When I started my medical career three decades ago, it was uncommon to see a type 1 diabetic exceed 60 years of age. Thank God that has been changing for the better. A recent Scottish study found life expectancy in type 1 diabetics, compared to the general population, was 11 years shorter for men and 14 years shorter for women. In 1975, the gap was 27 years. One of the investigators was quoted by the article at MedPageToday:
“There is absolutely no doubt that glucose control is important for long-term outcomes in people with type 1 diabetes.”
From the Framingham Heart Study: Compared to those without diabetes, women and men with diabetes at age 50 died 7 or 8 years earlier, on average. This study population was a mix of type 2 and type 2 diabetes, with type 2 predominating, I’m sure.
Diabetic Mediterranean Diet 