Is camel milk alive? This is a very important question. As a whole, maybe you consider the milk as a dead entity or non-living item but the milk is the niche for billions of microorganisms. Such microorganisms are very crucial for the quality of the milk and the health of the consumer. Some microorganisms are dangerous like coliform bacteria and others but the majority of the microbes in the milk are very crucial and beneficial to keep the milk nutritious and healthy and sustain the shelf life of the milk and its products.
Everything is played at the time of pasteurization and with the quality of the milk. We heat the milk at a reasonable minimum precisely to preserve all the properties of the milk: 5 minutes at 65 degrees. at this low temperature, all the elements are preserved, and the health risk is greatly reduced. we tested at higher temperatures. no cheese formation: the milk was dead. between 5 and 10. normally 15, but our microbiological tests are good with this temperature
Francios Tighmert, camel milk cheese maker in Morocoo
CaM cheese made by Francios
Actually, regarding camel milk cheese, important is its properties. If during the cheese-making process we saved its bioactive components or not? Then soft or hard forms contain high CLA, Ca, antihypertensive peptides, immune-modulatory peptides, lactic acid bacteria, antimicrobial peptides, and opioid peptides.
Dr. Tahereh Muhammadabadi
Looking Forward
I would love to ask you for your feedback about this debate. We should share the knowledge, especially about camel milk. In this article, you can understand the basics of camel milk pasteurization.
Soft Cheese made of CaM
Home level pasteurization of the camel milk to conserve the bioactive ingredients of the CaM
We assume you have very pure, hygienically healthy, fresh camel milk. Pour the milk into a clean pot (Metalic, preferably SS pot) and turn on the heater at low flame. Stir the milk slowly and check the milk temperature from time to time. Take a drop or two with the stirrer and put it on the backside of your hand/palm, if it started burning the skin, the milk is flash pasteurized. So this milk is safe on one hand for consumption and the bioactive molecules and healthy microorganisms are safe. You can make cheese from such live and healthy milk.
Keep your Camel Milk (CaM) Alive
Strong heating will kill your CaM. The dead milk has limited benefits because the major role as a natural healing agent is played by the bioactive molecules and the probiotic bacteria.
The demand for camel milk increased manifold over the last 15 years, two main drivers are behind this rise; 1. Processing of CaM and awareness about the CaM. Camel milk is a proven immune booster and anti-infectious along with other important healing properties. Presently the first role is very important because of the COVID19 issue. We expect a sharp rise in the demand for the CaM, but practically, the sale of the CaM shrank and couldn’t sustain its pace compared to last years (2018-2019). This is a real question, why the demand or the flow declined? I table this question before you and wait for your technical answer. In my point of view, this decline is because of the logistic complications following the negative propaganda linking COVID19 and the MERS altogether. Waiting and looking forward
About one million camels are roaming in the central Australia
Behind the Australian Camels
I’m behind the Australian camels for the last 15 years. I’m a witness of very sad and happy news about the feral camels of Australia. A recent post tells the insight of the camel dairy development in the country. There is good hope, I think it will develop the camel business very sustainably. Though the development is still very slow and steady it will provide a strong base for a camel business in the future.
The Feral Camels Provide the Base
Most camel farmers in Australia start their herds by capturing wild camels from the outback or rescuing culled animals destined for an abattoir, helping control a feral population that is increasing about 8 percent a year.
AgriFutures Australia estimates the local camel milk industry produced about 180,000 liters in 2019, up from 50,000 three years ago. Globally most camel milk production is in the Middle East and North Africa but Australian farmers have a strategic advantage because our camels are free of a disease common elsewhere.
I released an email message about the entry of camel milk in the world milk day event. All the camel stakeholders were copied in the email.
Here is the first email in the ensuing lines.
Good evening and Ramadan Kareem, As you know the 1st of June is declared as world milk day and celebrated each year. This event gives us a great opportunity to talk about the importance of camels as milk livestock. I hereby ask for your kind attention to please share your ideas regarding the potential of the camel as dairy/milk animals. In the last 2 decades, the camel has managed to make its space among dairy animals. The camel milk is also worth appreciating as a superfood and helps in different health challenges. I just share a page of camel milk, you can flourish your knowledge about camel milk. We are going to have a strong but representative voice on the eve of the world milk day. Your suggestions and thoughts are more than welcome. https://camel4all.info/index.php/about/camel4milk/Those of you who are interested to join our forum camel4life international on WhatsApp is also welcome. Best regards
There were many replies in support, agreeing to have entry in the world milk day. Many more good suggestions were received. But one reply altered the whole process and turned the discussion in a wrong way.
