Want a more efficient brain?

 

Nutrients help brain cells make important neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers these cells use to communicate with each other and the rest of the body. Our bodies have evolved on needing nutrients to be ingredients and co-factors to create chemical substances our bodies depend on including neurotransmitters and even hormones. A diet lacking in optimal nutrition can lead deficiencies of the substances for optimal health.

 

Researchers have accelerated their efforts to find nutritional ways to support brain health, in order to help our society meet the coming challenge of an aging population. These efforts are paying off. Today, accumulating evidence suggests that not only better overall nutrition, but also supplementation with several key nutrients may help stave off the reduced efficiency of brain cells that occurs with aging. These nutrients include:

 

• B vitamins – Especially those needed for metabolism (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin) and those needed to regulate homocysteine levels (folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6). Interestingly it has been found that elevated homocysteine levels are a risk factor for both Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease.

 

• Antioxidant vitamins E and C, alpha-lipoic acid, resveratrol, curcumin and other plant extracts

 

• Essential fatty acids – Primarily the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, the “good fats” found in fish, nuts and vegetables

 

• Supplements and other precursor neurotransmitters

 

Studies suggest that a healthy diet plus supplements may help maintain cognitive function. The typical “Mediterranean” dietary pattern that includes higher levels of fish, olive oil, fruits and vegetables, cereals and wine has been found to be protective against age-related cognitive decline.

 

As we mentioned, these are some of the foundational elements to a healthy brain nutrition program, and in addition with exercising ones mental muscles, along with some more advanced supplementation that we can use to dial in your unique needs, it’s never too early to get on the road to healthy brain, cognition and memory.

 

 

How Fast is Stress Aging you?

Have you had your telomeres studied lately? One of the most profound advancements in identifying on how healthy and how fast people may age, the condition of one’s telomeres are showing a direct link to how one manages stress.

In 2004, scientists started to study telomeres, which are the tips of strands of DNA designed to protect the chromosomes in our cells.   As our cells divide over time, because of ­damage, the telomeres get shorter and so become an accurate marker of ­biological ageing.

Picture these telomeres to be like the tips on the end of a shoelace. Telomeres stop DNA from fraying. When it frays, the cell stops being healthy: if it is a skin cell, it will cease to function properly and will appear aged. If the DNA frays in a brain cell, memory will lapse.

With the identification of these telomeres there has been increasing research on what keeps them healthy, and what leads to their damage. Recent research implicates mis-managed stress to be a major factor in leading to their destruction, leading to ‘premature aging’.

And it’s important to highlight that it is mis-managed stress, because the fact of the matter remains that the body does need stress to strengthen and grow, although it needs it followed by periods of rest and repair.

A perfect example of how stress can age someone is to look at what might be perceived as a stress full job, president of the United States.  Just look at any photo of any president from before they took office to a year or two into their job.  Look at president Obama, profoundly greyer and it only took a few months. The good news is, when stress is managed, or extreme stress is eliminated, the body can ‘de-age’ itself a bit.  Take a look at President George W Bush and President Clinton.  Each of them looks much younger now than when they left office if you look at the health of their skin and how they present themselves.

And sure, you might say this evidence is anecdotal, although take a look at what research has shown us. Scientists studied ­parents who were looking after very ill children which can be a very stressful situation from the caring of the child to the economical challenge it can provide. They found that those who felt under the most stress had telomeres that were ten years shorter than should have been. The more stubby and shorter the telomeres, the less protected our DNA.

Here is the remarkable thing about the human body.  Telomeres can be stimulated to grow again, actually reversing the effects of ageing.  The telomeres of women who had been caring for a husband with dementia were measured, and then measured again when the husband went into a home. Almost immediately, the ­telomeres were rejuvenated.

So how is your stress being managed?  What shape are your telomeres in? And do you know what has been found to be one of the best nutritional and food support for healthy telomeres? You guessed it!

Fish Oil, EPA/DHA in foods and supplements.

 

Contact us at the pharmacy for more information about breakthrough telomere age management fomula.

 

 

Healthy Hearts

February is Heart Disease awareness month which is appropriate since February 14 is also Valentine’s Day, so let’s talk about how we can have happy and healthy hearts.

Heart disease has a direct relationship to metabolic syndrome.  Metabolic Syndrome is a grouping of disease states and conditions which are highly preventable through diet and lifestyle alone.  Metabolic Syndrome is a culmination of risk factors and disease states including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (cholesterol and triglycerides). 

The conventional model of treating blood pressure and cholesterol is attention to diet and lifestyle, and if that does not get things in line, then medication therapy.  Diet and lifestyle does not have to be difficult.  We are seeing a growing and heightened level of food consciousness.  People are navigating toward real foods and away from factory produced ingredients. 

