Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is more uncommon than type 2 diabetes. Only 5% to 10% of all diabetic patients have type 1 diabetes. With type 1 diabetes, the body cannot manufacture its own insulin to process glucose in the blood. A type 1 diabetic needs insulin through medication.
If you have type 1 diabetes, improving your overall health is crucial to living as well as you can. You can make dietary and lifestyle changes to support your wellbeing with type 1 diabetes.
Let’s take a look at the symptoms, risk factors, conventional treatments, and root causative factors that may increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Then let’s take a look at holistic support strategies to improve your overall wellbeing.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic health condition in which the pancreas does not make insulin to process blood glucose.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), type 1 diabetes typically develops during childhood, the teenage years, or in young adults. However, it can develop in rare cases in older adults.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
- Symptoms of type 1 diabetes may include:
- Urinating often and frequently during the night
- Feeling very thirsty frequently
- Feeling very hungry
- Losing weight without trying
- Blurry vision
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Sores that heal slowly
- More infections than usual
- Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains
Pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes
Insulin is essential to your body’s functioning. It enables the cells to transform glucose from food into energy. Insulin helps glucose get delivered from your blood into your body’s cells. Any excess glucose delivered to your cells for energy is stored in your muscle and liver tissue in the form of glycogen. When your body needs extra energy, it taps into that stored glycogen and breaks it down into blood glucose for your body to use.
Without insulin, the glucose circulates through the bloodstream without being delivered to cells and converted into energy. This leads to high blood glucose levels that can cause significant short-term and long-term health issues.
Type 1 diabetes is very different from type 2 diabetes, which is a form of insulin resistance that reduces insulin secretion. The current understanding is that type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmunity. According to a 2018 review published in Endocrine Connections, it develops because of the autoimmune destruction of endocrine pancreatic beta cells.
Researchers found that genetic, immunologic, and environmental factors may also play a role in the destruction of these beta cells resulting in insulin deficiency. This autoimmune destruction may take several months to several years to develop before symptoms occur, and the patient may test positive for antibodies.
A 2006 scientific research paper suggested that the development of autoimmune destruction may be preventable. However, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes. The author suggested that the antibody assays may enable doctors to identify the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Understanding the pathogenesis of the disease may make it possible to pinpoint preventative measures.
Risk factors for type 1 diabetes
Scientists do not fully understand the risk factors and causes of type 1 diabetes. Risk factors for type 1 diabetes may include:
- Age: Children, teenagers, and young adults are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes.
- Family history: If you have a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes, you are more likely to develop the condition yourself.
- Race or ethnicity: In the United States, white individuals are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes than Hispanic, Latino, or African American individuals.
- Environmental factors: Certain viral infections may increase the risk of type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also more common in colder climates, which suggests that climate may play some role.
Diagnosing type 1 diabetes
Your doctor will typically gather information on your symptoms, family history, and medical history. After a physical examination, your doctor will likely order several tests to reach a diagnosis. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed when your test results meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Having a fasting blood sugar over 126 mg/dL on two separate tests
- Having one random blood sugar reading over 200 mg/dL and experiencing symptoms of diabetes
- Having a hemoglobin A1c over 6.5 on two separate tests
The diagnostic criteria for type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be similar. This makes misdiagnosis a possibility, although rare. If your symptoms worsen or complications occur during treatment, this may indicate a misdiagnosis. If your blood glucose becomes too high, you may experience diabetic ketoacidosis. An incidence of ketoacidosis frequently leads to a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
Conventional treatment options
A prescription for insulin is the conventional, and effective, treatment for type 1 diabetes. You will need insulin daily to control your blood glucose and symptoms. Insulin may be delivered by injection or with an insulin pump, which is a port attached under your skin that injects insulin into your body as needed.
There are key differences between injectable insulin and insulin delivered by a pump. Insulin pumps use short-acting and rapid-acting insulin, but not long-acting insulin. The pump is designed to deliver small, continuous amounts to manage your blood sugar levels more evenly. In general, a pump helps you have fewer hypoglycemia or low blood sugar episodes.
