the difference in types of food reactions and testing options.

DISCLAIMER: Always consult with your pediatrician and/or your Registered Dietitian to help you test for a food reaction or to aid you in making individualized dietary changes.

Camel Milk & Autism in the Research

Improvements With Use of Camel Milk

In a double blind Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), children with autism between the ages of 2-12 were randomly divided into three groups to either consume 500mL (16oz) of raw camel milk, boiled camel milk or cow’s milk (placebo) for two weeks [4]. Over the course of the study, no changes were allowed in the children’s diet, supplements or pharmacotherapy [4]. Results from this study showed:
The following information is not based on research but on a patient’s experience. A mother reported changes in her son’s behavior, eye contact, communication, organization and self expression with the initiation of 4 oz of camel milk per day on his 10th birthday. It was reported that on occasions when camel milk was stopped that there was a relapse [6].

Camel Milk & Cognition

In an animal study, researchers examined the use of camel milk to reduce the neurotoxic effect as a result of exposure to fenpropathrin (FNP) [7].

A Fenpropathrin (FNP) is part a man-made group of insecticides called pyrethroid, which have been reported to cause oxidative stress [7].

Human exposure has been reported in drinking water, vegetables, fruits and carpets soaked in FNP to prevent insects in the house [7].

In the study, the placebo group (FNP only) showed decreased sensorimotor function, less exploratory activity and impaired memory while the treatment group (camel milk and FNP) did not exhibit these effects [7].

Camel milk was shown to have a neuroprotective potential and this was linked to its antioxidant properties [7].

Two epidemiological studies found that exposure to pyrethroid doubled the risk for neurobehavior aberrations such as those observed in ADHD [7].

Camel Milk & Oxidative Stress

In a double blind RCT study, children with autism between the ages of 2-12 were randomly divided into three groups to either consume 500mL (16oz) of raw camel, boiled camel milk or cow’s milk (placebo) for two weeks. The study examined the effect of camel milk on oxidative stress markers [1]. Results from this study showed:

Glutathione (GSH)

Increased glutathione levels with raw and boiled camel milk. It has been reported that children with ASD have lower levels of GSH [1].
Researchers attributed the high magnesium, zinc and vitamin E content of camel milk to help increase GSH production which reduces oxidative stress [1].

Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)

Increased SOD levels with boiled camel milk [1].
Researchers attributed the high magnesium, zinc and vitamin E content to help increase SOD levels[1].

Myeloperoxidase (MOD)

Increase MOD levels with raw and boiled camel milk [8]. It has been reported that children with autism with severe GI diseases have lower levels of MOD [1].

Overall, the improvements in oxidative stress were attributed to the higher level of antioxidants vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E and minerals such as magnesium and zinc [1].

Camel Milk & Tarc

It is reported that individuals with autism have higher levels of a pro-inflammatory chemokine called Thymus and Activation-Regulated Chemokine (TARC) [3,8].

Children with severe autism have higher levels of TARC compared to those with mild to moderate autism [3,8].
The production and transportation of production of this pro-inflammatory chemokine contributes to neuroinflammation [3,8].

In a double blind RCT study, children with autism between the ages of 2-12 were randomly divided into 3 groups to either consume raw camel milk, boiled camel milk or cow’s milk (placebo) for 2 weeks [3]. Results from this study showed:

Decrease in TARC levels for those consuming raw and boiled camel milk [3].

Improvement in CARS score for those consuming raw camel milk [3].

Researchers attributed the decrease in TARC levels to the antioxidant properties of camel milk which helped to reduce neuroinflammation and led to improved behaviors which was reflected in improved CARS score [3,8].

[1] AL-Ayadhi LY, Elamin NE. Camel Milk as a Potential Therapy as an Antioxidant in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013.
[2] Zibaee S, Hosseini SM, Yousefi M, et al. Nutritional and Therapeutic Characteristics of Camel Milk in Children: A Systematic Review. Electronic Physician. 2015; 7(7): 1523-1528.
[3] Bashir S, Al-Ayadhi LY. Effect of camel milk on thymus and activation-regulated chemokine in autistic children: double-blind study. Paediatric Research. 2014; 75(4).
[4] Al-Ayadhi LY, Halepoto DM, AL-Dress AM, et al. Behavioral Benefits of Camel Milk in Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of the College and Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. 2015; 25(11): 819-823.
[5] Al has OA, Al Kanhal HA. Compositional, technological and nutritional aspects of dromedary camel milk. International Dairy Journal. 2010; 20: 811-821.
[6] Adams CM. Patient Report: Autism Spectrum Disorder Treated with Camel Milk. Global Adv Health Med. 2013; 2(6): 78-80.
[7] Abd-Elhakim YM, El-Sharkawy NI, Mohammed HH, et al. Camel milk rescues neurotoxic impairments induced by fenpropathrin via regulating oxidative stress, apoptotic, and inflammatory events in the brain of rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2020.
[8] Al-Ayadhi LY, Mostafa GH. Elevated serum levels of macrophage-derived chemokine and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine in autistic children. Journal of Neuroinflammation. 2013; 10(72).

Authors

Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, CLT

Tanya Cullen RD, CDE