Diabetes Canada Podcast

Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, is one of the most feared complications of type 1 diabetes. That’s why researchers are looking for new and innovative ways to increase awareness of what DKA is and how it can be prevented. Host Krista Lamb talks Dr. Bruce Perkins about his research to develop a tool to reduce the risk of DKA, as well as exciting new technologies in type 1 diabetes.

How can we change the conversation about diabetes? For Diabetes Awareness Month, that’s a question Diabetes Canada is tackling head on. On this episode, host Krista Lamb is talking to Laura Syron, President and CEO of Diabetes Canada, about the many ways we can improve outcomes for people by rethinking how we talk about living with diabetes. This is part two of a two-part series with Laura – if you haven’t heard part one, be sure to go back and listen to the episode before this one.

How can we change the conversation about diabetes? For Diabetes Awareness Month, that’s a question Diabetes Canada is tackling head on. On this episode, host Krista Lamb is talking to Laura Syron, President and CEO of Diabetes Canada, about her journey with type 2 diabetes and the many ways we can improve outcomes for people by rethinking how we talk about living with this condition. This is part one of a two-part series with Laura, so be sure to watch out for our next episode to hear the conclusion of the chat!

Many people are at risk for both diabetes and heart attacks. Millions of people take statin drugs to lower bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks. But could these drugs also increase the risk for type 2 diabetes? Host Krista Lamb talks to Dr. Jonathan Schertzer about his work on improving the safety and effectiveness of statins. Dr. Schertzer is an associate professor in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Metabolic Inflammation. He is also the winner of Diabetes Canada’s 2023 Early Career Researcher Award.

As technology in type 1 diabetes becomes more advanced, we are starting to see an increase in personalized therapies. Whether someone is using hybrid closed loop or multiple daily injections, there are options being studied to make living with diabetes easier to manage. On this episode, host Krista Lamb interviews Dr. Ahmad Haidar from McGill University about his research into diabetes technologies. Dr. Haidar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering who leads the McGill Diabetes Technologies Lab.

Exercise is important for people with type 2 diabetes – and you don’t have to run a marathon or hit the gym daily to get great results. Host Krista Lamb talks Dr. Mary Jung about her research on how small changes in physical activity levels can have big impact. Dr. Jung is an associate professor in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus.

Driving with diabetes shouldn’t be a challenge, but in some cases managing blood sugars while behind the wheel can lead to difficult outcomes. On this episode, host Krista Lamb speaks with Dr. Ian Blumer about what you need to know about driving and hypoglycemia. He explains the potential problems people with insulin-treated diabetes might face and how to avoid them.

In someone without diabetes, blood sugars are controlled by a hormone called insulin. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels, and is produced by cells in the pancreas called beta cells. If someone is at risk of developing diabetes, their beta cells can't produce enough insulin, which puts the beta cells under stress. The beta cells try to adapt, but if this fails, a vicious cycle begins. On this episode, host Krista Lamb speaks with Dr. Dan Luciani about beta cells and his lab’s work to better understand them. Dr. Luciani is an investigator at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute in Vancouver, and an associate professor in the Department of Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.

The vagus nerve is an important part of our nervous system that can regulate blood sugar levels by controlling insulin activity. When the vagus nerve malfunctions, that can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. On this episode of the Diabetes Canada Podcast, host Krista Lamb talks to Dr. Minna Woo about her research into how manipulating the vagus nerve may play a role in one day preventing or treating type 2 diabetes.

Beta cells play a big role in diabetes, and what we know about them continues to evolve. On this episode, host Krista Lamb speaks with Dr. Bruce Verchere about beta cells and his lab’s work to better understand them. Dr. Verchere is the director of the BC Diabetes Research Network and a Scientist at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute in Vancouver.