Vitamin B12 Shortage Shrinks Brain!

Vitamin B12 Shortage Shrinks The Brain

Low levels of vitamin B12 increase the odds of losing brain cells with age.  This is the conclusion of a study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

What does this mean for memory and brain function?

Researchers took samples of blood from 121 people over age 65, measuring B12 levels and testing memory and other cognitive skills, at different times, four and a half years apart.  Those people with the lowest levels of B12, had the greatest brain shrinkage according to brain scans and they also had the lowest scores on the memory and other cognitive tests.

Although it wasn’t tested whether B12 supplements would solve this problem, many integrative doctors and naturopaths would recommend taking about 1000mcg daily, especially for vegetarians or  people with digestion issues involving malabsorption. Sublingual form is best if there are problems with absorption.

Food sources of vitamin B12 include meat, chicken, fish, milk and eggs.

Don't Forget To Use The Smart Traveller Checklist!

The SmartTraveller website also has a wonderful checklist which will help you work out what you need before you go. Make sure you follow these easy steps to prepare for your next journey. HAPPY TRAILS! From The Team At Fords Pharmacy.

Are You Travelling Overseas?

If you are, we recommend you use the Australian Government's SMART TRAVELLER website before you head off on your trip. SmartTraveller is designed to help Australians map out a picture of where they are going and includes all warnings and dangers related to Health, Politics, Weather And The Law.

See an example for Brazil . The country is broken down into categories that will help you learn about what you can take, what you can't take and how you can prepare for your next trip.

An Excerpt:

Malaria is a high risk in Brazil throughout the year. Other insect-borne diseases (including dengue fever, yellow fever, filariasis and leishmaniasis) are also a risk to travellers, with a higher incidence during the wet seasons (May to August and November to January). You should consult your doctor or travel clinic about prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times, wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing and ensure your accommodation is mosquito proof.

Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, leptospirosis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

HIV/AIDS is also a significant risk in Brazil. You should exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to risk of infection. You can find out more information at the World Health Organization website.

Pasotti Lux, Coming Soon To The Store

We are taking the plunge! The Pasotti Umbrellas have sold out AGAIN, so on our next order we have added a few more delicacies which might be a little more expensive but we think that they will attract even the most discerning eye. Pasotti Luxury umbrellas will be available in store in a fortnight.

How Lovely Is This Umbrella By Il Marchesato?

Well, If It Just Keeps Raining Then We Will Just Have To Sell More Umbrellas!

These will arrive by Friday next week, the second line of umbrellas that are coming straight from Italy. They go by the name of Il Marchesato and they are some of the most beautiful umbrellas we have found to complement the existing range of Pasotti Umbrellas we have in store. If you want to reserve one before they come in, and these images are the EXACT order that we have placed, you better call +612 9557 1712 now.

Sleep Apnoea And Poor Sleeping Patterns

Getting a good nights rest is tantamount to being 'well'. Our emotional and physical well being depends on quality of our rest. Poor quality of our sleep leads to poor concentration, drowsiness and retardation of the senses and prolonged sleeping problems can even be attributed to depression. To root out these problems relating to sleep we must first find the cause and then learn to manage it.

Depending on age, most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Teenagers need about 9.5 and infants need almost 16 hours a day! The quality of our sleep may be depleted by the following issues:

1. Insomnia - which is when it is difficult to get to sleep or you continually wake up and can not get back to sleep.
2. Obstructive sleep apnoea - which is when you stop breathing whilst you are asleep for periods of time.
3. Restless legs syndrome, a condition which causes multiple movements of our legs meaning that we cannot find comfort and therefore stay awake. 
4. Bad dreams, nightmares, sleep walking and other emotional feelings caused by depression or stress.
5. Restless sleep from temperature changes during the night.
6. Poor prostate which causes us to urinate frequently during the night.
7. Bladder problems.
8. Hypertension related to stress in our daily lives and the ability to relax before bed time.

