Risk factors for dibetes 1: Although the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, genetic factors likely play a role. Your risk of developing type 1 diabetes increases if you have a relative who has type 1 diabetes.

Environmental factors such as exposure to a viral illness, also play some role in type 1 diabetes. Other factors that increase your risk include:  the presence of damaging immune system cells that make auto antibodies. Sometimes family members of people with type 1 diabetes are tested for the presence of diabetes auto antibodies. If you have these auto antibodies, you have an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes. But, not everyone who has these auto antibodies develops type 1.

A number of dietary factors have been linked to an increased risk of type 1 diabetes such as low vitamin D consumption; early exposure to cow’s milk or cow’s milk formula; or exposure to cereals before 4 months of age. However, none of these factors has been shown to cause type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is more common in whites than in other races.

Ends