title: Effect of camel milk on glycemic control and insulin requirement in patients with type 1 diabetes: 2-years randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hypoglycemic effect of camel milk supplementation in experimental rat model and significant reduction in doses of insulin in type 1 diabetic patients have been observed in our previous studies. This long-term study was undertaken to assess the efficacy, safety and acceptability of camel milk as an adjunct to insulin therapy in type 1 diabetics.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this 2-year randomized clinical, parallel design study, 24 type 1 diabetics were enrolled and divided into two groups. Group I (n=12) received usual care, that is, diet, exercise and insulin and Group II (n=12) received 500 ml camel milk in addition to the usual care. Insulin requirement was titrated weekly by blood glucose estimation. Results were analyzed by using the regression technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In camel milk group, there was decrease in mean blood glucose (118.58±19-93.16±17.06 mg/dl), hemoglobin A1c levels (7.81±1.39-5.44±0.81%) and insulin doses (32.50±9.99-17.50±12.09 U/day, P<0.05). Out of 12 subjects receiving camel milk, insulin requirement in 3 subjects reduced to zero. There was nonsignificant change in plasma insulin and anti-insulin antibodies in both the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It may be stated that camel milk is safe and efficacious in improving long-term glycemic control, with a significant reduction in the doses of insulin in type 1 diabetic patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Diabetes Care & Research Centre, SP Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. drrpagrawal@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chopra
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Agarwal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002162:Camelus; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000178:diet therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007330:Insulin Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D008892:Milk; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D007330:Insulin Antibodies; C026294:anti-proinsulin antibodies