One of the most popular areas of medicine today is anti-aging medicine or functional medicine. Anti-aging/functional medicine attempts to keep individuals healthy and functioning regardless of their age. Most of us want to live as long as we possibly can. However, do we want to add years to our life or life to our years? Life is an accumulation of thousands of events and decisions. The small decisions that we make every hour of every day can impact the quality of our life for years to come. As Americans, we plan for so many occurrences in life. But few of us plan for our inevitable aging.

So how do we assess how well we are aging? Many researchers are looking at the length of our telomeres, the strands at the end of chromosomes, to correlate our chronological age with our biological age. Others are looking at our genetics and the role our genes play in our aging. Still, others are looking at how well our bodies function metabolically in such areas as methylation. Finally, we also look at our levels of wear and tear, commonly referred to as “oxidative stress.” Formulations of nutrients known as antioxidants, like Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), can help to protect against oxidative stress and slow down aging.

ALA is unique among biological antioxidants because it is soluble in both water and fats. This allows ALA to neutralize free radicals both inside and outside the cells. Because ALA is involved in so many different functions in the body, it has been called the “universal scavenger.” Besides being a powerful antioxidant in its own right, ALA can also recharge other essential antioxidant systems throughout the body. ALA provides tremendous value as a daily supplement.

The overall goal of any anti-aging supplement is the prevention of disease and the maintenance of overall health. In this regard, Berberine would be an excellent choice. Two of the challenges that face us as we age are high blood sugar and elevated blood lipids. High blood sugar is known to bring about diabetes. And the elevated insulin levels produced in response to high blood sugar are thought to have an influence on the development of Alzheimer’s Disease. Berberine has been shown to help lower blood glucose levels for better blood sugar management.

Studies have shown that Berberine can also help with the management of blood lipids. And Berberine provides a relaxation role in the blood vessels, thus lowering elevated blood pressure. But always remember when optimal aging is the goal, a healthy diet, adequate exercise, and a healthy lifestyle are the best way to maintain your body function for years to come.

Learn More: Healthy Aging: Body, Mind, and Spirit

Nowhere are the adverse effects of the Standard American Diet (SAD) more visible than in the current nutritional status of American children. Poor nutritional intake beginning in the womb, followed by a diet of highly processed, refined, high-fat, high-sugar, low-fiber “foods” has led to a generation of children who are often nutritionally deficient in essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. As parents, we need to remember that children are not just little adults. They are developing human beings. And as developing human beings, we know that nutritional deficiencies occurring in the early stages of that development will create long-term health issues later in life.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the most abundant essential fatty acid in the brain and is essential for normal, healthy brain structure and function. Studies in babies and children demonstrate that higher DHA levels help to support learning and cognitive function. Similar results are seen in adolescents, where DHA also supports higher learning skills. Given the poor, high-fat diet which most children consume, DHA supplementation in the range of 400-600 mg per day should be recommended for most children.

This same Standard American Diet often leads to poor gastrointestinal (GI) health and poor immune health. When this situation is accompanied by the usage of antibiotics, a common practice in children, it can result in a compromised situation for the essential healthy bacteria normally found in the gut. The healthy bacteria in the gut are essential for suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria, helping to support the digestion and absorption of essential nutrients, and helping to support healthy immune function. The bacterial strains found in Children’s Chewable Vitamin with Acidophilus can help provide support for immune health.‡ And the unique formulation found in Aller-Calm Complex can help to support children who suffer from chronic and seasonal allergy and asthma challenges.‡

Children’s Chewable Vitamin with Acidophilus is a solid recommendation for daily nutritional support. It is a pleasant-tasting, chewable multiple vitamin/mineral formulation of nutrients shown to be essential for the healthy development of children‡. Lactobacillus acidophilus is also included in the product to help support GI and immune health‡. Vitamin C supports numerous biological functions in the body, not the least of which is immune function. Vitamin C 500 mg Orange Chewable helps to support immune function in children and protect them during times of stress or exposure to colds and flu.‡

A sound, protein-based start for the day has been shown to enhance the learning and alertness of children in school. A breakfast “smoothie” consisting of Perfect Protein Powder along with whole foods, such as berries and greens, is a much healthier beginning for the day than our typical carbohydrate-laden breakfasts. These smoothies are an excellent means to provide proper nutrition so that children can do their best‡.

