Alive Pharmacy Warehouse - Live+ June 2023

live+

Your guide to staying healthy, happy, alive

ALL ABOUT THE MAN

BE PROACTIVE ABOUT YOUR PROSTATE Take charge of your prostate health

SAY GOODBYE TO BLADDER LEAKAGE Tips to combat urinary incontinence

ELECTROLYTES

The importance of replenishing lost nutrients

NOURISH YOUR BODY

Holistic approaches to overall health

WELCOME WINTER SEASON

June is the first month of the winter season. Start preparing your body for the cold and flu season by increasing your vitamin D, C, and zinc intake, as well as other essential vitamins and minerals. It’s important to keep your immune system strong so that it can fight off infections and illnesses.

Keep in mind that our pharmacies are still taking Flu Vaccination bookings and that you can confirm booking times and availability at your local Alive Pharmacy or online at www.alivepharmacy.com.au.

In this month’s Live+ issue we touch on men’s health. Over the age of 50, its common for men to experience weak bladder control and prostate problems. On page 3 we delve deep into the product Urox and its formulation that can aid bladder control. This month we also introduce a bunch of new products to our shelves. Explore all the new men’s skincare and sport nutrition ranges instore.

Generally speaking, men may want to follow a different skincare routine to women. Certain hormones and the ability to grow facial hair means that their skin may require a different method of care. For instance, regular shaving may make skin more sensitive, and a clean and sharp razor can help prevent cuts, nicks, and bumps. Men also naturally tend to have thicker skin and produce more sebum (oils).

Here are a few tips when browsing the skincare section:

1. D on’t limit yourself to skincare products based on packaging. The majority of skincare products are suitable for everyone but if you prefer to avoid floral scents look for fragrance-free products.

2. Try incorporating an anti-aging serum. A vitamin-C serum, retinoid, or hyaluronic acid are a few great options to include in a routine.

3. U se products formulated specifically for sensitive skin. The packaging will often state that it’s for sensitive skin or is hypoallergenic.

4. K eep it simple, pick a few key products to get you started. A cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen and a serum tick all the boxes.

Skincare post workout is especially important to prevent breakouts. Cleanse the skin to remove dirt and bacteria. Then use a lightweight moisturiser to replenish your barrier and rehydrate the skin.

Coming up, we’re looking forward to the Cairns IronMan 2023. Good luck to all the athletes participating, we’ll be there cheering you on from the sidelines.

Keep your immune system strong and stay healthy ahead of winter season.

All the best Managing Director

BE PROACTIVE ABOUT YOUR PROSTATE

Walnuts are a type of tree nut that originated in the Mediterranean region and Central Asia. They are rich in omega-3 fats, antioxidants, and proteins, making them a superfood. Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that walnuts play a role in supporting male reproductive health.

Male reproductive health and fertility rely on the prostate gland, a small, walnutsized gland located in the middle of the pelvis. The primary function of the prostate gland is to produce fluid secretions that support and nourish sperm. As people age, an unhealthy prostate can lead to various health concerns associated with the urinary tract. Common symptoms of an unhealthy prostate may include pain during urination or after ejaculation, frequent and urgent urination, difficulty with urination, and other related symptoms.

The secret power of walnuts

You might be wondering why this article is so bloody focused on walnuts. Well, we think it’s interesting that the shape of the walnut is similar to that of the prostate gland, and that consuming walnuts has been linked to certain health benefits. Several studies have found a correlation between consuming walnuts and improved male reproductive system health. The research suggests that consuming walnuts daily over a long period of time could improve sperm shape, vitality, and motility.

The risk of developing prostate cancer increases after the age of 50. https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/ types-of-cancer/prostate-cancer

In addition to eating walnuts, our overall diet is closely associated with our reproductive health. Eating a diet that is high in sugar and unhealthy fats can cause our hormones to fluctuate, leading to mood swings throughout the day. On the other hand, focusing on a well-balanced diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in trans fats and processed foods can help our body function at a steadier rate, which can have a positive impact on our reproductive health.

It’s important to be proactive about your prostate health, eat well and exercise consistently, and remember to get your regular screenings and health check-ups.

TO BLADDER LEAKAGE SAY GOODBYE

We sit down with Tracey from Seipel Group Brisbane to discuss incontinence and Tracey’s award-winning clinically proven Urox® formula.

Tracey is a pioneer in natural bladder control, in fact Tracey created the ‘bladder control’ category that made space just for bladder products on pharmacy shelves globally.

Her Urox® bladder control formulation was the result of 20 years of research and has since won multiple international awards for everything from product innovation to supporting healthy ageing. Over a million bottles of Urox® Bladder Control have sold globally and that’s pretty impressive for an Australian made invention.

No one wants to talk about incontinence and bladder leakage and yet, as Tracey points out, it affects 1 in 4 Australians. It is amongst the top 3 most adverse conditions for quality of life and the third leading cause for the elderly to enter aged care.