Email From Dr. Rafat,
I have read your email and would like to share my views with you and your respected group. I believe we have talked about this before, but it wouldn’t hurt to communicate my views again. I want to confirm that there is no science to support the claims that camel milk has medicinal benefits. Containing certain compounds does not qualify camel milk to be a medicine. There is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Researchers who made these claims have failed to produce solid data from well-designed and properly conducted human clinical trials to support these claims. Scientists, genuine researchers, and reputable research and academic institutions are facing some serious challenges. The biggest two challenges facing scientific research and publications are flawed peer-reviewing processes and the growing number of predatory journals. These journals are spreading inaccurate and flawed science. Information published in these journals gives some desperate and vulnerable patients false hope and promises. These promises cannot be scientifically verified or critically examined. This means putting the lives of some patients who have already exhausted standard treatments at risk of trying unfounded alternative therapies. This is not only unethical but dangerous and may be treated as a criminal.
We are going through a very difficult time with the world facing the vicious COVID-19 pandemic, we certainly need to remain focused, do the right thing and not make unfounded promises. People trust us and often take what we say seriously. We should not abuse their trust and give them the wrong advice. We should not mix our personal beliefs with science, as it may turn nasty and become a recipe for disaster.
Regarding the camel milk, our focus should be on the nutritional aspects of camel milk and addressing its potential role in feeding the millions of hungry children living under poverty in Africa. According to a British briefing paper on sustainable development goals (SDG) on child poverty in Africa, 87 million African children will be born into poverty each year in the 2020s. They estimated that 304.7 million sub-Saharan African children (aged 0–19) will be living in extreme poverty in 2030. Poverty is associated with malnutrition, a condition that can be alleviated to an extent by a litre of camel milk a day.
A nice paragraph to add and end my email (received today from a friend): There is a virus that kills 8500 children every day, the name of a virus is HUNGER and the vaccine for it is available, it is FOOD. Unfortunately, this does not attract the level of attention that it should, arguably because it does not affect the WEALTHY. We may be able to help those in need.
I hope this would help Wishing you all good health, peace and prosperity, stay safe Regards Rafat
The Organizer of the Camel4Life International Response (author response)
Dear Rafat, Good Morning,
Thanks for your detailed response about the suggestion to participate in the world milk day as a camel milk group. Sir, if you look into my email again with a cool mind, you will not find anything, I have said to introduce camel milk as drug or treatment in the world milk day. You just spoke about the issues which were not mentioned in the whole text. My email was just about a simple entry to the world milk day and project the camel milk. You could just simply suggest the camel milk as the food for the poor people in the driest regions rather than stoning the camel milk and proving it a mean and normal food. You just tried to make doubts in the peoples’ minds about the camel milk. You nullified all the traditional knowledge and the efforts of the scientists with one sentence that the published articles have no value because you do not think that the journals are well peer-reviewed. As you brought this issue in discussion, I very dare to say that the camel milk has healing effects (not a drug), as it is ultrarich with very important nutrients and it is already published in the peer-reviewed scientific publications. Can you deny that camel milk is free of CAP, and intolerance lactose? The autistic mothers I have spoken saying that their kids cannot digest dairy products (allergy issues) and have sleep problems. But when they put them on the camel milk, their guts responded better, it helped in digestion and good sleep. The camel milk actually supports the healing process but not do the treatment. I’m one of the best examples of the camel milk as I was near to die with rheumatoid arthritis, unable to move and consumed high doses of antibiotics and steroids (doctor prescriptions) but no improvement. When, I shifted to the camel people, staying with them and consuming fresh camel milk, I recovered in 3 months and started climbing mountains. Though I have no published data in peer-reviewed journals I have the concreted reason that camel milk helps in the healing process.The role of camel milk as support therapy in diabetes is well accepted and there are some publications too. It does not mean to sit idle and consume camel milk, diabetes will go away. It means that the camel milk will give you balance nutrients, empowering you of a good walk, and lessening the requirement of insulin doses. We never claim camel milk as a drug but a healing agent, supportive product, and helping agent in certain ill conditions. We never suggested camel milk as a cure for autism disease. But it helps in digestion, sleep patterns, and improvement in overall mood. It is not criminal at all to point out the goodness of a certain thing but the crime is to hide the importance of a thing or item like camel milk. You said that ‘Containing certain compounds do not qualify camel milk to be a medicine’ which is totally wrong. All the medicine are composed of some molecules derived from some products and the same does the camel milk. Can you deny that camel milk has many times more Vit C, folic acid, Omega 3, and other compounds more than all the other milk? Do you think these compounds will have no effects on the body? About the trials, more data, and the scientific publication, everything will come with the course of time. You just look back, how many publications were there 10 years before