Along with daily insulin, your doctor will likely recommend dietary changes and exercise to help control your blood sugar levels. You will need to get your blood glucose tested regularly to know how much insulin you need.
Some diabetic patients also take metformin, which was originally prescribed only for type 2 diabetes. However, some people with type 1 diabetes may also form insulin resistance. Metformin can help to lower blood glucose levels by decreasing glucose production in the liver.
Another developing treatment is the use of the tuberculosis vaccine. A 2020 metanalysis of randomized controlled trials found that the bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) tuberculosis vaccine may help patients with type 1 diabetes to stabilize their blood sugar levels for several years. However, this treatment option is currently not available because research is ongoing, and it has not received FDA approval yet. However, this may become a conventional treatment in the near future.
Other medications that are currently waiting for FDA approval include Sotagliflozin (Zynquista), an oral medication that can be taken along with insulin. This medication helps lower the absorption of glucose in the gut and also helps to excrete blood glucose through urine. Similar medications are already available for type 2 diabetes.
Root cause factors for type 1 diabetes
Research has not been able to pinpoint why some people develop type 1 diabetes. Still, some evidence exists that specific root causative factors may contribute to or increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. These include:
Short breastfeeding periods
Breast-feeding is crucial for a baby’s development. It provides nourishment and helps them develop their immune system and strengthen their digestion. A 2001 study published in Diabetologia found that babies who were breastfed only for short-term, or less than 4 months, had an increased risk of progressive beta-cell autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. They also found that children who were breastfed for at least 4 months had a reduced risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
A 2007 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition studied 5-year-old children and found breastfeeding and the early introduction of formulas may be linked to an increased risk of GADA, IAA, and/or IA-2A and the risk of type 1 diabetes. A 2016 review published in Lancet has found that breastfeeding may play a protective role and still breastfeeding when introducing cereals to the child’s diet may reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes and autoimmunity.
Cow’s milk and gluten allergies
A mother’s diet and the diet of the infant are critical for a baby’s development. Exposure to cow’s milk and gluten allergies from the mother’s diet both in utero or through breastmilk may increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
Cow’s milk is a common cause of food allergies and food sensitivities. It also increases the risk of gut health issues, inflammation, and autoimmunity. A 2000 study published in BMJ has found that early exposure to cow’s milk during pregnancy can increase the risk of type 1 diabetes in children. A 2015 study published in Pediatric Diabetes has found that cow’s milk during childhood may be associated with islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. A 2021 study published in Pediatric Diabetes has also found that cow’s milk introduced during pregnancy may result in type 1 diabetes later on.
Gluten is another common allergen and cause of food sensitivities, inflammation, and other health issues. Eating gluten during pregnancy or feeding gluten to the child may also contribute to type 1 diabetes. A 2014 review published in Diabetologia has found that dietary gluten in children may contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes.
A 2018 study published in Nutrients has found that following a gluten-free diet during pregnancy may reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes in the child. A 2016 review published in Lancet has also linked cow’s milk and gluten-containing cereals to the increased risk of type 1 diabetes and autoimmunity.
Family history of autoimmunity, celiac & gut infections
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. Having one autoimmune condition or having a family history of autoimmunity can increase the risk of developing another autoimmune disease. A family history of Celiac disease is a particular risk for the development of type 1 diabetes. Besides autoimmunity, gut infections can also increase your risk. Gut infections can increase chronic inflammation and autoimmunity.
A 2005 study published in Pediatric Diabetes has found that certain environmental factors may play a role in young, healthy children developing beta-cell autoantibodies. Researchers looked at autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and autoantibodies to tyrosine phosphatase (IA-2A) in 1-year-old children to check their risk factors for type 1 diabetes.
Out of 6,000 children, 126 children had both GADA and IA-2A and 1156 children had one of these two autoantibodies. They found that drinking cow’s milk formulas, the low education level of the mother, and being born in the spring can increase the risk. In addition, they found that celiac disease in grandparents, maternal gastrointestinal infection, and type 2 diabetes in grandparents can also increase the risk of autoantibodies and type 1 diabetes in children.