If you are looking for ways to eat healthier, one answer is simplicity.  Look for ingredients you can see and pronounce that are low-glycemic, fiber rich, whole foods.  Foods not refined or processed. Foods free of hydrogenated oils, artificial colorings, flavorings, sweeteners, trans-fats, fructose and high fructose corn syrup.  Get back to real food.

Inflammation plays a very big role in heart disease.  Inflammation is apparent in most major diseases but people do not realize that food can be an aggravating or causative factor.  Even healthy foods can have an inflammatory component based on your body intolerances or allergies.  It is important to understand food intolerance is different from an allergy.  An allergy is noticed shortly after someone eats the offending food, food intolerance can occur up to hours or even days later, making it difficult to pin-point which food is causing the problem.

People can have an allergy or intolerance to any food, common food. Common intolerances include eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shell fish, corn, diary, food additives, refined sugar, yeast, and gluten.  One can have food allergy and intolerances tested, although one guideline to consider is if someone truly loves a food.  Something you would have to pry from their hands, it might be worthwhile to begin to reduce or eliminate these foods.  We see this with dairy products, cheeses and foods containing wheat or gluten.

There is a plethora of medications that may cause a drug induced nutrient imbalance. Where medications are needed, it’s imperative to look at the drug induced nutrient depletions. We see numerous depletions such as CoQ10, magnesium, potassium, B vitamins  within the spectrum of cholesterol lowering, blood pressure lowering, diuretics and other medications.  Remember, the root of disease has never been linked to a deficiency in a medication, although it has been linked to deficiency in nutrition.  For a list of drug induced nutrient depletions, ask at the pharmacy. 

If someone is looking to prevent heart disease or is currently dealing with heart disease, Paul and Rebecca find it prudent to supplement CoQ10, Magnesium, B Vitamins and of course EPA/DHA as found in fish oils.

If you are looking for a complementary or alternative element to reduce their risk factors such as natural supplements; talk to us at the pharmacy.  We can make sure you get the supplement appropriate for you, appropriate with any medications you might be taking.  Until February 28th, we are offering Good Neighbor Pharmacy Brand Fish Oil (120 count) for Buy One Get One Free.  See why many people have told us they notice a difference when they add or switch to a high quality fish oil supplement.

 

Fact Sheet: Green Coffee Bean

                    

There is a lot of buzz on the Internet about green coffee bean extract. A major coffee company has begun selling a beverage with the extract and various websites are marketing green coffee supplements they claim can burn fat. But, what is it exactly? And why are so many people excited about green coffee?

 “Green coffee” refers to the raw or unroasted seeds (beans) of Coffea fruits. Green coffee beans are cleaned, dried, roasted, ground, and brewed to produce coffee. Coffee contains hundreds of components, each of which may have potential and independent pharmacological effects.

Coffee is a notable source of caffeine. However, coffee’s effects on glycemic control and weight loss have been attributed to its other components, including chlorogenic acid, quinides, lignans, and trigonelline, all of which have been shown to improve glucose metabolism in animal studies.

Chlorogenic acid has specifically been shown to inhibit an enzyme, glucose-6-phosphatase, that promotes the formation of glucose (sugar) in the liver. Hence, chlorogenic acid in coffee may be responsible, at least in part, for the reduced risk of glycemic disorders, like diabetes, with long-term coffee consumption.

It may also be the source of coffee’s anti-obesity effects. Various studies have suggested that chlorogenic acid slows absorption of fat from food intake and also activates metabolism of extra fat. Unfortunately, traditional brewed coffee doesn’t serve as a good source of chlorogenic acid. While roasting green coffee beans removes its naturally bitter taste, it also removes a significant portion of chlorogenic acid. Hence, green coffee beans remain one of the best natural sources for chlorogenic acid.

The most recent study on green coffee bean was published in January 2012 in theDiabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity journal. The researchers followed a group of 16 adults who supplemented with a special green coffee bean extract of chlorogenic acids at different dosages (either 700 or 1050 milligrams per day) for 12 weeks. All 16 adults were considered overweight, as demonstrated by a BMI of greater than 25 (a normalBMI is between 18.5 and 25).

The extract the researchers used contained an ingredient called GCA, which contains a standard green coffee extract of total chlorogenic acids and other hydroxycinnamic acids that have been known to have antioxidant health benefits. The subjects lost an average of almost 18 pounds – this was 10% of their overall body weight and 4.4% of their overall body fat.