about the potential of the camel as a dairy animal? The people made a joke about me when I was saying that camel can produce up to 35 kg of milk per day. Now, I personally know the camels with this level of yield and there is solid data. I never claimed that all the camels produce 35 kg milk per day, yes but some camels can reach this level which gives an opportunity for selection of dairy camels. We are not putting the lives of the people at risk at all. We never suggested taking the camel milk and it will solve all your diseases. We always said that camel milk has healing effects not only because of certain compounds but also having unique balance/composition and coming from the animal (super resilient power) which is thriving on a wide range of special vegetation. Please read my email again, what the wrong advice I have given? What trust of the people I have broken. I think you just jumped into the issue and started criticizing my school of thought. I think your problem is that why I’m taking the lead for camel issues not that the camel milk has no value. Your email is showing your anger which is very painful. You really disappointed me and tried to nullify all the efforts we have done for the camel milk in the last 15 years. I must mention here, that I’m proud of my role as educating the people about the role of camel milk and promoting this health promising agent at all levels my best. I’m very happy that all my efforts have come very successfully and now the people around the world are coming to camel milk. The demand for camel milk is ever-increasing and many new organizations are coming in the camel milk business. It is very hard to fulfill the demand for camel milk. Many people have approached me demanding hundred of tons of camel milk powder. In the last 2 years, more than 5 organizations have come forward and soon their camel milk brands will be in the market. The price for the lactating camels have increased manifolds (a good source of income for the poor camel keepers), and there is a great move of selection for elite lactating camels. The camels’ world is changing and making its space as milk entity and superfood. The people with cow milk allergy and lactose intolerance have a great choice rather than to depend on vegetable white fluids (almond, soy, cocoa, etc), as I say the milk only comes from the mammary gland, not from the seeds and fruits. I’m very confident to give an entry in the world milk day and project camel milk in this international event. I hope 99% of the camel stakeholders (farmers, academics, scientists, activists, and camel milk lovers) will support my thoughts and will help the camel cause.
More than anything, our own defense system (immune) against infections is more important. We can revitalize and energize our immune or defense system by some good steps if taken properly. Such steps are;
Taking special food which could be rich in certain nutrients, boosting our defense system
Proper physical exercise
Good sleep with the quality and duration
Turning off the stress machine of the body
The camel milk is the only and unique food that can help you in all the above 4 important steps Camel milk is rich in special molecules like lactoferrin, Lysozyme, Vitamin C, lactoperoxidase, and immunoglobulin which boost our immunity. Camel milk is fortified with a special quantity and composition of minerals that provide a fine balance of acid-base in the body, revitalizing our body and minimizing stress-producing hormones. Camel milk provides calmness because of its very positive impact on our hormonal system which triggers our sleep, resulting in very good and deep sleep. The nutrients richness of the camel milk helps in revitalizing our bodies, giving us special power for a longer and better exercise. Camel milk is free of allergen proteins and intolerant lactose, good, and suitable for all family members. With a unique composition, camel milk helps in stress control So, please give a chance to the camel milk, bring it into your food chain, and enjoy a quality life.
Camel milk is not only safe but gives you vitality and natural support in coping with the health emergency, the COVID-19. For the last few days, I have been noticing some rumors circulating on social media narrating to avoid camel milk in COVID-19 emergency. As an official statement from the camel milk community, I hereby reject such false assumption and ask you to please take camel milk as a safe and healthy food as usual. Also, those who are not on camel milk or have no experience with the camel milk should come to this rich food.
Here are some key reasons why you should take camel milk not only as a food but as a very rich and naturally fortified bar. The camel milk (CaM) strengthens and revitalizes your body because of the following reasons.
a. Making you stronger and naturally Immunized: CaM is rich with super molecules like lysosomes, lactoferrin, Vit. C etc, helping in strengthening the body defence system. https://camel4all.info/index.php/about/camel4milk/
b. Biochemical Balance: Due to its unique composition and super balance of minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and amino acids the camel milk provides a very healthy biochemical balance to the body. Such a good biochemical balance provide a medium for effecient physiological performance inside the body.
d. Hormonal Calmness: The camel milk enhances the performance of the endocrine system in the body because of its nutrients, and its balance, which lead to a superbalance of the hormones. Such balance minimizes the shocks of the stress and strokes.
f. Antiinflamatory effect: Because of its special micronutrients (nanobodies), camel milk enhances the performance at cell and tissue level which helps in effecient metabolism.
g. Boost natural secretion: The camel milk boost the production of natural secretions and enzyems inside the body. Such secretions act as laxative, washing/flushing body, lowering load of oxidents and poisonous residues which ultimately help in keeping the body performance very good and effecient.
e. Helping hand in good sleep: The above mentioned performance of camel milk in the body boost and revitalize the body and help in a very good and deep sleep.
