Wellness Solutions Blog

thoughts from our expert team

Category Archives: Lifestyle

1:32 pm - September 20, 2022 -

Healthy Habits Should Start Young: How to Teach Your Children About Self-Care

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Self-care

Many adults do not understand the benefits of self-care. Too many exhaust themselves daily and take little to no time for themselves. When adults do not have good self-care tactics, they may find coping with stressors throughout their lives challenging. Their emotional health suffers and fatigue can lead to poor health. Like adults, children also benefit from self-care. If you want your kids to understand the importance of caring for themselves, start as soon as possible. Here are some tips from Cypress Pharmacy to get you started.

Make Self-Care Fun

When teaching your kids about self-care, the experts suggest teaching kids to take belly breaths. Tell them to breathe through their nose and out through their mouth to calm down and rest. Be proactive about self-care techniques when you know your kid had a tough day.

Encourage kids to act silly and to get their wiggles out. A quick dance break can help the blood pump and unleash happy chemicals. The person your kids grow into has everything to do with how you raise them and the role model you become. You set the standard that your kids follow. When teaching self-care, remember to care for yourself too.

Self-care activities may include reading a book, taking a nap, playing calming music, or crafting. You can introduce some self-care ideas to your kids too. For instance, many kids love to create art and listen to music. Make the tasks fun by performing them together.

Kids fear the unknown, so you should always ensure they have a routine. Lay your kids down for bed at the same time every night, and plan for dinner to happen on schedule. Even self-care activities can occur during the schedule.

Quality time with your children benefits both of you. Your kids learn new skills and form a deeper bond with you. Prioritize time with your kids, especially during busy seasons. Make sure you plan so your kids receive plenty of quality time. Plans also help you feel less pressure. Quality time can include being there for bedtime, chores, or cooking in the kitchen. Try to plan new experiences you can enjoy with your kids so everyone can look forward to something.

Encourage Safe Behavior

Another vital component of self-care is maintaining safety without increasing anxiety. For instance, before bringing new products into the home, take a moment to read online reviews with your child. Teach them how to recognize a credible review from an uncredible one. Also, talk to your child about the threats they could face, but make sure you keep these warnings realistic and don’t exaggerate the evils around them. Emphasize the need for caution but make sure you remind them that the majority of people are still good.

Avoid Pressuring Your Kids

Like most parents, you want the best for your children. To help your kid adapt to society, grow up to hold down a good job, and learn to care for their future families, it can feel tempting to put a lot of pressure on them. Even when it comes to self-care, you do not want to force your kids to do anything. Parental pressure can lead to stress, fear, and anxiety.

To avoid the adverse effects of pushing your kids, you must know when to push. For example, if you want your kids to go outside and enjoy physical activity but do not like sports, do not use them to lure them. Do not force them to play games they do not want to. Instead, think of their likes and figure out how to integrate that into enjoying time outside.

Without self-care, children may submit to stress and anxiety. As your kids grow up, they might lack the coping mechanisms necessary to handle future stressors. Teach them the importance of taking time for themselves and caring about their health and wellness.

Cypress Pharmacy is your neighborhood health partner, offering unique services and programs like customized compounding, medication flavoring, free vitamins for children and adults 50+, as well as personalized wellness and supplement programs. Call 239-481-7322.

Categories: Lifestyle, Wellness
6:01 pm - June 29, 2021 -

Sports Nutrition

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Since the time of the most ancient civilizations, athletes have attempted to enhance their athletic performance with various nutritional approaches. However, as our knowledge of athletic metabolic physiology increases, we have learned that recovery from intense exercise is just as important as actual athletic performance in the athlete’s total training program. When an athlete is able to recover faster, they can train harder and perform at a higher level. The enhancement of athletic recovery is the basis of sports nutrition.

​In assessing sports nutrition and supplements, it is important to remember that not all athletes are the same. There are marked differences in nutritional needs between endurance athletes and strength athletes, between conditioned athletes versus re-conditioned athletes, between male and female athletes, and other individual challenges and predispositions which point out the individuality of each athlete. Intense athletic exercise can be a major stressor for an athlete and can jeopardize immune health and performance over time. That is why a solid recovery program is essential for any athlete at any level. Proper sports nutrition includes a foundational healthy diet, nutritional supplementation (both basic and sports-specific), appropriate rest time, and, of course, ample water and hydration.

Supplement Products Supporting Athletic Recovery

Certainly one of the key building blocks in an athlete’s diet is protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscle. Perfect Protein Powder is an excellent choice for protein supplementation. Its liquid consistency provides for greater absorption of essential nutrients and amino acids.‡ While it is a complete amino acid composition in itself, Perfect Protein Powder can be enhanced further with the addition of singular amino acids, such as L-arginine, L-carnitine, and glutamine.‡ Essential nutrients such as magnesium, coenzyme Q-10, and multivitamin supplements also can be added to supercharge the basic amino acid composition of Perfect Protein Powder.‡ Athletes participating in intense exercise need to recognize that they will require vitamin supplementation above that of the recommended daily allowance (RDA), given their increased metabolic expenditure.

