Breastfed children would have less risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Conversely, those who regularly consume cow’s milk are more likely to be affected.
- Type 1 diabetes affects approximately 10% of diabetics.
- Each year, the number of people affected increases by about 3-4%.
- Insulin treatment allows patients to have a life expectancy equivalent to the rest of the population.
What is the impact of our diet on the probability of developing type 1 diabetes? A team of researchers wanted to answer this question. They were particularly interested in infant feeding, breastfeeding or cow’s milk, and the risk of diabetes. Their results were presented at the annual meeting of theEuropean Association for Diabetes Research.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Diabetes is a prolonged rise in the concentration of glucose in the blood, otherwise known as hyperglycemia. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 or type 2. The second is linked to the misuse of insulin, which normally regulates blood sugar, and the first is caused by a lack of insulin. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease: Immune system antibodies eliminate cells that produce insulin, as they are identified as foreign to the human body. This self-destruction would be the consequence of a combination of factors: genetic predispositions, viruses or food.
A meta-analysis on diet
“Type 1 diabetes is a serious disease that requires lifelong treatment. underlines the director of this new study, Anna-Maria Lampousi. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the heart, eyes, feet, liver and reduce life expectancy.” For these different reasons, she wanted to work on the risk factors associated with this disease. With her team, she gathered nearly 6,000 studies carried out on the subject. scientists to observe the effects of 27 food products on the risk of type 1 diabetes.
Breast milk and cow’s milk: opposite effects
According to their findings, infants who were breastfed the longest and those who were only breastfed had reduced risks of later developing type 1 diabetes. This risk was reduced by 60% for children breastfed for 6 to 12 months, compared to those breastfed for a shorter period. It was reduced by 30% for those who only breastfed for their first two to three months, compared to those who consumed something other than breast milk. According to the researchers, breastfeeding helps the development of the baby’s immune system and improves the composition of its intestinal microbiota.
They were also interested in cow’s milk: a high consumption of dairy products and cow’s milk before the age of 15 increases the risk of type 1 diabetes. Children who drank at least three glasses of cow’s milk a day during this period had a 78% higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes, compared to those who drank less. The reasons for this higher risk are unknown, but the team speculates that the amino acids found in cow’s milk could trigger the immune system’s reaction to insulin-producing cells. However, the researchers interpret their results with caution. “Most of the evidence available to date is of limited quality and further, more qualitative research is needed before dietary recommendations can be made.“, says Anna-Maria Lampousi.
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