I recently read the abstract from a study (from a link on the CWD What’s New page) entitled, “Parameters of Oxidative Stress in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and their Relatives” which stated the following:

The results in diabetic children showed significantly lower GSHPx and AOC and increased MDA when compared with healthy children.

Can any of your experts could comment this study and what it means? Are vitamins C and E really antioxidants? Should we give low doses to our children with diabetes?

The study to which you refer essentially confirms the long accepted view that oxidative stress plays an significant role in the development of autoimmune destruction of the islet cells in type 1A (autoimmune) diabetes. Over the last years, there have been many studies in laboratory animals that suggested that the use of antioxidants in children might either delay the destruction of the beta cells in the earliest stages of autoimmunity and later on defer insulin dependence. The results in human studies however have been disappointing with ENDIT, a big Europaean study of nicotinamide just recently showing no effect. In our own center a study of many antioxidants combined including vitamins C and E was of no benefit on glucose control or on the development of retinal or renal vascular complications. In other words, I don’t think that these supplements are indicated for children with diabetes.

DOB