Given the high level of interest in sports nutrition today, certain products have been developed which will help the athlete with both performance and recovery. Nitric Oxide Formula is a combination of ingredients, including L-arginine and L-citrulline, designed to support healthy nitric oxide levels and to support the integrity and vascular health of the blood vessel wall, resulting in enhanced blood flow, stamina, performance, and recovery‡. High-dose magnesium, can be very helpful in preventing muscle cramping and pain. Fruits and Greens Energy Drink is an easy-to-mix, nutrient-rich superfood formula with whole food concentrates designed to provide synergistic phytonutrient nutrition and increased energy.t Finally, Ultimate Joint Complex will help to minimize joint deterioration secondary to overuse, and help to re-establish collagen levels in stressed joints.‡

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‡The statements contained have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Categories: Fitness, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Nutrition & Supplements
1:10 pm - May 23, 2021 -

Do You Know Your Vitamin ABCs?

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By Dr. Stan Headley, natural health consultant for Cypress Pharmacy

March is National Nutrition Month, serving as a timely reminder of nutrition’s important role in fostering better health.

Vitamins and minerals are essential to ensure normal body function. For your body to complete daily tasks at optimal levels, it requires a complex variety of vitamins including, vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate). Without these resources, nutritional deficiencies can occur, resulting in unhealthy outcomes including weakness, fatigue, depression, weight change and more.

Consuming a varied and balanced diet is the best source of essential vitamins and minerals, yet daily intake requirements are likely not being met. In fact, the CDC reports that fewer than 1 in 10 U.S. adults and adolescents eat enough fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, deficiencies can still occur even when consuming proper amounts of fruits and vegetables and can also develop with certain health conditions and medications that alter absorption. The Harvard School of Public Health recommends incorporating a multivitamin in your daily regimen to ensure that you’re obtaining all the nutrients needed to be healthy.

Taken in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, multivitamins can help support and promote exceptional health throughout our lives. Vitamin and mineral supplements contain micronutrients meant to improve mental health, help the body function smoothly, provide specific health benefits and fill in nutrient gaps. A great multivitamin will provide support to your nervous system, heart and circulation health, memory, immune system, metabolic rate, bone density, energy and provide antioxidants.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, doctors may also recommend the use of multivitamins for people with certain diets or health issues, such as if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Multivitamins are not recommended as a treatment for any condition, but to support general overall health.

During a time when we are striving to keep our bodies in good health, adding a multivitamin to your daily regimen could be a good option to support optimal performance. In addition, vitamins and supplements including zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, selenium and probiotics can support and boost your immune system, potentially providing protection against illness.

A trusted medical professional or pharmacist can discuss your lifestyle habits and review your current prescriptions to make personalized recommendations for vitamins and supplements tailored to your unique needs, including for those with nutrient depletions caused by medications. Professionals can also advise on the best time to take certain vitamins and supplements as well as which strategies are best for reaching specific health goals, including heart health, anti-aging, digestion and more.

All supplements aren’t created equal, so quality is key when introducing any new elements into a health care routine. Dietary supplements should come with a Supplement Facts label, which lists all the active ingredients, as well as the serving size. Also, look for pharmaceutical-grade supplements that are manufactured under strict quality control GMP (good manufacturing practices) and validated by independent third-party laboratories for purity and potency.

Categories: Lifestyle, Nutrition
9:09 pm - May 20, 2021 -

National Pet Wellness Month: CBD for pet anxiety, pain and more

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By Dr. Stan Headley, natural health consultant for Cypress Pharmacy

As Florida continues through peak hurricane season, homeowners aren’t the only ones on edge when storms start ramping up. To furry family members, the sound of thunder alone can seem earth-shattering.

In fact, nearly one-in-five lost pets go missing after being frightened by thunderstorms and other loud noises, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Because much like their owners, family pets also experience fear, anxiety and stress.

One recent study analyzing more than 13,000 pet dogs found that more than 70% displayed anxiety-like behaviors. Of that total number, 32% of dogs had noise sensitivity.

While there are many ways to calm your canine or feline companion, one product in particular is becoming more common for helping with bouts of anxiety – CBD.

From peanut butter treats to bacon-flavored drops, higher awareness of CBD’s benefits has led to pet owners’ greater interest in natural pet products, which come in many flavors and forms.

According to Grand View Research, sales for pet CBD, or cannabinoid, have continued to surge globally each year for issues like joint pain, anxiety, epilepsy and other health concerns.

So, what do you need to know if you’re considering CBD for your four-legged friend?

How does CDB affect pets?

While there isn’t a formal study for animals yet, current research on CBD is promising.

According to scientists, cannabinoids interact with endocannabinoid receptors in the human body, a communication system that’s also known to be in animals. It plays a crucial role in regulating things such as anxiety, pain, mood and motor control and helps maintain balance in the body.

When it comes to CBD for dogs, studies have shown it can help pain and seizures. It’s also been used for anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety and anti-cancer benefits. The American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation is sponsoring a study that evaluates the use of CBD for treatment-resistant epileptic dogs.

While there isn’t as much information when it comes to cats, who metabolize much differently than their canine counterparts, studies have shown positive results for decreasing anxiety and pain from arthritis.

Six ways pets can benefit from CBD

Some potential benefits of using CBD for pets include:

  1. Calming fear of thunderstorms, fireworks and other loud noises
  2. Easing separation anxiety and other anxiety disorders
  3. Relieving joint pain or physical discomfort
  4. Reducing epilepsy
  5. Helping mitigate cancer symptoms
  6. Alleviating digestive issues to boost appetite and reduce nausea

One important factor that pet owners need to consider before purchasing any product is quality. For your pet’s safety, make sure your CBD comes from a credible source.

Some CBD products can contain ingredients that may be toxic to animals, like THC, so try sticking to pet care products that contain little to none. Cannabinoid with less than 0.3% THC is considered safe.

