Can Type 1 Diabetes be Prevented

Can Type 1 Diabetes be prevented?

Type 1 Diabetes, the third most common chronic disease in children, occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly targets the pancreas, killing the cells that make insulin.

A study published in the September 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) concludes that children who were at high risk for developing type 1 diabetes, because a sibling or parent had diabetes, dramatically reduced that risk by consuming Omega-3 fatty acids.

Children who ate a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids had a 55% less chance of developing antibodies to their own insulin producing cells. To make sure that diets were accurately reported omega-3 levels were measured in the red blood cell membranes.

Dr. Lundell's comments:

While we still don't know what triggers the auto immunity that destroys the pancreas. The possibility of preventing this devastating disease is exciting.

Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation, the fact that they seemed to prevent the antibodies from forming in the first place is further indication of the broad anti-inflammatory activity of Omega-3 fatty acids.