Category: Taking Control of My Health

  • NEWSFLASH!

    NEWSFLASH!

    The Fight-Flight Response Is Connected To Beta Cell Creation And Destruction

    The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

    Summary:  Recent research confirms a link between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and pancreatic beta cell function in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), validating the impact of stress and distress on beta cell destruction and regeneration. Addressing chronic stress and promoting relaxation may potentially aid beta cell regeneration in T1D management.

    The Relationship Between The Autonomic Nervous System And The Pancreas

    Wow, wow, wow!  I have just come across a research article that has blown my mind and I just had to share it with you!

    I found an article in the scientific literature that has confirmed a hunch I have about the development (and maintenance) of Type 1 Diabetes.  The article is entitled ‘Relationships between the Autonomic Nervous System and the Pancreas including Regulation of Regeneration and Apoptosis: Recent Developments’.  It can be found in the  journal ‘Pancreas’ (find the article here) . Fun title, eh?!  Haha!

    First, just a quick glossary for those that need it (like I did about ten minutes ago!!):

    Regeneration = creation of new cells

    Apoptosis = cell death

    What is so amazing for me about this article is that it has confirmed to me for the first time in the scientific literature that there is a link between the fight-or-flight response of the autonomic nervous system and the creation and destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.  MY INTUITION WAS RIGHT!! As I suspected…  

    Therefore, I am right to believe that sufficient trauma can result in destruction of insulin-producing cells, which would result in the development of T1D.  Then, if the body gets stuck in a fight-or-flight response – either it doesn’t process that the trauma has passed OR the trauma is ongoing or chronic – the status of T1D is maintained in the body.  

    In other words, the body continually tells the pancreatic cells to stayed destroyed and not be regenerated because the autonomic nervous system is saying that there is something dangerous out there that the body needs to be ready for.  So now the question becomes…  If I find a way to tell the body (and mind and soul) that the threat is over and I am now safe, will the pancreas then regenerate beta cells and thus start producing insulin again?

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      Picture of Natalie Leader
      Natalie Leader

      Natalie is a blogger with Type 1 Diabetes. Natalie’s special gifts are questioning the status quo and being a rebel. She is using these gifts to question medical ‘knowledge’ and find a true cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

      The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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    • MORE Spontaneous Remissions from Type 1 Diabetes!

      MORE Spontaneous Remissions from Type 1 Diabetes!

      History Is Scattered With Examples Of Healing From Type 1 Diabetes

      The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
      healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

      Summary: Following my blog post on the spontaneous healing of Type 1 Diabetes by Daniel Darkes, the author has found more examples.  These include that of Johan Kotze’s remission, alongside a case study published in an academic journal and a chapter about healing diabetes in a book on spontaneous remissions. Despite gaps in medical documentation, these instances inspire hope and challenge conventional treatment beliefs about healing T1D.

      Since writing my blog post on Daniel Darkes, I have witnessed a large amount of you visiting my blog specifically to look at that page.  It heartens  me to see just how many people believe in the power of healing, particularly for Type 1 Diabetes.  Hoping to further fuel this hope and motivation, I have scoured all my sources to come up with a further list of spontaneous remissions from Type 1 Diabetes.  It appears that Daniel Darkest is not alone in this feat!

      Just to explain…  I have omitted any case studies of remission that, for me, could be considered the normal honeymoon phase of Type 1 Diabetes.  The honeymoon is a fairly robust phenomenon in the development of T1D, where endogenous insulin production reverts to more normal levels after the initial diagnosis of T1D.  This period usually last for a few weeks or months, up to a year.  Therefore, I have excluded all cases that went into remission in under a year from diagnosis.

      Johan Kotze

      I came across information about Johan Kotze from diabetes.co.uk.  In September 2017, they published this article.  The article has a good amount of information on Johan Kotze’s spontaneous remission and lifestyle at that time.  Johan Kotze was 46 when diagnosed with diabetes and was healed three and a half years later.  

      There were three key points for me in this example.  Firstly, like Daniel Darkes, Johan Kotze also treated his diabetes with Lantus and Novorapid.  Secondly, again like Daniel Darkes, Johan’s spontaneous remission followed a period of intensive exercise, which included undertaking a Tough Mudder and attending weekly circuit classes.  He still exercises for at least an hour a day and has been maintaining that level of exercise for at least three years.  Thirdly, also like Daniel Darkes, he follows a low-carbohydrate diet with a lot of fish, vegetables and salad.  He mentions eating flaxseed.  Daniel Darkes eats a fair amount of nuts.

      Spontaneous Complete Remission Of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus In An Adult

      This case study has been published in a peer-reviewed journal so holds some credence.  It documents the case of a 32-year-old female diagnosed with T1D.  She initially presented with diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) and an HbA1c of 12.7%.  Her GAD65 antibody test was 0.09 nmol/L, which is consistent with the autoimmune reaction of T1D.    After an initially consistent basal-bolus regimen (insulins are unspecified) for four months, she was detained in prison.  For reasons that are unclear, she was not supplied with insulin whilst in prison.  However, she did not develop high blood sugars or DKA.  Ten months later, 14 months after diagnosis, she was released from prison and followed up with her doctor.  Her HbA1c was 5.6% and her fasting glucose was in the normal range.

      Spontaneous Remission: An Annotated Bibliography By Brendan O’Regan And Caryle Hirshberg

      This volume is a tome of a book!!  This book contains an extensive documentation of spontaneous remissions for all known medical diseases.  Chapter 12 focuses on remissions of endocrine diseases, inter alia, and contains four case studies for diabetes mellitus.  Now the thing to note here is that diabetes mellitus can refer to both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.  This book does not clearly label which type of diabetes each case study had so any conclusions drawn from this volume for Type 1 Diabetes can only be tentative.  Furthermore, the case studies show relatively short periods of diabetes (between a few days and maximum two years) so I am not sure that these can be truly classified as complete remissions of Type 1 Diabetes.

      I suspect that this list is a mere fraction of the amount of spontaneous healings from T1D.  From my interest in spontaneous remissions from cancer, I got the impression that the majority of people who recover are those that no longer rely solely on the Western medical model or indeed do not engage with it at all.  Therefore, the likelihood of the healing appearing in a medical journal, written by medical professionals, is pretty low.  For those that do present in medical settings, I suspect that doctors will also not be particularly willing to write up these examples because they cannot explain them using the existing medical models.  Writing the case studies up therefore undermines the doctors’ very training.

      Whether or not we witness numerous examples of healing form Type 1 Diabetes in the literature, the cases of Daniel Darkes and Johan Kotze are, in themselves, sufficient to persuade us that it is possible.  And that’s really all I kneed to know to get on with my healing journey!

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        Picture of Natalie Leader
        Natalie Leader

        Natalie is a blogger with Type 1 Diabetes. Natalie’s special gifts are questioning the status quo and being a rebel. She is using these gifts to question medical ‘knowledge’ and find a true cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

        The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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      • Dairy Causes Mental Health Issues

        Dairy Causes Mental Health Issues

        Food Choices Can Impact All Levels Of Health

        The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
        healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

        Summary: Discovering a dairy intolerance at the age of 41 reshaped my understanding of its effects beyond digestion. After moving to the Middle East, reducing my dairy intake lowered my mood swings and energy dips, thus revealing a surprising link between dairy and emotional stability. Exploring casein’s role, I ponder its broader implications, including its possible influence on Type 1 Diabetes. Camel’s milk emerges as an alternative with unique benefits but watch for initial blood sugar spikes and potential weight gain.

        I LOVE chocolate.  And a nice french brie.  And milk on my cereal.  And…  Well, dairy!!  

        However, the last couple of months have been a great learning curve for me.  At 41 years of age, I have FINALLY discovered that I’m dairy intolerant!  It would have been nice to discover I’m a secret millionaire but I guess I’ll have to settle for this insight instead!!

        Unlike the majority of people who have issues with dairy, I have little to no digestive problems.  I have no bloating, no diarrhoea, no nausea, no stomach cramps or pains.  In fact, my digestive tract always appears to be sincerely contented.  What was not contented, though, was my mood…

        Dairy Impacts Mood Stability

        healing curing type 1 diabetes naturallyDairy affects my mood?!  I never knew this!!  When I moved to the Middle East six months ago, the amount of dairy in my diet dropped considerably.  I just didn’t find it so readily available out here.  I didn’t really notice how little of it I was eating until I moved into our new home and started reverting to my old way of eating.  And, boy, did I get angry…  And moody…  And crabby…  And exhausted…  And tearful…  And snarky…  And, frankly, depressed.