Even with its benefits, pet owners should consult their veterinarian first to determine any possible drug interactions or side effects based on their pet’s current medications. A knowledgeable veterinary physician or pharmacist can provide guidance on product quality and safety, as well as formulation selection, usage and application.

Category: Lifestyle
7:16 pm - April 8, 2021 -

How to Stay Protected During Allergy Season

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allergy season

It’s that time of year again – the sniffling, sneezing and suffering of allergy season caused by the telltale yellow dust that blankets Southwest Florida for months.

With longer and warmer seasons each year, the spring and fall pollen is literally and figuratively growing worse. Right now, the biggest offenders like tree pollen, grass pollen and ragweed pollen are blowing through our breezy coastal region.

These tiny airborne allergens easily get inside your body, and when they do, your immune system goes into defense mode. To combat these intruding allergens, your body releases a chemical, called histamine, which triggers a familiar response you might recognize: sneezing, itchy throat, runny nose or teary eyes.

If you are an allergy sufferer, you are not alone. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundations of America, more than 50 million people struggle with it every year.

In its latest 2021 Allergy Capitals report, AAFA placed a Southwest Florida region on its top 50 list of most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies. Cape Coral was ranked No. 33 for allergies during spring season and No. 35 for the months during fall.

So, what can you do if you struggle with seasonal allergies and Southwest Florida is your home? A few proactive steps to recognize, prevent and manage symptoms will bring hope to those with the seasonal stuffy blues.

Reduce Your Exposure

  • Before planning your day, check local news or the Internet for the area’s pollen count forecast.
  • Keep doors and windows shut to avoid pollen from coming indoors.
  • Delegate outdoor chores, such as mowing the lawn and gardening.
  • Keep floors cleaned and maintain air filters inside the home.
  • Avoid air-drying clothes and bedding outside where pollen can stick to it.

Prevent Spread & Symptoms

  • If high pollen counts are forecasted, take allergy medication before symptoms start.
  • After outdoor activities, change into clean clothes and shower to rinse pollen from skin and hair.
  • Remove shoes, jackets and hats at the front door.
  • Wipe pets down with a towel after playing outdoors.
  • Wear a pollen or dust mask for outdoor activities.

Nonprescription Medication & Remedies

  • Oral antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching and runny noses.
  • Antihistamine eye drops can reduce itching and redness.
  • Specially formulated supplements may support healthy respiratory and immune systems.
  • Nasal rinse devices, such as a Neti pot, can flush out inhaled pollen and alleviate congestion.
  • Oral and nasal decongestants can offer temporary relief to help with nasal stuffiness.
  • Cromolyn sodium nasal sprays can help treat and prevent allergy symptoms.

Read more: Do Natural Solutions for Allergies Work?

When stubborn symptoms persist, your pharmacist or physician can identify which over-the-counter medicines are best suited to alleviate your symptoms. They can also help you navigate your options when more severe conditions must be addressed.

Treatment options to manage allergies can range from immunotherapy, such as shots, to prescription-strength antihistamines, decongestants and combination allergy drugs.

In addition, rescue inhalers and other medications can be prescribed for people diagnosed with allergy-induced asthma.

Amid the pandemic, a case of the sniffles, or hay fever, is the last thing you want to stress over. While allergies can’t be cured, they can certainly be managed. Having a seasonal action plan that attacks allergies first is a good place to start, and will keep you from playing catch-up once symptoms arise.

Categories: Allergies, Immune Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition & Supplements
5:37 pm - March 18, 2021 -

Top 3 Diet Trends of 2021

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diet

With so many diets out there, it’s hard to know where to begin, and nutrition is crucial now more than ever. During 2020, the majority of the population has quarantined, been unemployed, or simply has been inactive; such stressors can cause us to overeat and indulge in fatty foods with little to no nutritional value. These eating habits can lead to sluggish behavior, bloating, increased cholesterol, a weakened immune system, and a general lack of energy. To get you back on track, here are three trending diets that, with the right direction, can help optimize your health.

Mediterranean Diet

Have you ever heard of the peasant diet? If not, you may have heard it called the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet has risen to fame over the past few years. For those pursuing a healthy lifestyle and looking to reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes, the Mediterranean diet offers a plethora of well-balanced meals, including the daily consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats.

  • Studies conducted in the U.S., as well as Europe, connect the Mediterranean diet to the reduction of type 2 diabetes. Eating patterns associated with lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes were characterized by higher intakes of vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains. The studies compare this diet with a diet consisting of high intakes of red meat, sugar-sweetened food and drinks, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products (the Standard American Diet, known as the SAD diet).
  • Individuals whose diets consisted of reducing their total meat and dairy intake by 50% and replaced them with fruit, vegetables, and cereals contributed the most to reducing the risk of mortality. During the study, fruit and vegetable consumption was increased by 63% and saturated fat and salt were decreased.
  • It is important to remember that the Mediterranean Diet is more plant-based than meat-based. Under this diet, it is advised to limit your red meat intake and replace it with fish, poultry, beans, and eggs as protein sources. Instead of choosing butter for bread or general cooking, choose olive oil as your primary fat source. Olive oil provides monounsaturated fat and has been found to lower total cholesterol.
  • When it comes to choosing seafood, some good options include fatty fish: mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon, lake trout, and albacore tuna (rich in omega-3 fatty acids).
  • Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammation in the body, as well as help reduce blood clotting and decrease the risk of stroke and heart failure. Do You Know Your Omega 3 and Vitamin D Levels?

