Camel milk consumption as a natural preventive strategy against dysmetabolic disorders and implications for dairy industry development in Somalia

Camels are divided into dromedaries and Bactrian camels. The dromedary camel is mainly concentrated in the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, and North Africa, while the Bactrian breed is mostly domesticated in Asia. In these areas, the camel is the best livestock to rely on because it can withstand and survive during droughts and climatic hardships. According to recent statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global camel population is estimated at around 19 million, with approximately 15 million camels found in Africa. Somalia holds the largest national herd, with about 7.5 million camels. Camels produce 5-10 liters of milk daily for a more extended period (9 months) than any other livestock under the same harsh environmental conditions. Camel milk is regarded as more nutritious and healthier than cow’s milk due to its rich content of beneficial minerals and vitamins, including calcium and phosphorus, which are the primary mineral constituents present in camel milk. These minerals are essential for bone growth and children’s development. Camel milk is also rich in vitamin C, containing up to 30 times more than cow’s milk, as well as zinc and iron. Regular consumption of camel milk provides a natural way to protect against hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat diet. It also effectively controls hyperglycemia by reducing fasting blood sugar and improving insulin resistance in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Some studies have also shown that camel milk is rich in insulin, which is not destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract, making it a potential treatment for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, recent studies have revealed that camel milk contains exosomes enriched with microRNAs (miRNAs), which can be absorbed through the diet. Once internalized, these miRNAs can modulate gene expression at the mRNA level in humans, including genes involved in adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, and other functions essential to human health.