Skip to main content

Healthy eating for diabetes Archive

Articles

Taming the chronic inflammation of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the immune system attacks the skin. It causes painful skin lesions and may also lead to psoriatic arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or coronary artery disease. Psoriasis treatments include topical steroids, gentle exfoliant lotions, emollients that keep the skin hydrated, ultraviolet light (phototherapy), laser therapies, vitamin A (retinoid creams), and medications (for moderate-to-severe psoriasis). People with psoriasis are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 with an mRNA vaccine (from either Pfizer or Moderna) as soon as possible, if they haven’t already done so.

Are these "healthier" choices really better for you?

Foods promoted as healthier options to traditional favorites are sometimes nutritional winners and sometimes not. Chicken sausage does have advantages over traditional pork sausage, but processed veggie chips are often no better than potato chips. People shouldn’t assume that a product is nutritionally superior until they read the label. Things to compare include calories, saturated fat, added sugars, sodium, and fiber.

Breathing your way to better health

Taking time out of a stressful day to perform simple breathing exercises can reduce chronic stress and prevent the harm it can inflict on the body. Even a few short breathing sessions can make a big difference for many people. Chronic stress, when it goes unchecked, can lead to a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, obesity, anxiety, depression, and reduced immune response.

Did we really gain weight during the pandemic?

Researchers studying weight gain during the pandemic looked at health records for millions of people from both before it and during the first year of it. Unsurprisingly, a significant percentage of people gained weight, but less expected is that nearly as many people lost weight during the same time period.

Keep ultra-processed foods off the menu

A study published online July 14, 2021, by the BMJ suggests that eating ultra-processed foods is associated with substantially increased risks of developing inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

Can COVID cause diabetes?

COVID-19 infections may raise the risk of developing diabetes, because the virus can damage insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Pumpkins aren’t just for carving

Pumpkins are a good source of nutrition and can be used like a vegetable in many meals, even though they are technically a fruit. The soft flesh of the pumpkin is high in vitamin A and potassium, and contains 3 grams of fiber per cup when cooked. It’s also low in calories, has no fat and no sodium, and is high in beta carotene, an antioxidant that is converted by the body into vitamin A. Foods that act as antioxidants may bring health benefits.

Better blood sugar tracking: A benefit for heart health?

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM)—a small device placed on the arm or belly that measures blood sugar every few minutes—may help people with diabetes recognize the eating and exercise habits that hinder (or help) them control their blood sugar. CGM readouts, which are displayed on a smartphone or portable monitor, show your blood sugar values, trends, and the percentage of time that your blood sugar is in a "good control" range. Medicare covers CGMs for people who inject insulin at least three times a day or use an insulin pump to control their blood sugar.

Confused about eating soy?

The FDA wants to pull its support of the health claim that eating soy protein may help reduce the risk of heart disease. The agency proposed the change last fall, citing evidence that questions whether there's any real benefit to heart health. If the FDA goes through with the move, then food makers will no longer be allowed to market soy products with the claim that they can help your heart. But soy won't hurt your heart, and soy does have other benefits.

Sugar: How sweet it is... or is it?

As more Americans are considered obese, including children, a study examined what effect a voluntary reduction in the sugar content of foods would have on rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and health care costs. But in the absence of such a change, there are ways you can reduce your sugar intake without having to give up sweet treats entirely.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE 32-page gift worth $29.95.

PLUS, don’t miss out on your 25% off promo code.

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle—You’ll discover powerful, research- backed strategies for health longevity drawn from Harvard Medical School experts—ways to eat for a longer life, build strength and flexibility to stay independent, protect your bones, heart, and brain as you age, and even cultivate the habits linked with “super-agers” who stay sharp and active well into their 80s and 90s—all delivered to your email box FREE.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of Living Longer, Living Well!.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of Living Longer, Living Well.