Pharmacentre Limited > Blog > 2016
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Viridian Myo-Inositol and Folic acid

Oana, our Watford store manager likes Viridian Myo-inositol with folic acid and Nature’s Answer Vitex, both very beneficial for female hormonal health.

Oana says: “It is estimated that 10% of reproductive age woman have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), making it one of the most common hormonal issues. I’ve been managing my PCOS with a low glycaemic diet and exercise, but what I found works very well for restoring hormonal balance, ovulation and fertility is a combination of Myo-Inositol and folic acid. I recommend 2 grams of Viridian’s Myo-inositol and folic acid twice daily in water for minimum 3 months. I also recommend Natures Answer Vitex Agnus Castus – 2 ml first thing in the morning.  This is one of the most important herbs for PCOS because it helps to stimulate and normalise the function of the pituitary gland, which controls the release of luteinising hormone.”

Aside from being used for PCOS, Myo-Inositol and folic acid combinations have been beneficial for women who suffer from insulin resistance, hirsuitism, elevated testosterone and also as a supplement for preconception.

 

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Manuka Health MGO Manuka Honey

What makes MGO™ Manuka Honey so special

New Zealand Manuka Honey is renowned throughout the world as one of nature’s most prized foods.

In 2008, Professor Thomas Henle of University of Dresden, Germany found that it is  Methylglyoxal (MGO) that gives Manuka honey its unique antibacterial properties. Methylglyoxal is only found in high levels in some manuka honey and is a compound found in the pollen of the Manuka tree’s flowers which has a short flowering period. This makes the placement of hives and the timing of the harvest crucial. If done correctly, the Methylglyoxal present in the manuka honey will be much higher.

In contrast, other honeys tested worldwide have low levels of methylglyoxal, ranging between 0 to 5mg/kg.

MGOTM Manuka Honey – A Science-Based Quality System

Manuka Health was the first company in the world to certify manuka honey according to methylglyoxal content.

 

Not all Manuka Honey is equal

It is important to know that the level of methylglyoxal can vary greatly in manuka honey, so you want to be sure you know what you are getting.

That is why Manuka Health test and certify every batch of MGOTM Manuka Honey to guarantee the level of methylglyoxal present, as indicated on the label.

               

Advantages of MGO™ Manuka Honey Grading System

Scientific

 Precise and reliable MGO™ Manuka Honey Quality System is based on the ground-breaking scientific research of German scientist Dr Thomas Henle, Technical University of Dresden.

Transparent

 Every batch of MGO™ Manuka Honey is tested and certified, guaranteeing the minimum level of methylglyoxal as clearly indicated on the label.

Easy to Understand

 MGO™ 400+ Manuka Honey means there is at least 400mg methylglyoxal per kg of Manuka honey in the product.

 

Quality Assurance you can trust

Each batch of  Manuka Honey is rigorously tested to ensure quality and purity, then carefully packed in their specialised honey facility in Te Awamutu, New Zealand.

Sustainably sourced from beehives in remote and pristine areas of New Zealand, every batch of MGOTM Manuka Honey is fully traceable from beekeeper to shelf.

Great care is taken to protect the natural properties of the honey, with temperatures in the processing plant similar to the natural temperature of the beehive.

How does UMF and MGO compare?

UMF and MGO measure the strength of Manuka honey in different ways, but there is a relationship between the level of Methylglyoxal and the Non Peroxide Activity, as measured by the UMF. 

MGO 30+ = UMF 5+

MGO 100+ = UMF 10+

MGO 250+ = UMF 15+

MGO 400+ = UMF 20+

MGO 550+ = UMF 25+

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Female Hair Loss? Nourkrin® is here to help

Nourkrin® – A scientifically proven anagen (growth) inducer to help promote and maintain healthy hair growth

It is estimated that there are, on average, 8 million women in the UK experiencing some degree of hair loss/hair thinning at any given time – approximately 60% of women between 30 and 60 years of age.

