Originally published December 29 2005
New Zealand scientist reveals sodium nitrite meat preservatives promote diabetes
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Auckland University scientist Dr. Shiva Reddy conducted a study that he believes links meat preservatives, specifically nitrites and nitrates, to New Zealand's epidemic number of type 1 diabetes cases.
Auckland University research points the finger at nitrates and nitrites as a potential cause of some child-onset diabetes.
They are used to preserve meats such as salami and ham and nitrates occur naturally in vegetables.
Around 15,000 people in New Zealand have type 1 diabetes and the incidence has doubled in the past 20 years.
This trigger has not been found, despite researchers considering viruses and a huge range of potential dietary causes.
Auckland University scientist Dr Shiva Reddy said his research on mice strongly supported the theory that nitrates caused some type 1 diabetes.
He gave tiny doses of a drug called streptozotocin to mice who were genetically prone to developing type 1 diabetes and to another group who were not prone.
The chemical is involved in a similar cellular pathway to nitrates and is known to destroy insulin- producing cells when given in large doses.
Diabetes researcher Professor Bob Elliott, of the biotech company Living Cell Technologies, said Dr Reddy was doing pioneering work on the disease which backed the nitrates theory.
Dr Reddy was the first to do laboratory experiments underpinning overseas survey work that had suggested a link between the disease and nitrates.
Scientists in Melbourne had found a substance like streptozotocin on the skins of potatoes.
A study by the Institute of Environmental Science & Research said more than 97 per cent of exposure to nitrates from 24 vegetables and processed foods it checked was from the vegetables, especially lettuce and potato.
But the levels in New Zealand lettuce and potato were not high compared with European results.
The population's average exposure to nitrates and nitrites were well within the acceptable daily intakes, the study said.
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