JUNE 2013 - Heart Heart Practitioner's Corner

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of a friend was walking the Pyramid.  He started to get some chest pain and he didn’t feel well.  He kept walking but felt worse, so he went home to his wife and she took him to the hospital. . . he was suffering a massive heart attack.  Fortunately, he is still with us today, unfortunately many other Australians do die from cardiovascular disease everyday.

Cardiovascular disease means heart, stroke or blood vessel diseases. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease, inheriting problems such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.  However, many people develop heart problems from poor lifestyle and dietary habits. 

So here is the good news . . .whether you are susceptible to cardiovascular problems because of genes, or because of the way you live, there are invaluable changes you can make to improve your heart and arteries and potentially deter cardiovascular disease.

Firstly, I will reveal some of the risk factors, thereby giving an indication to the changes that need to be made.

Risk Factors

·         High cholesterol levels – readings with high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the bad stuff), and low levels of high-density ipoprotein (the good stuff).

·         High levels of triglycerides - increases when you eat too many fatty foods or when you eat too much -- excess calories are made into triglycerides and stored as fat in cells. Having an abundance of triglycerides has been linked to coronary heart disease.

·         High blood pressure

·         Smoking

·         Lack of regular exercise

·         A high fat diet

·         Overweight or obese

·         Diabetes

·         Ongoing stress or depression

High Cholesterol Levels

The problem with not having the right balance of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, is that the blood vessels can develop atherosclerosis from it. What happens is the bad cholesterol is sticky and adheres to a blood vessel. As more bad sticky cholesterol flows through the blood stream, more can adhere and it can grow, developing a life of its own, the blood vessel narrowing and then a blockage can occur, stopping blood from getting through and thereby causing angina or a heart attack. 

Blood Pressure

When the heart pumps blood into the arteries, the blood pushes against the walls of the arteries.  Blood pressure is the product of the flow of blood times the resistance in the blood vessels.  High blood pressure may cause no symptoms initially but can cause serious long term complications.  Some complications of high blood pressure include heart disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, peripheral artery disease, and aortic aneurysms. 

The blood pressure is easily measured using a blood pressure monitor. A normal BP reading is around 120/80.  High blood pressure is defined as a consistently elevated pressure of 140/90 or higher.  You can come into Calanna Pharmacy to have your Blood Pressure measured.

Weight

If you have excess weight, especially weight around the middle, it may create conditions that increase your chance of heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.  Even a small weight loss can be beneficial – losing just ten percent of your weight can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of diabetes.

Smoking

No amount of smoking is safe as tobacco smoke contains more than 4800 chemicals, many of which can damage your heart and blood vessels, making them more vulnerable to narrowing of the arteries.  The good news is that if you smoke, quitting now means that you will reduce the risk of heart disease dramatically within a year.

Changes that MUST be made for a Healthy Heart

Exercise

Exercising helps to prevent heart disease by increasing the blood flow to the heart and strengthening the heart so that it can pump more blood with less effort.  It also helps to control your weight and reduces stress.  You should aim for around 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating is one of the best things that you can do to help reduce your risk of heart disease. 

Eat a lot MORE of:

1.   Vegetables, salads, fruits, nuts.

2.   Legumes, lean sources of meat and fish.

3.   Foods from the Mediterranean Diet such as garlic, artichokes, olive oil. 

Eat a lot LESS of:

1.   Sugar and white flour products i.e. white breads, buns, cakes.

2.   Trans fatty acids – deep fried foods, margarine, and processed foods. (They lower the good cholesterol and increase the bad cholesterol.)

3.   Saturated fats – only eat red meat to the size of your palm and trim off the fat.

Supplements

1.    Calanna Odourless Omega 3 - decreases the risk of heart attack, protect against irregular heartbeats, and lower blood pressure.

2.    Ethical Nutrients Cholestrienol - contains clinically trialled ingredients that may assist healthy people to maintain cholesterol within the normal range and assist healthy cholesterol levels, improving the good and bad cholesterol ratio.  Also, assists in maintaining triglyceride levels within the normal range.

There are many other supplements that can assist in maintaining a Healthy Heart, as well as other diet and lifestyle changes that can be made.