Chronic infections
A 2011 review published in Seminars in Immunopathology has also found that enteroviral infections can affect the health of the gut mucosa and pancreatic health thus may play a role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. A 2012 review published in Reviews in Diabetes Studies suggested that targeting viral infections may help to prevent type 1 diabetes.
A 2014 review found that genus enteroviruses, such as Enterovirus A, Enterovirus B, Enterovirus C, and Enterovirus D and Rhinovirus A, Rhinovirus B, and Rhinovirus C, may increase the risk of type 1 diabetes. A 2012 study published in Diabetes found that enteroviruses may interfere with the healthy functioning of the gut mucosa and increase the risk of beta-cell damage and A 2016 review published in Lancet has found that chronic infection may increase the risk of type 1 diabetes and autoimmunity. Though viral infections are better researched, bacterial infections may also contribute to increasing the risk of type 1 diabetes. type 1 diabetes.
Vaccine-induced immune injury
Childhood vaccinations have rapidly increased over the past decades. According to the National Vaccine Information Center, children currently get 34 doses of 10 viral and bacterial vaccines before they turn 5 or enter kindergarten. The problem is that while their vaccines may help to reduce the risk of certain infections, they can result in serious health risks and issues. And, they may contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes.
A 2003 study on 4400 children published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences has found the vaccinations may affect GADA and IA-2A and increase the risk of type 1 diabetes in children. A 1999 study published in BMJ has warned against the long-term effects of vaccines and recommended that the public needs to be more informed about them. The study has found that vaccines may increase the risk of type 1 diabetes.
The mumps and rubella virus can affect the pancreatic islet cells. The mumps live vaccines may also do the same thus increasing the risk of type 1 diabetes. They may also increase the risk of inflammation, gut health issues, and other issues that may cause autoimmunity. A 2016 review published in Lancet has found an association between the BCG vaccine and the risk of type 1 diabetes and autoimmunity.
Toxins & chemical compounds
Our modern world contains many toxins and chemicals. Exposure to toxins and chemical compounds, however, can greatly impact our health and increase the risk of type 1 diabetes.
A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology (Lausanne) has found that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in early life can increase the risk of type 1 diabetes. A 2020 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences has found that endocrine-disrupting chemicals can interrupt beta-cell and immune function and contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes.
A 2016 review published in Lancet has found that toxins in food and water and various mycotoxins may increase the risk of type 1 diabetes and autoimmunity. A 2019 review published in the Journal of Epidemiology Community Health has found that environmental toxins, including air pollution, arsenic, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, bisphenol A, and phthalates, can increase the risk of type 1 diabetes.
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D is a very important nutrient for immune health, brain health, bone health, and other areas of your health. A 2016 review published in Lancet has explained that vitamin D is critical for immune and metabolic pathways that play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes.
Most adults meet their vitamin D needs through sun exposure, diet, and supplementation. However, babies rely on their mothers. After birth, they obtain most of their vitamin D through breast milk, and before birth through the umbilical cord. Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels during pregnancy is critical to preventing pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, preterm birth, and other complications.
A 2009 review found that there may be a connection between vitamin D deficiency early in life and developing type 1 diabetes later. A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Endocrinology has also found that vitamin D deficiency is common in type 1 diabetes. Vitamin D plays a role in pancreatic and immune health, and deficiencies may increase the risk of type 1 diabetes or worsen its symptoms.
Natural support strategies
If you have type 1 diabetes, you have the option of adopting natural support strategies to help your overall wellbeing. Here are some of the top options.
Monitor Blood Sugar for the Most Accurate Use of Insulin
Your body cannot make insulin if you have type 1 diabetes. You will need to administer insulin. However, it’s critical that you monitor your blood sugar levels for the most accurate use of insulin. Keep your doctor’s appointments, get your blood sugar tested at your doctor’s office, and get other necessary lab work done to monitor your health.
Make sure to keep your blood sugar levels stable with a healthy diet and lifestyle. This may help you keep your insulin use at the minimum levels while maintaining your energy. Work with your doctor or nutritionist to optimize your diet.
Anti-inflammatory nutrition plan
According to a 2007 study published by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, decreasing inflammation is crucial to supporting the treatment and management of type 1 diabetes. Diet plays a key role in achieving that goal.