Tracey shares her expertise on all things bladder below.

What are the symptoms of poor bladder muscle control?

+ Urgency to reach the bathroom

+ Urinating more than 8 times a day

+ Inability to empty the bladder completely

+ Bladder accidents

+ Going to the toilet frequently at night

Who is affected by weak bladder control?

Around 40% of new mothers and half of all middle-aged women, which increases to three-quarters of senior women. Half of men over age fifty have weak bladder symptoms. Bedwetting is a problem for 20% of children and for some teenagers and, surprisingly, many female athletes have bladder leakage. Incontinence can also be a problem for young people who have had head or back injuries.

How does Urox® work?

Urox® has been formulated to strengthen bladder muscles and the surrounding connective tissue, and promote a proper nerve response. Urox® has undergone 14 clinical trials and is proven to significantly reduce medically diagnosed overactive bladder symptoms in as little as 2 weeks, with best results at 8 weeks.

Clinical trial results* show that 90% of people had improvement with Urox®

It reduces the feeling of urgency and bladder accidents. It also reduces ‘stress leakage’ which happens when you cough, laugh, jump or even stand up after sitting for a while. Urox® cuts the night time toilet trips by half, and 75% of people reduced their pad usage to one or less per day.

Content provided by Seipel Group Uroxbladderhealth.com.au

ELECTROLYTES

The importance of replenishing lost nutrients

Electrolytes are vital for our bodies as they help maintain the electrical balance in our cells, which is crucial for basic life functionality, especially in our nervous system and muscles. We obtain electrolytes through our diet and fluids and lose them mainly through sweat and urine.

Dietitians have extensive knowledge to provide personalised nutritional advice and support, and they can also assist with managing medical conditions. We chat with Mitch from Health Management Dietitians Cairns about the importance of electrolytes.

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

Heavy Sweater?

You might have heard terms such as sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphate or magnesium, which are all electrolytes found in your blood, sweat and urine. These are essential for muscle and nerve function as well as maintaining your body’s acid base balance, not to mention maintaining your hydration.

We all sweat at different rates, with some of us bigger sweaters than others. If you live in a hot and humid environment, you need to be more mindful about maintaining your total fluid intake and ensuring you’re replacing electrolytes lost through sweat. You likely know if you sweat a lot, but a great way to tell if you’re a salty sweater, is to check your clothes for salt residue that shows as white marks.

Hydralyte

The Hydralyte brand has a range of products including electrolyte tablets, ice blocks, powder, ready to use solutions and most recently released hot hydration drinks. They contain sodium and potassium for rehydration and are very low in carbohydrates at just 1.62g of glucose per electrolyte tab. Hydralyte can be great for those wanting to replace electrolytes lost, but who don’t need extra carbohydrates like you would get from a sports drink.

Endura Low Carb fuel

The Endura low carb is a great option for those who are working outside or engaging in moderate amounts of highintensity exercise. It contains a few extra electrolytes including sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium but is also low in carbohydrates at less than 1.3g per serve. With the added electrolytes, it assists in the prevention of muscular cramps and relieves aches and pain without the added carbohydrate/sugar.

Should I be taking electrolytes?

Most people consume enough electrolytes through their diet to replace their daily losses. However, if you are someone who works outside in the heat all day, are an endurance athlete or engage in activities resulting in several hours of heavy sweating (think hiking, gardening, etc.) you may benefit from taking an electrolyte replacement drink.

Written by Mitch Smith, Accredited Sports Dietitian Health Management Dietitians www.healthmanagement.com.au

Endura Rehydration Performance Fuel

Lastly, the Endura Rehydration Performance Fuel is for those endurance athletes engaging in intense exercise or exercise lasting several hours. It contains the same electrolytes as the Endura Low Carb solution but has 20g of carbohydrates per serve to replenish energy stores during exercise.

Dietitian Tip: It is recommended to take 30-90g of carbohydrates per hour for endurance events.

If you’re unsure on what is best for you, an accredited practicing dietitian can help you determine the right product and dosing.

There are lots of little ways to show your body a little lovin’ that you may not have realised. Maybe you thought you were neglecting your body but after reading our guide below, you may discover you were doing the right thing after all. Check out our 1 to 8 ways to nourish your body.

body

GET UP AND MOVE

Just 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of disease and increase bone density. Moderate daily exercise supports your body’s production of antibodies and white blood cells, helping your body fight off viruses and other pathogens more efficiently.

NOURISH YOUR 2

Take action+ Make a plan. Begin writing a five-week schedule of workouts. Cross-train and incorporate aerobic exercise, strength training, core exercises and balance. Have FUN! Dance it OUT! Put on your favourite dance music and shake your body to the groove.

Random fact+ “Happy” by Pharrell Williams has been streamed on Spotify over 780+ million times.

Product+ Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy can give you a boost of energy and alertness. It’s a tasty way of getting your essential amino acids for any muscle recovery you may need.