        But was this really a thing??  Having family members with debilitating IBS, which was always worse with dairy consumption, I thought I knew all there was to know about reactions to dairy.  But it turns out that I didn’t know!  So I did what all people lacking knowledge do… I hit Google!!  And here is what I discovered…

        Dairy’s Impacts On The Brain

        The first thing I tripped across in my Google search was an article in the New York Post entitled “Your cheese addiction could be making you an emotional wreck“.  It referenced a nutritional therapist Kay Ali, who stated that the protein ‘casein’, which is found in dairy, is associated with increased inflammation in the brain.  This inflammation can then lead to depression.  

        I found this insight really interesting.  The article did not reference any academic literature so I took to the academic journals to find out more.  Unfortunately, I could not find anything to support this conclusion.  Instead, I found an article suggesting that milk casein can improve stress in a mouse model of human behaviour.  So the jury’s out on the association between dairy, inflammation and depression  at the moment.

        Whilst unsupported, this article did give me food for thought (pun intended!).  My experience of mood swings as a result of eating dairy foodstuffs is not isolated.  Anecdotal evidence of this link abounds with bloggers like ‘Danny + Mara‘ and Heather McGlees from ‘One Green Planet’ also highlighting the same issue.

        I thought I had been suffering from unexplainable anxiety and depression for years.  I would be feeling that I was making progress, feeling better and more optimistic about myself and life, then my mood would inexplicably crash down around my ankles again.  It was hard, hard work.  I attended therapy for years and worked on myself, both inside and outside the therapy room, for a long time.  But this unpredictable oscillation in mood never abated and I ended up concluding that it must just be some randomness in me that I just needed to learn to live with.  That is not the case for me anymore.  I have done my therapeutic work and I have untied the knots in my psyche.  Now that I have this final piece of the puzzle, I no longer consider myself to have mental health issues.  I can now say (and truly believe myself when I say it!!) that I am ‘mentally healthy’ (even though I hate labels!!).

        A1 Beta-Casein And Type 1 Diabetes

        The nutritional therapist Kay Ali (referenced above) specifically mentioned that it is the protein ‘casein’ that is associated with increased inflammation, and therefore depression, in the brain.  This is worth repeating  for emphasis because I think it holds something highly valuable for me on my healing journey. 

        I first learnt about casein when I became pregnant with my daughter in 2013.  At that time, I researched factors that may affect the potential development of Type 1 Diabetes in children.  Type 1 Diabetes has a strong genetic inheritance in the female side of my family so I wanted to do what I could to prevent and/or delay any onset in my daughter.  I found a series of articles that highlighted how the protein A1 beta-casein, found in cow’s milk, can be a triggering factor for T1D in individuals with genetic susceptibilities [see this article  and this article as examples].  Therefore, for the first six months of my daughter’s life, I gave her no dairy, neither through my breast milk nor through top-up feeds of formula milk (I found a dairy-free version to give her instead).

        Encountering casein in a different yet still T1D-relevant context now leaves me wondering about a potential, more general link between dairy intolerance (A1 beta-casein intolerance…?) and T1D.  Is my body telling me to lay off the dairy because of a body-wide intolerance to it…?  As of now, I just don’t know the answer to this.  But I do know that dairy does not suit me, so the avoidance of it in my diet makes sense to me anyway.

        BONUS: Camel Milk!

        healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
        Image by Pete 😀 from Pixabay

        So what if you are thinking of giving up cow’s milk but you really, really like a cup of tea or coffee with milk?  Or if you can’t do without that bowl of cereal and milk in the morning?  I have an answer  for you…  Camel’s milk!

        Camel milk lacks the beta-casein that cow’s milk contains.  So this is a great substitute for avoiding the whole beta-casein issue.  But, the superpowers of camel’s milk seem to also go beyond this…

        Agrawal and colleagues have undertaken extensive research on the impact of camel’s milk on glycaemic control for patients with Type 1 Diabetes.  They have found that camel’s milk is safe and can be used to improve long-term glycaemic control, as evidenced by improved HbA1c’s and reduced doses of insulin (see herehere, and here!).  It appears that this may be attributable to the fact that camel’s milk contains protein that have a structure similar to insulin molecules and this similarity may be responsible for the significant impacts on blood sugar levels.  Furthermore, for new Type 1 Diabetics, consumption of camel’s milk seemed to aid the maintenance of residual beta-cell function.

        What I found particularly interesting was, in this study, it was found that C-peptide levels (used by doctors as an indication of type 1 diabetes – a low level indicates a Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis) were markedly higher in subjects who regularly consumed camel’s milk.  In fact, those T1Ds that consumed camel milk had, by the end of 16 weeks, C-peptide levels that were equivalent to non-diabetics!!

        And all this was achieved purely by drinking 500 ml of camel’s milk per day.  Not bad, eh?!

        Words Of Warning…

        With such beneficial effects appearing achievable with camel’s milk, I thought I would give it a go.  I have to say that, for the first few days, my blood sugars SOARED with the addition of camel’s milk in my diet.  Whilst it may have good long-term consequences for diabetes management, in the short-term, it has been playing havoc with my blood sugar control.  This has meant I have had to increase my insulin doses.  I hope, as time goes on, I will start to witness the build-up of beneficial effects but these early days have no been without consequences!  The studies appeared to be undertaken over periods of three months or longer so I wonder if this may be more of a long-term effect.

        Furthermore, I noticed that a large number of these studies on camel’s milk showed a statistically significant increase in the Body Mass Index (BMI) of the study participants.  Therefore, the extra calories consumed with the camel’s milk appear to cause weight gain.  This has left me with two thoughts.  Firstly, this is obviously not ideal when I want to decrease my insulin requirements since excess weight increases insulin resistance and therefore is unlikely to regress complete healing. 

        Secondly, these studies, whilst demonstrating weight gain in the participants, still showed a marked decrease in total insulin intake.  Therefore, even with additional weight gain, camel’s milk (assuming all other variables, such as the Hawthorne Effect, were adequately controlled for) drastically improves insulin sensitivity.  That suggests to me that it has a very robust and extremely powerful effect on blood sugars.  Therefore, I am starting with smaller quantities of camel’s milk and will be working up to consuming the full 500 ml per day.

        healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
        healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

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          Picture of Natalie Leader
          Natalie Leader

          Natalie is a blogger with Type 1 Diabetes. Natalie’s special gifts are questioning the status quo and being a rebel. She is using these gifts to question medical ‘knowledge’ and find a true cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

          The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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        • How Did You Develop Diabetes?

          How Did You Develop Diabetes?

          Sharing Knowledge Helps Everyone Heal

          The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
          healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

          Summary: Seeking to uncover shared insights among those with diabetes, I invite stories on diabetes origins and emotional climates at diagnosis. Reflecting on my own childhood and familial dynamics, I explore possible emotional triggers. Join me in building a collective understanding of this condition’s roots and potential pathways to healing. Share your story below.

          I truly believe that, as a community of diabetics, we have the collective knowledge to be able to heal this condition.  I believe we already have the answer, if only we truly look at what we already know.

          With that thought in mind, I would really like to start collating the stories of diabetes.  How did you develop it?  What does your intuition say caused it?  As I’ve been reading more and more on the human body and the impact of consciousness, I would also really like to know about the emotional climate that you were in at the time it happened.  What were you feeling?  Which emotions were floating around your environment at the time?  What is your story?

          If you feel able to share, please do so below in the comments.  I will then watch out for themes and see if I can gather more clues on the pattern or patterns that push diabetes into existence in each of us.

          I’ll go first…  

          I was diagnosed with diabetes at 17 months of age.  I had been a healthy baby with generally robust health prior to my diagnosis.  I was born into a family with an older brother and my two parents, who were married and provided a stable family environment.  My father had a stable job with fairly long hours but was a present and loving father.  My mother also worked part-time as a secretary from home and had to return to that job two weeks after I was born.  I know that my mother found it difficult to juggle my older brother, myself and her work.  By the time I was one year old, she was struggling greatly and therefore couldn’t be present as a mother as much as she wanted to.  I suspect that, as such a young child, I would have felt abandoned and angry and feeling a great loss at the relative absences of my hard-working mother and father.  I did not suffer any huge traumas at that time.  However, I do know that my mother had suffered a huge loss when she was 17 months of age, which I believe was never fully processed.  As such, I am also wondering about the impact of multigenerational traumas in this process too.  

          I’d love to hear your stories!  What elements do we all share?  If you can, please leave your story below in the comments and let’s build the answer together…

          GET HEALINGT1D’S FUTURE ARTICLES IN YOUR INBOX!

