COURIER L 42 IFE, NOV. 1-7, 2019
HE A LTHCARE S POT L IGHT
idelis Care, a Statewide
health plan with more
than 1.7 million members,
opened its new community
office located at 2133
86 Street in Brooklyn. Local
dignitaries and community
partners joined Fidelis
Care for a ribbon cutting and
grand opening celebration at
the office last month.
Staffed by Fidelis Care
representatives that speak
several languages (Russian,
Chinese, Arabic, and Spanish),
the 1,900 square-foot
community office is a hub
where local residents can
learn about health insurance,
apply for enrollment,
or receive help renewing
their current coverage. Located
near the D line of the
New York City Subway, the
street-level office provides
residents with a convenient
location for personalized customer
service.
“The mission of Fidelis
Care is to deliver the highest
quality customer service
while ensuring access
to quality, affordable health
coverage,” said Pam Hassen,
Chief Member Engagement
Officer. “As the Bensonhurst
community continues to
evolve, our commitment is to
promote health and wellness
and be an invaluable partner
and resource for those in
need.”
The Medicare annual election
period will run from October
15 through December 7
and enrollment for Qualified
Health Plans through New
York State of Health will begin
on November 1. Local residents
can call 718-685-5280 to
make an appointment to meet
with a Fidelis Care Representative.
Fidelis Care’s Bensonhurst
Office is open Monday
through Friday, from 8:30 am
to 6 pm and Saturday 9 am to
5:30 pm.
About Fidelis Care:
Fidelis Care is a missiondriven
health plan offering
quality, affordable coverage
for children and adults of all
ages and at all stages of life.
With more than 1.7 million
members Statewide, Fidelis
Care believes that all New
Yorkers should have access
to affordable, quality health
insurance. For more information,
call Fidelis Care at
1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-
3547) or visit fideliscare.org.
Follow us on Twitter at @
fideliscare and on Facebook at
facebook.com/fideliscare.
Diabetes is a disorder in which the body cannot
properly store and use the energy found in food.
To be more specifi c, diabetes compromises the
body’s ability to use glucose.
According to MediLexicon International, type
1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the
body wrongly identifi es and then attacks pancreatic
cells, which causes little to no insulin production.
Those with type 1 diabetes usually must rely on insulin
shots to remain healthy.
Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance or insuffi
cient insulin production and is the more common
form of diabetes. The pancreas may still produce
insulin, but not enough to meet the demands
of the body. Insulin resistance occurs in some cases
because a consistent high blood-glucose level causes
cells to be overexposed to insulin and then makes
cells less responsive or immune to its effects.
Diabetes treatment can include a combination
of strategies, including the following nondrug remedies:
Diet
Diabetics can work with their doctors and nutritionists
to come up with a diet that will be most effective.
Some advocate for eating foods that are low
in carbohydrates or ones with a low glycemic index.
Others say that it is more important to restrict caloric
intake rather than sugar intake.
Work with a professional to create a healthy diet
and follow it as closely as possible. Eat meals at the
same time each day so you can better regulate bloodsugar
spikes and lulls. Skipping meals may cause
you to overeat later in the day, which can throw glucose
levels off-kilter.
Exercise
Many people with type 2 diabetes are carrying
around extra weight. Exercise can help them shed
pounds and maintain healthier weights.
But exercise does more than just help you lose
weight. The Joslin Diabetes Center says strength
training exercises are an important component of
workouts. By maintaining lean muscle mass, you
can get rid of a larger amount of glucose in the bloodstream,
thus helping manage diabetes in the process.
Get at least 20 to 30 minutes of moderate activity
several days per week.
Supplementation
Some people fi nd that certain natural ingredients
can help regulate blood-sugar levels. For example,
pure, organic apple cider vinegar taken over time
can help people with diabetes manage their bloodsugar
levels more effectively.
A small amount of cinnamon per day may be able
to reduce fasting glucose levels by anywhere from 18
to 29 percent, according to a study in the Journal of
Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Always speak with a doctor before trying any
home remedies to treat diabetes or exploring any alternatives
to traditional diabetes treatments.
How to lower blood-sugar
levels without medication
Diabetics can try a number of home remedies to lower their
blood-sugar level.
Health
/fideliscare.org
/fideliscare