Insights from a Landmark 2009 Trial

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition requiring lifelong insulin therapy to maintain glycemic control. While standard treatments focus on insulin injections, diet, and exercise, researchers have explored natural adjuncts like camel milk (CM) due to its unique composition—including insulin-like proteins, bioactive peptides, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds—that may support insulin sensitivity, reduce oxidative stress, and potentially enhance endogenous insulin production.A notable early study from 2009 investigated CM as an add-on therapy in young adults with T1D, reporting substantial improvements in key metabolic markers. This report details that trial, its findings, mechanisms, broader context from subsequent research, and current limitations.

The 2009 Randomized Controlled Trial: Key Details and ResultsStudy Title:

“Camel Milk as an Adjuvant Therapy for the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes: Verification of a Traditional Ethnomedical Practice”

Design: 16-week randomized controlled trial (RCT).Participants: 54 young adults (average age ~20 years, range 17–20) with T1D attending an outpatient clinic at Menofia University Hospital (Egypt). Participants were randomized into two groups of 27 each.

Intervention:

• Camel milk group: 500 mL of raw camel milk daily + standard care (insulin therapy, diet, exercise).
• Control group: Standard care alone.

Primary Outcomes

(significant improvements in the camel milk group after 16 weeks vs. control):

• Fasting blood glucose: Reduced to ~98.9 ± 16.2 mg/dL (from higher baseline) vs. ~227.2 ± 17.7 mg/dL in controls.
• HbA1c: Decreased to ~7.16 ± 1.84% vs. ~9.59 ± 2.05%.
• Daily insulin dose: Substantially lower at ~23 ± 4.05 units vs. ~48.1 ± 6.95 units (roughly halved).
• C-peptide levels: Markedly increased to ~2.30 ± 0.51 pmol/mL vs. ~0.28 ± 0.6 pmol/mL, indicating enhanced endogenous insulin secretion from remaining beta cells.
• Additional benefits: Reduced anti-insulin antibodies, lower urinary albumin excretion (suggesting kidney protection), and increased body mass index (indicating better nutritional/metabolic status).

Conclusions from Authors: Daily camel milk ingestion, as an adjunct to conventional management, improved glycemic control, reduced insulin requirements, and boosted endogenous insulin production in these young T1D patients.

Proposed Mechanisms

Camel milk’s potential benefits stem from:

• Insulin-like proteins/peptides (higher concentration and gastric resistance than in cow milk).
• Bioactive components that may inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation/oxidative stress.
• Support for beta-cell function (evidenced by rising C-peptide).

These align with traditional ethnomedical uses in regions like the Middle East and Africa.

Broader Evidence and Recent Reviews

The 2009 study is frequently cited in systematic reviews and meta-analyses:

• A 2022 meta-analysis of 14 RCTs (663 participants) found CM significantly lowered HbA1c (mean difference -1.24%) and insulin dose (-16.72 units), with trends toward lower fasting glucose. Effects were stronger in T1D for HbA1c reduction and in longer interventions (>6 months).
• A 2023 meta-analysis focused on lipids showed CM improved profiles (lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL; higher HDL), especially in T1D and long-term use.
• Other RCTs (e.g., 2-year trials) reported sustained insulin dose reductions (up to ~46%) and better glycemic control with ~500 mL/day CM.
• Recent 2024 reviews highlight CM’s bioactive peptides, raw vs. pasteurized differences, and potential in fermented/powder forms, though evidence remains stronger for adjunctive use than replacement therapy.

Limitations and Mainstream Perspective

• Small sample size (n=54), single-center (Egypt), older publication (2009), and methodological concerns (e.g., limited blinding, potential confounders like adherence).
• High heterogeneity in meta-analyses due to varying doses, durations, CM types (raw/fresh/pasteurized), and populations.
• No large-scale, multicenter, long-term RCTs confirm universal efficacy or safety.
• Mainstream organizations (e.g., ADA, WHO) do not recommend CM as standard T1D therapy due to insufficient high-quality evidence, availability challenges, and risks (e.g., raw milk contamination).
• Benefits may not generalize beyond specific contexts; insulin remains essential.

ConclusionThe 2009 RCT provides intriguing evidence that 500 mL daily camel milk, as an adjunct to insulin therapy, can meaningfully improve glycemic control, reduce insulin needs, and enhance endogenous insulin secretion in young adults with type 1 diabetes. Subsequent meta-analyses support modest but consistent benefits, particularly in T1D and longer-term use. While promising as a complementary approach—potentially rooted in its unique nutritional profile—camel milk is not a cure or substitute for conventional care. Patients interested in trying it should consult endocrinologists, monitor closely under supervision, and prioritize evidence-based treatments. Larger, rigorous trials are needed to solidify its role.Citations

• Mohamad RH, et al. (2009). Camel milk as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes: verification of a traditional ethnomedical practice. Journal of Medicinal Food, 12(2):461–465. doi:10.1089/jmf.2008.0009 (PMID: 19459752).
• Mirmiran P, et al. (2017). Camel milk has beneficial effects on diabetes mellitus: A systematic review. International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 15(3):e42150.
• Al-Omari MM, et al. (2022). Effect of camel milk on glucose homeostasis in patients with diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients, 14(6):1245. doi:10.3390/nu14061245.
• Gader AGMA, Alhaider AA. (Various reviews/meta-analyses 2022–2024 on CM in diabetes, including lipid effects and mechanisms).