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            Picture of Natalie Leader
            Natalie Leader

            Natalie is a blogger with Type 1 Diabetes. Natalie’s special gifts are questioning the status quo and being a rebel. She is using these gifts to question medical ‘knowledge’ and find a true cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

            The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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          • Healing Attention Deficit Disorder

            Healing Attention Deficit Disorder

            Green Tea, Classical Music and Walks In Nature

            The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
            The Hormone and Neurotransmitter Dopamine
            The Neurotransmitter Dopamine

            Summary: The author explores how dopamine fluctuations, resulting from swinging blood sugars, impacts her ADHD-like symptoms. She links insulin levels to dopamine regulation, noting sugar’s role in affecting mood and motivation. To heal her ADHD symptoms naturally, the author adopts green tea for dopamine, classical music for focus, and nature walks for exercise and emotional balance.

            I’m having one of those diabetes days…  As I’m sitting here trying to write this, my blood sugars keep dropping.  Oh, but wait…  They’re up, they’re in range!  Oh nope, they’re not.  Down again.  Yep, yep, got them up… Oh no, I haven’t!  Ah, made it!  At last, I’m back on point…!!  So, anyways…  Back to Healing ADD!

            As I discussed in my last blog post, I believe that I’ve got Inattentive ADD (although I’ve not been officially diagnosed with it).  Dr. Amen discusses in his book ‘Healing ADD’ how ‘dopamine is generally considered the neurotransmitter involved in Inattentive ADD’ (Amen, 2013 p. 104).

            What Is Dopamine?

            The classic introduction to Dopamine usually includes a spiel about how it is a neurotransmitter, how it works in the brain to enable a person to focus and how it gives a person motivation, desire and drive to achieve a task.  Even this preliminary information is still useful to me.  Taking Dr Amen’s view that dopamine is involved in ADD, it is easy for me to understand why my motivation is erratic at best and completely absent at worst.

            The Other Side Of Dopamine

            Knowing that dopamine is impacting my motivation towards healing is all well and good but, for me, that isn’t the full picture.  As I already discussed in my post on Candace Pert’s neuroscientific work, there is no clear distinction between the ‘neurotransmitters’ of the brain (which Dopamine is classed as) and the ‘hormones’ of the body.  Instead, our body consists of peptides that link communication and action between the nervous, endocrine and immune systems.  Indeed, researchers now seem to be garnering support for Candace Pert’s theory…

            The Link Between Insulin And Dopamine

            I was interested to find a preliminary study conducted in 2007 by a group of researchers at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center that identified insulin as having an important role in the dopamine pathways in the brain

            This study showed that, when insulin levels are low in the brain (which occurs when a diabetic has high blood sugar levels), the dopamine pathways in the brain is unable to produce normal levels of dopamine.  I would therefore anticipate that, when a diabetic has higher than non-diabetic blood sugar levels (which occurs for most diabetics after every carbohydrate-based meal), dopamine is suppressed and ADD symptoms are likely to be present.

            So, as a diabetic with unnaturally oscillating blood sugars, it’s a double whammy.  If my blood sugars are out of whack, my dopamine levels are too and my motivation goes down the plughole.  So then trying to get motivated to get my sugars back in range is all that bit harder!  So how do I square this circle??

            Sugar And ADD

            healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
            Sugar Can Give A Quick Boost To Dopamine Levels But Can Leave Naturally Occurring Dopamine Levels Depleted in the Longer Term [Image by Myriam Zilles from Pixabay]
            I believe that, the majority of time, my dopamine must be depleted.  I spend more of my time lacking in enthusiasm and energy, rather than hyperactive and overzealous (although that does occasionally happen too!).  Something I also contend with on a daily basis is my cravings for sugar.  I crave sugar all the time!  And now I understand how these two facts are related…

            Sugar provides an exogenous method for increasing dopamine levels in my system.  When I eat something sugary, my brain lights up with increased dopamine levels and I get back in my groove.  So every time I reach for a piece of chocolate, a slice of cake or some other sugar-rich food, I am finding a way to increase my depleted dopamine levels.  But each additional sugar feeding also leads to weight gain.  Indeed, it has been found that obese people have a five to ten times increased rate of ADHD than the general population.

            As if that isn’t bad enough, each time I eat sugar, I am increasing dopamine levels in my system artificially, by outside means.  Therefore, my brain is learning that it needs to make less dopamine endogenously because the sugar will be along soon to increase dopamine again.  And so the vicious cycle begins…  Dopamine levels are low in my brain, my system waits for the sugar, I eat the sugar, my brain learns it doesn’t need to manufacture its own and therefore makes even less!

            How Can I Heal My ADD Naturally?

            If I can find a way to naturally increase my dopamine levels, then my ADD is (or at least its symptoms are) likely to reduce or disappear.  Having just discussed the benefits of removing sugar (something I did successfully during my Whole30 challenge), eliminating sugar in my diet seems like an obvious first step.  But my intuition is saying no to this.

            I have eaten a low-carbohydrate diet for periods of my life with success but the longest I have ever achieved was seven months.  Then, Christmas came along and the deprivation I felt at not being able to eat the foods I loved was too great.  Every time I have tried to eat low-carb since then, the same thing always happens.

            In order to achieve great healing, both physically and emotionally, I personally need to do something that does not feel so punitive or restrictive to me.  Please don’t misunderstand me…  I know of several diabetics that are hugely successful long-term with low-carbohydrate eating and it brings great quality to their lives.  I have great respect for their way of life.  But I also believe that healing is a very individual journey and you have to respond to what feels right for you as an individual.  I know that I need an alternative to low-carbing.

            healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
            Low-Carbing Can Be Very Effective for Blood Sugar Control, But It’s Not Right For Me! [Image by RitaE from Pixabay]

            Initial Steps To Healing My ADD

            I have a tonne of ideas about where to start with healing my ADD.  But, if I’ve picked anything at all up from my reading in this area, I really think, for now (and ever after!), I need to start small.  My usual plan is to go in with everything at the same time and then give up or stop with exhaustion within a month. 

            The Journey of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step

            And most importantly…

            What can I commit to now that I will be able to continue to do in the future?

            To work out what to do to heal my ADD, I want to tap into my intuition, my inner wisdom.  I am sure that my path to healing is already known within me, I just have to listen to it.  For now, I am going to focus on only three simple things.  These are my first three steps on a road of a thousand miles…

            1. Green Tea

            healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
            Green tea contains the amino acid L-Theanine, which is a building block for dopamine in the brain. [Image by Owen Carver from Pixabay]

            My gut instinct is still telling me that Kelly Turner’s research (see my post here) has tapped into the inherent mechanism by which the body heals from any health issue, not just cancer.  So I wish to try to use her strategies where possible.  Therefore, a first easy step for me is to take follow her protocol to take some herbs and/or supplements.  But which ones?

            I want to start small yet consistent and I feel that a cup of green tea each morning, before I have breakfast, fulfils those requirements.  Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine.  L-theanine not only has a direct effect on your mental alertness, enabling your to relax, but L-theanine is also a building block for dopamine in the brain.  All from a good old cup of tea! 

            2. Listen To Classical Music

            healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
            Listening to Classical Music Increases Dopamine Levels in the Brain [Image by Jiradet Inrungruang from Pixabay]

            I found a piece of  neuroscientific research that found that  classical music increases dopamine production in the brain.  

            I am not an expert on classical music, let alone its effects on my brain(!), so I was unsure which pieces of classical music should be on my playlist.  Thankfully, the experts over at the ADDitude blog have already put together a list of suitable music!  

            I have uploaded it onto Spotify as a playlist and called it ‘Classical Music for ADHD’.  I am going to hit the play button for 30 minutes every weekday morning as I get ready for my day and hopefully my dopamine levels will rise beautifully!

            3. Get Out In Nature

            healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
            Walking in Nature Increases Dopamine Levels Both Through the Exercise And Also Through The Environment [Image by Valiphotos from Pixabay]

            I love nature and really don’t need any excuse to get out in it!  Life is always busy and I guess I don’t prioritise doing this as much as I would like to.  This one is on my list of action items for multiple reasons.

            Firstly, I feel good in nature.  Kelly Turner emphasises the need to increase positive emotions and reduce negative emotions as part of your healing journey.  Nature does this for me.

            Secondly, multiple studies highlight the direct link between exercise and increased dopamine levels.  So walking in nature also ticks this box.

            Thirdly, this one feels so intuitively right (although, at the moment, it’s a sweltering 30-degrees plus out my window and a part of me just wants to run and hide in a deep freezer rather than go out and walk!!).  Therefore, I am going to commit to walking for at least 15 minutes in nature five days each week.  Ideally, I would like to do 30 minutes but I want to make sure it is achievable rather than setting myself up to fail.