‡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.

Insomnia is a condition in which an individual can have a difficult time falling asleep, staying asleep or both. Over 40 percent of Americans report having sleep issues each year. When these issues last longer than one month, they are classified as chronic sleep disorders. While scientists do not know the exact mechanism for why we sleep, they do know that a lack of it can affect our mood, our physical wellness, and our overall happiness. Rapid eye movement, or REM sleep, is the time when we tend to dream. We should have several episodes of REM each night. Failure to reach REM will create a negative effect on regenerative hormones.

The ability to fall asleep at bedtime is influenced by factors that occur from the time we arise in the morning. For many individuals who face stress during the day, elevated cortisol levels produced by the adrenal gland can interfere with the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. L-theanine, an amino acid that down-regulates cortisol produced during the day, can help effectively set the stage for improved sleep at bedtime when taken during the day.‡ Combination products such as Relaxation Formula and GABA Calm, when taken during the day, can help set the stage for improved sleep, without causing sedation during the day.‡ Besides the presence of stress during the day, another lifestyle change that needs to be considered is the amount and timing of stimulants consumed during the day, such as caffeine and alcohol. Exposure to computer screens, video games, and television in the evening too close to bedtime can also adversely affect sleep. Extended exposure to these light-emitting sources prior to bedtime can interfere with the production of our natural sleep hormone, melatonin.

Melatonin is secreted at night when darkness is approaching. It causes us to become sleepy and also lowers our body temperature. Many prescription medications, even medications prescribed for insomnia, can block the production of melatonin. Ask your pharmacist if the medications you are taking may be depleting melatonin, making it difficult to fall asleep. Melatonin 3 mg Sustained Release and Melatonin Liposomal Spray are two means to increase melatonin levels.‡ Learn why melatonin alone is not the best solution.

Many individuals turn to prescription medications to attempt to address sleep disorders. However, these medications can become problematic as they can adversely affect the normal sleep cycle, especially the REM cycle. After using a daytime product to help control elevated cortisol levels, we recommend using a quality supplement to help restore the natural rhythm. Magnesium is a mineral that acts as a calmative and helps our muscles relax, helping us to fall asleep more easily. Combinations of natural sleep-inducing ingredients, such as those found in Sleep Perfect Formula or Sleep Support, can induce a natural sleep onset.‡ For those who are still plagued by early morning awakening, the use of rapid-acting Melatonin Liposomal Spray can help individuals return for those remaining valuable hours of sleep.‡

‡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.

A diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, usually hypertension (high blood pressure) or dyslipidemia (elevated cholesterol and lipids), often marks the beginning of multiple medication therapy. A multiple medication regimen not only can be difficult and expensive to maintain but quite often brings on drug-induced nutrient depletions due to actions of the medications used. With the potential problems of unaddressed cardiovascular disease and the adverse effects of the medications used to treat this disease, many individuals attempt to address their cardiovascular issues with nutritional options.

However, before looking at nutritional supplements, we need to look at lifestyle changes. A poor diet with too much hydrogenated fat from processed fats, or too little essential fatty acids, can bring about cardiovascular disease. Daily exercise is essential to help protect the heart and prevent cardiovascular disease. Minimizing stress and good weight management are also critical to good heart health. Once cardiovascular disease has been diagnosed, lifestyle and diet changes are absolutely critical to minimize medication reliance.

When it comes to lowering lipid fractions, there are many nutritional products that have been shown to be helpful. Berberine which is found in our product, Berberine Support, is an herbal product that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels comparable to statin drugs, and to also lower blood sugar and insulin levels comparable to the prescription drug metformin. Red yeast rice has a long history of being helpful for lowering high cholesterol. Magnesium has been shown to decrease lipid factors. When magnesium is taken with coenzyme Q-10, a heart protectant, it has been shown to improve heart stamina. Finally, healthy omega-3 oils such as Omega-3 Fish Oil, Enteric Coated may help to offset harmful fats and oils and to decrease overall body inflammation.

