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.
[00:00:23] - Introduction: What is inflammation?
[00:00:45] - Welcome to the Taking Control of Your Diabetes Podcast
[00:01:23] - Special Guest: Dr. Jennie Luna (Endocrinology & Obesity Medicine)
[00:02:55] - Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation
[00:03:40] - The "Stingray" Incident: A Lesson in Acute Inflammation
[00:04:07] - Pro-Tip: How to do the "Stingray Shuffle"
[00:05:05] - Identifying the Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation
[00:07:09] - The Vicious Cycle: Inflammation and Insulin Resistance
[00:08:13] - Metabolic Syndrome: Heart, Liver, and Kidney Health
[00:09:24] - Why Weight Loss is the Ultimate Anti-Inflammatory
[00:10:41] - Silent Triggers: Stress, Lack of Sleep, and Diet
[00:12:33] - High-Yield Diet Tips: The "Protein First" Rule
[00:13:28] - Time-Window Eating and Intermittent Fasting
[00:15:29] - Is Healthy Eating Actually More Expensive?
[00:17:25] - Realistic Habit Changes and Success Markers
[00:19:53] - The Great Egg Debate: Protein vs. Cholesterol
[00:21:58] - Practical Tips: Meal Prep and Chia Seed Pudding
[00:25:35] - The Anti-Inflammatory Future: GLP-1s and New Research
[00:27:34] - Stress Management and the Dopamine "Reward Circuit"
[00:29:07] - The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Inflammation
[00:30:07] - Sleep Hygiene: Removing Blue Light and Doom Scrolling
[00:31:38] - The Power of Exercise and the 10-Minute Post-Meal Walk
[00:32:17] - Conclusion and Final Takeaways
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