A recent independent survey, commissioned by Nourkrin®, found that 46% of women suffer in silence, not knowing where to turn for advice. Others feel insecure, embarrassed and uncomfortable talking about this condition. Hair loss/hair thinning remains a taboo subject, something that needs to be addressed as soon and as genuinely as possible.

Nourkrin® is taking 
responsibility by working to increase the awareness of seriousness of this problem.

Nourkrin® has launched a major campaign to bridge the knowledge and communication gap between female hair loss/hair thinning sufferers and healthcare professionals. This is designed to further increase the knowledge and understanding of the condition, building on the vast experience and expertise acquired since Nourkrin® established the female hair loss category.

Women suffering from hair loss or hair thinning conditions need support so they understand that they are NOT alone and that help IS available. They can take effective action to improve their situation and take the first step towards receiving quality guidance.

For more than two decades Nourkrin® have worked hard to bring real and documented knowledge about hair loss and hair thinning to light, based on thorough in-house scientific research.

As the brand that established the hair loss supplement category Nourkrin® is proud, as well as humbled, to have restored confidence to hundreds of thousands of women.

Hair Health and the normal Hair Growth Cycle.

At any given time, 10-15% of your hair is shedding (falling out).

This is completely natural and part of a ‘Normal Hair Growth Cycle’. The Hair Growth Cycle has three phases:

Phase 1 – Anagen (Growth) Phase

The Growth Phase, in which 85- 90% of hair is actively growing at any given time. This phase lasts on average 3 years, but can be longer.

Phase 2 – Catagen (Transition) Phase

The Transition Phase in which the hair’s nutrient vessel (the dermal papilla) disconnects from the follicle as the Growth Phase comes to an end. Approximately 1% of hairs are in this phase for a period of 1-2 weeks only.

Phase 3 – Telogen (Dormant/ Resting) Phase

The Resting Phase in which 10-15% of the hair sits inactive in the follicle after reaching its full growth potential. The average duration of this phase is 3-4 months, after which the hair is released from the follicle and replaced by a new hair.

The follicle then returns to begin a new Growth Phase, thereby completing the cycle.

Female hair loss can be closely linked to serious health conditions.

More and more research is highlighting the link between hair loss/hair thinning and more serious health conditions, with sudden increases in shedding being a possible precursor to a physical illness.

These studies add to an increasing body of evidence identified by, among others, Nourkrin®, which has been reported in national media worldwide, and demonstrates that female hair loss is a possible indicator of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and thyroid problems.

Key factors that could be the cause of hair loss/hair thinning are, among others:

Stress, Genetics, Hormones, Pregnancy and childbirth, Health, Smoking, Diet, Medicine

If you are experiencing excessive hair shedding you should see a GP or Health Care Practitioner for further help.

The consequences of a disrupted Hair Growth Cycle One or more of the serious health conditions detailed above could result in a disrupted Hair Growth Cycle. What often occurs in a disrupted Hair Growth Cycle is:

Phase 1 – Anagen (Growth) Phase

The duration of the Growth Phase is reduced and as a consequence the entire Hair Growth Cycle is suddenly disrupted.

Phase 2 – Catagen (Transition) Phase

When the Growth Phase is reduced the Hair Growth Cycle enters the Transition Phase much too early.

Phase 3 – Telogen (Dormant/ Resting) Phase

As a consequence more hair strands then enter the Dormant/ Resting Phase too soon and start to extend the duration of the Dormant/Resting Phase, leading to increased hair shedding and weaker re-growth.

Following a prolonged Dormant/Resting Phase, fewer hair follicles are induced back into the Growth Phase, resulting in no re-growth.

This is known as dormant hair follicles. Regardless of the reason for the hair loss/hair thinning, the Hair Growth Cycle is always negatively affected. A disruption to the Normal Hair Growth Cycle is often the major contributor to hair shedding and weaker re- growth.

