TYPE 1 DIABETES: research has shown that this type of diabetes (Insulin dependent) can be caused by an immature immune system. If children are overprotected and not allowed to come into contact with everyday germs their immune systems do not get a chance to develop enough antibodies. If later on they are exposed to certain viruses, the immune system cannot cope and can attack and destroy cells in the pancreas which produce Insulin. The message is: let children get dirty occasionally!