Calanna Pharmacy has Naturopaths available at our Woree, North Cairns and Townsville stores that can assist you with a Health Management plan especially tailored for your health status. Call your nearest Calanna Pharmacy to book an appointment.

Please note that if you have not had a health check up recently, it may be advised to have your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides tested, so please make a visit to your doctor. 

 

Written by: Kim Erhlich - Naturopath

Calanna Pharmacy Woree - Natural Medicine Clinic

 



MAY 2013 - What is a Cold?

What is a cold?

The common cold is caused by a viral infection and commonly effects our nose, throat and respiratory system. There are dozens of different cold viruses, once the body is exposed to one, generally, in a healthy person, that virus would not cause an infection a second time around. However because there are so many different types of viruses that cause the common cold or flu this is why we may be subject to acquiring a cold once or twice each year.

How can I prevent a cold?

The common cold is generally passed on from person to person via droplet infection e.g. through coughing or sneezing.

Practical ways to prevent contracting and passing on a cold include:

4 Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and/or use hand sanitizer gel

4 Minimise contact with people that may have cold or flu symptoms

4 Keeping your mouth and nose covered when coughing or sneezing to help prevent virus being passed onto others.

Help boost your immune system:

4 Get plenty of rest! The body and immune system can function much better on a good night’s sleep which usually consists of 8 hours each day.

4 Diet – eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables every day

4 Keep well hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day

Important Supplements include:

4 Zinc – an integral mineral in the functioning of the immune system efficiently and effectively

4 Echinacea – herbal supplement shown to help enhance white blood cell activity in the body, it may assist in reducing the     severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms.

4 Vitamin C – an oldie but a goodie – Vitamin C is a  potent antioxidant along with enhancing immune response.

4 Vitamin A – helps to support a healthy surface barrier for the respiratory and digestive tracts

4 Olive Leaf Extract – another potent antioxidant with antiviral properties.

What should I do about the flu?

The flu is also caused by a virus, usually of the influenza variety and is accompanied by similar but more severe      symptoms than a cold and the symptoms may last much  longer. Generally speaking most people will get very sick with “the flu” but will recover, some people with lowered  immune response.  The very elderly, young and those with chronic health conditions however the effects can be far worse. All the above points are equally as important for flu prevention. People in higher risk groups such as those  mentioned already and those working in industries where they may come into contact with people suffering from the flu could consider vaccination. Each year a flu vaccine is released which aims to help create immunity in the body against the most likely forms of influenza virus that could be prevalent for the coming year. This year’s flu vaccine is now available – talk to your GP or pharmacist for more information on these.

Should I see the doctor?

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms you should consider seeing your GP as soon as possible…

Þ Breathlessness or chest pain

Þ An increase in asthma like symptoms

Þ Ear-ache or facial ache

Þ Rusty coloured or blood-stained mucous from the nose or chest

Þ High fever (fever 38 degrees Celsius or above)

Þ Cough which persists for greater than 1 week.

 

www.calannapharmacy.com.au

 

 

 

 

MAY 2013 - Practitioner's Corner - Cold & Flu



Staying Healthy This Winter

Written by Vanessa Laird - Calanna Pharmacy Woree

 

Why is it that some people are more susceptible to catching a cold and others breeze through the flu season without even a sniffle? The answer to this is the strength of our immune systems capability.

 

The immune system is the body’s defence force that protects the body against unwanted pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. Cold and flu symptoms such as mucous and fever are the result of the body trying to reduce the survival time of a virus or bacteria. (4)

 

For the immune system to function optimally it must have the right ingredients to optimise its fighting power. Nutritional co-factors such as vitamins and minerals have been proven to support immune system function. Herbal medicines are equally as effective to help fend off cold and flu symptoms as well as boost immune competence.

 

Symptoms associated with colds & Flu:

§  Fever (hot and cold chills)

§  Sore throat

§  Cough (dry and chesty)

§  Runny or stuffy nose

§  Headaches

§  Muscle aches and pains (more specific to flu symptoms)

§  Fatigue (extreme fatigue is more indicative of flu)

 

Immune Booster Recommendations:

§  Flaxseed or Fish oil: Polyunsaturated fatty acids found in flaxseed and fish oil help to reduce inflammation and increase immune function.  (5)

§  Vitamin C increases anti-viral and anti-bacterial activity in your body; it also stimulates white blood cell response to destroy unwanted micro-organisms.

