A captivating take on Canadian diabetes history by Krista Lamb. Since Sir Frederick Banting’s discovery of insulin at the University of Toronto in 1921, Canadian scientists have remained on the frontlines of the development of new treatments for diabetes, and the quest for a cure.

Around the globe, people with diabetes are benefiting from breakthroughs with a Canadian connection. Islet transplants, GLP-1 agonist medications, and a better understanding of the development of type 2 diabetes in children from remote Indigenous communities, all of this and more has come from Canada.

Beyond Banting takes you behind the scenes with remarkable scientists from across the country who are building on Banting’s legacy and ensuring Canada remains at the forefront of this fascinating and important field.

Foreword by Dr. Jan Hux, former CEO, Diabetes Canada

An interesting study published in Nature Medicine on June 4, 2025, is changing how we think about blood sugar after meals. Traditionally, foods have been labeled by their glycemic index, suggesting a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

But this research shows that your body’s response to food, your post-meal blood sugar spike, is shaped far more by your own metabolism than by the food itself. This insight could transform how we prevent and manage type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease.

www.t2dnetwork.ca

Recent research shows that post-meal blood sugar spikes are highly individual and influenced more by metabolism than food. Understanding these personalized responses can guide smarter dietary choices and precision nutrition strategies for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.

A review paper, just published in Dec 2025, shows that healthy dietary patterns, like Mediterranean, DASH, vegetarian, or low-carb, can help lower blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, and support healthy weight management.

On the other hand, diets high in ultra-processed or “Western-style” foods can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While researchers continue to study the best approaches, focusing on whole, balanced foods is a simple step to protect your health.

This isn't new, we already know this. So why is it so hard to change what and how we eat?

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0899900725002230

 A 2024 Canadian study using health records from over 37,000 adults shows that metabolic syndrome (MetS), a key driver of heart disease and often linked to type 2 diabetes (T2D), affects men and women differently.

Women generally had a lower risk than men, but risk was higher in women taking antidepressants. Social deprivation also played a role, with women experiencing higher social disadvantage.

Understanding these sex- and gender-specific risk factors can help tailor prevention and treatment strategies for MetS and T2D to reduce cardiovascular disease in Canadians.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1499267123002162#:~:text=All-,Results,Acknowledgments

If one pinprick could forecast your risk of diabetes, cancer, or dementia years in advance, would it empower you, or expose you?

The answer may depend less on the science and more on how society chooses to use that knowledge.

www.theguardian.com

Molecular profiles will give detailed snapshot of person’s physiology and predict diseases from diabetes to cancer and dementia

Managing insulin doesn’t have to be complicated. From pens to pumps and smart devices, modern insulin tools help people with diabetes take control of their blood sugar with greater accuracy, convenience, and confidence. Learn how the latest insulin devices can fit into daily life and support better diabetes management.

https://diabeteseducatorscalgary.ca/devices/injection-devices.html

www.t2dnetwork.ca

Learn practical, evidence-based tips for managing type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise, with insights on Canadian activity and nutrition patterns.

Key Insights

✅ Nutrition and exercise are key for managing T2D.

✅ Combined aerobic and resistance training improves blood sugar.

✅ Gym-based resistance training is most effective.

✅ Canadians are mostly sedentary; fruit and vegetable intake low.

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