A1C-Chronicles:

December 2025

Empowering Your Diabetes Journey,  Together 💙

 👋 ,

Welcome back to A1C-Chronicles!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our Diabetes Express Family, 

As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting not just on the months that have passed, but on the incredible resilience of this community.

We know that the holiday season, while filled with joy and connection, often comes with its own unique set of complexities for those living with diabetes. It’s a season of navigating festive meals, managing changing routines, and finding balance amidst the hustle. We see the extra thought you put into every celebration, and we are constantly inspired by your strength.

Thank you for allowing us to be a small part of your journey this year. Whether we’ve helped deliver your supplies, answered a question, or simply been there when you needed us, it is the greatest honour of our work to support you.

From all of us at Diabetes Express, we wish you a holiday season filled with peace, laughter, and stable numbers. May the New Year bring you health, happiness, and the comfort of knowing you have a community behind you, every step of the way.

We’re Growing to Serve You Better

For over two decades, Diabetes Express has been dedicated to supporting the diabetes community with specialized care and access to vital technology. Today, we are proud to announce the next step in our journey.

We are thrilled to introduce HelioMed, our new parent organization designed to bridge the gap between patients and innovation. By evolving into HelioMed, we are now positioned to work directly with manufacturers across the entire medical spectrum. This ensures that whether you need support for diabetes or other chronic conditions, you have a team in your corner fighting for better access and seamless service.

Diabetes Express continues to lead the way in diabetes care, now powered by the expanded reach of HelioMed.

Josie's Tips: Reflections from DC/ CSEM Conference

Hi everyone, Josie Here!

I’m freshly back from the 2025 Diabetes Canada / CSEM Professional Conference in Toronto, and my head is spinning (in a good way!) with all the new research and conversations. It was an incredible week of learning alongside endocrinologists, researchers, and other educators.

The theme this year was Innovation in Science, Medicine, and Care, and let me tell you—the future looks bright. From rethinking how we eat to how we might one day delay Type 1 diagnoses, there was so much to take in. I’ve broken down my biggest "A-Ha!" moments below so we can all learn together.

The Science of Weight Loss is Changing.

We all know about GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (like Ozempic), but a new study on mice really caught my eye. It showed that even when mice on the medication ate the exact same amount of calories as mice not on the medication, the group on semaglutide still lost more weight.

The Takeaway: This suggests that these medications do more than just suppress appetite—they might fundamentally modify how our bodies process calories. It’s a fascinating shift in how we understand weight management.

A "Whole Body" Approach to Protection.

One of the most exciting shifts is seeing how diabetes medications are becoming "whole health" tools. We saw evidence that GLP-1s are providing incredible protective benefits for the heart and kidneys—so much so that cardiologists and nephrologists are prescribing them to patients without diabetes.

The Future of Treatment: We are moving toward a model where treating Type 2 diabetes involves three specific goals: removing excess sugar, reducing appetite, and—crucially—inhibiting inflammation to prevent organ damage before it starts.

It’s Not Just What You Eat—It’s When You Eat It.
We often talk about counting carbs, but protein pacing was a huge topic this year. I saw data suggesting that to build optimal muscle mass (which is crucial for a healthy metabolism), we need to rethink our meal structures.

Most of us tend to have a light breakfast and then "overshoot" on protein at dinner. But the research shows that spreading your protein intake evenly across breakfast, lunch, and dinner is far more efficient for your body.

The Takeaway: Aim for a balanced plate at every meal—not just dinner. Combine that protein with regular movement (aiming for about 8,000 steps) and resistance exercise twice a week for the best results.

Innovation for Type 1: Delaying the Diagnosis?

Finally, there was some very hopeful early research regarding Type 1 Diabetes. We learned that "beta cell stress" can happen up to five years before a diagnosis.

Researchers are currently studying a class of medications called renalase inhibitors (in mice models) that targets the enzymes associated with this stress. While it’s early days, the hope is that by reducing this stress, we might be able to delay the development of Type 1 in the future.

There is also growing interest in using "Type 2" meds (like SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1s) off-label for Type 1 patients to help keep time-in-range higher.

I’m so energized by what’s coming down the pipeline. It’s a reminder that we aren't just managing numbers; we are part of a rapidly evolving world of care that is getting smarter every day.

Until next time...

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before  making any changes to your diabetes management  plan.

Christmas Blondies

Prep time: 15 minutes; Cook time: 25-30 minutes per batch; Yields: 16-20 squares

Ingredients:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups Brown Sugar 
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 ½ cups Super Fine Blanched Almond Flour – (Do not use almond meal; you want the fine flour for the right texture).
• 1 cup Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips 
• ½ cup Sugar-Free Candy Coated Gems 
• 2 tablespoons Sugar-Free Sprinkles – (Optional, or use a very small amount of regular holiday sprinkles for color).

Directions:

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).  
2. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper.
   1. Note: If you must use an smaller pan, you will need to bake it significantly longer (40+ minutes) and cover it with foil halfway through to prevent burning.
3. Cream Butter & Sweetener: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until creamy (about 2-3 minutes).
4. Add Wets: Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined and smooth.
5. Add Drys: Stir in the salt, baking powder, and almond flour. Mix until a dough forms. It will be slightly thicker and stickier than traditional flour dough.
6. Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in the sugar-free chocolate chips, candy gems, and sprinkles.
7. Bake: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
   1. Note: You may need to grease your hands or a spatula to spread it as it can be sticky.
   2. Bake for 22-28 minutes for a 9x13 pan.
   3. The edges should be golden brown and the center should feel set but slightly soft (it firms up as it cools). Do not overbake, or they will be dry.
8. Cool Completely: This is crucial. Almond flour goods are fragile when hot. Let them cool in the pan for at least 30-45 minutes before slicing.

2025 Diabetes Canada /
CSEM Professional Conference

Last week, the Diabetes Express team (now powered by HelioMed) had the privilege of joining healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry leaders at the 2025 Diabetes Canada / CSEM Professional Conference in Toronto.

Held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from November 26-29, the event was a powerful reminder of how fast our world is moving. The theme this year, Innovation in Science, Medicine, and Care, wasn't just a slogan—it was visible in every session and conversation.

Key Highlights from the Week:

• The Future of Tech: We saw incredible momentum in the "AID and Beyond" sessions. Automated Insulin Delivery is becoming the standard, and the conversation is shifting toward making these systems more accessible and less burdensome for users.
• Beyond the Numbers: There was a refreshing focus on mental health and the "lived experience" of diabetes. It was validating to see so many professionals discussing the human side of care—something we at Diabetes Express have always championed.
• Rare Disease Focus: Our partners at CSEM brought a spotlight to rare endocrine and metabolic diseases, reinforcing why our expansion into HelioMed is so timely. The need for specialized support extends well beyond diabetes, and we are ready to meet that need.

For us, the best part was connecting face-to-face. Whether we were chatting with educators about the latest pump supplies or discussing patient advocacy with manufacturers, the energy was undeniable.

We are leaving the conference inspired and armed with new knowledge to better support you. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello—here’s to a future of better care for all Canadians!

We would be thrilled if you left us a review 💙

How can we help?