CAMEL MILK: THERAPY OR SNAKE OIL?

CAMEL MILK: THERAPY OR SNAKE OIL?

Camel milk is gaining momentum worldwide as a therapeutic drink. It is low in fat, and high in vitamins C and B and iron. But its big surprise is the 52 units of insulin in each liter (about a quart) that can survive stomach acid, which some see as a therapy for diabetics.

Such health claims are found on the Internet, with assertions that camel milk can alleviate food allergies, Crohn's disease and autism. While it might sound like snake oil, there is some research in India and Israel to support these notions.

Tonya Schoenfuss, assistant professor in Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota, said studies are few and the number of research participants small. Camel milk just hasn't been studied enough, she said.

"Camel milk is similar in nutrition to cow's milk. If someone is sensitive to cow, goat, soy and water buffalo milk proteins, it would be great to give it a try," she said. "But I would not claim that it has huge health benefits beyond these other nutritional products, because there just isn't the body of evidence to support it."

KAREN YOUSO