If these things are causing you some angst then you need to consider seeing a physician to find out how to manage the causes of your sleeping problems as the long term affects on your life and lifestyle can be enormous. Sleeping problems can affect both your professional and private life if left unchecked.

Cat Naps

Whilst there are varying opinions on the benefit of cat naps, if you are not getting enough sleep during the night, consider having a cap nap during the day. Cat naps are considered to be excellent re-charge sleeps that help us get through a long day.

Meditation

We always recommend meditation. A proven technique, meditation helps lower our stress levels and gives us more adaptation energy to relax to the changing pace of our lives through each day. One thing that many businessmen complain about with relation to sleep is the idea of switching off between day time activity and night time rest. We thoroughly recommend trying meditation as a way to break up the day between professional  life and home life. http://doublebaymeditation.blogspot.com/

Yoga
Yoga can be a great way to stretch, relax and unwind the physical stresses of the working day. To find out more about yoga, click here http://www.yogaindailylife.org.au/

Some of the other issues that could be causing sleep problems are:

• Not enough exercise
• Pain from injury
• Snoring
• Smoking cigarettes and the bodies cravings for nicotine.
• Using recreational drugs
• Changing time zones on a regular basis
• Uncomfortable sleeping conditions including the temperature of the room, style of bed and lack of fresh air

The best thing you can do is sit down and write a list of what things are causing you stress, what things may cause you discomfort during your sleep and what kinds of activities you are doing before and after you get up in the morning. By making a list we can identify what may be causing the problem and focus upon a solution. Sometimes it is simply a matter of having a comfortable routine before bed which will make all the difference to creating a relaxed environment for sleep. In other cases it may simply be a case of find a source for fresh air and the right kind of pillows to support our body. 

If none of these things help, consult your physician or else contact the Australasian Sleep Association www.sleep.org.au or else Sleep Disorders Australia on www.sleepoz.org.au

Genital Herpes - Know What It Is And What Can Be Done

We won't post any graphic images on this blog, but if you wish to see in detail what genital herpes is, you can log onto Wikipedia for more content. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genital_herpes

Gential herpes is one of the most commonly sexually transmitted infections in Australia. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus, the very same virus which can cause sold cores on the face. Anti viral medicines may relieve symptoms, speed healing and limit further outbreaks of symptoms and protect against the spread of others.

Herpes is broken down into two types - HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is a more common cause of cold sores whereas HSV-2 tends to affect the genitals.

Unfortunately with herpes, once the disease has been transmitted, it remains in the body of that person for life. After the first episode of an infection, the virus lies inactive in nerve cells and lies dormant until a period of stress  on the body may reactivate the infection.

Most people who contract genital herpes would never know that they have the disease. Some people can have one initial outbreak of the disease and then no future episodes, it just depends on your body. Some of the reasons why you may get an outbreak can be attirbuted to the following:

• High Levels of Stress
• Excessive exercise and exhaustion
• Increases in alcohol intake
• Infections from bacteria or other viruses
• Friction during sexual intercourse

The main way we combat this disease is through anti-viral medicines such as famciclovir, valaciclovir and aciclovir. 

To relieve some of the symptoms, here is a list of common remedies which you may or may not attempt:

1. Bathe the lesions in a warm saline solution
2. Drink plenty of water
3. Urinate whilst the genitals are submerged in warm water
4. Wear loose clothing
5. Use condoms
6. Avoid sexual contact if possible
7. Wash your hands well and keep the body clean.

For more information see the Australian Herpes Management Forum on www.ahmf.com.au

A Happy Customer Walks Out With A Pasotti Umbrella Just As It Starts To Rain

What a rainy summer it has been here in Sydney. Rain rain, go away, or not, since we are selling a new range of Pasotti Umbrellas which have just arrived.

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How To Close Your Pasotti Umbrella From Pasotti HQ

Pasotti Umbrellas Finally Arrive In Store Just Before Christmas!!

