PHARMACY - General Health information

natural health

Everyone knows that a varied balanced diet and healthy lifestyle are essential to keep you fit and healthy, whatever your age. But where do vitamins fit in?

Vitamins are essential for healthy growth, vitality and physical wellbeing. In other words, they are vital for the normal functioning of our bodies. They occur naturally in minute quantities in foods and generally must be obtained from these foods or from dietary supplements. Below is a general guide to a variety of people's nutritional needs:

Women:

Today many women are coping with a fulltime job, managing a household, chauffeuring children to school and sports - and trying to keep themselves energetic and vibrant! Stress and skipped meals may mean they are not receiving enough iron, calcium, zinc & magnesium from their daily diet. This can lead to tiredness, poor skin, loss of interest in sex and lower resistance to minor infections like coughs & colds. A daily multivitamin supplement will help women to stay on top of their busy schedule. In addition, women also have very individual nutritional needs. If you fall into any of the following groups you may like to discuss your needs with the pharmacist, or one of the pharmacy staff.

Oral contraceptives
The hormones in oral contraceptives may increase your need for vitamins B6, C, B2 and Zinc.

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Evening primrose oil, plus magnesium, Vitamin B complex and Vitamin E may help painful symptoms.

Pregnancy
Pregnancy & breastfeeding increase the need for the B complex vitamins, iron, calcium, folic acid, vitamin E and essential fatty acids. A women's multivitamin and mineral formula is recommended. Vitamin A may harm the baby's normal development in higher doses; therefore during pregnancy women should not take more than 750mcg a day.

Dieting
Fad diets, and diets which avoid entire food groups such as dairy products or fruit and vegetables can lead to deficiencies, especially calcium, folic acid and iron. Dieters may benefit from a women's multivitamin and mineral formula, plus extra Zinc and Calcium.

Women athletes
Women athletes may need iron, and also calcium supplements.

Menopause
Changing hormone levels during menopause can lead to hot flushes and mood swings. Hot flushes may be helped by a vitamin E, ginseng, black cohosh and soy. Vitamin B6, magnesium and ginger may be helpful for mood swings. It is vital that women of this age maintain their calcium levels to avoid osteoporosis and the tendency towards broken bones. Extra calcium, vitamin D and an antioxidant supplements are also recommended.

Men:

Prostate problems
From the age of 50 many men start to experience prostate or 'water works' problems. To maintain a healthy prostate gland and avoid or reduce symptoms, try the following: zinc, saw palmetto, amino acids, flaxseed oil and vitamin C. Ask the Pharmacist for a special combination prostate formula in one tablet. Anyone with problems should have a medical check up to make sure there is not a more serious condition such as inflamed prostate or prostate cancer.

Older People:

The elderly are high users of medicines and some of these for example, antacids, antibiotics, diuretics and laxatives can interfere with vitamin and mineral absorption, making supplement important.

Some elderly people do not eat enough fruit, vegetables or dairy products. As a result they may have low levels of several vitamins and minerals including calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins C, B6 and folate. Multivitamin supplements formulated especially for the needs of the elderly are now available, some which include digestive enzymes to boost digestion.