Did you know type 1 diabetes can take months or even years to develop? It makes perfect sense considering my entire family developed type 1 diabetes at varying points in the life cycle -- teen, young adult and middle-age.

Research has shown the pancreas is stubborn and strong, requiring the loss of over half of the beta cells before symptoms of type 1 kick in. Researchers are taking the next logical step and enrolling relatives of type 1 diabetics in various studies to try and delay or even prevent the onset of the disease.

The University of Florida Health Science Center and Shands at UF are one of 14 centers nationwide dedicated to Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet, a research group dedicated to a host of prevention and early treatment studies.

Now here is a study I feel like enrolling in. TrialNet is testing whether a one-a-day oral insulin capsule can prevent or delay onset of type 1 in high-risk individuals. An earlier trial suggested oral insulin might delay type 1 diabetes up to 4 years in a portion of participants with islet cell autoantibodies in their blood. Makes me wonder if I have any autoantibodies swirling around in my blood.

Animal studies have suggested oral insulin can prevent type I, and some researchers believe oral insulin via the digestive tract can result in a more tolerant immune system.

UF's principal investigator, Dr. Desmond Schatz, explained that people with a strong genetic history and all three islet cell autoantibodies have a greater than 50 percent chance of developing type 1 within five years. Interestingly, these autoantibodies can be present up to 10 years before developing the disease.

TrialNet is also forging ahead on other studies: to retain insulin production in newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetics; to turn off the attack on beta cells with a rituximab, a monoclonal antibody; and an attempt to slow or stop the autoimmunity of type 1 with an FDA-approved drug combination normally used to prevent rejection after organ transplant. Finally, the TEDDY and TEDDY II studies are searching for type 1 genetic and environmental factors in newborns. See the recently published story in dLife or click here to read more aboutTrialNet. You can also call 1-800-HALT-DM1 to see if you are eligible to enroll in a TrialNet study.