The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is not yet known, but we had an article about possible causes based on the comments of the author of the book Diabetes Rising. Check out the article here: What’s Causing an Increase in Type 1 Diabetes?
I have two questions.
1) Has anyone read the book?
2) Regardless of whether you have read the book or not, what do you think is the source of this disease?
OTHER HEADLINES FROM DIABETES NEWS HOUND
i haven't read the book, but i agree with the point "Cleanliness is not next to Godliness”. I think one of the reasons so many kids are getting sick or developing allergies is due to the fact they are around a consistent sterile environment in some cases, which I don't think is totally healthy. So I wouldn't be surprised if that had some kind of link with the higher rate of T1. "Let them eat dirt!" haha
I agree with Batts - it is definitely better to be exposed to bacteria and viruses. I think that one of the reasons extreme cleanliness can increase risk for type 1 is because the immune system gets bored with not having to attack any pathogens and decides to turn on the only available cells...the ones in your body.
I also think it's interesting how people further from the equator have a greater chance of developing diabetes. That explains why Finland has the highest incidence for type 1 of all countries.
I have not read the book, but may look for it next time I am at the bookstore. The 5 reason's are near the point in my opinion. Faster growth and development does put undue stress on the body. This would also apply to the exploding growth of America's waist line (not directly realated to Type 1).
Lack of sunshine, Vitamin D deficiency has been shown in numerous autoimmune disorders.
Cleanliness and enviromental, kind of different sides of the same coin. I am not as sure of these two as I am of the first two above.
My mom told me that when I was diagnosed 4 years ago, all the nurses were talking about how there have been more kids with type 1 diabetes for some reason. I know I wasn't that clean when I was a kid so I don't think that's my case. Like, repeatedly wiping out in the dirt. There was just no way to avoid it somehow. Anyway... I'm from Wisconsin and little Irish so I really don't get a lot of sun any time of the year...Otherwise I freckle and burn. But I guess that could be why... And it's very likely I had cow milk that early so there's another possibility... At first I didn't think it was the growth thing cuz I'm short but I do remember being taller than everyone else for awhile. I miss those days lol. I guess I don't know. I probably wouldn't be surprised either way.
For me who knows!! I think it was a virus or something. I wasn't dx'ed till age 52. From California lots of sun, yes on milk and no on clean was a machine mech. lol I find it hard in my mind it took 50+ years of milk to cause type 1. LOL
I have my own theory. That is, that it's because of insulin. Let me explain. 90 years ago and back, if a person got type 1 diabetes, they died at a young age. Most before they were able to reproduce. So the gene for type 1 was less prevalent. Nowadays, if someone gets diabetes at a young age, insulin can keep them alive to a very old age. So, we are able to reproduce and pass on the type 1 gene. It's way more prevalent than it was in say 1910 or 1810 or 1710 etc.. It's sortof an anti survival of the fittest.
I have never seen any scientific articles suggest this explanation. So I may be way off. But it makes sense to me. As much as over cleanliness and vitamin D deficiency anyway.
That's an interesting theory, DDrumminMan... I hadn't thought about it that way. It does make sense though.... people are living longer with the disease now, so the genes get passed on.
I had an endo tell me the same thing. I think it makes a lot of sense. Whether the other things are contributing factors are definately something to consider.
I'll be sure to make sure my future kids get dirt and sun. :)
[quote user="DDrumminMan"]
I have my own theory. That is, that it's because of insulin. Let me explain. 90 years ago and back, if a person got type 1 diabetes, they died at a young age. Most before they were able to reproduce. So the gene for type 1 was less prevalent. Nowadays, if someone gets diabetes at a young age, insulin can keep them alive to a very old age. So, we are able to reproduce and pass on the type 1 gene. It's way more prevalent than it was in say 1910 or 1810 or 1710 etc.. It's sortof an anti survival of the fittest.
I have never seen any scientific articles suggest this explanation. So I may be way off. But it makes sense to me. As much as over cleanliness and vitamin D deficiency anyway.
[/quote]
I completely agree. It makes sense to me too. It's kinda along the lines of why Alzheimers is increasing. Back in the day, older people would die before they had a chance for Alzheimers to start. But now, with so many improved technologies, people are surviving to a much older age, and therefore developing Alzheimers.
Riley grew up in southern Ca so plenty of sunshine for her even now in southern Co she gets plenty. She hardly ever gets sick but I refuse to buy anti bacterial soaps. I am not even big on making them wash their hands before every meal. We play in the mud even.
DDrumminMan I agree with you. I feel that way about the increased numbers of autistic kids as well. Tho they didnt die they were labeled as crazy or retarded before. Now there is a name for what they are and the number climbs with awareness.
[quote] DDrumminMan I agree with you. I feel that way about the increased numbers of autistic kids as well. Tho they didnt die they were labeled as crazy or retarded before. Now there is a name for what they are and the number climbs with awareness.[/quote]
Jessica, I was totally thinking the same thing as I read through this thread.
My son is diagnosed ADHD- LD in Expressive Language, and Sensory Integration Disorder... which reminds me, I think I read somewhere, though not necessarily FACT... that there is a higher incidence of Spectrum Disorders in children born from Type 1's... hmmmm, maybe I'll have to find that article for another post.
I completely agree that the theory of surviving the reproductive years, and and having much healthier pregnancies could certainly raise the amount of Type 1 genes passed on. Makes sense to me.
i agree with DD that's probably a bigger contributor to the increase!
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/29/2/484.full
in reference to my statement about ASD's being more prevelant in children born to mothers with Type 1, it seems the influence is not from Type 1 or autoimmune disorders, but more to do with the risks involved in a Type 1 pregnancy. My son had the cord wrapped around his neck, and took 3 mintues to breathe after he was born. For the next week, he was up and down with his oxygen saturation. A lack of O2 could certainly have an effect on one's neurological output.
Anyway, enough derailing, back to our regularly scheduled program!