Keto Diet

The Keto diet is high in fat (making the body work to burn it off, entering ketosis) and low in carbohydrates- 20-50 grams a day. But be careful that you do not cut out carbohydrates to the point of constipation, headaches, or bad breath.

  • The Keto diet benefits vary person to person, depending on how much carbs people have stored/consume. That being said, the reduction of carbs (less than 20-50 g per day) can help individuals lead the body into a state of ketosis. Hence the keto diet. The intake of foods high in fat and low in carbs will have your body using the fat stored to burn for energy instead of carbs. Rich in proteins and fat, the keto diet consists of lean meats, eggs, cheeses, fish, nuts, butter, oils, seeds, and fibrous vegetables.
  • While the keto diet has many benefits, there are a couple of things to remember: The keto diet is a restrictive diet, with the primary goal being weight loss. Individuals who suffer from kidney disease should consult their doctor before starting. This diet can bring on bad breath, nausea, and a general lack of energy.
  • If you find yourself lacking in protein, try our Cypress Pharmacy’s Perfect Protein Powder. Animal protein can contain appreciable amounts of cholesterol and saturated fats. Additionally, they can also be sources of antibiotics, hormones, and other undesirable elements inherent in our food supply. Plant-based proteins have no cholesterol or saturated fat and, when properly formulated and enhanced, can provide protein with a nutritional value comparable to animal-derived proteins.

Keto Swaps:

  • Rice to cauliflower rice or shirataki rice
  • Pasta to vegetable noodles made of zucchini, palmini, cabbage, and fennel
  • Potatoes to rutabaga, turnips, radishes, and winter squash
  • Cereals to nuts, seeds, and coconut
  • Bread and wraps to lettuce wraps (for sandwiches), nori sheets (for sushi), collards
  • Regular milk to nut, seed, or coconut milk
  • Instead of butter or canola oil, try avocado oil or coconut oil

The Mediterranean Diet and the Keto Diet are healthy choices to consider if you’re thinking of trying intermittent fasting. Both diets can give you fresh, lean meals to try out and keep you on track to your health goal.

Intermittent Fasting

  • Intermittent fasting works by prolonging the period when your body has burned through the calories consumed during your last meal and begins burning fat.
  • Once you’ve checked with your doctor to confirm this diet is safe for you, a simple approach would be attempting 16/8 fasting. What this means is that you’ll be eating for eight hours and fasting for sixteen. There is also 5/2 fasting, where you eat regularly for five days a week, then the other two days you consume 500-600 calories. While partaking in this fast, it’s important to remember to limit not only sugar intake in foods but as well as beverages. Drinks such as water and zero-calorie drinks are encouraged, as well as black coffee and tea, which hold little to no calorie or sugar intake.
  • Consider adding Cypress Pharmacy’s Balance Meal Complete to provide additional nutrients and improve gut health.
  • Top Benefits: improved memory, increased heart health, and physical performance.

In all, these trending diets reveal that with a little push and some dedication, we all can be on our way to a healthier version of ourselves. If you’ve wanted to try the Mediterranean and Keto diets or intermittent fasting, take a look at our easy outline.  With the help of these tips, we hope you’ll find it easier to make meals for you and your loved ones that optimize your health. Remember to always check with your doctor or health care professional before making any changes.

Categories: Fitness, Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Wellness
6:15 pm - October 8, 2020 -

Natural Solutions for Arthritis

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arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. There are more than one hundred different arthritis types with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout topping the list of the most common and generally most severe forms. Typically, all forms of arthritis are characterized by pain and stiffness (especially in the morning or after exercise), swelling, tenderness, deformity, or diminished motion range. Bone growths or bone spurs may develop in the affected joints- increasing pain and decreasing mobility. You may also hear cracking or grinding noises when the joint moves. Does this sound familiar? Currently, more than 55 million Americans are suffering from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout. Arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases are one of the primary sources of disability in the U.S. today. Maybe, you are one of the millions struggling with arthritis from old sports injuries, physical labor, or trauma. If so, this information will allow you to consider new therapeutic options that you may not have tried up until now to improve your range of motion, flexibility, and pain level.

Arthritis and its many different types is not a modern ailment, as you probably know, it has been with us since the beginning of time. To this day, modern conventional medicine is still not clear as to what the principal etiology or underlying cause of arthritis is, or why it occurs in so many people worldwide.

Healthy Joints Versus Arthritic Joints

In healthy joints, the synovial membrane is thin, the cartilage that covers bones is smooth, and a thin layer of synovial fluid covers the bones surfaces. A problem in any of these areas can cause arthritis. Arthritis may appear suddenly or come on gradually over the years. It is different for everyone. Some people feel a sharp burning or grinding pain, while others describe the pain as a dull ache similar to a toothache. Any movement of the joint tends to hurt, although sometimes there is only stiffness. The swelling and deformity in arthritic joints can result from a thickening of the synovial fluid, enlargement of the bones, increased secretion of synovial fluid, or some combination of these factors. Let us take a closer look at the three leading forms or types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Later on, we will explore natural solutions for reducing inflammation and improving your range of motion.