            A Helping Hand…

            healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
            Until My Natural Dopamine Levels Have Re-Established Themselves, I Will Reach Out To Others’ For Help and Motivation [Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay]

            I discussed above about the vicious cycle that is set up in ADHD where a depletion of dopamine causes you to lack the motivation necessary to make the changes that will lead to you increasing your dopamine.  For example, lacking motivation means that you won’t go for that great twenty-minute run that will naturally increase your dopamine.  I really struggle with this lack of motivation and therefore I am desperate to find a way to solve this Gordian Knot.  And I think I may have found the answer…

            Accountability Buddies!

            Until I have been doing my dopamine-focussed tasks and activities long enough to have built up a more-naturally-occurring dopamine supply in my system, my motivation is likely to be sporadic or non-existent.  So I am going to have to rely on the dopamine, and resulting motivation, of others!!  My husband is going to be my main buddy in this but I will also be recruiting my friends into this (unbeknownst to them!).  This will particularly be required for getting out in nature.

            Drinking my green tea should be fairly straightforward.  I have linked it to my first meal of the day.  I have put my teacup on top of the plate I usually have for breakfast so hopefully that will work!

            Listening to classical music for thirty minutes should be the easiest.  I have asked my Amazon Alexa to play my ‘Classical Music for ADHD’ playlist at 8am each morning.  So there are no excuses for that one!

            Let’s see how this goes!

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              Picture of Natalie Leader
              Natalie Leader

              Natalie is a blogger with Type 1 Diabetes. Natalie’s special gifts are questioning the status quo and being a rebel. She is using these gifts to question medical ‘knowledge’ and find a true cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

              The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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            • The Relationship between ADHD and Type 1 Diabetes

              The Relationship between ADHD and Type 1 Diabetes

              Losing Keys, Forgetting Appointments And Being Easily Overwhelmed

              The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
              healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
              “You’re such a failure!”
              Summary: The author reflects on personal challenges, admitting to a struggle with consistency in projects and health habits, exacerbated by a recent decline in blog activity and overall commitment. Exploring a potential diagnosis of ADHD, there’s recognition of symptoms like inattention and impulsivity affecting daily life and health goals. Future focus aims at addressing these challenges for personal growth and healing.

              I am failing and need to re-group.

              There, I said it.  That’s not an easy one to type and admit to myself, let alone publish to the world!  I don’t like failing.  It doesn’t come easily to me.  But I seem to do it fairly often.  I start projects but I don’t finish them.

              All.  The.  Time.  

              My blog posts have fallen in regularity.  My commitment to the cause has waned a bit.  My behaviours are certainly not reflecting my aspirations for my blog.  My sleep routine isn’t good.  I am not eating clean, now that I’m no longer on Whole30.  I have still been reading and thinking and plotting my healing escapades but, whilst I’ve been doing this, another part of me has been feeling that there’s just not much point to even trying.  Because I never follow through.  Not long-term, anyway.

              healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

              I think I may have stumbled upon an answer that is the next step in my healing journey.

              The Blessing of a Friend

              healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

              Quite by chance (or what I would call synchronicity), I met up with a friend for a socially-distanced walk in our local park.  As we got to chatting, he described to me his relief at finally being diagnosed with ADHD.   He then listed out the behaviours that had been identified as being part of his ADHD symptomology and I became quite stunned…  He was describing me!   

              I know that DIY diagnoses are not exactly a robust way of diagnosing anything…  Like those moments when you’ve been waiting for some test results at the doctor and take to Googling your symptoms only to conclude that you must, at the very least, have a life-threatening condition in immediate need of multiple surgeries!!

              However, I am not without knowledge in this field.  I have a psychology degree and training in psychotherapy behind me, so I have an idea of what I’m looking at when I traipse into the diagnostic field.

              I Think I Have AD(H)D

              I think I have ADHD.  Well, ADD… The hyperactivity bit isn’t (usually) apparent (okay, maybe sometimes at 11.30pm at night when I really should be going to bed and not starting my to-do list because I’m bursting with energy and feel I could accomplish it all in the next fifteen minutes!!

              Or

              … when I insist that that job (whatever that job may be at any moment in my mind) MUST be done right now!  Like, RIGHT NOW!  I’VE BEEN DOING IT THREE MINUTES, WHY ISN’T IT DONE ALREADY?????

              Or

              … when I get into bed at night and suddenly decide it’s the best moment to insist on having a deep and meaningful heart-to-heart or philosophical debate or discussion of some theoretical construct I’ve just read about with my desperately tired husband.  Or a tickle fight.

              Or

              … a pillow fight.

              Or…!!

              Okay, so maybe I do have some hyperactivity symptoms too!!

              Diagnosing AD(H)D

              I dug further and consulted the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (known fondly by ‘those-in-the-know’ as the DSM-V).  It is one of the two main manuals that psychiatrists and psychologists use to diagnose a whole host of mental disorders, including ADHD.

              The full list of criteria that are used to diagnose ADHD is pretty extensive and is divided into two main criteria: those for inattention and those for hyperactivity and impulsivity.  In order to be diagnosed, you have to have six or more of the symptoms in one of these two groups.  Whilst I do have some obvious hyperactivity and/or impulsivity challenges, I believe the majority of my symptoms fall under the ‘inattention’ sub-heading:

              • I have markedly reduced processing speed (a clinical psychologist I once worked with undertook a WAIS intelligence test on me and found that I had a verbal comprehension score on the 99.6th percentile, perceptual organisation of 95.3%, working memory of 93.7% but a processing speed of only 63.1%)
              • I often have trouble holding attention on the tasks I do.  I get a bit of a way through a task and then divert off to something else.  At the end of a day in my house, I can easily find ten to twenty unfinished jobs that I started!
              • I often don’t seem to listen when spoken to directly (I’m often too busy listening to my own thoughts and responses!)
              • I often don’t finish my chores (like, ever!)
              • I often have trouble organising tasks and activities…  Turning up to anything on-time is a challenge.  Being given a big task, which has multiple sub-tasks to complete it, leaves me lost and confused about where to start.
              • I can get easily overwhelmed by normal life circumstances…  Three simple things to do in my day can cause me to collapse on the floor in a heap.
              • I am often forgetful in daily activities – appointments, things I promised to give to friends, evening meet-ups, items for my daughter for school and so on.  I’m pretty much guaranteed to forget these, despite me trying everything to remember them.
              • I often lose my keys (at least twice a week, despite trying to only ever put them in my handbag!!)
              • It takes me so, so, so much effort to finish reading a book.  Mostly I give up.  And that’s for something I’m actually interested in.  There’s absolutely no chance when I’m not interested!
              • But, on the flip of that, when I am super-interested in something (hello, Twilight saga books!!), I become hyper-focused on it to the detriment of the rest of my life.  This happened to me with the Twilight saga books….  When I found those, my husband described himself as a widower for the ten days it took me to read them!!
              • I struggle to go to social events with more than two other people.  Not because I don’t enjoy them but because I struggle to focus on the conversation in front of me, rather than all of the distracting background noise, movement etc.
              • I often forget the most basic of information.  Send me to a supermarket with three things to buy and, at best, I’ll remember only two of them.

               

              Dr Amen’s 7 Types of ADD

              healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

              It would appear that the DSM V’s neat delineation between either having ADHD (with a substantial amount of hyperactivity) or ADD (with little to no hyperactivity)  is not that clear-cut.

              Dr. Daniel Amen is a neuropsychiatrist with a vast experience in treating those with ADD.  He uses a particular kind of brain imaging, called Brain SPECT Imaging, which creates three-dimensional models of the brain and demonstrates the level of functioning in different brain regions.  By studying more than 1700,000 people with ADHD and other psychiatric disorders, Dr. Amen discusses in his book ‘Healing ADD‘ that there are in fact seven different types of ADD:

              Dr Amen’s Seven Types of ADD

              Is There A Link Between Type 1 Diabetes and AD(H)D?

              Now, this was the bit that really got me.  I found an article by the  diabetes-focused psychotherapist Eliot LeBow saying that ‘Many people with type 1 diabetes also live with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder…’ and ‘those who were diagnosed before age 17 years have some level of ADHD with predominantly inattentive presentation’.  (This ‘inattentive presentation’ referring to Dr. Amen’s ‘type 2’ form of ADD above.)

              Wow!!  This really resonated with my experience (and self-diagnosis!)!  I dug in further and explored the three references that Eliot cited at the bottom of his article in the journal ‘Endocrine today’…  But then I fell short.  The three articles he cited all referred to the impact of type 1 diabetes on brain development but none of the three articles specifically cited ADHD.  Therefore, the subjects in these studies had not been diagnosed with ADHD per se, even if they exhibited similar cognitive issues.

              As it turns out, the research into the relationship between ADHD and type 1 diabetes is pretty sparse.  This study set about trying to rectify this and found that, in their study cohort at least, ADHD is associated with Type 2 diabetes but not Type 1. a large population-based study in Sweden found that the rate of ADHD, along with a whole host of other psychiatric disorders, was significantly increased in children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the five years prior.

