In this week’s issue of The Savvy Diabetic:
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- Smartwatch Could Spot Changes in Insulin Resistance
- Are Insulin and Amylin Better Together?
- Some REMARKABLE Diabetes Conferences!
- Children with Diabetes Friends for Life, Orlando, FL
- TCOYD ONE Conference, San Diego, CA
- Modular Medical 1st phase of Pivot pump launch
- Fracture Risk Increased in T1D, Highest if T1D with CKD
- Creating the Roadmap for Type 1 Fighters: Jon Kunneman’s Rise in MMA
- Aaron Prager, Teen Programmer of Award-Winning Diabetes App Boost-T1D
News from T1Dto100
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- AID May Simplify Diabetes Management for Older People With Type 1
- T1Dto100 is looking for a few good people!
- Hospital-at-Home: Australia’s Blueprint for Scalable Acute Care
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Smartwatch Could Spot Changes in Insulin Resistance by Anna Brooks for diaTribe.org, 14 August 2026.
Insulin resistance can begin while your blood sugar levels are still below the range used to diagnose prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Google announced this week that its Pixel Watch 5 and Fitbit Air wearables will offer a feature that analyzes changes in the body linked to insulin resistance. The data is analyzed by AI, and the user receives a monthly summary that displays insulin resistance trends. While changes spotted by a wearable device are not the same as a diagnosis, it could provide an earlier indication of insulin resistance and a reason to ask a healthcare provider whether further testing is necessary.
Google’s wearables will track insulin resistance by Samantha Kelly for MercuryNews.com, 12 August 2026.
Google is bringing a new set of health features to its wearables, including one that tracks insulin resistance over time, marking a first for consumer tech companies that are working to eventually crack comprehensive blood-sugar monitoring. The new tool does not continuously monitor or show glucose levels, which would mark a major breakthrough. Instead, Google is tracking physiological factors that it considers indicators of how hard the human body is working to produce energy from food. To gauge the level of effort, Google combines artificial intelligence with other sensors, including an accelerometer, barometer, and ones for heart rate and skin temperature. The Google Health app will notify users if there are signs their insulin resistance has shifted, at which point they may consider lifestyle changes or consult a physician. Untreated, high insulin resistance can lead to conditions such as prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
The company’s other new health features track shifts in blood pressure trends and nighttime breathing patterns. Google is combining the new tools with older ones into a set called Health Guardian, designed to help users understand subtle physiological trends and take proactive lifestyle steps.
The features, which will launch at a later date, were announced alongside Google’s new Pixel smartphones at an event in New York. The company said they will initially debut on the Pixel Watch 5 and Fitbit Air before coming to other devices.
Google’s goal is to highlight the invisible stress the body is experiencing, not to diagnose, treat or directly measure glucose, according to Francis Ho, Google’s lead Pixel Watch product manager. Users can also connect their continuous glucose monitor through the Health Connect app.
Read more: Google’s wearables will track insulin resistance (may require a free subscription sign-up)
Are Insulin and Amylin Better Together? by Amber Jackson, RN, CDCES candidate for IntegratedDiabetes.com, 14 August 2026.
Maybe insulin was never meant to work alone. For decades, we’ve asked insulin to do a job it was never designed to do alone.
Most people are familiar with insulin’s role—moving glucose from the bloodstream into the body’s cells. Amylin, however, is the often-forgotten partner that helps coordinate the meal response by:
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- Slowing gastric emptying so glucose enters the bloodstream more gradually
- Suppressing glucagon, reducing unnecessary glucose release from the liver
- Increasing feelings of fullness (satiety), helping regulate meal size
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Together, these hormones work as a team, carefully matching digestion with insulin action. People living with type 1 diabetes lose both insulin and amylin. Yet for the last century, we’ve primarily replaced only insulin.
Researchers recently explored whether adding pramlintide (Symlin®)—a synthetic version of amylin—to a fully automated insulin delivery system could create a more physiologic approach to glucose management. The investigational system combined:
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- A continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
- One pump delivering ultra-rapid insulin (Lyumjev®)
- A second pump delivering pramlintide (Symlin®)
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The goal wasn’t simply to give more medication—it was to better mimic how the body naturally responds to meals. Overall, time in range was similar between the two groups (about 71–72%). While the study did not meet its primary endpoint of proving the dual-hormone system was superior, several findings were encouraging. Participants using insulin and pramlintide:
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- Required less total daily insulin
- Had similar rates of hypoglycemia
- Showed improved glucose control among participants who started with lower time in range
- Achieved these results with a fully closed-loop system, reducing the need for manual carbohydrate counting
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Pramlintide doesn’t make insulin faster. Instead, it helps better synchronize digestion with insulin action by slowing the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream and reducing post-meal glucagon release. Rather than asking insulin to do everything on its own, researchers are beginning to ask a different question: What if insulin was never meant to work alone?
