WHAT IS TYPE 1 DIABETES?
Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the body's inability to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar (glucose) levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into the body's cells, where it is used for energy.
In individuals with type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas called beta cells. As a result, the pancreas produces little to no insulin, leading to elevated levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Without sufficient insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells, causing high blood sugar levels, a condition known as hyperglycemia.
Type 1 diabetes typically develops in childhood or adolescence, although it can also occur in adulthood. Its exact cause is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. People with type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy to regulate their blood sugar levels and prevent complications.
Managing type 1 diabetes involves monitoring blood sugar levels, administering insulin through injections or an insulin pump, following a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and regularly visiting healthcare professionals for check-ups and adjustments to treatment plans. If left untreated or poorly managed, type 1 diabetes can lead to various complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and other organs.
WHO SHOULD I SEE AT ABSOLUTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS?
The first stop would be to see our naturopath. There, you can focus on natural interventions for immune modulation and other ways to help preserve pancreatic function. Diet and lifestyle play huge roles in management of all auto-immune diseases, especially diabetes.
HOW WE COMMONLY TREAT TYPE 1 DIABETES
- Supplements (Herbs, Vitamins, Minerals): natural compounds can be safely used alone or in combination with prescription pharmaceutical medications like insulin. We aim to increase insulin sensitivity and work on immune modulation.
- Nutrition and Diet: the food we eat plays a role in our health, from immune function to blood sugar management
- Gut Health: managing gut health is important in affecting immune function
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