              An Alternative View Of The Relationship Between ADD And Type 1 Diabetes

              When I’m reading published studies in the field of diabetes, I am struck by how often the blood sugar levels of the diabetic participants are not taken into account.  Yes, sometimes a measure of the average blood sugar level is taken by means of the HbA1c but I don’t believe that that is a particularly good indicator of anything.  I have spent years going in for diabetic check-ups to be told that my HbA1c is ‘great’.  However, if you were to ask me about my day-to-day blood sugar levels, it’s often more choppy waters than calm seas!  As a result, my mood, my energy and my motivation fluctuate accordingly.  After all, who wants to work when they don’t feel well?!

              Therefore, I wonder whether the inconclusive findings about any potential correlation between ADD and Type 1 Diabetes might be due to an assumed static position on blood sugar levels.  Perhaps, on the days when your blood sugars just aren’t playing ball and they’re bouncing like they’re on a trampoline, maybe your brain is also likely to not be optimal in its functioning.  However, on the days that you are winning the good fight with your blood sugar levels, maybe your brain functioning is also pretty good.   And no longitudinal or population-based study will pick up that fine detail.  They’re only looking for averages and not the lived experience that the statistics denote.

              To Diagnose Or To Not Diagnose, That Is The Question!

              Whilst the picture feels a bit murky to me, wondering whether I might or might not have ADD and whether diabetics have a high or normal likelihood of having it, one thing has become apparent to me.  I could just pop down to see my local psychologist or psychiatrist to get a diagnosis but I’m left feeling that that probably won’t give me very much.  I know that putting myself on medications to increase my level of functioning is a route I wish to take.  I know that, for some, that choice is most definitely worthwhile and fits with their goals in life.  But, for me, I always worry that medicating myself will just mask the underlying condition that needs resolving and leave me stagnated in a place where the possibility of my body, mind and soul to heal themselves disappears.  I want to try to reach for more than that.

              What I am now seeing in myself are the areas of my functioning that are not particularly strong and need some work or need some support.  At the moment, my sporadic or completely absent motivation is getting in the way of what I need to do on my path to healing.  It’s causing me issues in being able to stay on-track with the nutritional and other changes that I wish to make.  And therefore this is going to be where I will be focusing my energies now.  This is the next bit I need to heal.  And that will be the focus for my next blog post!

              ADHD Pinterest post

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                Picture of Natalie Leader
                Natalie Leader

                Natalie is a blogger with Type 1 Diabetes. Natalie’s special gifts are questioning the status quo and being a rebel. She is using these gifts to question medical ‘knowledge’ and find a true cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

                The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
                Recent Comments:
              • Coronavirus and Type 1 Diabetes

                Coronavirus and Type 1 Diabetes

                Heightened Risks And The Added Need For Stable Control

                The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
                healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
                Coronavirus has spread throughout the world, putting people with Type 1 Diabetes at increased risk.
                Summary: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the author reflects on the heightened risks faced by Type 1 Diabetics, who are more likely to die from the virus than those without diabetes. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels becomes crucial for bolstering immunity. Adjusting routines and embracing self-forgiveness are vital amidst the challenges of managing diabetes during this global crisis.

                Yeah, so this happened…!!  The world has been ransacked and people have been left quaking in their boots by the virus that is not-so-affectionately known as COVID-19.

                It seems like a long time ago now but there was a time when Coronavirus didn’t exist (like, less than a year ago…!!).  In those days, Type 1 Diabetics were ‘just’ battling through their days as best they could with the general level of challenge that this medical condition presents.

                But, for me now, it feels like a whole new level of challenge has entered my life.  I now have my daughter at home permanently (at least for now!) so time has evaporated and my usual life activities are all on hold.  As such, I anticipate that my blogging will be erratic for a while but please know that I haven’t given up.  I will be dropping in here as often as I can to think, write and respond as best I can.

                If I have learnt anything during this time, it is about being gentle.  Gentle with my family and friends in this time of stress and uncertainty.  Gentle with myself by lowering my expectations for both myself and others.  At the moment, it is okay to just aim to be what I am.  Anything else can come later.

                coronavirus type 1 diabetes

                I did, however, want to try to use this moment to put a few thoughts down about the particular challenges of having Type 1 Diabetes in these Coronavirus times.

                Increased Risk Of Death For People With Type 1 Diabetes

                So this is not a heading I ever wanted to write in my blog.  But I think that, at a time like this, honesty and openness about the dangers are important.  If for no other reason, truth can diminish the erratic thoughts that result from out-of-control fear.  They can also offer hope.

                Early on in the pandemic, at least where I am in the UK, the newspapers circulated information about the risks of death from COVID-19 for various medical conditions.  For diabetics, the statistics were stark reading…

                What Are The Most Common Health Conditions Among People Who Die Of COVID-19?

                HEALTH CONDITION % OF TYPE 1 DIABETICS WITH THIS CONDITION
                Cardiovascular Disease
                10.5%
                Diabetes
                7.3%
                Chronic Respiratory Disease
                6.3%
                Hypertension
                6%
                Cancer
                5.6%
                No Health Condition
                0.9%

                So, according to this, once diabetics have contracted COVID-19, their risk of dying from the disease is greater than people suffering from chronic respiratory disease, hypertension and even cancer!  

                It was assumed that people with Type 2 Diabetes were generally more at-risk because they are generally older and also often have co-morbid health conditions, making their overall health poorer than those with Type 1 Diabetes.

                However, a study by the National Health Service in the UK has now published a study that says otherwise…  

                Type 1 Diabetics Three Times As Likely To Die From COVID-19

                As shown in this article by the Guardian newspaper, the NHS has found that those with Type 1 Diabetes are three-and-a-half times more likely to die from Coronavirus than non-diabetics.  Type 2 diabetics are ‘only’ twice as likely (note: that’s still a huge increase!).  Of course, the number of actual deaths of Type 1 diabetics will be substantially lower than Type 2s, since Type 2s are so much more numerous in the population.

                What Is The Takeaway Message?

                COVID-19 is a dangerous virus for those with Type 1 Diabetes.  Once contracted, death is more likely than for other tranches of the population. 

                HOWEVER…

                As I discussed in this blog post, the immune system of Type 1 Diabetics may actually not be compromised.  Only the sub-optimal blood sugar control impacts the immune system.  Therefore, stable blood sugars are our best fight against this disease.  This will enable us to keep our immune system strong and therefore reduce our likelihood of catching COVID-19.  Of course, combining tight blood sugar control with social distancing measures reduces our risks further.

                Easier Said Than Done…?

                Perfect blood sugar control when the world has gone to hell in a hand basket seems like a tall ask!  When your whole routine – the thing our diabetic bodies thrive on – has gone out the window, how is that possible?  

                coronavirus type 1 diabetes

                I have started by establishing a new routine.  My usual exercise routine is gone and has been replaced by a good hour of walking early in the afternoon each day with my husband and daughter.  I have worked out new meal timings that work not only for me but for my family as a whole.  I am accepting that I have gained some weight, which has increased my total daily units.  I accept that I am unlikely to drop this weight whilst under the stress of this pandemic.  And I am learning to forgive myself for the deviations that I inevitably make in my attempts to keep myself as well as I can.

                coronavirus and type 1 diabetes

                GET HEALINGT1D’S FUTURE ARTICLES IN YOUR INBOX!

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                  Picture of Natalie Leader
                  Natalie Leader

                  Natalie is a blogger with Type 1 Diabetes. Natalie’s special gifts are questioning the status quo and being a rebel. She is using these gifts to question medical ‘knowledge’ and find a true cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

                  The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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                • NEWSFLASH!

                  NEWSFLASH!

                  Questioning The Classification of Types of Diabetes

                  The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
                  healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
                  Summary: This newspaper article questions the classification of Type 1 Diabetes into two distinct conditions based on age of diagnosis, highlighting conflicting family cases. It critiques the complexity of diabetes classifications, suggesting potential over-categorization akin to misidentifying plant species. Emotional and historical variables in research are considered, challenging the validity of findings based on snapshots of pancreatic function.

                  So, I was reading this paperthis morning (yes, the actual paper — old school!) and came across an article claiming that Type 1 Diabetes might actually be two different conditions. Intriguing, right?

                  Apparently, researchers publishing in Diabetologia found some big differences between people diagnosed before age seven and those diagnosed after age thirteen.

                  Here’s what they found:

                  • Before age seven → the immune system goes on full attack mode, wiping out insulin-producing beta cells and leaving hardly any insulin production behind. This group was labelled Type 1 Diabetes Endotype 1 (T1DE1).