Study Source: Doumat, J., et al. Fully Closed-Loop Automated Insulin Delivery with Insulin Lispro-aabc Plus Pramlintide in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. Presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, New Orleans, LA; June 5–8, 2026.
Read more:
Some REMARKABLE Diabetes Conferences! I’ve had to privilege to participate in 2 extremely excellent, T1D centric, informational and interactive events in the past 2 months … and they both boosted my spirits in such delightful and unexpected ways. These 2 events happen every July and August … and I promise to share announcements about 2027 events. But what was so special about these events?
T1D has a challenging disease to live with, every single day, without a break and often with difficult and unplanned issues with life, technology, finances, and more. But when you enter the doors of these conferences, you walk into rooms full of LOTS of talk, excitement, hugs, laughter, sincere discussions, food served with T1D in mind, fun merchandise, all the newest tech and products and even afternoon ice cream bars!
Children with Diabetes has hosted Friends for Life conferences for 40+ years… and they do it SO WELL!
It was initially founded for families with a T1D child … but all family members are acknowledged and encouraged to interact and share with others. The annual CWD/FFL conference is always at Disney Orlando, with lots of opportunities to visit Walt Disney World (including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom) and Universal Resort (with Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe) and SeaWorld, plus nearby Legoland Florida. If you tire of diabetes talk, you can escape to all these adventures.
But don’t miss the presentations and meet-ups… honestly, they are all so interesting, with outstanding speakers and amazing volunteers. Hats off to founders Jeff & Brenda Hitchcock and their daughter, Marissa Town. AMAZING!!! AND CWD also hosts several other FFL events around the US throughout the year If you can’t make it to Florida.
The theme for 2026 was: The Wild West of Diabetes, complete with an everything “cowboy”!
View the Photo Gallery from CWD/FFL 2026: Friends for Life Orlando 2026
See the CWD/FFL 2026 Program: CWD FFL 2026 Program
TCOYD ONE 2026 held its 10th Annual Ultimate Diabetes Conference and Retreat for three days with nighttime parties, cutting edge education and people who are just like you!
TCOYD One is where Type 1s make up the majority of attendees, have fun, get educated, and form lifelong connections. It was AMAZING … held at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego, CA, with SeaWorld nearby. It offers:
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- Cutting-Edge Type 1 Education from World-Renowned Experts (most of them living with T1D)
- Exclusive Q&A Sessions with Diabetes Specialists on a Variety of Topics
- Latest Tech Updates on CGMs, Hybrid Closed-Loop Systems & More!
- Exciting Nightlife: “Party in Paradise” with Live Beatles Cover Band!
- Fun Fitness Options: Yoga, Power Walks & 5K Runs Around Beautiful Mission Bay
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What struck me was how “intimate” it felt. You could talk to anyone and have a wonderful experience! The education and Q&A sessions were engaging and so informative. And then there is the “Party in Paradise” with a live Beatles Cover Band!
This is a must-attend next year. It is a very popular event … and was actually sold out this year! Hosted by Dr. Steven Edelman, Dr. Jeremy Pettus, Dr. Tricia Santos, and Dr. Schafer Boeder.
Check out the TCOYD ONE 2026 Program:
Modular Medical to initiate first phase of Pivot pump launch in October by Sean Whooley for DrugDeliveryBusiness.com, 4 August 2026.
Modular Medical announced its plans to initiate the first phase of the launch of its Pivot tubeless insulin patch pump. Pivot, designed to make insulin pump therapy simpler to learn and easier to live with, features a removable, two-part design and a 3 mL reservoir, an intuitive interface, and a flexible, wearable form factor. The system aims to support everyday activities, like showering and sports, with no battery charging required, all while maintaining clinical accuracy and connectivity.
FDA 510(k) clearance arrived for Pivot in April 2026. Modular Medical labels it the second fully electronic, tubeless insulin pump available in the U.S. It began preparations for a launch in June 2026. The company is targeting people on multiple daily injections (MDI) that it labels “almost-pumpers.” San Diego-based Modular Medical plans to roll out Pivot across five strategically selected U.S. markets in October. The initial rollout includes Atlanta, Cincinnati/Lexington, Dallas, Houston and Philadelphia.
Read more: Modular Medical to initiate first phase of Pivot pump launch in October
Fracture Risk Is Increased in Type 1 Diabetes and Is the Highest in Individuals With Diabetic Kidney Disease, a study published in DiabetesJournals.org/care, 27 July 2026.
OBJECTIVE: To quantify the excess risk of any fractures, major osteoporotic fractures (MOF), and hip fractures in type 1 diabetes (T1D) by age, stages of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and sex, and to evaluate risk factors for fractures.Creating the Roadmap for Type 1 Fighters: Jon Kunneman’s Rise in MMA by Derek Helm for diaTribe.org, 12 January 2026.
After being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11, Jon Kunneman was told being a professional athlete wasn’t in the cards. Today, he’s a professional MMA fighter – and hopes to be the first person with type 1 to win a UFC fight.
