R.P. Agrawal*, S.C. Swami, R. Beniwal, D.K. Kochar, M.S. Sahani, F.C. Tuteja and S.K. Ghouri
S.P. Medical College and National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner-334001, INDIA
* S.P. Medical College, Bikaner-334 001, INDIA
ABSTRACT
The efficacy of camel milk on glycemic control risk factors and diabetes quality of life in patients of type 1 diabetes was evaluated. Twenty four randomly selected patients with type 1 diabetes were enrolled in the study. These patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (N=12) received usual care (diet, exercise and insulin) and group 2 (N=12) received 500 ml camel milk in addition to usual care for 3 months. Frequent blood sugar monitoring was done to maintain euglycemia by titrating the doses of insulin. HbA1c, Lipid profile, plasma insulin and c-peptide estimation was done at the beginning and after 3 months. BMI, diabetes quality of life questionnaire were prepared every week. In each visit patient was asked for any untoward effects after starting camel milk.
Baseline data of both the groups were similar in demographic and clinical variables. After 3 months of treatment there was a significant improvement in fasting blood sugar (115.66 ± 7.17 to 100 ± 16.2, p<0.002) and HbA1c levels (9.54 ± 2.1 to 9.08 ± 1.77, p<0.002) and significant reduction in insulin requirement (mean doses of insulin 41.16 ± 10.32 to 30 ± 12.6, p<0.002) in patients receiving camel milk. Diabetes quality of life score improved significantly in the form of change in satisfaction score from 28 ± 5.16 to 22.5 ± 3.96 (p<0.002), impact score from 34 ± 4.84 to 28.08 ± 5.26 (p<0.003) and worry score from 15.5 ± 3.2 to 11.91 ± 1.24 (p<0.002). There was 30% reduction in doses of insulin in 92% of patients of group 2. However, there was no statistically significant changes in lipid profile, plasma insulin and c-peptide.
Camel milk proved effective supplementation in the management of type 1 diabetes as there was significant reduction in doses of insulin along with betterment in BMI, diabetes quality of life however, there was no change in lipid profile and insulin levels.
Key Words: Alternative therapy, camel milk, diabetes quality of life questionnaire, glycemic control, type 1 diabetes
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