October 29, 2002
Research: Causes and Prevention
Question from Pennsylvania, USA:
Can diabetes be prevented?
Answer:
The answer to your question rather depends on what sort of diabetes you are talking about. There is, for instance, quite a lot of evidence that most type 2, insulin resistant diabetes can be prevented by being careful not to get overweight and taking regular and vigorous exercise. In the case of type 1A (autoimmune) diabetes, the answer is probably no for the time being. There is no way to prevent genetic predisposition, but, if we knew more about the environmental trigger, more could be done. Studies are starting with possibilities such as extra Vitamin D and also antiviral drugs, but it is all very preliminary. Efforts to delay clinical or insulin dependent continue, but have so far not been successful. Perhaps one day it may be possible and safe to transpose a ‘protective’ gene into the genetically high risk group.
DOB
[Editor’s comment: See the discussions about the DPT-1 and Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) studies.
SS]