Factoids on Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gout

  • Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, involves the deterioration of the cartilage protecting bones’ ends. It can be caused by a sports injury, trauma, or an inherited defect in the protein that forms cartilage. More commonly, it results from the wear and tear of aging, diet, and lifestyle. Other common risk factors include advanced age, female gender, obesity, history of physical labor, high-impact sports, trauma, and family history. Osteoarthritis affects the weight-bearing joints, including the knees, hips, and back most severely. Osteoarthritis rarely develops before age 40, but it affects nearly everyone past age 60 years.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis is considered to be an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system is overactive. An overactive immune system can be just as harmful as a weak one. In other words, rheumatoid arthritis is a situation where self-attacks-self. In this case, the body’s immune system improperly identifies the synovial membrane as foreign. Inflammation results, damaging the cartilage and tissues around the joints. The joint spaces become narrower, and bones fuse together. This creates stiffness, swelling, redness, sometimes fever, tenderness, and, most times, deformity and crippling later on. Rheumatoid arthritis happens in people less than 40 years of age, and almost 75 percent are female. Rheumatoid arthritis can be related to emotional stress, poor nutrition, and sometimes even bacterial or other infections.
  • Gout – many people do not realize that gout is an acute, inflammatory type of arthritis. It occurs most often in overweight persons and those who regularly indulge in rich foods and excess alcohol. It typically attacks the smaller joints of the feet and hands, especially the big toe. Deposits of crystallized uric acid salt in the joints cause swelling, redness, and a sensation of heat with extremely sharp excruciating pain. Approximately one million Americans suffer from gouty arthritis.

Non-Prescription Natural Alternatives For Arthritis

Through the years, high-quality natural products have proven to belong in the therapeutic space when it comes to improving the severity of arthritis and, at the same time, improving quality of life. Whether we are talking about herbal medicines, homeopathic products, nutritional supplements, or, more recently, pharmaceutical-grade CBD oil, they can reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and promote healing. The following are some evidence-based, scientifically validated natural alternatives that I have recommended through the years with success. Remember, to buy quality products.

  1. Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate – this well-known combination was first used in animals and later in humans to help rebuild connective tissue and cartilage – the substance that cushions the joints.
  2. Omega-3 Fish Oil – No protocol for arthritis or joint inflammation should be without essential fatty acids from cold waters. Pharmaceutical-grade fish oil has been shown to be a potent anti-inflammatory and very helpful at reducing pain, stiffness, and swelling, especially in rheumatoid arthritis.
  3. Turmeric (Curcumin) – Curcumin is the yellow-colored spice turmeric with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It is probably the single most potent of natural remedies for reducing inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.
  4. Vitamin C – vitamin C has many different beneficial properties but is best known for increasing collagen and providing antioxidant protection. 1,000mg daily minimum should be taken with increases as per bowel tolerance.
  5. Magnesium – cofactor for more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, this mineral is commonly deficient in adults. It can improve muscle function and help calcium absorption into the bone matrix.
  6. InflamMove – this is a natural version of the prescription Celebrex, which is known as a Cox-2 inhibitor. This is the enzyme pathway responsible for pain and inflammation. By blocking this pathway, inflammation and pain are reduced.
  7. Collagen Factors – this product provides added collagen to help support the rebuilding of cartilage and, at the same time, provide cushioning for the joints.
  8. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance whose function is to retain water to keep your tissues hydrated and joints more lubricated to avoid friction or grinding.
  9. Probiotics – with the proper bacterial strains of lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, this provides an intestinal balance of bacteria. 70% of inflammation starts in the gut or digestive tract.
  10. Gluten Digestive Enzymes – this unique supplement blocks absorption of gluten, which is known to increase inflammation. It also helps to breakdown proteins, carbs, and fats into fine particles for improved nutrient utilization.
  11. CBD oil – while this is the newcomer to the arthritis party, it certainly should be a strong contender for anyone suffering from the inflammation and pain associated with any form of arthritis. CBD is gaining popularity, and more clinical studies show that pharmaceutical grade third-party tested and validated full-spectrum hemp is very effective at reducing inflammation. It also is helping people with anxiety associated with pain, allowing them better quality sleep.

Closing Thoughts

We are all born with an innate healing system, and we are designed to live an active, physical life thanks to our strong and flexible musculoskeletal system. There is no substitute for being active and choosing exercises that you enjoy. If we become inactive as we age, bones weaken, muscles lose strength, and changes in balance and weight occur. To add to this equation, our joints are a common source of pain and inflammation. Being proactive and moving, stretching, swimming, walking, biking, and participating in resistance training for the joints can contribute to increased strength, stamina, and flexibility, resulting in less pain being elicited. You can do a lot to tune up and support your bones and muscles so that you can prevent arthritis from controlling how you live your life. Let’s get moving today!!!

Categories: Lifestyle, Nutrition, Nutrition & Supplements, Pain
3:16 pm - October 1, 2020 -

Healthy Aging: Body, Mind, and Spirit

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healthy aging

Healthy aging is something most everyone in mid-life and beyond thinks about. It is becoming a prevalent health topic these days, with advancements and treatments in anti-aging and regenerative medicine. Aging gracefully is not about trying to look like a 20-something, but it is about living your best life and having the physical and mental health to enjoy all that life has to offer. Like a bottle of fine wine, you get better with age with the right self-care.

At this point, I am assuming that you are among those of us who think that growing old is anything but graceful. Most likely, you would agree that there is nothing sexy about wrinkles, graying hair, spreading mid-sections, sagging jowls, fading vision, diminishing sex drive, and loss of memory. And maybe you are someone who has already spent more money than you would like to admit on health club memberships, diet plans, and even plastic surgery to look younger. However, you would likely be willing to spend time and effort if you could actually feel more youthful. Is there a way to stop or even reverse nature’s aging clock? Thanks to remarkably practical advances in anti-aging medicine, the answer is a resounding yes. Aging is a process, but it is not a one-size-fits-all phenomenon. Not everyone ages the same way. Our unique genetic blueprints and lifetime experiences mean that the process of aging affects each of us in different ways. Because of this, we cannot be treated in the same way. Your biochemical profile and factors that include your age, medical history, body type, gender, and lifestyle must be taken into account. It is interesting to know that we all are born with a natural repair process called anabolic drive, which continuously regenerates body tissue. Gradually over time, we lose this rejuvenating capacity and develop numerous conditions associated with aging: obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s, to name a few. But again, thanks to several enlightened forward-thinking scientists and anti-aging physicians, we can actually regain that anabolic drive and innate healing system by replenishing depleted levels of hormones, the fluids that regulate our organs and tissues, and neurotransmitters, the brain’s chemical messengers.

