
06/12/2022
🎯 Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin is the hormone that helps the body move glucose (sugar) from the blood into the body's cells. The cause of Type 1 diabetes is unknown. It is not linked to modifiable lifestyle factors. There is no cure and no way to prevent it (yet!).
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed early in life and it represents about 10-15% of all cases of diagnosed diabetes.
T1DM is managed with insulin injections several times a day or the use of an insulin pump.
❔So how can a dietitian help with T1DM❔
🎯 Type 1 diabetics can improve their blood sugar control by matching the amount of insulin they inject to the amount of carbohydrate they consume. This is quite an art, which requires education and lots of practice! A dietitian can help with this.
Carbohydrate counting and other demands of managing diabetes can create anxiety and stress which pose challenges to mental health and elevate individuals' risk of developing an eating disorder. A dietitian can provide a safe space to discuss concerns about energy and nutrient intake, metabolism and medication.
🎯 Nutrient intake and timing can be optimized for each individual just the same as it would for someone without diabetes. A low carbohydrate eating pattern can be an option for adults with T1DM who don't have additional needs (e.g. pregnancy, breastfeeding, malnutrition) but, unlike in T2DM, no dietary or lifestyle intervention can reverse T1DM.
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