Camel milk contains fewer allergens than cow’s milk, which could make it a healthier and safer choice for those who suffer from intolerances to traditional dairy, according to a new study from Australia.
The report said that “the major milk allergen beta-lactoglobulin was not detected in camel milk”, and its absence makes it “potentially less allergenic”.
“This is a good thing,” said Manujaya Jayamanna Mohittige at Australia’s Edith Cowan University, who conducted the research. “We now know that camel milk has the potential to be hypoallergenic compared to cow’s milk.”
Mohittige said that the findings could prove helpful as climate change continues because camels are better equipped than dairy cows to thrive in higher temperatures.
The report, Beyond nutrition: Exploring immune proteins, bioactive peptides, and allergens in cow and Arabian camel milk, was published in the scientific journal Food Chemistry.
What is Beta-lactoglobulin?
“Beta-lactoglobulin is a protein found in the milk of many mammals, including cows, but not in camel milk,” says Ruba ElHourani, senior clinical dietitian at RAK Hospital. “It’s one of the primary proteins in cow’s milk that can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals, particularly those who are allergic to milk.”
Experts say children especially can be sensitive to the protein. Allergies can develop naturally at any age, although a family history of allergies increases the chance of inheriting the condition.
ElHourani explains: “For people with a milk allergy, their immune system mistakenly identifies proteins like beta-lactoglobulin as harmful and mounts an immune response, which can lead to symptoms ranging from mild, like hives or digestive issues to severe, such as anaphylaxis.”
Camel milk may boost immune system
The study found that bioactive peptides prevalent in camel milk may provide additional health benefits such as boosting immunity and reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
“The cream fraction resulted in the highest yield of proteins, identifying 1,143 camel and 851 cow proteins,” said the study. “The cream fraction contained a significantly higher concentration of immune system-related proteins.”
Camel milk can “yield bioactive peptides which can have antimicrobial properties and anti-hypertensive properties which may selectively inhibit certain pathogens, and by doing so, create a healthy gut environment,” explains Mohittige. “It also has the potential to decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the future.”
Peptides are short chains of amino acids which form proteins and play a crucial role in many biological functions. The body makes many peptides naturally, such as insulin, and they have been created artificially since the 1920s.
“The camel’s milk has antioxidant, antimicrobial, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides, antidiabetic as well as anti-cholesterol activities,” says Janani Satchithanantham, a dietetics specialist at Aster Hospital − Al Qusais. “Recent studies suggest that these peptides could offer significant health benefits, potentially boosting the immune system and lowering the risk of cardiovascular conditions.”
The importance of good gut health
Experts say peptides from dietary protein or supplements play a crucial role in regulating microbes to maintain gut health.
“The gut plays a central role in digestion, immune function and even mental health,” says Satchithanantham. “A healthy gut is home to a diverse microbiome of beneficial bacteria that help break down food, produce essential nutrients, and protect against harmful pathogens.”
To maintain balanced gut health, experts suggest increasing the amount of fibre in your diet and ensuring you get enough prebiotics and probiotics which are found in foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fermented products like kimchi.
“A healthy gut helps your body absorb nutrients efficiently leading to better digestion and less bloating or discomfort. It also helps the body defend itself against infections,” says Elhourani.
“A healthy gut can help regulate mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and it can also improve skin health and certain issues like acne or eczema.”
Camel milk and climate change
Cattle are known to be the number one agricultural source of greenhouse gases worldwide. According to the University of California, Davis Department of Animal Science, one cow can produce around 100 kilograms of methane each year. The gas is 28 times more potent in warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
As the Earth’s temperature rises, camels may hold the key to providing an alternative to cow’s milk thanks to their ability to survive in hotter, drier environments.
“Camel milk is gaining global attention, in part because of environmental conditions,” said Mohittige. “Arid or semi-arid areas can be challenging for traditional cattle farming, but perfect for camels.”
Adds Elhourani: “Some people choose to reduce or eliminate dairy due to cultural or ethical or even religious beliefs. With the rise of plant-based milks many people find these options suit their taste preferences, dietary needs, or lifestyle. They also often have a lower environmental impact than cow's milk.”
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The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