                  • After age thirteen → a gentler immune response, fewer immune cells attacking the pancreas, and still some functioning insulin-producing cells hanging on. This group became Type 1 Diabetes Endotype 2 (T1DE2).

                  The researchers got especially excited about that second group. Those beta cells weren’t destroyed — just… asleep. Dormant. The idea is that, in future, maybe we could find a way to wake them up.

                  People diagnosed between ages 7 and 12 were a mix of both types. Not as predictable, but still roughly fitting into one camp or the other.

                  So, the takeaway? The scientists from the University of Exeter suggested that future diabetes treatments might need to be tailored differently depending on age at diagnosis. In other words — there might not be a one-size-fits-all cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

                  My Gut Reaction

                  I’ll be honest — something about this doesn’t sit quite right with me.

                  First, I thought about my own family. I was diagnosed at 18 months. My sister at 9. My aunt at 19.

                  So according to this study, our family just happens to conveniently illustrate all three age categories: me as T1DE1, my sister in the “middle mix,” and my aunt as T1DE2.

                  Really? That feels a bit too tidy to be true.

                  Then there’s another layer. The researchers compared their findings with a 2018 Scandinavian study that identified five different subtypes of diabetes — based on things like age of onset, BMI, blood sugar levels, and insulin sensitivity.

                  One of those five matched one of the new endotypes, so now they’re suggesting maybe there are actually six types of Type 1 Diabetes.

                  At this point, my brain is going, Wait, what?

                  When Did Diabetes Get So Complicated?

                  Once upon a time, it was simple. There was juvenile-onset diabetes and adult-onset diabetes.

                  Then scientists realised you could develop the autoimmune kind at any age, so they renamed them Type 1 and Type 2.

                  Easy enough.

                  But then along came Type 1.5 Diabetes (also known as LADA) — autoimmune like Type 1, but slower to progress, like Type 2.

                  And now, if we take into account this new study and the Scandinavian one, the list might look something like this:

                  • Type 1 Endotype 1 Diabetes

                  • Type 1 Endotype 2 Diabetes

                  • Five Scandinavian subtypes

                  • Type 1.5 (LADA) Diabetes

                  • Type 2 Diabetes

                  • MODY Diabetes (which already has 11 subtypes)

                  Nineteen different “types” of diabetes?! My intuition is screaming. Something’s off.

                  It reminds me of how scientists can sometimes mistake different stages of one process for completely different things. Let me explain what I mean.

                  My Little Plant Analogy 🌱

                  Imagine I’m an explorer in a new land.

                  On the first day, I find a plant with two small green leaves and a closed bud. I take a picture and call it Plant One.

                  The next day, I find another plant — same kind of leaves, but this one has a big yellow flower. It’s buzzing with bees and covered in pollen. I take another photo and call it Plant Two.

                  I go home and proudly present my discovery of two exciting new plants… until someone points out that they’re probably just the same plant, one in bud and one in bloom.

                  What if that’s what’s happening here?

                  Maybe T1DE1 and T1DE2 aren’t two different diseases at all — maybe they’re just different points along the same journey.

                  Because here’s something interesting: this study used pancreatic tissue samples from people who died in the 1950s alongside blood samples from people living today. That means they’re comparing snapshots in time — not tracking how diabetes actually evolves within the same person.

                  A static photo doesn’t tell the full story of a living, changing process.

                  And Then There’s Emotion…

                  In my post ‘The Neuroscience of Diabetes’, I talked about how insulin is a neuropeptide — a molecule linked to emotion and brain signalling.

                  So, I have to ask: has anyone in these studies controlled for the emotional state of the people they’re studying? Because emotions directly affect hormonal and metabolic activity.

                  Obviously, the researchers couldn’t possibly know the emotional conditions of people who died in the 1950s. That alone introduces a huge confounding variable.

                  It’s like trying to study the ocean by scooping up a single cup of water and saying, “This is how the sea behaves.”

                  Also… Can We Please Retire the “Beta Cell Burnout” Story?

                  I noticed this study still relies on the Eisenbarth model of diabetes — the old idea that people with Type 1 eventually experience complete beta-cell “burnout.”

                  But as I mentioned in “What Is Type 1 Diabetes?”, newer research shows that beta cells don’t necessarily die off completely. Some hang on. Some recover. Some might even regenerate.

                  So, if that’s true, then defining two “endotypes” based on how many beta cells appear to have burned out feels… well, shaky.

                  Final Thoughts

                  I’m not dismissing this research — it’s fascinating stuff. But I do think we need to stay curious and cautious before we start carving Type 1 Diabetes into dozens of new subtypes.

                  What if instead of multiple diseases, it’s one complex, dynamic condition that looks different depending on age, genetics, environment, and emotion?

                  Maybe it’s not that we need more boxes to put people into — maybe we just need to understand the process better.

                  GET HEALINGT1D’S FUTURE ARTICLES IN YOUR INBOX!

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                    Picture of Natalie Leader
                    Natalie Leader

                    Natalie is a blogger with Type 1 Diabetes. Natalie’s special gifts are questioning the status quo and being a rebel. She is using these gifts to question medical ‘knowledge’ and find a true cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

                    The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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                  • How Does The Quantity and Quality of Sleep Impact Type 1 Diabetes?

                    How Does The Quantity and Quality of Sleep Impact Type 1 Diabetes?

                    More Better Quality Sleep = Better Diabetes Control

                    The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
                    Summary: The post discusses the profound impact of sleep on managing Type 1 Diabetes. It highlights how inadequate sleep reduces insulin sensitivity, exacerbates blood sugar swings, and increases inflammation. Circadian rhythms and sleep quality are crucial, with suggestions to optimise sleep routines and environment. Strategies include managing blue light exposure and even sleeping naked for better quality sleep and health outcomes.

                    Ah, the elixir of sleep!  Like the majority of people I know, I want more of it and better quality too!  I think sleep has become particularly prominent in my mind recently because I have just had the fun of crossing timezones to go on holiday.  Whilst I had a lovely time away, I am now left juggling the resulting jet lag.  I just wish I could be asleep right now!!  

                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

                    Lack of Sleep Decrease Insulin Sensitivity in Type 1 Diabetes

                    I’ve seen this happen SO many times… I’ve had a good night out with friends and stayed up pretty late.  I’ve given my night-time injection as usual and, in the morning, WHAM!  High blood sugars.  I followed all the rules but it just didn’t work.  It sucks.  So I’m fighting high blood sugars for several hours as well as feeling more-than-just-a-bit tired from my night out.  What gives?!

                    It turns out that reduced insulin sensitivity after a poor night’s sleep is an expected physiological phenomenon.  For example, having just one night of four hours of sleep (between 1am and 5am) results in a decrease in insulin sensitivity of between 14-21% the next day! [1]  So, after a night out, my average total daily dose of 18.2 units would need to increase to 20.7-22.0 units!

                    Similarly, one single night of no sleep (hello new parents!!) results in MORE insulin resistance than eating a high-fat diet for SIX MONTHS!! [2]  These effects also seem to be cumulative, with insulin resistance also found to be significantly increased over longer periods of time with reduced sleep. [3]

                    This increased insulin requirement is, of course, not uniform.  I cannot sit down the morning-after-the-night-before and know for sure that if I increase all of my insulin levels by, say, 14% my blood sugars will be spot-on.  What is more likely to happen is that my blood sugars will swing about for most of the day as I try to guess my insulin ratios.  This will then set off a cycle of under- and over-correcting that is likely to further increase my overall insulin dose, beyond the initial 14%, for that day.

                    In short, my blood glucose levels are likely to be doing this (minus the fun!)…!!
                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
                    My Blood Sugars After a Poor Night’s Sleep

                    Sleep and Inflammation

                    Multiple experimental studies have highlighted the link between sleep loss and mediators of inflammation.  These mediators, known as cytokines, are secreted by cells of the immune system and are responsible for regulating levels of inflammation in the human body.

                    Levels of cytokines rise in the bloodstream following sleep deprivation, as demonstrated in both sleep deprivation studies (no sleep) and also in reduced sleep studies (for example, sleeping between 25-50% of the normal sleep requirement) [4].  Whilst these studies indicate that the changes in the levels of basal inflammatory cytokines are subclinical (i.e. not dramatically huge), I believe that these shifts are still likely to contribute to the overall level of chronic inflammation in my diabetic body (see my post on allostatic load for an explanation on how I understand the mechanism by which inflammation builds up in my system).

                    Circadian Rhythms Impact The Immune System

                    Human bodies function on a circadian rhythm.  ‘Circadian rhythm’ is the term used to describe your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.  During any 24-hour period, you are likely to experience times when your body requires sleep more than others.  Over time, with a regular sleeping schedule, your body’s circadian rhythm will match the sleep/wake cycle that you have and you will feel more alert and awake during your days.  Here, then, regularity in the cycle is key.

