Alive Pharmacy Warehouse - Live+ May 2024

Your guide to staying healthy, happy, alive

COMMUNITY IMMUNITY

ARE YOU CATCHING A CHILL?

Protect yourself this cold & flu season

SKIN HYDRATION

Get a healthy glow with Niacinamide

YOURSELF AND OTHERS THIS COLD AND FLU SEASON

We have been really busy with vaccinations over the last month getting our communities armed and ready for peak influenza season. We have seen some serious cases of influenza recently so now is the time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already. Flu shots are currently free for Q ueenslanders. Please refer to your pharmacist if you are over the age of 65 or vaccinating a child under the age of 5 so we can use a specialised vaccine for you. Book online today at www.alivepharmacy.com.au or see our f riendly assistants in store for help.

A flu vaccination is recommended to everybody to help protect yourself, your loved ones, and others around you. It is strongly encouraged to people who are considering travelling overseas, pregnant women, patients over the age of 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people over 5 years that have medical conditions. We advise you to keep up to date with the most relevant information by talking to one of our pharmacists in store.

In other exciting news, the Queensland Full Scope of Practice Pilot officially launched last month. Alive Pharmacy Stores are some of the first participating pharmacies in Australia. As our pharmacists complete their training they will be qualified to provide three additional types of services to our community. This includes:

1. M edication management: if you’ve run out of your prescription repeats.

2. Pre scribing for specific acute common conditions like reflux, ear infections, psoriasis, shingles, nausea, allergies, mild to moderate dermatitis or acne, acute minor wound management, or hormonal contraception.

3. P rotocol/structural prescribing as part of chronic disease management such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, obesity, smoking cessation.

We’re excited for more of our pharmacists to graduate the program, and we commend them on the hard work and study they have done to become pioneers in pharmacist prescribing in Australia.

In this month’s Live+ Catalogue we delve into some general topics of discussion like the cold and flu season, skincare, and mosquito repellent. The wet weather we’ve experienced this year means we should take extra care of mosquitoborne diseases. Concerns sparked about increasing cases of the Ross River virus means we should protect our skin from being bitten and wear some form of topical repellent. It can present symptoms like pain and swelling in joints and muscles, fever, or rash. Paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines can help ease symptoms.

Keep an eye out for more news about what’s happening in our stores. Start taking any preventative measures and stay healthy & happy this cold and flu season.

Managing Director

Living in tropical Australia it’s rare to get extremely cold weather. Nevertheless, the cold and flu winter season still exists here as viruses replicate more easily in cooler environments. In the Far North, it’s also a popular time for travel and mid-year holidays, leading to more exposure among the community.

Are you catching a chill?

Often when relatives or friends come to visit, they feel the heat more than locals do. Just like our saltwater crocodiles who like to soak in the sun, many of us have adapted to the warmer weather that comes with living closer to the equator. Our constant body temperature should range between 35 – 40°. Thus, when the temperature is outside the usual range, it often implies we are unwell.

As it gets colder it’s common to ‘catch’ a chill. Catching a chill doesn’t always warrant a cold/ flu, but it does heighten the chances of falling sick. Being cold puts stress on your body, supressing your immune system and making it harder for your body to fight illness.

It’s common to think, “I should feed a fever, starve a cold” or that “you lose most heat from your head”. Although undeniably good suggestions, your best bet is to drinks lots of fluids, eat when hungry, and wear clothing to feel comfortable.

Being warm-blooded means that we have adaptive responses (like sweating and shivering) to regulate our body temperature. The colder we feel, the more energy we use to deploy such responses to reach an ideal temperature. Having lower energy levels means having a weakened immune system, and hence: we get sick.

On the contrary, a warm forehead probably means you’ve already caught a bug. You can buy mouth and head thermometers to keep an eye on your body temperature. A good old fashioned cool washcloth is also great to help cool hot flushes.

It’s best to stay home, rest, hydrate and eat nutrient-rich foods. If you’re stuck inside, Alive Pharmacy has an online store for home deliveries. We get it – when you’re sick the last thing you feel like doing is going to a busy shopping centre.

HYDRATE WITH NIACINAMIDE

Generally, we should wash our face and apply moisturisers twice a day: morning and night. Niacinamide replenishes the moisture stripped from our skin during the day, it is sometimes also referred to as B3. It is a water soluble vitamin that offers several benefits for the skin.

1 HYDRATION:

It may improve water retention to improve lasting hydration in our skin

2 ANTI-INFLAMMATION:

It may reduce redness, irritation, and acne

3 PIGMENTATION:

It may reduce discolouration and age spots

4 ANTI-AGEING:

It may improve uneven skin texture and complexion

Niacinamide can be used once or twice a day, depending on your preferences. We recommend avoiding using vitamin C products at the same time as it may reduce the effectiveness of both.

Anyone can develop dry skin. It becomes more common as we age, if we live in cold climates, windy conditions, or immerse the skin in water. Dry skin is also a common experience when we are sick or unwell. When our body is fighting an infection, it requires more energy and resources. This can sometimes lead to dehydration and a lack of moisture in the skin. Moisturising regularly when sick helps prevent dryness and sooth discomfort.

Reveal your clear, healthy glow with our 10% Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This powerful, multi-action hydrating serum exfoliates to refine the look of pores, leaving skin with a clearer looking complexion. Plus, it helps strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier while visibly improving dull, uneven skin texture.

