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INTEGRIS Health On Your Health Blog

Check back to the INTEGRIS Health On Your Health blog for the latest health and wellness news for all Oklahomans.

Connections: Episode 1

The first episode in our new monthly series, Connections, features the story of Midwest City Firefighter Rex McGee and the simple test that saved his life.

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Should You Get a Routine Heart Scan?

Heart health is paramount to living a full and vibrant life. The good news is there are preventive measures that can safeguard your cardiovascular well-being. Advancements such as calcium heart scans provide valuable insights into your heart's condition.

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What are the Four Stages of Congestive Heart Failure?

There are four stages of heart failure, and knowing these stages can provide insight on how to manage it and how to slow down the progression to live an enjoyable life. Luke Cunningham, M.D., an advanced heart failure, transplant and mechanical circulatory support cardiologist for INTEGRIS Health, shares insight on the four stages of heart failure and how to manage it.

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Heart Disease and Diabetes: There’s a Link

Heart disease, AKA cardiovascular disease, affects people with diabetes disproportionately. Most people who have type 2 diabetes will also experience cardiovascular disease. In the United States, about one in ten people has diabetes. Of the many people who have diabetes, about 95 percent have type 2 diabetes. Those are some big numbers.

Lainey Townsend

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How Eating Fewer Animal Products Can Lower Your Cholesterol

High cholesterol levels can cause plaque build-ups that increase your risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke. This blog will explain how eating fewer animal products can keep your cholesterol levels at bay.

Lainey Townsend

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How to Eat Complete Proteins in Vegetarian and Vegan Diets

Eating more veggies and fruits is never a bad idea, just be sure to incorporate enough complete proteins. Without them, you might feel sluggish and lose muscle mass. Fortunately, a little menu planning can help you include enough complete proteins in your diet.

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Is Maple Syrup Better than Sugar?

Is maple syrup superior to table sugar? We sought out the answer to those questions by diving into more detail about how sugar affects your body and analyzing the potential health benefits maple syrup has over other options.

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Superfood Powders: Are They Worth the Hype?

In a world full of culinary choices, many people simply don’t like to eat fruits and vegetables. Instead of losing out on vital nutrients necessary to carry out bodily functions, powdered versions of these whole foods have found their way onto store shelves and online marketplaces as a way to bridge the gap.

Lainey Townsend

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Let’s Get to the Heart of the Matter: Life’s Simple 7

The American Heart Association has developed a group of seven factors we can evaluate and work on improving, if need be, to minimize our risk of heart disease. This list has been dubbed “Life’s Simple 7.”

Lainey Townsend

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Steps for a Healthier Heart

A healthy heart is the foundation for a healthy life. No matter your risk factors, there are steps you can take now to reduce your risk of developing heart disease or improve your heart health if you already suffer from heart disease.

Lainey Townsend

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Flavonoids: How Certain Foods Can Improve Blood Pressure

Plant compounds called flavonoids are the latest trendy topic believed to have heart-healthy benefits. We will discuss what flavonoids are, which foods you can find them in and how they may impact blood pressure.

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How to Boost Circulation and Why it’s Important

Roadblocks in your blood vessels make it tough for blood to pass through, particularly when that blood is traveling relatively far, making its way to the parts of your body that are the greatest distance from your heart ― your hands, fingers, feet and toes. When cells don’t have the oxygen they need, they can’t function well.

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What Happens When You Neglect Your Health?

What’s the worst that could happen if you avoid the doctor’s office? Better yet, why do you even need a doctor if you’re not sick? The answer: many benign health problems can easily become an issue without proper oversight. We’re here to explore exactly what happens when you neglect your health and why you should prioritize regular checkups.

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Are Air Fryers Worth the Health Hype?

Air fryers claim to offer the same taste, texture and golden brown crisp of fried foods but with a fraction of the fat and calories. While the capabilities of an air fryer sound convenient and delicious, are they healthy? We explain the benefits and share easy recipes to try.

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Preventive Health Care Appointments You Should Have Each Year

Preventive health care appointments are critical in helping detect and diagnose certain diseases, disorders and cancers.