                    The link between circadian rhythms and the immune system is discussed in detail in this post by the Sleep Doctor.  To summarise, he highlights how, when sleep is irregular or less than the body requires, it disrupts circadian rhythms, which as a knock-on effect on the immune system. [5]

                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

                    Not All Sleep Is Created Equal…?

                    But what time should this cycle take place?  I know I’ve certainly heard of the night owl and the morning lark (and also the joke about the alternative option of the permanently exhausted pigeon!!).  I’ve always thought of myself as a night owl.  In my ideal world, I’d like to be up late and have a good ol’ lie-in every morning, at least beyond all those horrible single-digit hours!! But is that actually good for me?

                    Sleep quality changes as the night progresses.  In the first part of the night, usually from 8pm to midnight, sleep is likely to consist mostly of the deep, restorative sleep known as ‘non-REM sleep’ [6].

                    In the latter part of the night, REM sleep then dominates.  It appears that the switch from mostly non-REM sleep to mostly REM sleep happens at a set time of night, in the early hours of the morning, independent of the time you went to bed.  So, for a night owl like me, I am likely to have more REM-heavy sleep, which is not as deep as non-REM sleep.  The following morning, I will not feel as refreshed as I could be. So getting to sleep earlier is crucial.

                    How Can I Improve My Sleep?

                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

                    Sleep by Nick Littlehales is a powerhouse of information on how to improve your sleep.  It is written by Nick Littlehales, a sleep expert who coaches a variety of top-class athletes and footballers, including Olympians and members of the Premier League, on how to sleep effectively.

                    It appears that preparation is the key to effective sleep!  Nick Littlehales goes into great detail (in a short and easy-to-read 177 pages!) on all aspects of sleep and how to optimise it.  He includes details on:
                    • The importance of pre- and post-sleep routines: how to prepare well for it and ‘recover’ from it for optimal functioning in your day.
                    • The importance of a regular sleep schedule.
                    • How to prepare your sleep environment (what he terms ‘the Recovery Room’!) for better quality sleep
                    • How to work out the amount of sleep your body actually needs to be effective

                    I have just started implementing Nick Littlehales’ recommendations into my life and I am already seeing a dramatic increase in my readiness to sleep at night and the increased level to which I feel restored in the morning.

                    The Effects of Blue Light on Sleep

                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

                    The Effects Of Blue Light From Technology May Be Disruptive To Sleep

                    Blue light is bad for sleep.  We shouldn’t be using our phones or laptops or Apple watches or iPads or anything else that emits ‘blue light’ anywhere near when we want to fall asleep.  This fact has almost become myth in today’s society and is cited widely (see here here and here for just a few examples). 

                    Is it true?  Well, the jury seems to be out on this one.  Manchester University has recently demonstrated that blue light may not actually be as bad for us as today’s myth suggests [8].  In fact, the researchers from this study suggest that blue light may in fact be more beneficial for our sleep than the bright, warmer-coloured lights that are normally used in households.  

                    However, in this study, the light was controlled for brightness, such that the colour of the lighting was changed from yellow to blue without affecting its brightness.  I wonder if, for electronics that tend to have bright lights with a blue tone, it is in fact the brightness, rather than the colour, that has the impact.  

                    Whilst the jury may be out in the research world, I know for certain that on the evenings when I have not used any electronics – perhaps just read a book – my mind is not buzzing and I fall asleep much more quickly.  So, for me, gadgetry has to go in the last few hours of my day.

                  Bonus Tip: Sleep Naked!

                  healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
                  Sleeping Naked Improves Sleep Quality

                  As I wandered through the literature on sleep and Type 1 Diabetes, I was surprised to find several references to the benefits of sleeping naked!

                  1. Sleeping Naked Promotes Sleep Quality

                  When you sleep naked, your body temperature lowers.  This lowered body temperature signals to your circadian rhythm that it is time for sleep and also induces deeper (non-REM) sleep.    This deep-sleep state in turn promotes longer lasting sleep since it is less likely you will be disturbed from this deep-sleep state. [9]
                  Better quality sleep also helps restore normal levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body.  So, with better quality sleep, you will feel less stressed in the morning no matter how stressful your life may be in waking hours. Sleeping naked, as discussed in the previous paragraph, promotes better quality sleep and therefore helps reset your stress counter.

                  Reduced cortisol also reduces both inflammation and insulin resistance [10], which will decrease my overall need for insulin further.

                  2. Sleeping Naked Helps You Lose Weight

                  In a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health [11], it was found that decreased room temperature when sleeping (which can also be achieved by removing clothing!) led to an increase in brown fat and a decrease in white fat in the study participants.  Brown fat keeps your body warm by boosting the metabolism.  This increase in your metabolism lasts all day and therefore helps burn more calories!

                  So it looks like I’m going to be experimenting with sleeping in the buff from now on!!

                  healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

                  References

                  1. Donga, E., van Dijk, M., van Dijk, J. G., et al. (2010).  Partial Sleep Restriction Decreases Insulin Sensitivity in Type 1 Diabetes.  Diabetes Care, 33(7), 1573-1577.  [Article]
                  2. Obesity Society (2015).  One Night of Poor Sleep Could Equal Six Months on a High-Fat Diet, Study Shows.  Retrieved 21st February 2020 from the World Wide Web: https://www.newswise.com/articles/one-night-of-poor-sleep-could-equal-six-months-on-a-high-fat-diet-study-shows.
                  3. Buxton, O. M., Pavlova, M., Reid, E. W., et al. (2010).  Sleep Restriction for 1 Week Reduces Insulin Sensitivity in Healthy Men.  Diabetes, 59(9), 2126-2133. [Article]
                  4. Mullington, J. M., Simpson, N. S., Meier-Ewert, H. K., and Haack, M. (2010).  Sleep Loss and Inflammation.  Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab, 24(5), 775-784.  [Article]
                  5. Comas, M., Gordon, C. J., Oliver, B. G., et al. (2017).  A circadian based inflammatory response – implications for respiratory disease and treatment.  Sleep Science and Practice, 1(18).  [Article]
                  6. Heid, M. (2017).  What’s the Best Time to Sleep?  You Asked.  Retrieved 22nd February 2020 from the World Wide Web: https://time.com/3183183/best-time-to-sleep/
                  7. Littlehales, N. (2016).  Sleep.  London: Penguin Random House UK. [Link]
                  8. Mouland, J. W., Martial, F., Watson, A., et al.  (2019).  Cones Support Alignment to an Inconsistent World by Suppressing Mouse Circadian Responses  to the Blue Colors Associated with Twilight.  Current Biology, 29(24), 4260-4267. [Article]
                  9. Bradberry, T. (2016).  4 Reasons Sleeping Naked Makes You Healthier And Wealthier.  Retrieved 21st February 2020 from the World Wide Web: https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/ 2016/09/13/4-reasons-sleeping-naked-makes-you-healthier-and-wealthier/#4c9f2fb969b4
                  10. Holmang, A., and Bjorntorp, P. (1992).  The effects of cortisol on insulin sensitivity in muscle.  Acta Physiol Scand, 144(4), 425-431. [Article]
                  11. Lee, P., Smith, S., Linderman, J., et al. (2014).  Temperature-acclimated brown adipose tissue modulates insulin sensitivity in humans.  Diabetes, 63(11), 3686-3698. [Article]
                  healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
                  healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

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                    Natalie Leader

                    Natalie is a blogger with Type 1 Diabetes. Natalie’s special gifts are questioning the status quo and being a rebel. She is using these gifts to question medical ‘knowledge’ and find a true cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

                    The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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                  • Daniel Darkes

                    Daniel Darkes

                    Miraculously Cured From Type 1 Diabetes

                    Enjoyed this post?  Check out my post on ‘MORE Spontaneous Remissions From Type 1 Diabetes!’ too. But please also check out the update on Daniel Darkes here

                    The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
                    Summary: This article discusses the ‘miraculous’ healing of the Type 1 Diabetes veteran Daniel Darkes, who healed after having T1D for multiple years.  His diet, exercise and vitamins regime are outlined, along with thoughts about how this information can help more to heal.

                    Who Is Daniel Darkes?

                    Daniel Darkes is the first man (in the Western World, at least) to be cured of Type 1 Diabetes.  He has become the talk of the town in diabetes communities as people try to understand how this incurable, lifelong condition is no longer incurable or lifelong!

                    Daniel Darkes was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2010, aged 23.  He has left the British Army Grenadier Guard just four weeks before his diagnosis.  He has stated that he was discharged from the army on medical grounds but it is not clear what medical issue this was.

