|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
|
| |||
| ||||
| ||||
|
| |||
|
| |||
| June 16 | |
|
Type 1 Diabetes |
|
|
Type 1 diabetes usually occurs before the age of 30. The disease is caused by an abnormal reaction of the immune system, which destroys the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. People with type 1 diabetes must use insulin to regulate their blood sugar. Now a study, published in the journal Diabetes, looked at children who drank cow’s milk in the first year of life. They found that a child with a brother or sister with type 1 diabetes was 5 times more likely to develop diabetes if they drank 3 or more glasses of milk every day than children who drank less milk. It’s thought that one or more of the proteins in milk may trigger the immune system to attack the insulin-producing cells. |
|
 |
|
|
So, should you avoid giving children cow’s milk in the first year? Yes, but for a variety of reasons—including the fact that whole cow’s milk may not provide ample nutrients like iron and vitamin E. Optimally, children should be breastfed for the first year, or if that’s not possible, they should be given iron-fortified formula, and started on the appropriate solid foods. | |
|
RESOURCES:
American Diabetes Association |
|