HOW DO WE AGE?

What do we mean by age? Yes, we all know to age means to grow older in years. But, to a biologist, a measurement of aging based upon your birth date is not very useful. After all, we all know of people who look ten years younger (or older) than their actual chronological age would indicate. Four main physiological changes occur with aging: (1) decreased muscle mass, (2) decreased water content, (3) decreased bone mass, (4) increased fat levels. These changes over time are accompanied by a host of unwanted symptoms. Aging is a physiological process that, at times, is only remotely connected to chronological age. On a cellular level, aging occurs every moment as old cells are not replaced by new ones. Apoptosis or programmed cell death is a normal part of life. While the seeds of advanced aging can be sown or planted at any age, generally speaking, the most noticeable changes occur between 40 and 50. Most physiological functions peak in the twenties, ride a plateau in the thirties and begin to take a sharp nose dive or decline in your forties. The exact point at which the decline into advanced aging begins is different for everybody. But, without any lifestyle or behavioral changes, or any healthy aging interventions, here is what you can expect to happen to your fifty-year-old body:

  • Brain – the brain shrinks 6 percent in size, resulting in a loss of cognitive function. Learn more about brain health
  • Vision – farsightedness and color perception among aging baby boomers is much more common in this age group.
  • Skin – how fast you wrinkle depends on a host of factors including genetics, nutrition, and environment. The skin begins typically to lose elasticity by age 30 and beyond. Natural Solutions for Aging Skin
  • Hair – fifty percent of men have some balding by age 50.
  • Fat & muscle – the ratio of muscle to fat begins its decline around thirty, with fat deposits peaking around 50.
  • Bones – the progressive loss of mineral content and bone density results in brittle bones, especially after menopause in women. How to Prevent Osteoporosis with Lifestyle Management
  • Sex – women experience menopause usually around age 50 when estrogen levels drop, and ovulation ends. Men have less pronounced sex hormonal decline; however, more young men today are experiencing lower testosterone levels at an earlier age.
  • Heart – by age 50, the heart will have beat approximately 2 billion times. The heart muscle begins to enlarge to pump more blood to compensate for the stiffening or hardening of the arteries.Seven Powerful Ways to Strengthen Your Heart
  • Lungs – by age fifty, the lungs begin to lose some of their elasticity, and the capacity to breathe declines about 20 percent.

HEALTHY AGING: BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT

Our bodies are operated by a complex network of neurotransmitters and hormones. The way they communicate and interrelate with each other determines the metabolic function for energy and movement and how we feel daily, both physically and mentally. At the same time, these neurotransmitters and hormones keep the body in homeostasis or balance. Your lifestyle and behaviors are unique to you. How you live, and the choices you make daily in terms of diet, exercise, nutrition, and relationships are cumulative and determine your overall sense of well-being and how you age. This further points to the importance of having the right balance between the physical body, the mind, and the spiritual component for improving your odds of healthy aging while minimizing your risk of chronic diseases. To appreciate the benefits of anti-aging intervention, you need to be an active participant, take responsibility for your healthcare, and work with your anti-aging provider to optimize your health. This means taking a few specific nutritional supplements, checking your hormone levels several times per year, eating a well-balanced diet (sometimes calorie-restricted), exercising, getting quality sleep, intaking adequate water, exercising your mind, meditating or praying (or both), and maintaining positive relationships (both personally and professionally). Working with a physician trained through the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine is usually your best option. It is not uncommon for your primary care physician or internist to not be trained in the specialty of anti-aging medicine.

We are the first generation in history to have a say in our biological destiny or journey. To take full advantage of the wonders that await us in the next few years, we must bridge the gap with the treatments and self-care modalities available now that dramatically enhance the quality of our lives. Aging gracefully and healthy aging is possible, but you must take action today!

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Categories: Anti-Aging, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, Brain Health, Heart Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition & Supplements
6:27 pm - September 24, 2020 -

Brain Health: The Role of Nutrition in Dementia

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brain health

Dementia affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, with a new case of dementia occurring somewhere in the world every three seconds. Dementia can also affect individuals under the age of 65 (young-onset dementia). Greater awareness and understanding of dementia is essential to challenge the myths and misconceptions that surround the condition. There is currently no cure for most types of dementia, but treatment and support are available.

Dementia is a collective name for progressive brain syndromes that affect memory, thinking, behavior, and emotion. Dementia is the leading cause of disability and dependency among the elderly. Although each person will experience dementia in their own way, eventually, those affected cannot care for themselves and need help with activities of daily living (ADL). There are more than one hundred forms of dementia. The most well-known is Alzheimer’s dementia, which accounts for 50-60% of all cases. Symptoms may include loss of memory, difficulty finding the right words, or understanding what people are saying.

