The aetiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) includes genetic heritage and environmental exposure. Evidence from animal and epidemiological studies suggests that some diet components may play a role in the aetiology of DM1. In 1984, Borch-Johnsen et al. suggested, based on a case-control study, that breast-feeding was a protective factor for DM1, probably due its anti-infectious properties or because breast-feeding delays exposure to other etiologic agents in the diet. Afterwards, the same results were found in several studies but the role of breast milk in the development of DM1, is still subject to controversy. In 1992, Karjalainen et al., compared the blood serum of subjects with and without DM1 and they observed a higher concentration of anti-bovine albumin antibodies among diabetic subjects. The authors suggested that bovine albumin could act as a trigger of the destructive process of the pancreas and, in this way, lead to diabetes; discordant results have been observed in the literature since then. In this paper, we summarise and discuss the results found in different studies on dietary factors and DM1.
Diabetes mellitus-insulin dependent; Milk; Breast-feeding; Diabetes mellitus, epidemiology