Just in, our new Pasotti umbrellas. They are durable, beautifully made and well worth a visit just to see them and a perfect Christmas for this rainy December. Come in and see us at 247 King Street, Newtown, Sydney. Or call us on +612 9557 1712

We Are Going To Be Bringing In Some Fancy Umbrellas For This Rainy Summer.... Pasotti

We apologise for the weather if you are visiting Sydney. We have a current weather pattern which alternates between El Nino and Elle Nina - spelling? I am not sure... But it means we're either having too little rain or too much rain. So we decided with the current weather to bring in some fancy umbrellas since you won't be needing as much sunscreen this summer. They are from the famous Italian brand Pasotti. They should be in store by Wednesday. Warning, they are not cheap! Regards from the team at Fords Pharmacy. If you like what you see, call us on +612 9557 1712

Now In Stock - McArthur Natural Products

We have recently taken on McArthur Natural Products in the store www.mcarthurnaturalproducts.com  . We have been surprised at how fast people have been buying this brand. It has been selling extraordinarily well. Please watch the video located below that explains why the McArthur cream works and what makes up this extraordinary paw paw cream. It is changing people's lives and we hope it changes yours.

We Are Making Some Changes To Our Store...

We are undergoing some new branding as we modernise the shop. Although we have been in Newtown since 1908, we believe that, like everything in this world, you have to adapt and change with the times. We hope you like our new signage. 

Asthma

Asthma is when the airways of the lungs become inflamed and cause difficulty in breathing. More than 2 million Australians suffer from Asthma. Asthma cannot be cured but it can be contained and controlled with medicines allowing an individual to live a normal and active life free of symptoms.

Most commonly, people who suffer from asthma feel tight, weezy and suffer from shortness of breath. They may also cough and bring up extra mucus.

Some of the most notable symptoms are: dry cough, wheezing, whistling in your breath, breathlessness, constriction in your chest.

Whilst there are many things that can trigger asthma, some of the most known causes are:

• The inhalation of allergens (dust, pollen, moulds, animal hair)
• Colds and flus
• Physical activity
• Cold air and inclement weather
• Pollution in the air
• Emotional stress, anxiety
• Foods
• Preservatives

How do we go about getting some help? 

If you think you suffer from asthma, consult your local physician first. It is always essential that you take your initial diagnosis to your local GP. You will need to be assessed on your symptoms, any allergic reactions you might have, ascertain a management plan for your asthma and document an action plan to make changes in the management of your health.

What kind of drugs are there?

Asthma drugs are usually broken into three categories: Relievers, Preventers and Symptom Controllers. The most commonly used reliever is Ventolin.

How Do I Monitor My Asthma?

One of the most common measuring systems used is 'The Peak Flow Meter'. This measures the capacity of your lungs and his available in all pharmacies.

For more information, see the Asthma Foundations Australia website on www.asthmaaustralia.org.au

Vitamin D Plays A Part In Reducing Your Risk To Dementia

Vitamin D has been shown through recent scientific research to be related to high risks associated with dementia.  Severe Vitamin D deficiency is shown to correlate by up to 60% with cognitive decline.

Other studies have linked Vitamin D insufficiency with dementia, Alzheimers and stroke.

In Japan, scientists have hypothesised that Vitamin D helps to break down amyloid plaques, the build up of amyloid plaques is considered to be a major aetiological factor in Alzheimers disease.

Furthermore, Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, helps maintain the immune and helps in the defence of respiratory tract infections.

Source: Andrew Whitfield-Cook, Technical Research Writer For Fit Bioceuticals.

Just Arrived! Nature's Own Fish Oil In Liquid Mango Formula!

Omega 3 improves brain power as well as helping the heart and looking after your joint function. Nature's own now has it in a liquid form with a mango peach flavour. It has all the usual Omega 3 goodness but in a liquid form.