Advancements on etiology of Type 1 Diabetes

[Adalberto]

In short, this new paper shows a correlation among the following things:
1- having a genetic predisposition to Type-1 diabetes;
2- being exposed to cow's milk before 3 mo in infant formulas;
3- getting (very common) enterovirus infections before 12 mo.

So, nobody can do anything about 1, and almost nothing about 3, but for sure we already know our infants should be breast-feeded at least until they're 6 mo; so we're in full control for #2 above, and this fact alone could stop the increase in type-1 diabetes we see today in our western societies.

Article reference follows

Interaction of enterovirus infection and cow's milk-based formula nutrition in type 1 diabetes-associated autoimmunity.
Lempainen J, Tauriainen S, Vaarala O, Mäkelä M, Honkanen H, Marttila J, Veijola R, Simell O, Hyöty H, Knip M, Ilonen J.
Source
Immunogenetics Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Abstract
[...]
CONCLUSIONS:
The effect of enterovirus infection on the appearance of T1D-associated autoimmunity seems to be modified by exposure to cow's milk in early infancy suggesting an interaction between these factors. Moreover, these results provide an explanation for the controversial findings obtained when analysing the effect of any single one of these factors on the appearance of T1D-associated autoimmunity.
Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PMID: 21922634 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2012 Feb;28(2):177-85. doi: 10.1002/dmrr.1294.