Definition:

Type 1 diabetes, AKA juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.

• The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Usually, the body’s immune system mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Other possible causes include: Genetics and exposure to viruses and other environmental factors
• Risk factors may include:
  • Family history: Anyone with a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes has a slightly increased risk of developing the condition.
  • The presence of certain genes indicates an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
  • The incidence of type 1 diabetes tends to increase as you travel away from the equator.
  • Although type 1 diabetes can appear at any age, it appears at two noticeable peaks. The first peak occurs in children between 4 and 7 years old, and the second is in children between 10 and 14 years old.
• Although type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or adolescence, it can also develop in adults.
• Despite active research, type 1 diabetes has no cure. Treatment focuses on managing blood sugar levels with insulin, diet, and lifestyle to prevent complications.
• Symptoms can include: Increased thirst, frequent urination, bed-wetting in children who previously didn’t wet the bed during the night, extreme hunger, unintended weight loss, irritability and other mood changes, fatigue/ weakness, blurred vision

Treatment:

Environment/Lifestyle/Diet

• Avoid fructose (the potential harm from fructose consumption is due in large part to factors other than its effect on glycemic control)
• Avoid dairy and gluten
• Reduce egg consumption to 2-3 a week
• Eat a plant-based diet
• A diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates improves glycemic control in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Foods high in soluble fiber (such as legumes, carrots, artichokes, peaches, strawberries, and grapefruit) were more effective at improving glycemic control than foods high in insoluble fiber (such as bran and whole wheat bread)
• Emphasizing boiling, poaching, and stewing over frying, broiling, and roasting meat, which may decrease daily AGE (advanced glycation end-products) intake by up to 50%, reducing the incidence of diabetic nephropathy.
• Consider oolong tea (may work by reducing iron load, reducing body iron stores has been reported to improve glycemic control)

Mind-Body

• Use mind-body techniques to reduce stress

Other Treatments

• Specific medications and supplements, tailored to each patient, can help in the treatment of this condition.
• Please contact us for an appointment to discuss appropriate evaluation and treatment.