Should children avoid milk to prevent type 1 diabetes?
The relationship between cows’ milk and type 1 diabetes remains unclear, although there is some evidence that milk consumption might increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Worldwide, children whose dietary energy comes primarily from dairy or meat products have a significantly higher chance of developing type 1 diabetes than do children whose dietary energy comes primarily from vegetable sources.22 Countries with high milk consumption have a high risk of type 1 diabetes.23 Animal research also indicates that avoiding milk affords protection from type 1 diabetes.24 Milk contains a protein related to a protein in the pancreas, the organ that produces insulin. Some researchers believe that drinking milk may cause children who are allergic to milk to make antibodies that attack the pancreas, causing type 1 diabetes.25, 26 Several studies have linked cows’ milk consumption to the occurrence of type 1 diabetes in children.27, 28, 29, 30 However, other studies have failed to find su
The relationship between cows’ milk and type 1 diabetes remains unclear, although there is some evidence that milk consumption might increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Worldwide, children whose dietary energy comes primarily from dairy or meat products have a significantly higher chance of developing type 1 diabetes than do children whose dietary energy comes primarily from vegetable sources.24 Countries with high milk consumption have a high risk of type 1 diabetes.25 Animal research also indicates that avoiding milk affords protection from type 1 diabetes.26 Milk contains a protein related to a protein in the pancreas, the organ that produces insulin. Some researchers believe that drinking milk may cause children who are allergic to milk to make antibodies that attack the pancreas, causing type 1 diabetes.27 , 28 Several studies have linked cows’ milk consumption to the occurrence of type 1 diabetes in children.29 , 30 , 31 , 32 However, other studies have failed to fin