Avoid inflammatory foods, including refined sugars and carbs, refined oils, highly processed foods, junk food, additives, preservatives, and unnatural ingredients. Follow an anti-inflammatory nutrient plan high in greens, vegetables, a limited amount of low-glycemic index fruits, herbs, spices, fermented foods, grass-fed beef, grass-fed butter and ghee, pasture-raised poultry and eggs, wild-caught fish and seafood, and wild game. Keep your carbohydrate intake low, and eat plenty of healthy fats, such as grass-fed butter and ghee, lard, coconut oil, coconut, avocados, avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, and olives.
Regular movement & exercise
Another way to reduce inflammation to support type 1 diabetes management is movement and exercise. A 2019 study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology (Lausanne) has found that young people with type 1 diabetes are often afraid of exercise because they fear hypoglycemia. Yet exercise is very important. Consult with your doctor to learn how to exercise safely.
According to the American Diabetes Association, it’s important that you make sure that your blood sugar levels are stable before you begin an exercise routine. Always watch how exercises are affecting you and adjust your activity, diet, and insulin accordingly. Try to sit less because it is linked with higher blood sugar levels. Even if you are not doing strenuous exercise, stay active.
Exercise regularly. Aim for 5 times a week for at least 20 minutes a day. Practice a mix of strength and resistance training, such as body weight workouts, exercises with resistance bands, weight training, cardiovascular workouts, such as jogging, swimming, biking, dancing, or aerobics classes, and low-impact activities, such as yoga, Pilates, barre workouts, walking, or aqua fitness classes. Always consult your doctor before starting an exercise routine and monitor your blood sugar levels.
Test for and avoid food sensitivities
Food sensitivities are different from food allergies. Food allergies cause an immediate reaction, including hives, difficulty breathing, puffiness, digestive issues, or other symptoms after eating a food that you are allergic to. Food sensitivities don’t lead to an immediate reaction but will result in chronic issues over time. You may eat food and only experience symptoms a few hours or days later, and inflammation and internal damage may also occur over a period of weeks, months, or even years.
As noted above, sensitivities to gluten, cow’s milk, and dairy can contribute to the symptoms and risk of type 1 diabetes. Common food sensitivities include gluten, dairy, sugar, corn, soy, eggs, legumes, and shellfish. However, you may find that you are sensitive to other foods.
If you have type 2 diabetes, get tested for food sensitivities and avoid foods those foods. There are blood tests that can help identify food sensitivities. However, they don’t test for every food, and false positives may happen. Other ways to test for food sensitivities include the elimination diet, pulse test, and muscle response test. When you pinpoint a food sensitivity, eliminate it from your diet immediately.
Reduce stress & improve sleep
Reducing inflammation is one of the most critical aspects of managing type 1 diabetes. Since chronic stress and poor sleep can both increase inflammation, reducing stress and improving your sleep are both critical. When you are stressed or tired, you are more likely to cave into sugar cravings that affect your blood sugar balance.
Ways to reduce stress levels include meditation, breathwork, guided relaxation, visualization, positive affirmation, gratitude, positive thinking, journaling, and prayer. Spend time in nature and move your body regularly. Spend time with loved ones. Seek a supportive community.
To ensure quality sleep, avoid electronics, food, alcohol, sugar, and caffeine in the evening. Find relaxing activities that help you relax and wind down, such as arts and crafts, coloring, board games, crossword puzzles, playing cards, supportive conversations, reading, taking a healing bath, sipping on herbal tea, meditation, journaling, or prayer.
Make sure that your bedroom is calm, comfortable, and used only as your bedroom. It should be your restful sanctuary.
Optimize vitamin D levels
According to a 2013 study published in the International Journal of Endocrinology, vitamin D deficiency is common in type 1 diabetes. Optimizing your vitamin D levels is important for managing type 1 diabetes and reducing the risk of complications and worsening symptoms.
