What is Type 1 diabetes?. In Type 1 diabetes, there is a complete destruction of insulin producing cells (called beta cells) of your pancreas. Consequently, there is zero or minimal production of insulin. When you don’t have insulin, your blood glucose level starts to rise. When your fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dl (7 mmol/L), we call it diabetes. In addition, if your Hemoglobin A1C is more than 6.5%, you are diagnosed with diabetes.
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What Causes Type 1 Diabetes?
It is an autoimmune disorder. What is an autoimmune disorder? Normally, your immune system protects you against invading viruses and bacteria. But, in an autoimmune disorder, your own immune system goes haywire. It starts to attack your own tissues, such as beta cells in your pancreas. Gradually, it kills all of the beta cells. Consequently, insulin production comes to a halt. Consequently, glucose in your blood starts to rise rapidly. A high level of glucose in the blood gives rise to symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes?
What Is The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?
In Type 1 diabetes, there is no production of insulin in your body. On the other hand, in Type 2 diabetes, your pancreas is producing insulin, often in large quantities. However, your body is unable to use it as there is resistance to its action., which is called insulin resistance.
Which is Worse? Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 1 is worse than Type 2 in the sense that you have to take insulin for the rest of your life. What happens if you don’t take insulin? Your blood sugars escalate to danger levels rapidly and you may develop a life-threatening condition, called diabetes ketoacidosis. In addition, you are more likely to experience hypoglycemia due to your insulin shots.
Can You Survive Type 1 Diabetes?
Absolutely, although it brings on some challenges. It is important to accept the diagnosis, and educate yourself about the details of various treatment plans. Then, discuss your options such as insulin shots versus insulin pump with your health care provider. You can live a normal life. For example, you can pursue any career that your desire. You can date, get married and have children.
Other Autoimmune Disorders Associated with Type 1 Diabetes
A person with Type 1 diabetes is at a high risk of developing other autoimmune disorders. These include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, asthma, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis. It all depends where the hyped-up immune cells will launch their attack – thyroid, stomach, lungs, skin or joints. Therefore, it is important to calm down these hyped-up immune cells.
How To Calm Down Your Immune System
Here is my strategy to calm down the immune system in patients with autoimmune disorders:
Stress management
Patients with autoimmune disorders such as Type 1 diabetes worry a lot to begin with. Once they develop an autoimmune disorder, then they worry even more, a self-fulfilling prophecy. Please read my book, ” Stress Cure Now” and learn how you can be free of stress and anxiety.
Nutrition:
Foods to avoid
- Fast food
- Sugar, sugar-substitutes. Instead, use honey as a sweetener.
- Dairy
- Wheat
- Night shade vegetables: eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers
Foods For Type 1 diabetes
- Fish, poultry, meats
- Eggs
- Ghee and butter
- Basmati rice
- Nuts and seeds
- Most fruits and vegetables of the season
Exercise/Rest/Sleep
Walk at least 30 minutes a day. In addition, do some Yoga or Tai Chi. Don’t over-exercise. It creates oxidative stress which is harmful for the cells. More importantly, sleep at least eight hours at night.
Vitamins for Type 1 diabetes
Take the following Vitamins when you have an autoimmune disorder.
In Summary
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which your own system goes haywire. Then, it starts to attack and kill your own insulin-producing cells. Hence, you don’t have any more insulin production. Subsequently, your blood glucose starts to rise, often into dangerous levels. You need to take insulin for the rest of your life. In addition, you should change your life-style to calm down your hyped-up immune system.