How Nourkrin® helps and what it does!

Nourkrin® is a scientifically proven hair re-growth programme that works! Nourkrin® is based on more than 28 years of research, development and clinical studies.

It is a specifically formulated programme with a proprietary blend of ingredients, including the unique, protected substance Marilex®, which can only be found in Nourkrin®.

What Nourkrin® does

Nourkrin is not just another multivitamin or hair, skin and nails formulation.

The active ingredient in all Nourkrin® tablets, Marilex® (a fractionated fish extract with specific lectican proteoglycans), contains specific components known to be structurally associated with the hair follicles and the functioning of these. Nourkrin® is proven to work in conjunction with the Hair Growth Cycle, to help normalise a disrupted cycle by stimulating dormant follicles back into the Growth Phase. At the same time, Nourkrin® also provides nutrition to improve the overall life and function of the hair follicles on the scalp.

The Nourkrin® effect

It is crucial that follicles stuck in a dormant state are stimulated to re-enter the Growth Phase. As more and more hairs re-enter the Growth Phase, the Resting Phase is pushed back to normal levels – reducing the amount of hair shedding. The prolonged Growth Phase sustains active follicles in producing healthy hair regrowth.

Nourkrin® should always be used as a first-line approach when dealing with hair loss in order to normalise the Hair Growth Cycle

This arcticle has been written by Nourkrin® for Panacea Health & Beauty. To find out more about their range of hair supplements visit us in store

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Nature’s Plus Ultra Lutein

Maria in our Putney Store recommends Ultra Lutein by Nature’s Plus. She writes:  I started take this supplement to help improve my vision, as I had been diagnosed with tired eyes (or eye strain) a few years ago.

After I had been taking the Ultra Lutein for a couple of months, I noticed that I can use my phone or computer for longer without needing to put my glasses on.

Nature’s Plus Ultra Lutein contains: Lutein and Zeaxanthin in an easy to swallow oil based capsule for optimal absorption.

 

 

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Nuzest Good Green Stuff

Good Green Stuff by Nuzest is a favourite in both our Putney and Edgware stores

Crina in Edgware says Nuzest Good Green Stuff is amazing stuff! It has strengthened my immune system and helped my performance.

Grazyna in Putney writes: It is a fairly new product on British market but already one of the best superfoods available.

It’s more than multi and more than just greens -It provides a complete nutritional support in one serving. This advanced formula not only offers significantly high levels of vitamins and minerals but also in their most bio-available and effective forms – B12 as Methylocobalamin, natural folate instead of folic acid, natural sources of calcium, a full spectrum of vitamin E and lots more.

Good Green Stuff is fully packed with prebiotics, probiotics and fibre but still gentle on your stomach. There are no nasty chemicals or additives, and it is free from all common allergens. It will help boost your metabolism, increase fat breakdown and aid during a detox.

It will help you to feel and look good. It’s already appreciated by many athletes, so you should have a go too.

 

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Booja Booja Hazelnut Crunch Truffles

Branka in our Watford store loves Booja-Booja Hazelnut Crunch Truffle pack of 2. She says: “They are delicious! The texture is silky smooth even with the hazelnut crunch. I found this chocolate the best achievement in the desert section.”

Melt in your mouth chocolate truffles made with sweet, roasted Italian hazelnuts, fine cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic and a bit of coconut oil and cane sugar, all organically grown.

This Booja Booja truffle has already won 19 awards, but if you’re still not convinced visit our store to try it yourself!


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Wiley’s Finest New Kids DHA and EPA supplements

Omega 3’s are good right?

You already know your children need to eat fish or take fish oils to get vital Omega 3s, but did you know there are other oil based nutrients that benefit your child’s health? When Wiley’s Finest set out to make two new kids products, their focus was to create unique and science driven formulas. Wiley’s only make products with purpose so they scoured science to create two new omega 3 liquid products with other oil based nutrients that have proven benefit.

Bone health

As a parent you want your child to have strong healthy bones. Having healthy bones over a lifetime begins in childhood because this is when strong bones are built. In fact, if significant bone mass isn’t developed in childhood, bones are weak and fracturing becomes a problem. Research also indicates that having weak and brittle bones in old age starts in childhood if proper nutrition is missing. Building bone mass and strength requires the right nutrients

Most of us know that calcium, magnesium and vitamin D essential to bone health, but did you know that vitamin K is a significant contributor to bone mass and density?  Here’s why: calcium and magnesium need help from support nutrients. Vitamin D is one and vitamin K2 is another. Recent research with children showed that those with higher vitamin K2 status had more bone mass which leads to stronger bones. Vitamin K is a fat based vitamin. Vitamin A, D and E are other fat based vitamins. Vitamin K has several roles in the body, in addition to supporting healthy bones.

Eye Health

Did you know that your child’s eyes develop and mature over childhood just like the rest of the body? Eye health is important for learning, reading, writing, arithmetic,and for playtime and sports, but today’s world is also full of screens – computer, TV, and mobile phones – which eye health and good vision are key. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are special oil based nutrients that uniquely support eye health and development. These nutrients, a group called carotenoids, are found in some plant foods such as squash and corn as well as in egg yolk.
Research has shown Lutein and Zeaxanthin support healthy vision by

  • improving our eyes ability to adapt to changes in light
  • enhancing the distance our eyes can see known as visual range
  • reducing the effect of glare
  • reducing the effect of oxidation

Wileys Finest incorporate all these ingredients in their latest formulations to help you give your child the best start to their nutrition.

Beginners DHA

Beginner’s DHA for ages 1 and up, delivers nutrients that support the development of young bodies, including healthy eyes and vital immune function. Featuring MenaQ7®, an advanced form of vitamin K2 for optimal bone health.

  • 400 mg EPA and 250 mg DHA per serving
  • MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 and Vitamin D3 support bone development
  • EPA and DHA omega-3 are essential nutrients for brain and eye development
  • Vitamins A and D3 support healthy immune function

Elementary EPA

Elementary EPA for children over 4 years, provides essential vitamins and nutrients often lacking in the diet. EPA and DHA Omega-3s along with vitamins and nutrients fuel your child’s healthy brain and support their eyes for optimal focus and function. Featuring FloraGLO®, the most clinically studied lutein available worldwide.

  • 1000 mg EPA and 500 mg DHA per serving
  • EPA and DHA Omega-3 fuel a child’s healthy brain to focus and support their natural bodily defenses.
  • FloraGLO® Lutein and Zeaxanthin support eye health and vision
  • Vitamins A, D3, and E support healthy skin and immune function

Both formulas are great by themselves using the included handy mess free syringe for little ones in the DHA  for ages 1 and up, or the fun measuring spoon with the EPA for  those 4 and older. You can also try mixing them with yogurts, smoothies or baby foods

Wileys Finest Beginners DHA and Elementary EPA are now both available in all Panacea stores

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That Protein Pumpkin and Chia Protein

Danielle, our Putney store manager loves That Protein I heart Pumpkin and Chia Seed Protein. She says: ” It’s so versatile and tasty! I’ve used it in smoothies, pancakes, cookies, bread etc. It has a sweetish taste and light texture and easy to digest.

That Protein say the following about their protein powder:

Our I Heart Pumpkin and Chia Seed Super Protein helps;

  • Grow and repair lean muscle
  • Give you great skin, hair and nails
  • A healthy digestive system
  • Keep you fuller longer for weight management
  • Maintain a healthy heart
  • Maintain healthy bones
  • Fight the production of free radicals

One 25g serving is a source of all the essential amino acids our body needs to function properly but can’t make itself. It will help towards healthy muscle growth and maintenance as well as optimal skin, hair and nails.  Our premium powder is also a boost of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that provide 1/3 of your entire day’s recommended intake in one serving. With high fibre it contributes to a healthy digestive system. The nutritional composition of chia seed makes it an ideal source of slow release energy as well as containing muscle-forming protein and omega-3 essential fatty acids.

Ingredients:

Pumpkin seeds are rich in phosphorus, magnesium and manganese and are a good source of other minerals including zinc, iron and copper. It is also a high source of protein and vitamin K and a good source of favourable plant sterols.

Chia seeds are high in protein and essential fatty acids as well as containing calcium, copper, potassium and zinc.

That Protein I Heart Pumpkin and Chia Seed Super protein is suitable for vegans, is gluten free and suitable for all nutrition plans.

 

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Stress, Anxiety and Low Mood – A.Vogel

Stress, anxiety and low mood are unpleasant emotions which are all interlinked. You may feel stressed about a looming deadline at work. The fear of not completing the task in time will make you feel anxious. The fact that you are now stressed and anxious makes it difficult for you to think about anything else, which in turn makes you feel a bit miserable.

The more miserable and anxious you feel, the less you are able to concentrate, which makes you stress more about the deadline. This in turn increases anxiety levels … and so it goes on.

Continuous pressure to succeed does nothing to help us relax. Against us is a need to perform at our best, and to keep up with the ever increasing standards. What is this doing to us? It’s putting us under stress, making us anxious and leaving us with a low mood.

Stress

Stress is not an illness in itself. It tends to manifest itself by way of unpleasant symptoms, both physical and mental. These include the feeling of nervousness, a racing heartbeat and sharpening senses, as well as a feeling of being overwhelmed, irritable or restless. It occurs when we are put under too much pressure and we struggle to react rationally or to relax.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the reaction to undue stress. It can be triggered by a wide range of circumstances including performing or speaking in public or social situations. Anxiety can be treated in a similar way to stress, and finding an effective management technique for you goes a long way towards easing your symptoms.

Low Mood

Low mood is found at one end of the unhappiness spectrum. This shares a border with mild depression if your mood continues to be low for a long period of time because you are unable to pick yourself up.

However, the boundary between the two is not clear. It often takes a medical professional such as a doctor or psychiatrist to determine if you are experiencing symptoms of depression or low mood associated with normal day-to-day living.

When you are feeling sad, down or fed-up, it is important to keep an eye on your feelings and symptoms as these will give you the clearest indication of the root cause of your problem. If you are feeling a bit down because it is the end of your holiday and are not looking forward to the normal routine of work and housework, or after some bad news, the chances are that you will feel sad for a few days but as things go back to normal, this feeling will lift. What is important with low mood is to distinguish it from depression.

Depression

Depression is a medical condition in which the sufferer experiences feelings outside the normal range of emotions. It is a serious condition which must be treated by a medical professional, particularly if accompanied by thoughts of suicide. It is important to establish if the emotions you are experiencing are due to low mood or depression. Although sharing many similar features, the two conditions are usually managed differently.

Low mood is part of the normal spectrum of emotions we go through in our daily lives. Moods tend to get better as circumstances improve or with the arrival of good news. Depression is a complex medical or psychiatric condition which may be severe and potentially life threatening if left untreated. Depression is also likely to interfere with everyday life – for example, someone with the condition may not have the motivation to leave the house for days at a time.

Understanding and treating

Having an understanding of these three conditions often helps us to tell if we are just having a bad day, or if we are indeed succumbing to the modern day illness of busyness. It is important to examine your symptoms carefully, as stress, anxiety and low mood may lead to more serious health conditions, including high blood pressure and heart problems. The good news is that they are all treatable, often through a combination of self-help techniques and herbal remedies, most commonly Valerian, Avena sativa and St. John’s Wort.