Types of Dementia

Many underlying conditions cause the symptoms of dementia as a result of changes that happen in the brain and the ultimate loss of nerve cells (neurons). The most common causes are (1) Alzheimer’s disease, (2) Vascular dementia, (3) Lewy bodies dementia, (4) Frontotemporal dementia. The boundaries between the different types are not necessarily distinct. Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular dementia are responsible for up to 90% of the cases of dementia. It is becoming more evident that a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is more fearful than any other medical diagnosis, including cancer. This is basically for two reasons: first of all, it is the only one of the nation’s ten most common causes of death for which there has been no effective treatment, and secondly, it robs its victims of their lives long before they are gone.

Alzheimer’s Disease- The Most Common Form of Dementia

As stated, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, or decline in intellectual function. It afflicts 10 percent of Americans over 65 and as many as 50 percent of those over 85. Unfortunately, we see Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed in much younger people, even as young as early forties. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by progressive mental deterioration to such a degree that it interferes with one’s ability to function socially and at work. Memory and abstract thought processes are impaired. Alzheimer’s disease is, again, an irreversible, progressive disorder. Deterioration in critical areas of the brain may precede symptoms by as much as twenty to forty years. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, there is severe memory loss, particularly in short-term memory or recall of recent events. The person may recall events far in the past, but not remember the events in the last two minutes. Since the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease result from changes in the brain, the person neither intends nor can control this behavior.

Physiological Brain Changes of Alzheimer’s Disease

Once considered to be a psychological phenomenon, Alzheimer’s disease is now known to be a degenerative disorder that is characterized by a specific set of physiological changes in the brain. Nerve fibers surrounding the brain’s memory center become tangled, and information is no longer carried properly to or from the brain. New memories cannot be formed, and memories formed earlier cannot be retrieved. Characteristic plaques accumulate in the brain as well. These plaques are composed mainly of a protein-containing substance called beta-amyloid. Scientists and doctors believe that the plaques accumulate in the brain and damage nerve cells leading to the downward spiral of mental decline.

Other Causes of Dementia

There are many factors to consider when trying to understand the direct cause and effect of the most common dementias. The following have been associated directly or indirectly as a contributing factor or possible cause of dementia:

  1.  polypharmacy-taking multiple prescription or over-the-counter drugs
  2. drug reactions or drug interactions
  3. a nutrient-poor diet with too many empty calories, excess sugar, and processed foods
  4. chronic stress
  5. genetics or positive family history in immediate family members

Nutritional Deficiencies and Dementias

It is important to note that lifestyle factors can play a significant role in brain health. The precise cause or causes of Alzheimer’s dementia are still virtually unknown, but research by some leading neuroscientists and doctors reveals several interesting clues. Many of them point to nutritional deficiencies. For example, people with Alzheimer’s tend to have low levels of vitamin B12 and zinc in their bodies. The B vitamins are essential in cognitive functioning, and it is well known that the processed foods constituting so much of the modern standard American diet (SAD) have stripped these essential nutrients. The development of the neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques in the brain that are characteristic of the disease have been associated or linked to a zinc deficiency. We are learning more today as functional medicine has identified the connection between the gut and brain pathway and that 90 percent of our neurotransmitters are located in the gut sending signals back and forth to the brain. Also, common antioxidants like vitamins A, C, E are typically low in people with Alzheimer’s dementia. Other common nutrients like CoQ10, potassium, and selenium are generally lacking or in short supply.

Boosting Brain Health With Nutrition

The human brain is the most astonishing structure in the universe. Brainpower should definitely last and not be affected by aging!  Let me be clear. Memory loss and decreased brain health are not inevitable as we age. Steps can be taken to not only stop memory loss and mental decline but also many times to reverse it. Brain cells are the most complex, long-living, and nutritionally demanding cells in the body. There are plenty of scientific studies that confirm intelligence, memory, focus, and concentration are all influenced by the quality of brain nutrition. In other words, feeding the brain the right fats, complex carbohydrates, and protein, plus the addition of targeted nutritional supplements to increase blood flow and activate key neurotransmitters, can keep your mind sharp and active. There is, without question, a direct correlation between higher nutritional status and a higher level of mental function. If you show signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), you must act now and be very aggressive in your diet, lifestyle, and supplement strategies.

Here are well-researched supplement recommendations for optimal brain health:

  1. High potency multivitamin/mineral complex 1 daily
  2. Vitamin C 1,000-2,000mg daily
  3. Vitamin D3 5,000IU daily
  4. Omega-3 fish oil 2,000-3,000mg daily
  5. CoQ10 100mg twice daily
  6. Turmeric (curcumin) 1,000-2,000mg daily
  7. Ortho Molecular Products Cardio B -vitamin B6, B12, folate, and betaine- daily
  8. Memory Plus -a proprietary blend of l-carnitine, phosphatidylserine, nattokinase, bacopa monnieri, DMAE, ginkgo biloba, alpha-lipoic acid, and huperzine- twice daily
  9. Brain Health Support – a proprietary blend of ginkgo biloba, phosphatidylserine, DHA, choline, and inositol – twice daily
  10. Selenium 200mcg daily
  11. CBD oil softgels or liquid tincture

It is always recommended that you discuss your nutritional supplement protocol and dosages with a qualified healthcare professional, your doctor, or pharmacist, especially if you are also taking prescription medications. Remember, it is important to only select high-quality supplements from trusted sources. Learn more here: https://cypresspharmacy.blog/2020/09/10/are-your-supplements-toxic/

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Categories: Brain Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Nutrition & Supplements, Uncategorized
4:21 pm - September 10, 2020 -

Are Your Supplements Toxic?