Professional mixed martial arts (MMA) doesn’t have a roadmap for people with type 1 diabetes…yet.
Enter Jon Kunneman. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11, Jon was told in the ER that he probably wouldn’t be able to become a professional athlete. Today, he’s 10-0 as a professional MMA fighter, chasing history as the first person with type 1 diabetes to win a fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Kunneman came to the diabetes community’s attention through a candid Reddit AMA where he answered questions about fighting and training with type 1 diabetes. Kunneman talks about diabetes stigma, going into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) on a mountain, navigating athletic commissions and insulin exemptions, and why he believes visible “firsts” can change everything for people with diabetes.
(The news: The first bout of the night saw the fight go the distance, as Joe Kropschot claimed a contract-winning decision victory over the gritty Jon Kunneman, whose refusal to tap to an armbar late in the fight saw his arm completely dislocated at the elbow joint in a moment that had everyone in Meta APEX wincing uncomfortably.)
Read more: Creating the Roadmap for Type 1 Fighters: Jon Kunneman’s Rise in MMA
5 Minutes With Aaron Prager, Teen Programmer of Award-Winning Diabetes App Boost-T1D by Paul Hetzel for diaTribe.org, 7 August 2026.
Aaron Prager grew up in a household of curious minds. His parents, who run a tutoring company, are both former programmers. His mother wrote code for microchips. His father has a doctorate in physics. When he was just 17 months old, Aaron was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and his parents delved into the research.
Now a rising high school senior in Newton, Massachusetts, Aaron started coding at a young age. He most recently developed Boost-T1D, an iPhone app for people with type 1 that has thousands of users. The program helps people understand glucose trends, estimate carbs from meal photos using AI, and connect with others who have type 1.
Boost-T1D reads CGM data from Dexcom Share, the open-source platform Nightscout – or users can enter readings manually. The app analyzes data from three or seven days, and then highlights patterns, possible causes, and suggests questions to discuss with a healthcare provider. Boost-T1D recently received national recognition from coding contests sponsored by MIT and the U.S. Congress.
Read more: Aaron Prager, Teen Programmer of Award-Winning Diabetes App Boost-T1D
News from T1Dto100
AID May Simplify Diabetes Management for Older People With Type 1 by Anna Brooks for diaTribe.org, 13 August 2026.As we get older, managing diabetes can become even more challenging. Changes in memory, vision, mobility, and other health conditions can make insulin therapy more difficult and increase the risk of severe low blood sugar.
A new study conducted in Spanish hospitals followed 100 adults aged 65 and older with type 1 diabetes who started an automated insulin delivery (AID) system and found that their time in range increased from 65% to 77%. Those using AID also experienced far fewer episodes of severe hypoglycemia. Among AID users, 60% had mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment, yet time in range was similar between cognitive groups.
WHY IT MATTERS: Diabetes care typically becomes less intensive as we age, in part due to concerns over increasing low blood sugar events. However, with the right training and support, AID may offer older adults with type 1 better results and fewer dangerous lows, while supporting daily glucose management.
T1Dto100 is looking for a few good people!
T1Dto100 runs on the energy of our community, and we’ve hit a point where a little extra help would let us do so much more for the people in this group. If you’ve got a skill to share and a few hours to give, we’d love to hear from you.
Right now we’re especially looking for help with:
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- Grant writing — finding funding opportunities and helping us put together applications that keep our work going. If you have experience with grant-writing, we’d love to connect with you!
- Content creation — writing articles, finding interesting content, and creating guides and resources our community leans on. If you live with T1D (yourself or someone close) and “feel” the heartbeat of this aging T1D community and mission, let’s talk!
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You don’t need to be a Type1D expert to pitch in — you just need to care about people living with it, with all its variations and challenges. Whether you can spare a few hours a month or want to take the lead on a project, there’s a spot for you here.
Interested? Drop a comment below or send us a message (hello@T1Dto100.com, and we’ll be in touch. Thank you for being part of our growing and passionate community.
Hospital-at-Home as a Growth Opportunity: Australia’s Blueprint for Scalable Acute Care by Khushbu Jain for BioSpectrumAsia.com, 1 August 2026.
Hospital-at-Home (HaH), known as Hospital in the Home (HITH) in Australia, is redefining healthcare delivery by bringing hospital-level treatment into patients’ homes. Driven by digital health, remote monitoring and AI, the model is improving patient outcomes, easing pressure on hospitals and offering a scalable solution to the growing burden of chronic disease and ageing populations.
By shifting clinically stable patients to home settings, hospitals effectively expand capacity without adding beds. Global benchmarks indicate that HaH programs can deliver 30–40 percent shorter lengths of stay, ~30 percent lower cost per episode, 40- 45 percent lower readmissions, and up to 50 percent reduction in emergency visits.Read more: Hospital-at-Home as a Growth Opportunity: Australia’s Blueprint for Scalable Acute Care
