There is no known cause for type 1 diabetes, thus, there is no way to know how to prevent it.
A new study, however, may be able to help those who suffer from this disorder and maintain their blood sugar levels.
Is Low-Carb Diet The Answer?
Low-carb foods include: beef, lamb, salmon, nuts, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and Greek yogurt.
The study, which was published in the Journal Pediatrics Monday, May 7, showed that if people who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes stick to a low-carb diet, they can control their blood sugar levels. Also, they can keep hypoglycemia and other complications at low rates.
Dr. Belinda Lennerz of Boston Children's Hospital, the lead author of the study, gathered participants from a Facebook community called TypeOneGrit. The online group followed a low-carb diet recommended by Dr. Richard Bernstein's book Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. Bernstein is a co-author of the study.
The researchers chose 316 people to take part in the study, 130 of them were children. Each of the participants reported average daily intake of carbohydrates of 36 grams, which is less than the recommended average intake by the American Diabetes Association. The researchers used this information for comparison in their study.
Experts in the past had been apprehensive about following a low-carb diet if a person suffers from type 1 diabetes. However, this study showed that hospitalization needed for hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and other complication relating to diabetes were relatively lower than those who generally report problems. It is said that 80 percent of the participants were satisfied with their overall diabetes management.
People's Testimony
Dr. David M. Harlan, the co-director of the Diabetes Center of Excellence at the UMass Memorial Medical Center, who is not apart of the study, stated that he is excited to see this paper as it can offer a new alternative for those who suffer from this disorder.
"It should reopen the discussion about whether this is something we should be offering our patients as a therapeutic approach," Harlan stated.
Another person whose life changed due to a low-carb diet is Andrew Hightower, a 13-year-old who was a part of the study. Hightower has type 1 diabetes and in order to control his blood sugar levels, his parents put him on a low-carb diet, high-protein diet that still allows him to still consume his favorite foods in a safer way.
Hightower's parents shared that his blood sugar control drastically improved due to this diet and it lessened any complications and trips to the hospital.
What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus type 1, is a form of diabetes mellitus that transpires when not enough insulin in a person's body is produced, leading to high blood sugar levels.
