A Swedish study just published shows stress in children ages 3-14 have a higher risk for Diabetes type I. Data revealed a 3 x greater risk for developing childhood Diabetes.

It is well-known that stress has negative effects on the body especially by increasing cortisol levels. A legion of illnesses in adults surface with emotional strain. Stress exposures were measured in over 16,000 children and defined by a death, divorce separation, conflict in home, severe accident. finding revealed stress brings out diabetes type I. Type I also called juvenile Diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the pancreas cells (beta cells) that make insulin. Insulin breaks down sugars the body takes in or makes or other substances.

Hereditary factors can play a role in some people with Type I Diabetes but both parents have to pass gene to child. Many people at risk do not get the disease, hence environmental factors like stress, cold weather, diet, viruses  seem to precipitate it happening. Children who were breast feed and those that ate solid food at a later age seem not to get juvenile Diabetes. The importance of environment is brought out by the fact that in twins with inherited genes, one got Diabetes other did not. This illness is more common in whites. Want to learn more?