Other ways to naturally hydrate your skin includes:

> drink plenty of water

> sleep 8-9 hours

> limit showers to 5-10 minutes

> protect skin from the sun everyday (SPF, seeking shade, etc)

Beauty Tip:

Apply a lightweight sunscreen first, followed by a rich moisturiser to trap water content in our skin, giving it a more youthful look.

not STIRRED SHAKEN

Get the most of your fitness 'cocktail'

What you have before, during, and after your workout can make all the difference to your performance. Supplements can be a great way to maximise your workout, as long as you know what, when and how to take them.

Pre-Workout

This is usually a powder supplement mixed with water and there are many formulations available. Pre-workouts generally consist of a flavoured mixture of several ingredients, each with a specific role in improving performance. They can give you a boost of energy and strength, but it can often be a trial-and-error process to find one that works best for you.

Tip+ If you tend to exercise later in the afternoon or in the evening look for a pre-work out that is ‘stimulant free’ or free of caffeine. This way your pre-workout won’t keep you awake when you’re trying to get that well needed rest.

BCAA

BCAA stands for Branched Chain Amino Acids. Your body uses them as building blocks for protein and muscles. They can be found in protein-rich foods like eggs, meat and dairy, but they’re also a popular dietary supplement sold primarily in powder form. Taking BCAA during a workout may help reduce fatigue and muscle soreness.

On average a healthy adult male may need to consume a minimum 12g of BCCA daily, while women require 9g each day. Supplements aren’t always necessary to reach your body’s minimum requirement. Eating a sufficient amount of proteinrich foods would be enough. However, athletes will have a slightly higher daily intake due to resistance training.

Protein Bars & Powders

Protein powders and bars are some of the most popular dietary supplements. The most common type of protein is derived from whey, which comes from dairy. Protein powders and bars are commonly taken after exercise to help your muscles heal and prevent the loss of lean mass. There are several types of supplements to suit different dietary needs.

It’s important to note the differences between whey isolate and whey concentrate, which are:

+ Whey isolate has more protein, but less carbs and less fat

+ If you are lactose intolerant whey isolate could be a better choice as it has a lower lactose content

+ Whey isolate attracts a higher cost compared to whey concentrate as it undergoes more processing

FNQ PRE-WINTER WORKOUT

As the temperature starts to drop it’s a great opportunity to start exercising outside. In Cairns the well-known Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow arrows are popular among locals and visitors alike. Located behind the Cairns Botanical Gardens, these walking trails are renowned for their exhibition of tropical plants and sweeping views over the city.

Alive Pharmacy Warehouse best sellers

Glaxon Electro Creatine 60 Serves

Ehp Labs Pride Pre-Workout 40 Serves

Onest Hyperburn 30 Serves

Musashi 100% Whey Protein 2Kg Vpa Whey Isolate (WPI) 1Kg

On The Nose Magic Wipes

Maybelline

Skincare

Rimmel Wonder Bomb Bonding Serum Mascara

PUTTING UP OUR DEFENCES

MOSQUITO MAVERICK

Mosquitos will scatter in fear when they detect insect repellent. It creates a barrier on the skin that prevents mosquitoes from landing on or biting exposed skin. Active ingredients work by interfering with the insect’s smell receptors, making it difficult for them to detect the presence of humans. Some repellents may also affect the insect’s taste receptors, making human skin less appealing to them.

KISS THE BOO-BOOS

Neuroscience and psychotherapy believe the act of kissing a wound can help the loved one feel better. The release of feel-good hormones and the act of the warm positive interaction bring a sense of comfort. A humble band aid stands ready to mend our wound and heal the affected area that deserves attention and care. Mosquito patches can be applied to soothe and relieve the itchy sensation of a mosquito bite. Grid-patterned patches stretch across the bite increasing lymphatic flow, which drains the nasty insect saliva away.

Try Bushman Spray or a more natural effective is PARA KITO’ Mosquito Repellent

At dusk and dawn are when mosquitoes are most active. There are higher chances of contracting mosquito-borne diseases during this time. We must put up our defences to hold strong and emerge victorious against the mosquito bite. Here are a few different ways to deal with the villain of the night: the mosquito.

WATERY WASTELAND

Mosquitos love to breed in moist, stagnant water. The watery wasteland of the backyard is an oasis for eggs to hatch. Reuse the leftover water and feed the garden, wash the socks left in the rain and reclaim victory. Trim overgrown vegetation and remove debris from your yard to eliminate potential mosquito resting and breeding sites. Think outside the box, and consider where water might pool and become stagnant.

IRRESISTIBLE ITCH

VIP WRIST BAND

Having a VIP pass is like a badge of honour and a conversation starter all rolled into one. Slip on a mosquito wristband and they will diffuse natural, non-toxic essential oils that repel mosquitos and bugs. Wrist bands are great companions on camping trips, hikes, or paddles on lakes. They are also refillable, so they won’t go to waste. The natural oils’ active ingredients are released into the air around you; they help to mask the scents of your body, making it harder for mosquitoes to find you.

Ahhh the irresistible itch of scratching a mosquito bite, a classic tale as old as time. We know we shouldn’t scratch, but sometimes the temptation is just too strong to resist. It’s a battle of self-control, but in the end, the itch always wins. A gel or cream can provide fast, temporary relief from pain and itching of an insect bite. The cooling sensation will take away the urge to scratch and calm the area.

INSTALL SCREENS

A fortress of fine mesh or a layer of clothing can stand guard against tiny invaders. A protective layer serves as a simple yet effective solution for keeping mosquitoes and other flying insects away, providing protection and peace of mind. By preventing mosquito bites, it helps reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases within communities.

STAY SAFE, WE HOPE THESE TIPS PROVE HELPFUL. GOOD LUCK DEFENDING AGAINST THOSE PESKY MOSQUITOS!

Try PARA KITO’ Wristbands

Try Soov Bite