What is the link between cow’s milk and diabetes?
By starrysteve
@starrysteve (12)
August 27, 2006 11:16am CST
Early exposure to cow’s milk formula has been linked to an immune response that can lead to type I diabetes in some children. The immune response involves the body’s immune system reacting to a trigger (which may be cow insulin or a protein called casein from cow’s milk). Structural similarities between the triggering molecule and the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells confuse the human immune system and it attacks the cells in the pancreas. This limits the ability to produce insulin and may lead to diabetes. The avoidance of cow’s milk during the first few months of life may reduce the risk of type I diabetes in some children.
1 person likes this
10 responses
@shilpa28k (1737)
• India
7 Jan 07
Pediatric News (33(8):2, 1999), has reported on a significant new study coming out of Finland. Up until now, the relationship between cow's milk and type 1 diabetes has been controversial. This is the first carefully designed, controlled prospective study, and it shows a dramatic reduction in diabetes in high-risk children who avoided cow's milk products for the first 6-8 months of life. If there is type 1 diabetes in the immediate family, I would recommend avoiding cow's milk-based formulas. It'll take awhile for scientists to sort out the details, but the early word is -- yes, cow protein can trigger diabetes in those who are genetically susceptible.
@ildikobutyurka (851)
• Romania
22 Nov 06
well and then when can a little baby drink cow's milk instead of formula?
@the_vicar (1477)
• United States
19 Nov 06
I am glad I put my kids on soy formula, but they will probably discover something about that too.
