Type 1 diabetes is caused when the body attacks its own insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas thus destroying the body's ability to transport
glucose from the blood to the body's cells. Nobody knows what causes the body to behave in this way but there would appear to be a number of
overlapping contributory factors:
- Genes. There is a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes if a close member of the family has it. This genetic propensity is being studied in
depth, several genes have been identified as increasing the risk. Genetics do not provide the complete answer however as only 38% of identical twins
whose siblings have type 1 diabetes go on to develop the condition.
- Virus. Enteroviruses that occur in the gastrointestinal tract have been put forward as having the potential to trigger beta cell damage. The most
commonly known enterovirus is childhood hand foot and mouth.
- Cows' milk. It is thought that early exposure to cow's milk (as opposed to breast milk) may increases the risk of developing Type 1 diabetes in
later life.
- Vitamin D. A study in Finland found that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of diabetes.
All or some of the above may have some role to play in causing the body to attack the beta cells and a great deal of research is being done to find
a definitive answer.