Looking at the heart vessels and vasculature in the body, a number of products have been found to help keep blood vessels open and minimize hypertension caused by small, occluded vessels. Hawthorn berry extract has been recognized for centuries as a potent cardiovascular tonic, improving the function of the heart and circulatory system. Nitric Oxide Formula, with L-arginine and L-citrulline, is designed to support healthy nitric oxide (NO) levels in the body. NO is responsible for keeping the blood vessels open and blood flowing throughout the body. Daily usage of L-arginine and L-citrulline has been shown to increase blood flow, oxygen perfusion, stamina, and performance in individuals with poor vascular integrity.

When addressing cardiovascular diseases such as high cholesterol, high lipids, or high blood pressure, it may require multiple nutritional supplements to thoroughly manage these problems. Our wellness experts are here to help you maintain a happy, healthy heart.

October is Healthy Lung Month, and for many, the beginning of a challenging breathing season. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 50 million Americans experience various types of allergies each year.

With fall pollens abundant, this time of year can present many breathing challenges for allergy sufferers. Common and unpleasant symptoms may include sneezing, sniffling, nasal congestion, sleep deprivation, red, puffy, itchy, dry or watery eyes, sore throat, cough and in some cases, hives. Sinusitis and asthma attacks are also common among those who are severely allergic to pollens.  Do Natural Solutions for Allergies Work?

Additionally, cooler temperatures and damper weather conditions also bring mold. Using a room de-humidifier inside can help lower mold allergens, while any visible mold must be cleaned with diluted bleach to kill the mold. For allergy sufferers who work outdoors, wearing a mask at this time of year is recommended. Thankfully, sufferers can find relief from most pollen or mold allergies with an antihistamine.

Allergies aside, many other serious medical conditions affect the lungs and this month is the perfect time to check on your lung health. Conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, cardiopulmonary disease, high blood pressure, vasoconstriction, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) must all be closely monitored by a physician. The harmful effects of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke can also be responsible for serious medical conditions, including lung cancer.

There are a number of suggested steps one can take to improve lung health, maintain good lung function and live a healthy, happy life.

Quit smoking – even if you’ve been a lifetime smoker, quitting will improve your lung function almost instantly.

Breathe mindfully – breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth better filters the air and allows for a deeper breath.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables – research suggests consuming foods high in vitamins A, B-6, C, D and E have been shown to lower the risks of lung cancer.

Stay active – as little as 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day will aid or maintain healthy lung function.

Avoid air pollutants – avoid cleaning solutions and air fresheners containing strong chemicals, instead opt for natural variants and stay away from wood-burning stoves.

To further help achieve optimal lung health, Cypress Pharmacy offers patients access to a specialized service that assists patients reach their optimal health. The Cypress Pharmacy Wellness Program consists of a personalized consultation, recommendations on a customized supplement program, and considers a patient’s current medical conditions, as well as any prescribed and over the counter medications currently being taken. Cypress Pharmacy pharmacists and natural health consultant will then work with patients to customize a vitamin and supplement plan that will best accommodate their lifestyle and help increase their overall health.

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Many diabetics already know about the benefits of a low-glycemic diet and the need for regular exercise, but why haven’t they heard about turmeric, one of the world’s most extensively researched anti-diabetes plants?

Literature reviews and studies in major medical journals have provided promising support to the notion that the ancient Indian spice turmeric may be a medication alternative to managing and perhaps even preventing type 2 diabetes. Current data estimates more than 34 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10 people), and approximately 90% of them have type 2 diabetes, which has become one of the most common diagnoses. Type 2 diabetes most often develops in people over age 45, but more and more children, teens, and young adults are also developing it today.