                    Before Daniel’s body started to heal, he was originally taking 5-6 units of Novorapid for meals and 8 units of Lantus at night-time for a period of 7 years.

                    Daniel Stops Taking Insulin

                    In November 2016, Daniel started having episodes of recurrent hypoglycaemia at night.  Before this point, night-time hypo’s had been extremely rare for him.  Under the medical guidance of Northampton General Hospital, Daniel gradually reduced his insulin doses to try to prevent further hypoglycaemic episodes.  However, no matter how little he gave, he continued to hypo.  Eventually, it got to the point that Daniel’s consultant made the decision to stop insulin altogether.

                    The Impossible Becomes Possible

                    When I think about Miracle Dan (as Daniel Darkes has been named by his friends), I am reminded of the story of the four-minute mile.  On May 6th 1954, Roger Bannister was the first man to run a mile in under four minutes.  Athletes had tried since 1886 to break this barrier and none had succeeded.  It was therefore assumed that this was a feat beyond human capability, something that the human body just could not do.  However, once Bannister broke this barrier, many others followed.  The impossible had become possible.  Once they saw it could be done, many others did it too. 

                    For me, Daniel Darkes is the Roger Bannister of Type 1 Diabetes.  He has broken the barrier and shown that this ‘incurable’ condition is curable.  We now know the impossible is possible.

                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

                    Reactions To Daniel Darkes’ Cure

                    The medical and diabetic communities have not been wholly receptive to the news of Daniel Darkes’ cure.  For example, Live Science wrote a piece highlighting what they believed to be inconsistencies in Daniel Darkes’ story.  Firstly, they questioned the validity of his original Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis.  They also used Daniel Darkes’ refusal to provide his medical records (actually, it was his NHS trust that refused due to patient confidently laws in the UK), plus the absence of a published medical case study, to infer that this may be some kind of hoax.

                    As I ponder this reaction, I am reminded of quote by Arthur Schopenhaueur:

                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

                    It appears to me that, unfortunately, Daniel Darkes’ healing is encountering the first two stages of truth – ridicule and violent opposition.  Change in the medical world takes time.

                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

                    Daniel Darkes has stumbled across the way to heal Type 1 Diabetes.  So, whilst the medical community is adjusting its lens to the new reality, I’d like to get on with actually learning as much as I can about how he achieved it!

                    What Do We Know About Daniel Darkes’ Miracle Cure?

                    Daniel’s Diet

                    Daniel appears to have a very healthy diet.  He runs a lot (see below) and therefore takes care of his nutrition for this.  When not running, his diet tends to consist of a lot of fish, chicken and vegetables, basically pretty low-carb.  He might eat fruits, nuts and crackers for lunch.  He doesn’t eat sweet stuff, chocolate or have sugar in his tea.  But, before I panic about such a restrictive diet, he does admit to also having the occasional beer or sweet treat or takeaway at weekends!!  

                    On days when Daniel is running a long run, he will increase his carbohydrate intake by adding in a serving of rice, pasta or sweet potato for dinner and/or porridge for lunch.  He will also have gels or sweets on the runs to top up his blood sugars, if needed. 

                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

                    Foodstuffs Found In Daniel Darkes’ Diet

                    Daniel’s Vitamins and Supplements

                    Daniel has said that he takes the following vitamins and supplements on a daily basis:

                    Daniel’s Exercise Routine

                    Daniel is a long-distance runner.  He regularly runs marathons and ultra-marathons.  He is dedicated to his fitness.  He tends to run 15-30 miles a couple of times a week and then does a longer run at the weekend.

                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

                    Enjoyed this post?  Check out my post on ‘MORE Spontaneous Remissions From Type 1 Diabetes!’ too.

                    What The Experts Think

                    Daniel Darkes says that the experts on his case have identified a rare gene that he possesses that is acting as a back-up immune system by recharging the pancreatic cells to produce insulin.

                    What I Think

                    Issues With The Experts’ Explanation

                    Hang on a minute!  The old-school way of looking at diabetes said that the beta cells in the pancreas – the ones that produce the insulin – have been obliterated by our misfiring immune systems.  And now they can recharge?!  This fits in with what I have so far argued on my blog – that this theory of ‘burnt out beta cells’ has little scientific support and has actually been replaced with the finding that beta cells do still exist in the pancreas and can, under the right environmental conditions, start producing insulin again.  

                    I also have an issue with this ‘rare gene’ hypothesis… My issue sits in the findings of epigenetics.  Epigenetics argues that individuals are not necessarily destined to suffer (or enjoy!) the blueprints of their inherited DNA sequences.  In other words, you may receive programming, via your DNA, from one or other parent but that does not mean that you are destined to have that gene expressed and acted out in your life.  Instead, genes have been found to be affected throughout a person’s lifespan by a range of factors, including diet, exposure to pollutants and even emotions.  it is the epigenetics, influenced by this diverse range of factors, that determine whether genes are turned on or off.  Why this is relevant to Daniel Darkes is because this ‘rare gene’ may have in fact been created during his healing process, as a result of epigenetics.  Equally, this may be a gene that we all possess, but as yet Daniel is the only one who has found a way to get this gene turned on and working.

                    Western Medicine Has Not Undertaken A Holistic Investigation

                    I struggle with the findings, and lack of findings, that I have so far heard about Daniel’s case.  So far, all investigations seem to have proceeded down only the expected avenues… Inquiries into diet, exercise, supplements, blood sugar readings and so on.  In other words, all focus has been on medical questions, which treat the body as a machine with a broken component (see my post on Descartes for more information).  As such, I believe the lens of inquiry is too narrow.  

                    We Also Need To Be Asking Daniel About…

                    Nobody is asking Daniel about the wider healing that he may have undertaken.  As I highlighted in my post on neuropeptides, the brain is highly interrelated with the body via emotions.  Has anybody asked Daniel what his emotional journey has been like over the time his healing took place?  Were there any shifts in his emotional outlook, for example?  Candace Pert would argue that emotional healing is as likely to improve health as much as any medical intervention.

                    I also wonder about his running.  The experts have said that his long-distance running has somehow ‘shocked’ his immune system, via this rare gene, to start working again.  How do they know that it wasn’t some other factor to do with running that would have helped?  For example, Daniel is likely to have maintained good hydration to be able to run.  He is also likely to have spent a lot of time outdoors in nature, which in itself can be very healing.  The added benefit of sunshine on the body, and the resultant levels of vitamin D, are also worth questioning.  Perhaps it was any one of these factors, or the combination of all of them, rather than the running itself, that led to his healing. 

                    I have also heard about the great benefits of fasting and its ability to regenerate the immune system (although fasting can come with great risks for diabetics).  Did Daniel have any intentional or unintentional periods of fasting, perhaps due to long runs or periods of illness, which may have instead been responsible for kickstarting his immune system?

                    I have seen no evidence that the medical teams are asking these kinds of questions.  If they are not, they are not controlling for extraneous variables in their research design and, as such, according to the rules of scientific research, their method and findings are confounded.  No firm conclusions can be drawn.

                    Dr Kelly Turner

                    As this post comes to an end, I am thinking back to Dr Kelly Turner’s work on spontaneous remissions of cancer.  Kelly outlined how healing is based on a range of factors, only two of which were body-based (those of ‘radically changing your diet’ and ‘herbs and supplements’).  By asking Daniel only about the body-based activities and treatments he had, we are missing out on finding out about the majority of his healing journey.

                    Dr Kelly Turner also discussed how valuable information about healing can be gained from asking the patient themselves what they believe healed them.  Daniel Darkes thinks his healing resulted from the combination of his running and his diet, which is high in zinc, nuts, oily fish and vegetables. 

                    I intend to use Daniel Darkes’ route to health as a roadmap for my own healing.  However, I am hoping that I won’t need to achieve the fitness of an ultra-marathon runner to heal my Type 1 Diabetes…  I dearly hope that my unique path to healing may  not require such a high level of physical exertion for the same results!!  Let’s wait and see.

                    Enjoyed this post?  Check out my post on ‘MORE Spontaneous Remissions From Type 1 Diabetes!’ too.

                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally
                    healing curing type 1 diabetes naturally

                    GET HEALINGT1D’S FUTURE ARTICLES IN YOUR INBOX!

                    Get the latest musings and findings straight to your email inbox.

                      Picture of Natalie Leader
                      Natalie Leader

                      Natalie is a blogger with Type 1 Diabetes. Natalie’s special gifts are questioning the status quo and being a rebel. She is using these gifts to question medical ‘knowledge’ and find a true cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

                      The content of the HealingT1D website is for educational and information purposes only.  It does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult with your doctor, physician, or other qualified healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your routine or healthcare regime.  HealingT1D and all associated with it will not be held liable for any risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
                      Recent Comments: