Type 1 diabetes, however, is of autoimmune origin. With Type 1, the body mistakes its pancreatic beta cells, which act as insulin factories, as something foreign and attacks them.
Apart from genetic predispositions, viral infections and vaccinations are common triggers for autoimmune diseases.
COVID-19 vaccines may be no exception, Dr. Marik suggests.
He cites several case reports on patients who developed Type 1 diabetes following either COVID-19 infection or COVID-19 vaccination.
The COVID-19 spike proteins that present on the viral surface and that are produced by the body after vaccination are likely causing autoimmunity, Drs. Marik and Cadegiani say.
1. Pancreatic cells can be infected by spike proteins and die.
2. Spike proteins are structurally similar to pancreatic proteins, so a crossfire of immune attacks against spike proteins may lead to pancreatic damage.