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Different Cooking Oils and Their Health Benefits

The cooking oils section in your local grocery store seemingly grows by the day. How do you know which oils are healthy or the best to cook with? We’re here to help you understand it all.

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Pros and Cons of Different Diet Lifestyles

With the start of a new year, you may be thinking about cleaning up your diet and making healthier lifestyle choices. There are so many different diet lifestyles to try, it can be overwhelming and confusing to figure out what dietary needs are right for you. We explain common diets to help you understand what might work for you.

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Healthy Carbs to Add to Your Diet

The type of carbohydrates you consume is more important than the amount you consume. In other words, think quality over quantity. To help set the record straight, we're here to explain how carbohydrates work, outline which healthy carbs you can add to your diet and provide easy recipes to try at home.

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How to Build a Home Fitness Studio

Working out at home can be a great alternative to help maintain your fitness goals without breaking the bank. To help you get started, we'll go over home gym essentials, including what equipment you'll need, how to combine design with functionality and where to buy equipment for your home fitness studio.

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Are Plant Based Meats Healthier than Regular Meat

With the increased demand for plant-based meats, we looked at whether or not these meatless alternatives are healthier than regular meat.

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What Are Triglycerides and Why Is It Important to Keep Your Levels Low?

Like high blood pressure or bad cholesterol, having high triglyceride levels increases your risk for heart disease. However, the same lifestyle choices that promote overall health can help lower your triglycerides, too. Here are some tips.

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Can You Eat Too Much Protein?

If you have tried the Keto Diet, the Paleo Diet, the Atkins Diet or any of the others that call for a high protein intake, you may have wondered just how much protein is too much. We’ve asked an expert for the answer.

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Men's Health Week Spotlight: Are More Men Dying From COVID-19?

June 15 to 22 is Men’s Health Week, and this year has introduced an important medical question about men’s health. According to data from the National Institute of Health, men seem to be affected more severely by COVID-19 than women. Why is this the case?

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Is it Safe to Seek Medical Care During COVID-19?

Experts are worried because illness and deaths from health problems that were untreated during the pandemic are rising. For this reason, INTEGRIS Health, and health care systems nationwide, want to share an important message: it’s safe to get your medical conditions addressed right now and it’s okay to visit your doctor or hospital even as the country continues to battle the pandemic.

KLOYD

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How Positive Affirmations and Meditation Can Help During the Coronavirus

Being stuck at home in quarantine can be rough, but there are simple things you can do to manage your anxiety. We'll explain how you can incorporate positive affirmations or meditation into your day to help reset your outlook.

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Shedding Light on Binge Eating

Binge eating is the most common eating disorder in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Mental Health. To mark Eating Disorders Awareness Week, here are common symptoms and signs.

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Is Wine Good for Your Heart?

Is wine healthy? Many wine drinkers have heard that red wine, in particular, can provide heart-health benefits. Dr. Terrie Gibson, an interventional cardiologist with INTEGRIS Health, explores the idea that a little red wine may be good for the heart.

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Raising Awareness for Heart Disease in Women

February is American Heart Month, an event to remind Americans to focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends and communities involved. Because women sometimes have misleading symptoms, it’s especially important for them to be aware.

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Don't Give Up on Your New Year's Health Goals!

Now that it's February, have you found yourself right where you started when you set your new year's health goals last month? Maybe you’re feeling frustrated with yourself, and already think your goals for 2020 are a wash. INTEGRIS dietitian Brent Wilson gives some heartfelt advice to help you get back on track.

Brent Wilson, R.D.

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How to Run Like an Athlete

There are many health benefits when you run regularly. Studies have shown that running can lower your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and some cancers. We are sharing 5 tips to help you run like a pro.

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How Healthy is Oat Milk?

Milk made from oats is one of the latest trends in the nondairy world and it’s a cause for celebration for many of those who are lactose- and dairy-free. Even better, oat milk is not only trendy, but has many benefits for your overall health. Here’s a look at why oat milk is good for you and we’ve even thrown in a few recipes should you wish to make your own oat milk at home.

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