Camel's milk 'cures' allergies

2005-12-13 10:06

Jerusalem - Camel's milk cures severe food allergies and rehabilitates the immune system in children, the Jerusalem Post daily reported on Monday, quoting from a study carried out in the Israeli city of Beersheeba.

The four authors of the study found the composition of camel's milk to be "vastly different" to that of ruminants, or animals which chew the cud and noted that the proteins in camel's milk were most significant in preventing and curing food allergies, because it contained no beta-lactoglobulin and a different beta-casein - the two components in cow's milk that trigger allergies.

Parents of eight children ranging in age from four months to 10 years who suffered from severe food allergies were given frozen camel's milk from a hygienic source and were told to defrost rather than heat it because heat would destroy the protective immunoglobulins and proteins.

'Spectacular' results

Within 24 hours of their first "dose" all the children showed reduced symptoms, and after four days all symptoms of food allergies had disappeared, the authors reported. Some of those participating in the survey continued drinking camel's milk for a month. Their recovery was "spectacular", the researchers said.

Camel's milk contains little fat (2%), and consists of completely homogenised, polyunsaturated fatty acids, giving it a uniform, smooth white appearance. In addition, while lactose (milk sugar) is present in concentrations of 4.8%, it is easily metabolised by people suffering from lactose intolerance.

Because the study involved only eight children, the researchers have applied for approval for a much larger study, the Jerusalem Post said. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA