OCTOBER 2014 - All things Nutritional

Calanna Woman’s Multivitamin | $ 26.95

Calanna Women’s Multivitamin provides essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants & herbs to assist women’s daily nutritional requirements, to promote general wellbeing.

Calanna Women’s Multivitamin can assist with;

• Energy production
• Keeping bones strong
• Helps balance the immune system
• Provides antioxidants

Calanna Mega B Stress | $16.95 60 Tabs

Vitamin B helps

• Relieve stress and tension
• Improve energy  levels
• B Vitamins form the building blocks of the ‘feel good’ brain chemicals such as Serotonin.

Serotonin plays an important part in the regulation of learning, mood and sleep. Alterations in serotonin levels in the brain may affect mood. Experts say serotonin also might have a role in anxiety,  migraine, vomiting and appetite.

How do you know which Nutritional Supplements you should be taking?

Each year, people just like you spend a great deal of money on nutritional supplements. Most people however do not seek any kind of independent assessment of what it is they really need. And it’s important to recognise that each person’s requirements can be different. NutriCheck has been developed over 20 years of practice and research into helping individuals realise their optimal health through good nutrition.

Pick up your free NutriCheck at Calanna Pharmacy today or fill it out online at www.calannapharmacy.com.au

If your family is expecting a new little bundle of joy, be sure to Pick up your FREE Baby Checklist, which lists everything you'll need.

OCTOBER 2014 - Myths about Menopause answered

Menopause is a natural part of every woman’s life cycle.  Symptoms can be a gradual effect over two to six years before your last menstrual period.  As all women are different, not all women suffer from signs of menopause, in fact 20% have no symptoms, 60% have mild symptoms while only 20% suffer from  severe symptoms.

Lets look at some physical & emotional

Symptoms that women can experience;

• Hot Flushes & night sweats
• Aches & pains
• Headaches
• Vaginal dryness
• Urinary frequency
• Tiredness
• Irritability and/or Depression
• Sleeping difficulty
• Low self-esteem

The average age for women to reach menopause is between 51-52 years, however most women experience menopause between the ages of 48-55.  ‘Premature’ menopause is when a woman reaches this stage in her life before the age of 40.

Early menopause may occur spontaneously as a result of early failure of the ovaries.  Symptoms for early/premature menopause are basically the same as for natural menopause.

*Please note:  Due to the long-term effects of oestrogen deficiency, the risk of developing osteoporosis or heart disease for women experiencing premature menopause are considerably higher than women experiencing natural menopause.  For this reason, it is important to seek medical advice.

What happens to the body during menopause?

As the production of oestrogen starts to slow down, hormone  levels fluctuate and change hence you may notice;

• Cycles may become longer, shorter or irregular
• Bleeding may become lighter

Bleeding may become unpredictable & heavy (see your health practitioner)

Due to the decreasing levels in hormones, eventually menstruation stops altogether and menopause is reached. 

Menopause Management

Decisions about therapies depend on your;

• Current symptoms and severity
• Current health status
• Long-term health risks
• Personal Life

And there are many ways to manage your life, both physical & psychological.  Here at Calanna Pharmacy, we can assist you and guide you through Menopause.

OCTOBER 2014 - Words of Wisdom with Mario

Greetings to you all,

Just two months to go before the year ends. How many times have you heard or even said; "There is no way out" or "There is no other solution to this challenge"

It is my belief there is more than one solution to almost every challenge - I came across the example below a few weeks ago.

I believe that Wisdom seems so profound because it provides a very simple solution to what appears to be a complex challenge. No one has a monopoly on Wisdom - it is acquired by listening, by learning and by connecting - over time.

"A farmer died leaving his 17 horses to his three sons. when his sons opened up the Will it read: My eldest son should get half the total horses, my middle son should be given one third of the total horses, my youngest son one ninth of the total horses.

As it's impossible to divide 17 into half or 17 by 3 or 17 by 9, the three sons started to fight with each other.

So, they decided to go to a farmer friend for help.

The farmer friend read the Will patiently, after giving due thought, he brought on e of his own horses over and added it the 17. That increased the total to 18 horses.

Now, he divided the horses according to their fathers Will.

Eldest son = 9 (one half)

Middle son = 6 (one third)

Youngest son = 2 (one ninth)

TOTAL IS = 17 - sure one received a little less and another a little more - but the challenge was resolved.

Now this leaves one horse left over, so the farmer friend takes his own horse back to his farm"

Moral: The attitude of negotiation and problem solving is to find the 18th horse, i.e. the common ground. Once a person is able to find the 18th horse the issue is resolved. It is difficult at time. 

However, to reach a solution, the first step is to believe that there is a solution.

