SMART Health Today

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/safe-diet-tips-for-diabetes There's no question about it. If you're overweight and have type 2 diabetes, you will lower your blood sugar, improve your health, and feel better if you lose some of your extra pounds. You'll want to work closely with your doctor or diabetes educator, because your blood sugar, insulin, and medications will need special attention while you're losing weight. You don’t need to lose that much to make a difference for your health. One study found that people with type 2 diabetes improved their blood sugar control when they lost as little as 2% of their body weight. And research shows that losing 5% [...]

BEATING BREAST CANCER. WE GOT THIS! For nearly four decades, the U.S. has recognized October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Given that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, no matter who you are or where you live, breast cancer touches your life. In the United States, about 264,000 women get breast cancer each year. There’s a lot we can do to prevent, better treat and help those who suffer with breast cancer. In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take action. Take the Mammogram Pledge to prioritize your health. Walk in a local [...]

No food or diet can prevent you from getting breast cancer, but some foods can make your body the healthiest it can be, boost your immune system, and help keep your risk for breast cancer as low as possible. And although no food or diet can cure cancer, some of them may help control treatment side effects or help your body get well after treatment. See how your diet and the foods you eat, can reduce your break cancer risk.

Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis and the treatment process can be stressful for patients and their families. Even after treatment in completed, fear of recurrence can make it difficult to enjoy survivorship status. Getting support for your mental health when you have breast cancer is critical as it can improve your outlook, reduce side effects such as fatigue, and enhance overall quality of life. Learn about some of the options that you can turn to for the mental health support you need as you cope with breast cancer.

Researchers continue to work to find better ways to prevent, detect, and treat breast cancer, and to improve the quality of life of patients and survivors. Clinical trials exploring promising new treatments, studies on environmental and genetic causes of breast cancer and new test options are just some the avenues researchers are currently pursuing. Get the latest on what current breast cancer research can mean for you.

Personal Health GPS To stay on top of your game, your need to stay on top of your health. Maintaining annual checkups, vaccinations, and screenings is one of the easiest ways to do this. Recommended preventive care, like an annual mammogram, can lead to early diagnosis and better health outcomes. The myMarpai app makes it easy to find an in-network provider. In addition, you can show your digital health ID card, see health benefits, track spending and deductibles, view claims, manage care for your family, have a telehealth visit and more. Download the app [...]

As families settle back into routines this fall, there’s no more important routine for you to establish than one that includes heart healthy habits. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S., with one person dying every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease.

Heart health is an important topic that never grows old. Do you want to learn about 8 ways to better heart health? Life’s Essential 8 includes various health behaviors and factors from sleep, to lowering LDL and Cholesterol, and eliminating tobacco products. These are key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health that can help lower risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health issues.

Do you smoke or know someone who does? It’s no secret that smoking can harm nearly any part of your body, including your heart and blood vessels. But did you know that there may be a way to reverse these negative side effects? Research has found that after four years of quitting smoking, a person's risk of stroke is reduced to equal that of someone who has never smoked.

We know that exercise is an essential part of maintaining long term health. For our heart specifically, exercise can improve muscle strength, reduce stress, and even increase high density lipoproteins in the body to help control triglyceride levels. Combining aerobic exercise (jogging, swimming, biking) with resistance training (moderate weightlifting) produces the greatest benefit for preventing and managing heart disease.