So take a deep breath and relax…

Written By Marianna for a.vogel.co.uk

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A Recipe for Successful Weight Loss

Summer is nearly over. However, for some, firm resolutions made at the beginning of the year have not been achieved: weight loss.  There is no need to feel guilty and no need to wait until next Monday to start a healthy weight losing transformation.  Do you feel those magic pills do not do their job, miracle powders do not achieve presumed goals or  jumping from one diet to another either?

Understanding ourselves is the key point to control and achieve our desires.  Something can work for most people, but maybe not for some of them and vice versa.  Going through the process of losing weight is not always cheap, however it can be affordable for every single pocket, and with a satisfactory result, with only 5 ingredients. Four of them are found easily in almost every kitchen: cucumber, parsley, lemon and ginger.  The most atypical one is Aloe Vera gel.

A combination of all these ingredients will help you reduce that extra and undesirable fat around your belly.  It will not happen suddenly, but with patience and perseverance the goal will get closer.

This recipe needs:

  • 1 cucumber
  • ½ handful of fresh parsley
  • lemon juice from one lemon
  • 1 tablespoon of ginger (Ginger could be either powder or a fresh cut into small pieces).
  • 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel,
  • 200ml of filtered water.

Everything is added into a blender and mixed for 5 to 10 seconds and the powerful formulation is ready.  It must be taken before going to sleep, so the next morning when you wake up, you’ll run to the toilet to flush out all the excess water and with it, some fat.

Cucumber

The diuretic power of cucumber is remarkable, it will excrete all unnecessary water and fat from your body.

Parsley

Parsley is considered an amazing antioxidant due its nutritional value: it is high in vitamin C that prevents oxygen-based damage to cells.  It also supports kidney function, and as cucumber does, parsley flushes out excess fluid from the body. Parsley also has a sedative effect as it relaxes stiff muscles in the digestive system and encourages digestion.

Lemon

Lemon is well known for its strong function as an antibacterial, so it contributes to cleaning of the colon because it contains fibre pectin.  In some way, a start of the weight-loss process requires detoxification of the body.  Lemon in this case is your best friend as a natural cleanser,  it “kicks out” unwanted toxins.

Ginger

On the other hand, ginger has a beneficial effect in the whole of the digestive system. It helps regulate and aid the movement of food through the stomach, as well as small and large intestines.  When everything moves more smoothly, one benefits by losing weight more easily.  As ginger has a high fibre content, gastrointestinal mobility will also increase.  By increasing the rate of metabolism, ginger can help burn off some of the fat stored in the body.  Another remarkable point about this yellow root is that it controls and suppresses the effect of cortisol.  Cortisol is a steroid hormone necessary for energy regulation and mobilisation.  Chronic stress can cause cortisol levels to rise too high. Adipose fat moves to the visceral area where it receives an increased blood supply that encourages tissues to produce an excess amount of cortisol. High cortisol levels may increase excess belly fat and weight gain.

Aloe Vera

Finally, Aloe Vera gel is full of minerals and vitamins, but being used for losing weight is due to its laxative effect. Aloe Vera helps to turn carbohydrates and fats into energy rather than storing them.  So, as they are being used, they are basically being burnt.  And a very important point, this fantastic plant helps to control blood sugar balance. Quite necessary to avoid the feeling of cravings.

Several people have followed this detox-weight loss diet for a week and all of them are extremely happy with the recipe.  There is no secret. It depends on how disciplined every person is. However, the fact is, it is not very likely that with only this juice can someone become a fantastic “barbie girl or her boyfriend Ken” lookalike, it is extremely important to consider the rest of ones food intake and at least do some moderate exercise.

So, if you would like to take the number 1 position away from Barbie or Ken, please come and visit us at Panacea in Putney.  We could give you some useful advice on how to deal with a weight-loss process while using this drink.

If you have any medical conditions or are taking any medication please first consult your doctor or health practitioner

Written by Juan Lainez

 

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