One study found that supplementing with 4,000 IU of vitamin D over 12 weeks helped to improve the glycemic score of patients with type 1 diabetes. Another study found that supplementing with 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 biweekly for 3 months helped to improve the HbA1C levels of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, a 2018 study on children with type 1 diabetes published in Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism has found that 3,000 IU/day vitamin D supplementation for a year has helped to slow the decline of beta-cell function and improve glycemic control. If your child has type 1 diabetes, check with their pediatrician about adding a supplement.
Typically, taking 1,000 IU per 25 lbs. of body weight will help you get your vitamin D levels in a healthy range. You want to test your vitamin D levels at least 1-2 times each year and get your levels between 50-100 ng/ml. A range of 70-100 ng/ml may offer therapeutic benefits. Check with your doctor first.
Use omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory fatty acids found in algae, fish, seafood, hemp seeds, flax seeds, and chia seeds. Using omega-3 fatty acids may be a good idea if you have type 1 diabetes. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce autoimmunity.
Whether you have type 1 diabetes or not, foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids are essential to a healthy diet. You can include wild-caught fish and seafood, hemp seeds, chia seeds, and flax seeds. To reduce inflammation and optimize your health, you can consider a daily, high-quality omega-3 fish oil supplement.
Support magnesium and zinc levels
Magnesium is an essential mineral for your blood sugar levels, brain health, muscle health, mental health, blood pressure levels, and other areas of your health. Zinc is another critical mineral for your immune health and metabolic function. Taking magnesium may be helpful if you have type 1 diabetes.
One 2015 review showed that magnesium, zinc, and chromium may help with glycemic control in type 1 diabetes. Another 2019 study also found the magnesium, zinc, copper, and selenium can support patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
You will find magnesium in foods such as greens, nuts, and seeds. Foods that are rich in zinc include grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry and eggs, wild-caught seafood, nuts, and seeds. Meeting your daily magnesium and zinc levels through diet alone can be difficult. You can consider adding a daily supplement.
Consider using resveratrol
Resveratrol is found in the skin of grapes, red wine, and berries. It is a plant compound that acts as an antioxidant and helps to reduce inflammation. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Exploratory Pathology found that resveratrol may be beneficial for those with type 1 diabetes. A 2020 study published in Nutrients has found that resveratrol can act as an anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic agent and is safe and effective for patients with type 1 diabetes.
Foods that are high in resveratrol include grapes, blueberries, cranberries, pistachios, and cacao. You may also consider a supplement.
Use probiotics
A poor microbiome balance can increase inflammation and increase the risk of or symptoms of all kinds of health issues. Taking probiotics to support your microbiome balance can also help with type 1 diabetes. Prebiotics are the fiber that feed and support probiotics and may further support your gut health.
A 2019 review found that probiotics and prebiotics may help reduce the destruction of beta-cells, lower inflammation, decrease an autoimmune response, and restore gut integrity in type 1 diabetes. A 2020 meta-analysis also found the probiotics and prebiotics may help to improve metabolic outcomes, glucose control, and gut microbiome balance in type 1 diabetes.
You can take a probiotic supplement and eat fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, fermented vegetables, coconut kefir, and kombucha, to support your microbiome balance through diet as well.
You may also add some prebiotic-rich foods, including garlic, onion, leeks, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, jicama, chicory roots, and dandelion greens. However, not everyone does well with prebiotics. If you are on a low-FODMAP diet or the carnivore diet for another health reason, or you are experiencing digestive issues when consuming too many prebiotic-rich foods, cut back on your prebiotic intake.
Consider using alpha-lipoic acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that may benefit those with diabetes. A 2008 review found that alpha-lipoic acid helps to improve insulin resistance, diabetic neuropathy, and oxidative stress in diabetic patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. A 2011 study published found that alpha-lipoic acid is safe for diabetic patients and may help with diabetic neuropathy.
Foods that contain alpha-lipoic acid include kidney, liver, spinach, eggs, and broccoli. You may also consider a supplement.
Final thoughts
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that means your body cannot manufacture insulin to process blood glucose. A type 1 diabetic will need daily insulin to maintain optimum health. Making changes to diet, lifestyle, and supplementation can support your overall wellbeing. Being mindful of stress, exercise, and lack of sleep will also help your overall health. Work with your health care professional to tailor your routines for the best results.