What exactly is inflammation, and how do you know if it's affecting your health? In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettus sit down with Dr. Jennie Luna, an endocrinologist specializing in obesity medicine and nutrition, to demystify inflammation and its connection to diabetes and metabolic health.

Together, they explore the difference between acute and chronic inflammation, why chronic inflammation often goes unnoticed despite affecting nearly every organ system, and how it drives conditions like insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, and chronic kidney disease. Dr. Luna breaks down the warning signs—fatigue, brain fog, difficulty sleeping, and weight gain—and explains why these symptoms are so easy to miss.

The conversation shifts to actionable strategies you can implement today. From anti-inflammatory eating patterns and time-restricted eating to managing stress and prioritizing sleep, this episode focuses on practical, realistic changes that don't require perfection or meal prep mastery.

Key Topics

• Understanding Inflammation: The difference between acute and chronic inflammation and why chronic inflammation silently impacts metabolic health.
• Signs You Might Be Inflamed: Recognizing vague symptoms like fatigue, mental fog, and disrupted sleep that often go undiagnosed.
• Inflammation and Diabetes: How insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and inflammation create a vicious cycle—and how to break it.
• Anti-Inflammatory Eating Made Simple: Practical food strategies including protein-first meals, time-window eating, and budget-friendly swaps.
• The Fast Food Reality: Honest talk about convenience eating and how to make better choices when time is tight.
• Beyond Diet: Why sleep quality, stress management, and even 10-minute post-meal walks have powerful anti-inflammatory effects.
• GLP-1s and Inflammation: Emerging research showing these medications may reduce inflammation independent of weight loss.
• The Bottom Line: Why small, sustainable changes—not perfection—are the key to reducing inflammation and improving overall health.

What new advancements are actually coming in diabetes care in 2026 and what’s in store in the near future? In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettus both take a look at the diabetes treatments and technologies they believe are most likely to arrive in 2026.

Together, they walk through emerging therapies for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, focusing on developments that are no longer theoretical but actively moving through late-stage trials and regulatory review. The conversation covers disease-modifying treatments, next-generation medications, and technology advances that could meaningfully change daily diabetes management.

Key Topics:

• Disease-Modifying Therapies for T1D: Preserving beta cell function after T1D diagnosis and why this represents a major shift in treatment goals.
• New Medications for Type 2 Diabetes: Oral GLP-1s, dual- and triple-agonist therapies, and what they may offer beyond current options.
• GLP-1s in Type 1 Diabetes: Where the research stands, off-label use today, and what future approvals could look like.
• Once-Weekly Basal Insulin: Why it’s promising for type 2 diabetes and who it’s best suited for.
• Inhaled Insulin Updates: New dosing guidance and expanded use cases.
• Continuous Ketone Monitoring: How this technology could improve safety and open doors for additional therapies in T1D.
• Cure-Oriented Research: Stem cell and gene therapy approaches that aim to restore insulin production.
• The Big Picture in 2026: Why 2026 represents real momentum — and what it could mean for access, outcomes, and quality of life.

We also created an article on this topic, which you might want to read: https://tcoyd.org/2025/12/diabetes-predictions-2026/

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Why did the FDA deny sotagliflozin —even with strong data showing heart, kidney, and glucose benefits? In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman sits down with special guest Stacey Simms to break down the full story behind SGLT inhibitors and their complicated path in type 1 diabetes.

Together, they walk through how SGLT inhibitors transformed type 2 diabetes care, why many clinicians believe people with type 1 should have access, and how the risk of DKA shaped the FDA’s decision. Dr. Edelman also shares insights on who might benefit, how to reduce risk, and why continuous ketone monitoring could be a game-changer for future approvals.

They also touch on the growing discussion around GLP-1 medications in type 1 diabetes, new study results, and what emerging evidence could mean for future treatment options.

In this episode:

• Sotagliflozin & SGLT Inhibitors in T1D: Why these medications matter and what the latest data shows.
• The FDA Denial: Understanding the DKA concerns and why approval remains challenging.
• Real-World Experience: How clinicians are using SGLT inhibitors safely today in select patients.
• Continuous Ketone Monitoring: Why dual-analyte sensors could unlock safer use in T1D.
• GLP-1s in Type 1 Diabetes: What recent research reveals about potential benefits.
• Who Might Benefit Most: Kidney protection, heart health, and metabolic improvements.
• Looking Ahead: How ongoing studies and patient advocacy could shape future guidelines

Learn more about Diabetes Connections with Stacey Simms: https://diabetes-connections.com

Visit TCOYD's Website for more diabetes edutainment for people living with diabetes: tcoyd.org

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