An article in the International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism concluded that turmeric and its polyphenol active called curcumin could improve the type 2 diabetic state through a variety of distinct mechanisms. These include the reduction in liver glucose production, reduced liver glycogen (stored glucose) production, stimulation of increased glucose uptake, suppressing hyperglycemia-induced inflammatory state, stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic tissues, and improving pancreatic cell function. Also, human studies conducted on diabetic and pre-diabetic patients revealed that turmeric had the following beneficial effects:

1. glucose-lowering effect
2. improved beta-cell function in the pancreas
3. enhanced fatty acid oxidation and utilization

RISK FACTORS FOR DIABETES

Many risk factors for type 2 diabetes include lifestyle decisions that can be reduced or even cut out entirely with time and effort. Men are also at slightly higher risk of developing diabetes than women. This may be more associated with lifestyle factors, including body weight, and where the weight is located (abdominal versus in the hip area) than with innate gender differences. Some of the most significant risk factors for diabetes include:

1. older age
2. excess weight especially around the waist (visceral fat)
3. family history
4. certain ethnicities
5. physical inactivity
6. poor diet

In type 2 diabetes, which again accounts for about 90 percent of the cases of diabetes, the pancreas still produces insulin, but the body cells do not use it properly. This is called insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes are characterized by insulin resistance. When the cells become resistant to insulin, the body responds by making more insulin to overcome the resistance. Since insulin causes your body to store fat and prevents you from burning the fat that’s already stored in your fat cells, you start or continue to gain weight and have a difficult time losing weight. Elevated insulin levels will also cause high blood pressure and can lead to additional stress on the body. This process can happen over many years and even decades. The elevated glucose and insulin associated with diabetes can slowly damage your cells, organs, and tissues, leading to severe complications and even death.

So, the question becomes what actually triggers or causes the insulin resistance to begin with? Several key factors come into play here. The first is inflammation. Several studies have shown that chronic systemic inflammation can interrupt the communication between insulin and its receptors, leading to insulin resistance. Inflammation, of course, is a normal process: an immune reaction to some sort of physical or chemical insult that should go away once that insult is addressed. However, chronic inflammation is more dangerous. It’s a reaction to the constant physical, chemical, nutritional and emotional insults that we deal with every day. This is the chronic systemic inflammation that clogs the insulin receptors leading to insulin resistance.

DIABETES: THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG

Understand that insulin resistance is associated with much more than just diabetes. It is a fundamental factor in several other severe medical conditions, including obesity, hypertension, abnormalities in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and increased risk of heart disease. By incorporating a healthy lifestyle pattern into your daily life with good food choices, exercise, and hydration, you can take immediate action to increase your cells’ sensitivity to insulin. This will not only improve your blood sugar control and reduce your risk of diabetic complications but also protect you from the ravages of other very significant health problems.

Medicine has become so specialized that you may see one doctor for your diabetes, another for your high blood pressure, and yet another for hormonal problems. Given this sort of compartmentalization, it’s no wonder that patients often end up being treated with a plethora of drugs, one for each symptom or diagnosis.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR DIABETES

Nutritional supplements are a must for anyone with diabetes. Vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and herbs are naturally occurring compounds that, if taken at the right time in the right amounts, can have a profound positive effect on blood glucose levels. They can also protect you against debilitating consequences of diabetes from eye and kidney problems to heart disease and premature death.

While there is no question that turmeric is the king of all supplements for helping to manage diabetes, there are other science-based nutritional supplements that should be part of every diabetics’ daily regimen. Here are a few highly recommended to consider:

• Vanadium sulfate – this trace mineral acts remarkably like insulin in blood sugar regulation
• Chromium – this unique compound improves the activity of insulin and facilitates the uptake of glucose into cells.
• Antioxidants – these include vitamins A, C, and E, which slow down free radical activity at the cellular level.
• Lipoic acid – this is a powerful antioxidant supplement that is very useful in diabetics, which improves insulin sensitivity and helps reduce neuropathy or nerve pain.
• Gymnema Sylvestre – this is an incredible herb used to regulate blood sugar for centuries by practitioners of Ayurvedic (traditional Indian) medicine. Next to turmeric, this is the second most powerful herbal medicine known to help with diabetes.
• Magnesium – this essential mineral is deficient in nearly 80 percent of adults, and helps to guard against diabetic complications.
• Cinnamon – this spice not only tastes good but has shown in multiple clinical studies to help manage and regulate blood sugar levels.

Cypress Pharmacy’s Diabetes Balance contains many of these ingredients in one easy to take capsule.

Obviously, this may seem like quite a list to you at first, but believe me, the cost and effort it may take to implement a comprehensive lifestyle and nutritional supplement program will pay off in significant improvement in your health for many years to come.