With this promising study, many companies and websites have prized this supplement – even marketing similar fat-burning substances of their own. However, the consumer should always beware when buying unregulated supplements online. When purchasing supplements, make sure you look at the list of ingredients. When looking for a green coffee bean supplement, it should contain the chlorogenic acid extract, which can be listed as any of the following:

• GCA® (green coffee antioxidant)
• Svetol®

Also, look for a capsule that contains at least 45% chlorogenic acid. More than 45% is okay, but pills with less than this amount have not been tested in studies that demonstrate weight loss. If you are going to take green coffee bean, the recommended dosage is 400mg, three times a day – 30 minutes before each meal. However, some clinical trials have also demonstrated success with 200mg.

If the bottle doesn’t list ingredients, don’t buy it! On the ingredient list, you should see no fillers and no artificial ingredients. Also, don’t be fooled by the word “pure” if you see it on a label. If you see the word “pure,” and you don’t see Svetol® or GCA®, consider another choice.

So, who is the green coffee bean extract right for? Most healthy adults, over the age of 18, who want to lose weight. It shouldn’t be taken by anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding. The supplement is new, and there is no research on its effects on children; children should not take this supplement. You also shouldn’t take this if you have an allergy to coffee or caffeine.

Most importantly, The Doctor Oz Show will not and does not promote any particular brand of green coffee bean extract. If you see any ads or receive any e-mails that claim Dr. Oz is promoting or recommending a specific brand, ignore it.

 

Also, understand that no pill is more effective than maintaining a regular exercise regimen and a healthy diet.

Click here for more information on this Dr. Oz show about Green Tree Extract  http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/green-coffee-bean-extract-fat-burner-or-fraud-pt-1

This information is from the Dr.Oz website. 

Reed Family Pharmacy does stock a Green Coffee bean extract supplement that meets or exceeds the formula tested and discussed on the Dr. Oz show video

New Technology?

I was resistant to getting a microwave until I realized I was acting like my parents when they refused to  buy a TV set.  So I succumbed to the gadget and just made a habit of turning it on and walking across the room to avoid any unseen radiation particles slipping through that protective mesh. I know engineers say that doesn’t happen but walking away can’t hurt, right?  My intuitive resistence to the microwave became a totally unproven and scientifically discounted personal opinion that there was a correlation between the increase in breast cancer and the use of the microwave oven.  I finally gave up on that wrong idea when my breast cancer survivior friends convinced me I was off base with that opinion.

But today, I read an article that might justify my intuition.  New studies show microwaves drastically reduce nutrients in food.

A 1999 Scandinavian study of the cooking of asparagus spears found that microwaving caused a reduction in vitamins (1)

In a study of garlic, as little as 60 seconds of microwave heating was enough to inactivate its allinase, garlic’s principle active ingredient against cancer (2)

Microwaving can destroy the essential disease-fighting agents in breast milk that offer protection for your baby. In 1992, Quan found that microwaved breast milk lost lysozyme activity, antibodies, and fostered the growth of more potentially pathogenic bacteria (3). 

 

Ah ha!  Maybe my parents were on to something when they didn’t want a TV and decades later we deal with the results of the violence and sex that TV programming has brought into our living rooms. Maybe my intuition about microwaves wasn’t so far off base?   The USDA policy about foods is  “show me it does harm and we will stop it” (maybe).  Some European governments food policy is “ show me it does no harm and we will consider approving it”. I wonder… should we ask more questions before we add or accept new technologies into our lives?

 

1. Kidmose U and Kaack K. Acta. Agriculturae Scandinavica B1999:49(2).110-117.

2. Song K and Milner J A. The influence of heating on the anticancer properties of garlic. Journal of Nutrition 2001;131(3S).1054S-1057S.

3. Quan R (et al). Effects of microwave radiation on anti- infective factors in human milk. Pediatrics 89(4 part I). 667-669.

Saturday Morning

Saturday Morning

Moving:                                                                           

You find out who your friends are….

You wonder if you are a hoarder…

And you create new routines….

 

I am fascinated that the powers that create my destiny, including me, but that is a topic for another day,have landed me 150 steps from a donut shop. Yes, I actually counted them 150 steps. And there is no place to leash my dog so I can at least pretend I am headed out to walk the dog. Although, the cowboys ahead of me in line, and I don’t mean Dallas cowboy or OSU fans I mean real cowboys, with spurs and ball caps and jeans are a nice distraction from my goal. And I have to acknowledge some nostalgia for the tight jeans of olden days and the hats that instantly identified  the cowboys from the farmers but… everything changes.

 What was I talking about…Oh yes, donuts.

