Tuesday, November 3, 2015

WIN FREE FUEL FOR ONE YEAR - SIMPLY PRESENT YOUR LIFECLUB CARD WHEN YOU NEXT VISIT YOUR LOCAL CALANNA PHARMACY

Ask in store for more details!

Gastric Reflux - By Miguel Trapaga

Your stomach is an organ between your esophagus and small intestine and           

this is where the digestion of protein begins. Here food mixes with stomach acid, which is produced by cells lining the stomach. Other cells in the stomach produce bicarbonate, an alkali, to buffer the stomach acid, so that it does not become too acidic.

These cells also produce mucus, which forms a protective layer that prevents gastric acid from damaging the stomach. As well as breaking down proteins, the highly acidic environment in the stomach inhibits microorganisms,  preventing infection.

The angle formed as the oesophagus enters the stomach creates a valve, known as the lower esophageal  sphincter, that prevents stomach acid from passing back up, burning and inflaming the sensitive esophageal tissue. Gastric reflux is caused by a failure of this sphincter.

There are several causes of reflux.   The stomach can push up against the  sphincter as in a hiatus hernia or obesity. The stomach can also drop and press on the abdomen, disturbing its normal mixing function and acid production. The   sphincter itself may be weak.  The stomach can make too much acid due to high calcium levels in the blood or excess gastrin (an enzyme) production.


Some medicines are associated with   reflux, such as progesterone, prednisolone, theophylline, dopamine, Valium, some calcium channel blockers and non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs.  Some foods are also implicated, such as chocolate, citrus and tomato and smoking, alcohol and coffee are also known for excess acid production.  Finally, poor gastric digestion may be another possible cause. Foods that are not properly broken down may ferment, producing gas. This may increase gastric   pressure, pushing up against the heart and the esophageal sphincter.

For mild reflux, the medical treatment is antacids, which neutralize gastric acid. A newer family of drug, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), are now also widely used. These drugs decrease the acidity of the gastric acid. These drugs are not designed for long term use as the acidity of the gastric acid is important for disinfecting the stomach and intestines and the breakdown of foods, releasing nutrients.

If you are using PPIs in the long term, supplementing with magnesium and  calcium is a good idea, because these minerals will be less efficiently absorbed. Henry Osieki, Australia’s nutrition guru, recommends the following supplements:
  1. Increase the consumption of foods rich in silicon (fibre rich foods), magnesium and vitamin A;
  2. Cabbage juice, for any ulcers that may be present in the oesophagus;
  3. Avoid fatty foods, chocolate, alcohol, coffee and smoking.

Henry also recommends raising the level of the bed head several inches, so that gravity assists the prevention of acid passing into the oesophagus during sleep.

My basic treatment for reflux is :

1.  Basica, an alkaline mineral formula, 1 teaspoon,  4 x daily;

2.  Nat.Phos 6C, a tissue salt made by Schuessler, 1 tablet, 4 x daily;  and sometimes 

3.  Slippery Elm Powder. Pour 2 cups hot water over 2 tablespoons of the powdered bark and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Drink 10 minutes before meals.

There are other ideas to consider as well. Burning pain in the upper abdomen may also be a symptom of Helicobacter  Pylori, a bug that can infect the stomach. If you experience this symptom, have it diagnosed rather than trying to treat it yourself. Abdominal pain, particularly in a child, needs a medical diagnosis.

Words of Wisdom | By Mario Calanna| The 3 C’s

Hello Club Member,
"Like metals composed of different elements, diversity makes us
 stronger as a society, workforce or team."
Chris Raymond

The challenge is to use this diversity in collaboration for the good of all. This has been so throughout the history of human kind. We have always gone through cycles of wealth and stability to despair and survival. Today we are provided with unbalanced or little information about many major issues and we have become uncaring about the consequences of the decisions we endorse or allow to be made – Apathy and Dependence seem very much in vogue in our present time.

