Not only are milk a source of proteins that seems to have anti-cholesterol properties, animal trials have also demonstrated that there are specific fatty acids in milk, called conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), that, apart from anti-cancer properties, may also have potentials as a therapeutic against diabetes.

CLA are fatty acids produced by ruminant microorganisms and are therefore found predominantly in milk and beef. Fed to mice with adult-onset (Type 2) diabetes, CLA seemed to work in the same mechanism as synthetic diabetes drugs.

Because milk and meat are also high in other types of lipids, researchers suggest CLA as a possible supplement to a well-balanced diet.

"And compared to the synthetic drugs used to treated this disease, CLA does not cause weight gain and may in fact decrease overall body fat," said Vanden Heuvel, who has been granted a patent on the new method of treating diabetes with CLA.

More details from the article at the Penn State Live.