TREAT YOURSELF

It is okay to pamper yourself. Try a sheet facial mask or at-home hair treatment. Make yourself feel special. It is important to take steps to do things that promote good body positivity for your mental and physical health.

Take action+ Book a massage. Massage therapy is one of the oldest healing traditions. There are a wide variety that use different techniques, pressure, and intensity. It can be used for relaxation purposes or help to treat an ailment of some description.

Random fact+ There are approximately 5 million touch receptors in our skin with 3000 in a fingertip alone.

Product+ During COVID-19 we have all been using a lot of hand sanitiser and washing our hands. It has left them feeling a little worse for wear. Our hands need a little attention. Try the new Aveeno Skin Relief Hand Mask enriched with prebiotic oat and shea butter.

STRETCH IT OUT

Regular stretching not only helps increase your flexibility, but it can also improve your posture, reduce stress and body aches. You will be able to perform your everyday activities with relative ease, but also delay reduced mobility that comes with aging.

Take action+ Hold a stretch in a comfortable position for 10 to 30 seconds. This is called a ‘static’ stretch. Dynamic stretch is an active movement that is not held in the end position. This type of stretch is typically done before exercise to prepare your muscles. Static stretches are done after a workout to reduce risk of injury.

Random Fact+ We have over 600 muscles in our bodies and they all run in different directions.

Product+ Our cartilage functions to cushion the joint, providing it with flexibility and mobility. Over time, joint cartilage can weaken due to wear and tear. Maintaining cartilage is important in supporting healthy joints. Glucosamine and chondroitin may help support your bone, joint health, and healthy cartilage production.

PICK UP A BOOK

Your brain needs a workout as well. People who read 30 minutes a day have been noted to have a life expectancy two years longer than those who do not. Reading also keeps your mind active in your later years. The elderly who read or play mentally challenging games are two and a half times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

Take action+ Visit a community library and check out a book. Work on reading a few pages before bed as part of your nightly routine. It will also help you get to sleep.

Random fact+ Read 20 minutes a day and you’ll read 1,800,00 words a year.

Product+ Blackmores Macu Vision contains the necessary nutrients for supporting your eye macular health and healthy vision.

CATCH SOME RAYS

For many of us, our jobs are inside away from natural daylight. Increased exposure to sunlight can increase the brain’s release of the hormone serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping you feel calm and focused. Sunlight also helps your skin produce vitamin D.

Take action+ Getting between 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your arms, hands, and face two to three times a week is enough to enjoy the vitamin D boosting benefits of the sun.

Random fact+ There is evidence that shows there is a link between low vitamin D levels and dementia.

Product+ There are supplements available to help you out with your vitamin D intake. Try Ostelin Vitamin D.

HYDRATE

Our bodies need water for every cellular process every second of the day. Caffeine is a diuretic which means you will pee out more than what you originally drank. Drinking caffeinated drinks in excess will reverse the consumption of water. Aim to drink 30mL per kg of your bodyweight. If you tend to sweat more or exercise, drink more than the average person.

Take action+ Buy a water bottle and mark it with different times of the day to reach your water drinking goals. Take sips of water more frequently so it won’t feel like such a task to drink that much.

Random fact+ Approximately 80% of our brain tissue is made up of water. Product+ Add electrolytes to your water, like Hydralyte. It helps balance your sodium, potassium and chloride which also affects your body’s hydration. Electrolytes help you retain fluids.

LAUGH OUT LOUD

There are a lot of benefits to laughing. Laughing reduces stress levels and can be a great cardio workout. Your abs contract in the same way as an ab exercise when you laugh and laughing releases endorphins which is a body’s natural painkiller.

Take action+ Watch a funny movie.

Random Fact+ Laughing 10 to 15 minutes burns between 10 and 40 calories.

Product+ Who doesn’t like a snack while they watch a movie? Give a mixed nut snack cup a go. It is a healthier snack option while you LOL!

EAT NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS FOOD

We all know it’s important to eat healthy food, but it also must be tasty as well – otherwise we’re less likely to eat healthily. Food can be broken down into five major food groups: carbohydrates, protein, dairy, fruit and vegetables, fats and sugars. It is important to choose a variety of foods within each food group and minimise or avoid overly processed foods.

Take action+ Try a new recipe.

Random Fact+ Raspberries are a member of the rose family.

Product+ Vital All-In-One is a great health supplement that can be added to your meal that will give it that nutritional boost.

VITAL ALL-IN-ONE NUT PESTO

Use it as a sauce on your whole wheat pasta or as a dressing on salad or vegetables

125g almonds/pine nuts/cashews/walnuts

60g fresh basil, including stalks

1 garlic clove, peeled

Juice of 1 lemon

125ml olive oil

Pinch of sea salt flakes

3 teaspoons Vital All-in-One

1. Preheat oven to 180c fan-forced.

2. Place nuts and garlic on a baking tray and cook for 10 minutes or until golden. Remove and leave to cool.

3. Place all of the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add a splash of oil to make it smoother.