Can type 1 diabetes be prevented?
This is a very interesting question, which I will try to answer below.
Most discussions about diabetes focus on type 2 diabetes, because it is a lifestyle disease, with great potential for partial or even total remission by adopting certain dietary and lifestyle rules, with or without medication.
Type 1 diabetes is different. It is caused by a significant reduction in the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas, and the only current treatment is insulin.
However, there are people who do not have type 1 diabetes but are at increased risk.
These are generally:
- people with a strong family history of type 1 diabetes,
- people with high levels of specific antibodies (type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease).
For these people, preventive measures can be extremely useful, even if there is no confirmed diagnosis.
The aim of the protocol presented below is to slow down or even stop the autoimmune process and protect pancreatic beta cells.
Important: This protocol is complementary and does not replace medical monitoring.
Ideally, work with a diabetologist open to integrative therapies.
Objectives
1. Protection of pancreatic beta cells:
Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3, non-flush form)
- Reduces oxidative stress and protects beta cells.
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Guideline dose
- Adults: 500 mg, 2 times/day (total, 1 g/day)
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Children: 20-25 mg/kg body/day
Duration: minimum 6 months, then re-evaluation.
Monitoring: liver function is checked every 3-6 months.
2. Modulating autoimmunity
Being an autoimmune disease, it is necessary to regulate the immune response.
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AHCC
- Normalizes immune response and reduces autoimmune activity.
- Dosage: start with 1 g in the morning for 7 days, then increase to 2 g/day.
- It is administered in 3-month courses, followed by a 1-month break.
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Vitamin D3 + K2 + Magnesium
- Vitamin D regulates immunity, and vitamin D deficiency is strongly associated with type 1 diabetes.
- Dose: 5000-10000 IU/day, with blood level monitoring at 6-8 months.
- If the level is around 100 ng/ml, it stops.
- If the level is around 60 ng/ml, continue.
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Omega-3
- It has anti-inflammatory effect, protects cell membranes and improves insulin sensitivity.
- Dosage: 1-2 capsules/day.
3. Reduced inflammation and detoxification
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Zeolite Spectrum
- It reduces endotoxins and heavy metals that stimulate autoimmune inflammation.
- Protects the gut, very important because many autoimmune diseases are associated with leaky gut.
- Dose: 9 capsules/day, but start with 1 capsule on the first day and increase daily by 1 capsule.
- Important: if medicines are administered, leave 2 hours between them and the zeolite.
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Probiotics + Prebiotics
- Balances the intestinal bacterial flora, reducing autoimmune stimulation.
- Dose: 1 capsule/day.
4. Lifestyle
The measures below help reduce inflammation and regulate immunity:
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Reducing gluten and dairy consumption
- They can increase intestinal permeability and stimulate autoimmunity in genetically predisposed people.
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Reducing insulin needs
- Low carbohydrate intake.
- Intermittent bland fasting - 12-14 hours between dinner and breakfast (not 16 hours as in classic intermittent fasting).
- Moderate physical activity - 30-40 minutes/day, brisk walking or other light exercise.
- Sleep: 7-8 hours/night - lack of sleep increases insulin resistance.
For people with type 1 diabetes
All these measures can also be taken by people who already have type 1 diabetes, in addition to taking insulin, for better control of the disease and to reduce long-term complications.