Camel milk forth is an appealing moisturizer. Look how an expert explains in this video about the importance and application of the camel milk forth or foam? Camel milk is very rich with supermolecules, capable of healing and revitalizing our skins. It can protect one from the sunburn and dry and chilling winds’ effects.
I do not claim it (camel milk) as the replacement of the breastmilk, but the closest in composition and activity, the camel milk is one of the most important food for infants after the mother milk. It has more water, lower but friendly lactose, free of protein allergies and rich with iron, making it the second-best choice after the breastmilk.
Camel milk is the closest you can get to a human mother’s milk, with 10 times more iron and three times more vitamin C than cow’s milk. It is antibacterial and low in lactose. Used medicinally by nomadic communities for centuries, fermented camel’s milk is still popular in Kazakhstan as a treatment for Tuberculosis and for HIV/AIDS in Kenya and Somalia. Research has been conducted into treating Crohn’s disease, breast cancer, and autism, however, the most promising studies have been in the field of diabetes.
Please Respond with your Comments
A wide and diverse appreciation is ever-increasing about the role of camel milk as a natural health therapy. I suggest you please read point to point about the camel milk and support my cause with your suggestions and comments.
The abstract of the whole talk is based on a novel idea to study the repercussions of camel milk on the treatment and control of COVID-19. I’m quite confident that this idea will work and will save precious human lives in a short period of time. Camel milk boosts immunity, flush body from toxins & oxidants, and kills the microorganisms in the body. There are many valid reasons behind such claims and suggestions, which you can read in the following paragraphs.
CaM is a Natural Pharmacy
Camel is a strange and unique creature and the camel products are very exclusive, especially the white gold milk. Camel milk which I abbreviate as CaM has tremendous potential to naturally heal human bodies from different complex ailments and wash it from poisons. The power to heal complex ailments is coming from the specially designed molecules which work as natural medicine, hence CaM is known as a natural pharmacy.
The findings of different studies available in scientific literature revealing the role of CaM as a healing agent. CaM is fortified with special ingredients like protective proteins (lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, immunoglobulins), micro microminerals, vitamins, and lysozyme, making CaM a super antidote against infectious diseases. CaM’s medicinal properties covering a wide range of ailments as; autoimmune diseases, allergies, asthma, rashes, diabetes, liver disorders, rheumatism, inflammatory conditions, piles, urethral irritation, infectious diseases, stress/depression, peptic ulcers, and even cancer.
Ongoing Studies
The miraculous potential of CaM is not claimed only based on the traditional knowledge and the novel molecules in its composition but many invitro and invivo studies have proved the worth of the CaM as antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancerous and supportive therapy in diabetes and other convoluted diseases. As for as I know, there are many ongoing and planned studies on CaM to understand the pathways of its mode of action and the diseases which can be treated/facilitated with the camel milk. The author is part of some studies thematic areas to study the awesome properties of CaM in human health. Very new updates are the emerging themes claiming CaM enriches the gut microbiome and enhance its healing power and the overall resistance of the body to different ailments.
Conclusion
As we are convinced that nature is perfect and provides solutions to complex situations, so the natural product like camel milk should be given a chance to study if it works against the COVID-19 virus or not. Nature has never unearthed a snag unless an antidote has not engineered within the natural resources. I strongly believe in this philosophy.
Camel milk is well known as a natural pharmacy and alternative medicine since unknown times. The traditional knowledge, the holy books, and the quotes of the distinguished personalities, all had had praised the healing power of the camel milk (CaM). https://camel4milk.wordpress.com/2014/10/31/5/
Modern Science Validates the Traditional Knowledge
The healing power of CaM recently proved and appreciated by the modern scientific findings. Many scientific studies have revealed that CaM is rich in vitamin C, protective proteins (lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, immunoglobulins), micro microminerals and lysozyme, making it a super healing agent. Being rich with such noble nutrients, CaM is extraordinary in terms of antioxidative agents, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, making it a natural pharmacy for the complicated ailments, especially hepatitis (liver ailments)
A specific study (Alla et al, 2011) conducted to understand the function of camel milk in liver physiology revealed that CaM can be used as an herbal remedy for the treatment of alcoholism and other liver diseases which affect the hepatic enzymes as well as the liver tissues.
