The development of Type 1 diabetes is strongly linked to a certain type of bacteria found in their digestive tract, according to an article from the University of Florida News. Microbes help with the digestive process but in kids with diabetes, the correct balance of bacteria in the digestive tract is out of whack.
Researchers from the University of Florida say that this bacteria imbalance may be the trigger for Type 1 diabetes. Currently, the medical community does not know the exact cause for the disease and there is no cure. However, many believe there is a genetic component. Still, only 15% of those with Type 1 diabetes have an immediate family member that also has the disease. This leads the University of Florida researchers to suggest that environmental factors play a role.
Researchers followed eight Finnish children and looked at the bacteria in the gut of each. Four developed diabetes, four did not. They examined the kids’ waste to check for the bacteria. The Finnish population has a higher prevalence of people with Type 1 diabetes.
Past studies have shown that the introduction of certain items that are found in other foods, such as yogurt, can help bring the bacterial imbalance back in line. Since people that have Type 1 diabetes develop this imbalance before the onset of the disease, researchers are hopeful that they can help correct the problem before diabetes develops. It won’t be as simple as feeding the kids yogurt, but such information could lead to therapies that help stave off the disease.
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