Infants diets and insulin-dependent diabetes: evaluating the “cows' milk hypothesis” and a role for anti-bovine serum albumin immunity.

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes (IDD) results from an autoimmune destruction of the insulin secreting pancreatic beta cells. The immunological mechanisms underlying the development of IDD as well as the role of environmental agents (e.g., diet, viruses, stress) in the pathogenesis of the disease are the subject of considerable research efforts. Significant attention has recently been directed to a hypothesis that consumption of cows' milk in infancy may trigger the autoimmune process underlying IDD. Early evidence supporting this “cows' milk hypothesis” included case-control studies surveying infant nutrition practices (i.e., breast feeding versus consumption of infant formula) and the subsequent development of IDD. However, intense media interest surrounding a report indicating anti-bovine serum albumin (BSA) immunity as the cause of IDD has lead to heightened public awareness of the issue, and, together with the epidemiological data, prompted The American Academy of Pediatrics to modify its guidelines for in...