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supplements

According to the CDC, nearly 90 percent of adults are nutritionally deficient. Basically, this means that most Americans are not eating the 5 or more servings of vegetables and fruits that are recommended daily. Add to this the environmental toxins from the air we breathe, the water we drink, and processed foods, and you have the “perfect storm” for chronic disease. In fact, statistics indicate 70 percent of adults have some form of chronic disease requiring treatment. Many of these individuals end up with chronic disease due to poor lifestyle behaviors and choices over many years, plus poor dietary intake with excess empty calories, excess starch, and too much sugar in the diet.

Almost 80 percent of adults currently take some form of vitamin or mineral supplement daily. But do you really know what you are taking? Is it a pharmaceutical-grade, professional product that has been manufactured under GMP (good manufacturing practices) in a state-of-the-art facility with independent third-party testing for validation of its purity and potency? Is it free of contaminants like heavy metals, fungicides, herbicides, or mold? Or, are your vitamins contributing to your ill health and putting you at risk of future disease?

Toxic Ingredients or Dangerous Substances to Watch Out for in Your Nutritional Supplements

Here is a listing of the worst or most dangerous ingredients or substances to watch out for in your dietary supplements:

  • Artificial colors – these are synthetic or artificially made food colorings that can be especially dangerous for children. They have been linked to behavioral changes, hyperactivity, and inattention in children. The artificial colors to watch out for are FD&C Blue No.1, FD&C Blue No. 2, FD&C Green No.3, FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6.
  • Hydrogenated oils – some supplement manufacturers will cut costs by adding hydrogenated soybean oil as a filler. Hydrogenation is a process in which a liquid unsaturated fat is turned into a solid fat by adding hydrogen. This produces the dreaded harmful fat called trans fat, which increases LDL (low-density lipoprotein), decreases HDL (high-density lipoprotein or “good cholesterol”), and increases the risk for cardiovascular disease.
  • Lead, mercury, and PCB’s – If the supplement manufacturing facility is not FDA registered or does not follow GMP (good manufacturing) standards, there is a possibility that some supplements like turmeric, ashwagandha, echinacea, and green tea contain lead. Sometimes lead is introduced into supplements by its use as a colorant (for example, lead chromate added to make turmeric have a more robust yellow color). Also, industrial waste includes mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), which can pollute our oceans and seas and may affect large fish such as salmon and tuna. Because of this, it is recommended to make sure your fish oil supplements (omega-3 fish oils) are molecularly distilled, come from cold waters, and are third-party tested to ensure their safety and quality.
  • Titanium dioxide – this ingredient is added to some lower quality or substandard nutritional supplements as a filler and to whiten products. It has no nutrient value and has been linked to allergies, stomach cancers, and autoimmune disorders.

And Now For The Rest Of The Story

  • Consumers take a real risk if they use dietary supplements not independently verified by reputable outside labs.
  • Heavy metal contamination is known to cause cancer, dementias, and brittle bones, to name a few.
  • In June 2019, the FDA seized 300,000 supplement bottles because pills contained excessive lead levels.
  • Bacterial and fungal contamination is not uncommon. These are linked to liver, intestinal, and esophageal damage.
  • Sometimes the herb you think you are buying contains little to no active ingredients. Occasionally, another herb is substituted.
  • In an assessment of CBD products, only 25% of liquid tinctures and 45% of oils contained the promised amount of CBD on the label. A few CBD products had enough THC to put the user in legal jeopardy of marijuana possession (CBD must contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight to be federally legal as an over-the-counter non-prescription product).
  • A New York Attorney General’s office investigation of dietary supplements at big-box chain pharmacies, including CVS pharmacies, suggested wide-spread fraudulent under-dosing of active ingredients with about 100 products failing standards resulting in the removal of the products from the CVS Pharmacy shelves.
  • Consumers can do their homework and go to one of three highly regarded independent laboratories to verify nutritional supplement quality. These include U.S. Pharmacopeia, NSF International, and ConsumerLabs.com.

Pharmaceutical-Grade Quality Matters

Because not all supplements are created equal, the products you are consuming might have toxic chemicals and unnecessary or substandard ingredients. Some companies seek out the least expensive raw materials at the cost of quality, purity, and potency.

Look for manufacturers that use the highest quality ingredients that are tested for purity and potency by certified labs multiple times during the manufacturing process. Herbal extracts and natural products should also be standardized to provide consistent levels of their primary active compounds.

It is important to consult with healthcare professionals who recommend only the highest quality third-party validated nutritional supplements and vitamins, to ensure that you are taking in only the best the industry has to offer to optimize your health. In addition, healthcare professionals understand your medical history, evaluate your prescription medications, and recommend safe and effective supplements based upon your specific, individual needs.

A Summary of Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements

Vitamin and supplements are typically used to improve an individual’s diet and provide nutrients they may not get from their foods. In other words, the supplements provide the nutrient gaps that are missing with the standard American diet (SAD diet). Most Americans need to be taking nutritional supplements because their daily diet is lacking horribly in essential vitamins and minerals. It is crucial to work with knowledgeable healthcare providers who have experience with supplements, so they may guide you in your supplement choices. Just because something is natural does not mean it is safe, especially in combination with other things, so it is not recommended to blindly begin a supplement .  Some supplements may interfere with prescription drugs or other supplements or could have side-effects, so it is wise to consult your physician or another qualified professional before starting any new nutritional supplement or dietary regimen.

Categories: Lifestyle, Nutrition, Nutrition & Supplements, Wellness
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