Type 1 Diabetes Risks: Potential Environmental Factors Shown In This Infographic
Type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes, affects more than one million Americans, according to the American Diabetes Association. Unlike Type 2 diabetes, which can be prevented or delayed with a healthy lifestyle, Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and usually is diagnosed in childhood.
In Type 1 diabetes, the insulin production in your body does not function properly, leaving your cells without the insulin they need to absorb sugar (glucose) to produce energy.
Read: Diabetes Symptoms 2016: Everything You Need To Know
A series of two studies published in the UK medical journal, The Lancet, gives insight to genetic risk factors for Type 1 diabetes and potential, controversial, environmental risk factors. The findings are illustrated in the infographic below.
The studies’ authors conclude, “Interplay between an individual’s genes and their exposure to different triggers at different stages might contribute to disease heterogeneity. Increased understandings of these mechanisms is urgently needed.”
To date, Mayo Clinic cites the only known risk factors as: family history, genetics, geography, and age. Other risks factors that have been investigated, but not proven are: exposure to certain viruses, early exposure to cow’s milk, low vitamin D level, and being born with jaundice, among other factors.
Although much less common than Type 2 diabetes, cases of Type 1 diabetes are increasing globally, research shows.
See also: People With Type 1 Diabetes Face Increased Risk For Some Cancers
