(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Health benefits from camel milk are widely known, but a protein found in it may also have the potential to fight certain diseases, including cancer.
Lab trials have shown that the protein - casein - can prevent colon cancer and aluminium toxicity in brain cells, say Dr Ahmed al Alawi and Dr Mostafa Waly, researchers from the Food Science and Nutrition Department at the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University. The next step will be human trials. ''Our research has found that casein in camel milk has an effect on cellular metabolism. We have completed animal trials which have revealed that casein protein extracted from camel milk has potential in delaying the incidence of diseases. In animal models, it has helped in preventing colon cancer and reducing aluminium toxicity in brain cells,'' said Dr Waly.
The researchers will now look into the biological reaction of casein in human cultured cells. ''This is a pre-step to investigating the effect of casein in clinical trials on humans,'' Dr Waly said.
Packed with vitamins B and C, iron and minerals, camel milk has high nutritional value and contains immunoglobulins which boost the body's immune system.
''It is considered as a whole food as it is a good source of protein, which collectively combats malnutrition and improves overall wellness. It has high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids needed for a healthy brain and overall cognition and attention functions,'' Dr Waly said.
Dr Alawi said that Oman has not utilised the full potential of camels, whose numbers are quite substantial in the country.
''Oman will benefit a lot from this project in several ways,'' Dr Alawi said, adding that the initiative began earlier this year and is expected to be over by year-end.
''It will help to establish a new industry based on camel milk and open up new income opportunities for camel keepers.
''We worked on Omani and Saudi breeds and both gave similar results. In general, milk that was collected after parturition was of a different composition to that collected after four weeks. The milk produced after parturition is mainly to help strengthen the newborn's immune sys
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