CaM Neutralizes Viral Activity in the Liver
The viruses causing hepatitis are neutralized by CaM, blocking out their enzyme activity, and the antibodies are effective inhibitors of hepatitis enzymes system (Yagil, 2004). Other studies conducted by Middle Eastern Scientists on the role of camel milk, revealed that camel lactoferrin was demonstrated a remarked in-vitro ability to completely inhibit the Hepatitis C Virus (HCP) entry into PBMC, hepG2, and replication inside those cells system (Esmail,2008). It means that the CaM heals the liver diseases caused by hepatitis and other infections.
The camel keepers have strong belief that the CaM can heal the NASOOR (traditional term for malignant tumor) of the liver. The very active antibodies found in CaM bind onto the tumors, killing the tumor cells without damaging healthy tissue (Lvy and Yagil, 2013). It is also revealed that anti-tumor properties of camel milk are due to strong antimicrobial and anti-oxidative activities that help in reduction of liver inflammation and camel milk is rich with nutrients that are required for healthy liver function. Conversely, camel milk also shown to have potential thrombolytic action, as it causes inhibition of coagulation and fibrin formation which in turn hinders the spread and growth of metastatic tumour cells (Musa et al, 2013).
The challenging environmental conditions, food contaminations, and high stress levels resulting in a disturbed gut microbiome, leading to Metabolic syndrome (MetS). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has several health consequences, liver enzymes elevation is one among them. According to the observed favorable effects of fermented camel milk on liver enzymes, its consumption may be considered as a functional food supplement in related circumstances (Zahra et al, 2018).
In a reviewed work, Jalil et al (2018) concluded that CaM is used to treat hepatitis C. The camel’s milk immunoglobulin has no light chain and is known as a nanobody. Nanobody, due to the ability to detect unusual and hidden antigens as well as the ability to convert to multi-treatment therapeutic proteins has been considered as a good tool in designing novel immunotherapy strategies for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory and infectious diseases. These immunoglobulins can be transmitted through the CaM.
CaM is a Silver lining in the Clouds
The CM is a silver lining in the clouds for those who face liver dis-functioning and other health ailments. The scientific findings (CMs’ potential healing power) is an additional satisfaction which helps in convincing people with urban and academic backgrounds, asking for scientific proves. It is now pretty sure that CaM can efficiently health the liver complications. I hereby suggest to those who have liver ailments and other complications to using camel milk for better health and a happy life.
References
Alla et al; 2011. Sudanese Journal of Public Health, Vol 6 (4) Esmail; 2008. Hepatitis Monthly; 8(2) 101-109
Yagil; 2004. Camel Milk and Autoimmune Disease. Historical Medicine
Zahra et al; 2018. Positive Effect of Fermented Camel Milk on Liver Enzymes of Adolescents with Metabolic Syndrome: a Double Blind, Randomized, Cross-over Trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5857053/
Levy A, SteinerL, Yagil R (2013) Camel milk: disease control and dietary laws. Journal of Health Science 1: 48-53
Musaad AM; Faye B, Al-Mutairi, Sallal E (2013)Seasonal and physiological variation of gross composition of camel milk in Saudi Arabia. Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture 618-624 .
Jalil et al; 2018. Natural Products for the Treatment of Hepatitis C. https://www.jrmds.in/articles/natural-products-for-the-treatment-of-hepatitis-c.pdf
Arrera has a pleasant odor and taste and a similar color to ergo with a slightly smoother appearance and a thinner consistency. Its consistency is though thicker than that of fresh milk. It has also a much shorter shelf life compared to all other fermented milk products (only 24-48 h), even when smoke is applied to the equipment used for its storage.
This fermented milk product is consumed in all parts of the country as a beverage either plain or spiced. It is preferred by women for consumption as a side dish or as a drink. Being rich in several nutrients, it serves to enrich the diet. It is given to weaning aged children and elderly and is especially considered as food of children and women in rural areas. Surpluses are given to calves, lactating cows and dogs. It may indirectly serve as additional income for the women by its use as raw material for cottage cheese production, which may be sold in the market. Due to its relatively short shelf life and some traditional taboos or beliefs, Aarea is not sold in the market for direct consumption.
This information is shared by;
Marina ZandeJunior Product Manager at Chr. Hansen A/S
This fermented milk product is consumed in all parts of the country as a beverage either plain or spiced. It is preferred by women for consumption as a side dish or as a drink. Being rich in several nutrients, it serves to enrich the diet. It is given to weaning aged children and elderly and is especially considered as food of children and women in rural areas. Surpluses are given to calves, lactating cows and dogs. It may indirectly serve as additional income for the women by its use as raw material for cottage cheese production, which may be sold in the market. Due to its relatively short shelf life and some traditional taboos or beliefs, Arrera is not sold in the market for direct consumption.