§  Zinc is very important in restoring immune function. It is a vital component of white blood cell activity; it destroys pathogens and protects the body from toxicity.

§  Vitamin A can help to provide a protective surface barrier of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, therefore preventing microorganisms from entering the body. It has also demonstrated increased antibody response and stimulates white blood cell activity.

§  The herb Echinacea was and is traditionally used by the native people of Northern America. It is used to enhance the body’s natural resistance to viral and bacterial infection. Echinacea currently has the most evidence based data than any other herb in Western herbal medicine. It has a particular affinity to prevent and alleviate upper respiratory infections such as tonsillitis, mucous production and sinus infections. (4, 5)

§  Olive leaf helps to fight against viral and bacterial infections, and has shown to be highly beneficial when fending off the common cold and flu.

§  The homeopathic remedy Allium cepa 6C can be used to treat symptoms such as persistent sneezing, runny nose and a tickling cough. (2)

§  Homeopathic Natrum muriaticum 6C is useful when treating a runny nose with clear to white mucous, sinus congestion and sneezing. (2)

§  Homeopathic Kali sulphuricum 6C can be used to treat colds that have yellow nasal discharge. (4)

§  Aromatherapy: Essential oils such as Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Menthol can be used as an inhalant to relief nasal congestion. Add a few drops of each to hot water and inhale. (4)

§  Herbal teas are great to sooth a sore throat and warm the body. Try ginger, lemon and honey. (1)

§  Cooking with horseradish or eating small amounts of wasabi (Japanese condiment) will help to alleviate sinus congestion. If you find spicy food unbearable supplementing with a tablet may be a better option. (4)

§  Cook with Reishi or Shiitake mushrooms. 

§  Soups are an excellent nutritive healing food. The hot liquid helps to ease congestion and warm the soul. Add plenty of garlic to activate natural antibiotic properties.  (1)

§  Wash your hands frequently and avoid rubbing your eyes. This will help to prevent recontamination

Speak to a qualified Naturopath, Herbalist or Nutritionist to have an individual treatment plan made up for you. Herbal mixtures can be made up to suit your symptoms, immune system capability and other associated factors.

 

References:

 

1.        Davis, C. and Speer, S. (2006). Foods & News that Fight Colds and Flu. Canadian Journal of Health & Nutrition; Alive Publishing, Canada.

2.        Duelli, N. (2005). It’s Sniffle Season. Treat Colds and Sinus Congestion with Homeopathy. Canadian Journal of Health & Nutrition; Alive Publishing, Canada.

3.        La Valle, J. and Hawkins, E. (1998). Colds and Flu: A Natural Approach. Drug Store News, Vol. 20 (20).

4.        Sahelian, R. and Toews, V. (1999). Give Colds the Shoulder. Better Nutrition, Vol. 61 (10).

5.        Starbuck, J. (1998). Team Up with Natural Immune Boosters. Better Nutrition, Vol. 60 (11).

Mario's Magic Minute - Change Begins with Choice - by Jim Rohn

Change begins with CHOICE....

·         Any day we wish, we can discipline ourselves to change it all.

·         Any day we wish, we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge.

·         Any day we wish, we can start a new activity.

·         Any day we wish, we can start the process of life change.

·         We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.

 

We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform.

And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are.

 

We can choose rest over labour, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence.

The choices are ours to make.

But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause.

 

As Shakespeare uniquely observed, “The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves.”

 

We created our circumstances by our past choices. www.thecompoundeffect.com

 

We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today.

 

Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions.

 

They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth.        

 

We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path.

We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out.

 

And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives.

 

If you don’t like how things are, change it! You’re not a tree.

 

You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life.

 

And it all begins with your very own power of choice.

 

“While we make personal choices we should always remember that “Happiness is a decision”. And to truly develop as a human being with a God given purpose – we need people to help us. Some of our biggest decisions are the people we choose to spend most of our time with – our associations.

 

So, while all of Jim Rohn’s thoughts are true – our best decisions for growth and improvement lie in the people we associate with in all areas of our life.

 

We should be able to close our eyes at night and be comfortable about who we are and where we are going – despite the challenges we may face along the path"

 

Mario Calanna - CEO Calanna Pharmacy Group