Like many folks I would prefer a diet of soda pop, pizza, bbq, french fries, fried pies, dessert with dinner and lots and lots of chocolate. But with the beginning of the health craze of the 80′s my dentist of all people suggested I participate in his experiment to give up sugar to see if it would significantly improve my TMJ.

So in the 80′s I gave up sugar. Now if you ever want to understand what an addict goes through giving up drugs or alcohol eliminate ALL sugar from your diet and I mean ALL sugar including the hidden corn and alcohol derivatives added to our foods.   You will gain great insight to the phrase “coming down” or “coming off” drugs and some compassion for an addict.   In the 90’s it was fat, we were told the solution to our weight problems was fat.  We MUST get all fat out of our diets.  And at the turn of century, 2001 I gave up diets all together and started focusing on what works for me.  Everyone is different, but for me it is high protein, low carbohydrates, as little sugar as possible and enough fats to not feel hungry. And lotsa  lotsa  water, mother nature’s elixir.

 So in 2012, when I think on most days I have my food cravings under control (God is laughing right!) I land 150 steps from a donut shop. Sugar, fat, carbs and chocolate…heaven, well my kind of  heaven….150 steps away. I can turn left or right at 25 steps and take a walk to exercise or I can go to heaven. HMMMM…today it was heaven.

 

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/onepound.htm

 

Shingles Vaccine

I wanted to talk about the Olympics, goal setting and the determination it takes to focus on our personal goals sometimes for years before we reach them.  I’m thinking weight, addictions, personal achievements, etc.  And that sentence is the limit of my inspiration on the subject.  If we don’t learn that lesson from all the inspirational stories created by the networks during the Olympics coverage then what could I possibly say that would inspire you more?

 

The second thing on my mind which keeps popping up is SHINGLES vaccine.  I am a big beleiver the number three. If something similar happened three times I tend to take notice.  Sunday, I heard about a 45 year old friend of mine having shingles. Wednesday, I was encouraged to create an ad about our shingles vaccine availability. And Thursday, I came across a two page information sheet from the CDC about shingles  when I  was looking for something else.  That ‘s three reminders about  shingles, so let’s talk about the shingles vaccine.

What is it?  A very painful skin rash, often with blisters, it usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts from 2-4 weeks.  Other symptoms can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach.

How do you get it?  You can catch shingles from another person with shingles.  Only someone who has had chickenpox – or rarely, has gotten the chickenpox vaccine – can get shingles,  The virus stays in your body, and can cause shingles many years later.

I can think of better ways to spend two weeks than in excruciating pain as my friend describes his:  ”think of a thousand bee stings, on top of third degree burns”…YIKES!…no thanks.  A vaccine is covered by most Medicare part D.  Check with your insurance company about coverage if you are not eligible for Medicare.  Vaccines are administered at pharmacies because the mixture deteriorates 30 minutes after being created.

 

In clinical trials the vaccine reduced the risk of shingles by 50%.  It can also reduce the pain in people who still get shingles after being vaccinated.  A single does vaccine is recommended for adults 50 years of age and older.   If you have a weakened immune system you should not get the vaccine.  Ask your doctor or health care provider.  Visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines for more information.

 

In the summertime when the weather is hot…

Summer time means many things. Sunburns, bug bites, or poison plants are the top 3 contenders of why people come into the pharmacy during the summer. We see a lot of young children as well as adults spending a lot of time outside during the summer, forgetting to wear sunscreen or bug repellant and end up burnt, itchy, or a rash.

 

Before you decide to go camping, to the lake, or gardening, make sure you are prepared for what may happen. You could be outside for more than 30 minutes and get a burn. You can get a sunburn whether or not it’s sunny so it’s always best to wear sunscreen every day. Make sure you wear sunscreen of a higher SPF if you plan to be outside for a while, wear a hat and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. If you do get a sunburn, get some aloe Vera gel that not only helps cool it down but helps your skin recover faster.

Bug bites are another reason why we see a lot of people this time of year. The chiggers, mosquitoes and ants are out and looking to get you! Make sure you do wear some sort of bug repellant and if you plan on being out in high grass or outdoors, wear tall socks and shoes to help from the bugs getting at your ankles. If you do perhaps get bit, we have a compounded over the counter product we sell called Itch-Me-Not spray to help with the itching and Chigger-Aid to help if you get bit by chiggers.

Poison Oak, Ivy and Sumac can be a real problem. It will spread rapidly if you have just a tiny spot on you that you itch. For prevention, check out our Oral Ivy. It’s a liquid that you put in water and drink it, it’s also a preventative. Oral Ivy is one of our top selling products we have for the poison leaf family. Zanfel is another product that we recommend that helps suck out the toxins out of your skin and get rid of the poisons faster. It’s just a wash that you use for when you do get it. If nothing helps to get rid of it, it would be advisable to go to the doctor and get some medication to help the spread and infection.

