PharmaPassport Health Tips Blog

September 30, 2010

How to Improve your Ocular Health

Filed under: fish oil,health,healthy,omega 3,vitamins,vitamins and minerals — Tags: eyes, healthy, healthy diet, hydration, multivitamins, ocular, vitamin c, vitamins — Amanda @ 2:36 pm

The visual system is one of the most complex and demanding systems of the body. The muscles around eyes are the most used muscle groups in the body, and more than 25% of the nutrition in your body is absorbed through this system.

1. Take Multivitamins – The amount of vitamin C and other nutrients is higher in the eyes than anywhere else in the body. Proper nutrition is an extremely important in preventing and treating most common eye problems including cataracts and glaucoma. Keep in mind that proper nutritional balance is important. The body does not use each vitamin and mineral separately, but it allows specific vitamins and minerals to work together in order to nourish the body.

2. Hydrate your eyes – A saline solution can go a long way in keeping your eyes soothed and lubricated. Other problems such as mild allergy problems can be relieved with over the counter anti-histamine eye drops.

3. Eat your Veggies! – Green vegetables such as spinach, collard, and kale can help to prevent degenerative eye problems such as macular degeneration. When the macula doesn’t work, there is blurriness or darkness in the center of your vision.

4. Eat your Fruits! – Blueberries and apricots are especially good for ocular health because they help reduce eye fatigue and are full of beta-carotene and lycopene which encourage good eyesight.

5. Take a break – If you spend most of your time on a computer, take a break every 20 minutes. Every 20 seconds look at least 20 feet away to refocus your eyes and give them a break.

6. Eat fish – Omega 3 fish oil is a key ingredient in having healthy eyes. Omega 3 is good for the heart, and as a general rule, heart-healthy diets are also good for the eyes. Make eating salmon and tuna a part of your weekly routine.

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June 21, 2010

5 Reasons Why You Should Take Multivitamins

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: arthritis, calcium, cancer, folic acid, high cholesterol, menopause, pregnancy, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin c, vitamin e, vitamins — Amanda @ 6:02 pm

The food quality on the market today is not like it used to be and the human body needs a specific amount of vitamins to function properly. Since we get most of our vitamins from the food we eat, sometimes a multivitamin is needed to compensate for the vitamin deficiency’s in our diets. If you aren’t convinced that multivitamins are a necessity, here are some other reasons why you should take them.

1. Our bodies need to use more nutrients than normal to detoxify and eliminate substances from environmental pollution in the air, water, and food. The antioxidants including vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E are likely to decrease at a more rapid rate due to this pollution.

2. The busy schedules of our lives are contributing to our lack of vitamins. Our wavering eating habits, lazy chewing, eating on the run, and stress are causing poor digestion. This makes it hard for our bodies to take in all of the nutrients from our food.

3. Certain health conditions can increase your need for vitamins. During pregnancy, a woman’s body requires more folic acid and during menopause, they are more susceptible to calcium deficiencies. In addition, the use of pharmaceutical drugs can increase the body’s vulnerability to vitamin deficiencies since most medications reduce essential nutrients in the body.

4. The food industry isn’t helping our vitamin deficiencies. Modern agricultural techniques are leaving the soil deficient of minerals causing the food grown there to share the same deficiencies. After the foods have been harvested, they are often stored for long periods of time and transported great distances. This depletes the food of important vitamins. The processing, preserving, and cooking involved with our food doesn’t help either. This also contributes to nutrient depletion and makes it difficult for us to be nutritiously satisfied from foods alone.

5. Vitamins and minerals will improve your overall health. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Beta Carotene, and Vitamin B6 have all been proven to help in the treatment of high cholesterol, arthritis, birth defects, and even cancer

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June 4, 2010

5 Skin Signs You Can’t Ignore

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: addison's disease, aspirin, eczema, ginkgo biloba, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, photo sensitivity, skin, thyroid, vitamin c, vitamins — Amanda @ 12:23 am

Medical conditions affect all parts of the body including fingernails and skin! Here are some serious skin warning signs that you can’t afford to ignore.

1. Long dark lines in the palms

If you have long deep dark lines in the palms of your hands it could be a sign of an adrenal insufficiency – like Addison’s’ disease. Other signs of Addison’s disease include dark pigmentation around scars, lips, and knees and knuckles. People that suffer from Addison’s disease have low blood pressure and salt loss. If you ever have any unusual visual symptoms you should let your doctor know as soon as possible.

2. Sun Rashes

If you’re taking a photo sensitizing medication or if you have sensitive skin, you may develop an itchy rash that is hive-like or looks like eczema. Sometimes the chemicals in certain medications can cause a person to have an increased sensitivity to light. You’ll know if it’s a sun rash if it occurs only on areas that were recently exposed to sunlight. It can feel very uncomfortable and cause a tightening feeling – especially in the face around the lips – and last longer than a sun burn. Check your prescription medications for photo-sensitizing chemicals. Some medications will say “can cause chemical photosensitivity”. Be sure to wear a high SPF sun block but be aware that this may not prevent a sun rash. Your best defense is to stay in the shade and wear hats and loose clothing at the beach.

3. Purple stains

Purpura is often confused with a bruise because it looks like one. The difference is that it lasts longer and isn’t caused by a bump or a bang. Purpura is caused by broken blood vessels under the skin. It can be caused by many conditions including bleeding disorders and scurvy. It is most common in older adults whose skin is more fragile by years of sun damage and weakened vessels. Excessive use of aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, blood thinners, and ginkgo biloba can make Purpura spots worse. Purpura discoloration starts red and eventually turns purple. It can last for a long time before turning brown and slowly fading. The color doesn’t go away when you press on it, and it can cover large areas of the body or show up in small specks. If you notice extensive signs of Purpura, tell your doctor.

4. Pale skin and blue nails

If you have paler than usual skin on the face and palms, and a pale blue tinge at the base of your fingernails you may be suffering from Anemia. This can be because of an iron deficiency, blood loss from bowel disease, or ulcer disease. Anemia also causes your gums, lips, and mouth tissues to become lighter than usual. Other symptoms of Anemia include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and shortness of breath. Consult a doctor if you have signs of anemia.

5. Yellow skin, orange palms

This doesn’t mean that you’ve eaten too many carrots – it can possibly be the doings of your thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can cause an increase in beta-carotene levels in the blood. If your thyroid gland cannot metabolize the vitamins as quickly as it should, beta-carotene can build up and cause your skin to turn orange or yellow in color. Your skin may also feel cold and dry. Fatigue, weakness, and aching are also major signs of hypothyroidism. You can, however, get orange skin by a heavy diet of carrots, carrot juice, sweet potatoes, and squash. If you haven’t been snacking on these foods then you may want to go see a doctor about your thyroid.

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