This article comes from the stern archive and first appeared on November 22, 2022.
Autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes are still a mystery today: for no reason at all, the body’s own immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Children usually get it, often before they start school. However, the pancreas can still fail in adults (LADA, Late onset Autoimmune Diabetes in the Adult). 100 years ago, when there were no insulin injections, children lived with the disease for one or a maximum of two years. Because without insulin, sugar can no longer be transported into the muscle cells to supply them with energy. He begins to lose his fat reserves. This creates ketone bodies. In large quantities they acidify the body, leading to diabetic coma and death. People with type 1 diabetes are therefore absolutely dependent on insulin: Whenever they eat sugar and starchy foods, they have to inject themselves with the hormone.
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