 I saw a comment recently on a tee shirt saying:  “The Daily News – I don’t Care”

Today we can proclaim how intelligent we are and how many amazing advances have been made in science, medicine, engineering etc. On the other hand poverty in the areas of finance, spirituality, family stability, social cohesion, knowledge of issues - is on the increase. Technology and entertainment seem to have slowly taken us away from the support and stability that strong families, respect for Law and Order and a spiritual awareness of our purpose and meaning in life provided us.

The Futurist Maurice Melkowski has recently stated that the future will need to be based around the 3 C’s  Communication, Collaboration and Creativity.  From my points above and the rapidity of changes in society – the 3 Cs need to be taken seriously.

Communication is the result you get. How clearly we describe our ideas is critical. We hear day in and day out that we need to Educate people. I believe this means to teach and communicate the endless messages and reams of information on 100s of topics that clog our daily lives. The most important issue is how do we CONNECT with people to share this information? I believe that much of the Apathy in our community is simply “Issue  Fatigue”. 

So many experts are telling us something new.  However humans have not really changed. We still need physical, emotional and financial security. We still need friends and family. We need to talk – face to face – with others.  We need social connections. We need food and nutrition. We need a place to live.  So how well we Communicate and Connect – is a key to our survival and growth

Collaboration is most important and we are now hearing this word in all areas and from Private and Public areas. Collaboration should really mean a humble, determined and     honest way to work with others to truly wish for a WIN-WIN outcome. The  parties should be willing to trust each other and be determined to achieve the best outcome for all parties. 

 I think we still have a long way to go to achieve this to any good level. For we have spent decades denouncing, educing and hiding the noble qualities of character, honesty, courage, integrity, loyalty,  carefulness etc.  We have  replaced them slowly with laws, regulations and  political  correctness that have abdicated accountability and  responsibility. Ignoring the nobleness of Respect, Gratitude , Sacrifice and Service.  Collaboration and the wiliness to truly co-operate is essential

Creativity of course is a no brainer. It is mankind’s ingenuity and innovation that has helped us survive.




How difficult will it be to achieve the 3-Cs?

Consider Collaboration an important goal in your diversity……………….Mario


Is insulin resistance making you sick, tired and overweight?

Is insulin resistance making you sick, tired and overweight?
Insulin is an important  hormone secreted by the pancreas that helps the uptake of glucose into cells around the body. For various reasons, over time, insulin produced by the body may not be as    effective as what it once was, requiring the body to produce and secrete more insulin to help digest glucose into the body. Common reasons for this may be high intake of simple sugars and carbohydrates which cause the body to  secrete high levels of insulin on a long term basis and lack of   physical activity.  Insulin resistance is also a key precursor for Type 2 diabetes as diabetes is generally caused by the inability of the body to produce insulin or the inability for the body to utilise insulin correctly.  The common symptoms around insulin resistance can include the following

· Sugar cravings
· Difficulty to lose weight
· Fat around the belly and abdominal region that is hard to shift
· Feeling unusually fatigued
· Bloating

As mentioned, insulin resistance generally develops over a period of time and can lead to Type 2 diabetes if not addressed as early as possible. Furthermore our modern diet and lifestyle of process foods, reduced activity levels and being time poor can all be direct contributors to    insulin resistance leading to weight gain.  The good news is insulin resistance can be reversed through a few simple steps that involve diet and exercise. Here are a few important tips you should know to improve insulin resistance or prevent it from starting:-

1.  Exercise regularly!             
Ideally 30 mins of low to medium intensity exercise daily, such as walking is a great way to reduce your risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.

2. Diet                   
A diet low in simple processed sugars such as sweets etc. is important. Source carbohydrates  from vegetables and whole grains (complex carbohydrates). Eat plenty of protein from eggs and high quality animal protein such as fish and good quality fat sources such as cold pressed extra virgin olive oil.

3. Supplements           
Multi B vitamins are important for carbohydrate metabolism, good quality fish or krill oil           supplement helps improve the function of insulin in the body and Magnesium which helps improve glucose metabolism and is generally deficient in diabetics.

4. Reduce stress levels              
Stress can tend to increase insulin levels in the body. Help reduce stress by physical activity, mediation, yoga and deep breathing techniques.