Chapter 29 – Bioactive Components in Camel Milk: Their Nutritive Value and Therapeutic Application

Milk is comprised of numerous bioactive peptides along with macronutrients, which not only help meet human nutritional requirements but also play a role in reducing the risk of various diseases. The objective of this review was to investigate the possible role of key bioactive components of camel milk in disease prevention and treatment, focusing on its application as adjunct therapy in chronic disease management including neurological disorders. Antioxidant activity of camel milk casein and high content of vitamins C, A, and E were found to provide potential health benefits in neurological disorders such as autism, Parkinson’s, and seizures. Its role as hepatoprotective, anticytotoxic, antiviral, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic is also identified. Detailed clinical studies are required to prove the previous hypothesized uses of camel milk in humans. Further studies could be done to explore the mechanisms by which camel milk may produce its pharmacological and therapeutic effects.