If we think that there is no solution, we won't be able to reach any!

The power of Wisdom, of understanding and the desire to resolve a challenge, lies in our philosophy of Life.

Written and interrupted by: Mario Calanna 

e: mario@calannapharmacy.com.au

OCTOBER 2014 - Practitioner's Corner with Vanessa Laird

Experience a Healthy & Happy Pregnancy

So you’ve found out you’re pregnant but the original excitement is wearing thin due to the many symptoms that come along with the job.

In most cases many women will experience at least one of the following symptoms which is often a natural occurrence in pregnancy due to the rapid growth, development and hormonal changes that occur during this time.

The focus of this article will be to address some of the physical symptoms experienced in pregnancy and how natural remedies can help provide relief and balance.

Morning sickness (or anytime sickness):

• Morning sickness may be a direct result from unstable blood sugar levels. Eating small meals regularly throughout the day may help to alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Ginger tea has been successfully used in pregnancy to treat nausea and can also be used to treat other digestive symptoms.
• Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) has been effective for some women who experience vomiting and nausea during pregnancy. B vitamins are more effective as a complex due to their synergistic affinity.

Constipation:

• Exercise regularly and drink plenty of purified water. Exercise stimulates peristalsis in the gut (natural pushing movement) and water works as a natural lubricant to aid bowel movement. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to a glass of water twice daily to help aid healthy bowel function and remove toxins via the kidneys.
• Eat plenty of raw vegetables especially green leafy types, sprouts, brown rice, lentils, raw unsalted nuts and seeds. These foods have a good source of roughage fibre to bulk the stool and facilitate easy bowel excretion.
• Practice pelvic floor exercises
• Add 2 tsp of oat or rice bran to freshly squeezed apple juice, suggested to be taken twice daily, may alleviate constipation
• 1- 2 tbsp of flaxseed or olive oil added to yoghurt, salads, smoothies or juices which may help to stimulate bowel contraction, soothes mucous membranes and promotes bile secretion (natural laxative).

 Reflux and indigestion:

• During pregnancy the high levels of oestrogen and progesterone can have an effect on the digestive tract causing reflux and indigestion. When eating be conscious of how you are eating. Sit upright, chew your food slowly until a liquid consistency and avoid lying down immediately afterwards.
• Keep your head elevated using pillows if the problem occurs at night.
• Slippery Elm is a mucilaginous herb that helps to soothe and coat the digestive tract. It may also help promote better bowel elimination.
• Probiotics such as acidophilus can alleviate multiple digestive complaints as well as maintain healthy bowel flora.

 Hemorrhoids/ Varicose veins & Stretch Marks:

• Increase fibre (roughage) and water intake. Follow constipation suggestions.
• Elevate your legs to promote blood flow back to the heart.
• Use a cold compress with the herb Witch hazel may help reduce the size of the hemorrhoids.
• Supplement with vitamin C and bioflavonoids can help improve capillary strength and elasticity.
• Jojoba cold pressed oil, rose hip cold pressed oil, vitamins E & A may be a useful topical remedy to prevent stretch marks. Ask your naturopath to make this up for you.

NB: Stretch marks that are pink/red in colour may be reduced, if they are white; scar tissue has already formed.

Fluid Retention/Swelling:

• The increase of oestrogen in the body when pregnant can lead to fluid retention especially in the hands, feet and ankles. It is important to monitor large amounts of swelling with a qualified professional, however small amounts of swelling are considered to be common. Blood pressure monitoring is also recommended.
•  Avoid processed and salty foods, this will retain fluid.
• Exercise regularly: exercise stimulates the lymphatic system to remove toxicity accumulation and prevents stagnation (oedema).
• Reflexology is another modality useful in treating mild oedema.
• Homeopathic Nat Mur 6C may be helpful to reduce swelling.
• Dandelion leaf tea is a gentle diuretic.

Pregnancy is a natural but complex process that remains forever in your life as a special experience. Having confidence and trust in your own intuition provides you with a sense of empowerment and better bonding with your unborn child.  A balance between a healthy diet, lifestyle and a positive attitude as well as professional information, can provide you with an amazing experience through a life changing moment.

NB: Before commencing any of the above suggestions please check with a qualified health professional if it is suitable to your individual needs.

References:

1.        Balch, J. & P. (2001). Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Avery Publishing, New York, USA.

2.        Osiecki, H. (2006). The Physician’s Handbook of Clinical Nutrition. AG Publishing, seventh edition, Queensland, Australia.

3.        Naish, F. & Roberts, R. (1999). The Natural Way to a Better Pregnancy. Doubleday, Sydney, Australia.

Written by Vanessa Laird|Naturopath Calanna Pharmacy