This is just purely me thinking out loud.

At the moment they put me, Natalie, in charge of the blogs utnil we hire a new marketeer. My thoughts are usually kept to myself but I figured I would want everyone to help and understand me and let me rant a little bit about weight and what size YOU think is perfect. Are you happy with your appearance? Are you happy with your weight? Are you happy in general because God made you the way he did. For me I am happy that I am alive, living well and working at such an amazing place. I am a 24 year old who apparently looks like I’m 18. I don’t mind this at all because I know in a few years that I will be 40 and look 30. Fountain of Youth. OK but back to the whole weight/size thing, we have products that do work such as Green Coffee Extract. We just got it in and I am trying to see if it works and will let you know the results. The Green Coffee Extract and African Mango work together to help burn off fat. That plus the raspberry ketones, meal replacement drinks, protein drinks and thermogenic tea is everything I’m trying to lose weight. I don’t exercise because I’m terrified of being alone in public. I think we all need companions when it comes to losing weight, more or less a weight loss buddy. But seriously, are you happy with yourself, your weight or your size? I know I’m not even that I’m 24, 5’4″ and 122 pounds. That may be the ideal weight according to the Body Mass Index scale but I am not happy with myself so I will try to change to make myself happy. How does one even know when they are content with life? I thought I was about 2 years ago but then everything circled the toilet, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who wonders about life. I can’t be. I may overthink things and be selfish to a point, but I just feel the need for someone to help me and understand me a little clearer on  my thoughts. I just need to make my own blog I guess for people who would be interested to read it. Now the Green Coffee Extract is supposed to help you lose weight without changing your lifestyle. The Raspberry Ketones are supposed to help you burn fat and the African Mango helps you burn fat too. If you have questions about it feel free to call us at 580-223-7636. A lot of the new herbal products we have are recommended by Dr. Oz, and I know everyone loves him. Also, I tried the HCG drops and I lost 10 pounds. Paul and Rebecca lost over 40 pounds together, and now the drops do have the Raspberry Ketones in it to help burn more fat. Come by and talk to me if you have any questions about it, I’ve done a lot of research over it and Paul knows a lot about the HCG drops but we would be more than happy to explain more to you. Just give me your feedback and thoughts on everything. Just be an open book. If I create a blog, would you follow? I would follow you. I think it would be more of a diary but you could see it. Just let me know if you have any questions. Have a great weekend.

Natalie

Probiotics could ease digestive distress from antibiotics

Probiotics — or live microorganisms intended to boost health, such as the bacteria in some yogurts — have become popular items in vitamin stores and even many supermarkets. One of probiotics’ most popular uses is in preventing and treating digestive problems.

A new analysis of 82 earlier studies finds that probiotics have potential in alleviating the diarrhea that afflicts about one-third of people treated with antibiotic medications. Probiotics reduced the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 42%, according to the analysis in today’s Journal of the American Medical Association. Diarrhea is more common with certain antibiotics, particularly at high doses needed to treat serious infections.

Probiotics are sold as supplements at vitamin stores and supermarkets. Other foods, such as yogurts with active bacterial cultures, also market themselves as probiotics.

But the new study provides little specific guidance to patients or their doctors, says study co-author Sydne Newberry, a nutritionist and researcher for the Southern California Evidence-Based Practice Center at the RAND Corp. in Santa Monica.

The studies she reviewed didn’t provide enough details — such as the specific strain of bacteria — for consumers to know exactly what to take and how often, Newberry says. Scientists need to conduct much more targeted clinical trials, testing particular doses of individual probiotics against one another, to give patients and their doctors better guidance, she says.

But the study underscores the importance of maintaining a proper balance of microbes in the digestive tract, says Roshini Rajapaksa, a gastroenterologist at the NYU Langone Medical Center who wasn’t involved in the study. When people take antibiotics, the drugs kill not only the bad bacteria that cause illness but also the good microbes that help regulate the intestines, she says.

In the meantime, people should be careful about what they buy, especially when considering probiotics for children, says David Bernstein, chief of hepatology at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y.

Though foods such as yogurts are safe, probiotics could pose risks for children with weak immune systems, those who are chronically debilitated or those who are seriously ill, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. In rare cases, probiotics are associated with dangerous bloodstream infections.

Dietary supplements such as probiotics are not approved by the government for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed, the Food and Drug Administration says.

 

http://www.pharmacynewsflash.com/opha/Story.nsp?story_id=172369167