newington_v1

Symptoms of menopause: how to reverse them?

luke.benfield@prolongevity.co.uk (Luke Benfield) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 18:00:01 GMT

All women will go through menopause! It can be incredibly tough because, there are a variety of symptoms that can create bedlam and together may drastically affect a women’s quality of life. In this post we will list the most common symptoms of menopause and show you some ways to minimise them, making the menopausal transition much more manageable.

Symptoms of menopause

Mental health symptoms resulting from menopause:

Brain fog – Brain fog a term used to describe a range of symptoms affecting memory or concentration including forgetfulness, thinking more slowly than usual, mental fatigue, poor concentration and feeling confused.
Changes in mood / mood swings – During menopause hormone production of oestrogen decreases which can unbalance hormones in your body leading to a sudden change in mood. These changes in mood can create feelings of anxiety and depression.

Physical symptoms of menopause:

Hot flushes – Creating a sudden hot or cold feeling in the person’s face, neck and chest which then make you dizzy.
Disturbed, poor-quality sleep / night sweats – night sweats are a symptom defined by excessive night-time sweating frequently resulting in interrupted sleep.
Palpitations – the heartbeat becomes suddenly noticeable with palpitations which can last many seconds or minutes.
Headaches and migraines – these can be more painful or last longer than usual.
Muscle / joint ache – muscles and joints can ache for no obvious reason.
Weight gain – during menopause many women experience weight gain which can be accompanied by a change in body shape. In particular thickening of the waist.
Skin problems – dry and itchy skin is a symptom that may occur during menopause due to the hormonal changes in the body.
Reduced libido – Sex drive is often reduced during menopause.
Vaginal dryness - this symptom can be incredibly uncomfortable and can also cause discomfort during sex which can, as a result, negatively affect partner relationships.
Recurrent UTIs (urinary tract infections) – UTI’s that keep coming back could be a sign of menopause.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list, but we have listed the most common symptoms.

If you are concerned about any of these symptoms talk to your doctor or pharmacist:

https://www.newington-pharmacy.co.uk/book-appointment

Why does menopause happen?

Menopause is a natural stage of in a women’s life, marking the end of periods and fertility. There are three stages to Menopause. Perimenopause, Menopause and Post menopause. Over the transition through these stages your body will gradually lose production of certain hormones, in particular oestrogen. Menopause is most significantly the sign of a woman’s reproductive years having finished.

Should I worry about menopause?

It’s natural to have some concern about menopause because change can be unnerving. But there is no need to panic about going through menopause. Our pharmacy and pharmacies across the country can offer natural treatments in addition to the numerous medications available to help ease the transition through menopause. Along with the huge range of treatments, many thousands of women go through menopause each year meaning there is plenty of support available through friends, family, and support groups. Menopause is not a life-threatening condition, but it is extremely important to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, if you want to live for many more decades into old age and remain in good health. Post menopause, women certainly have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and UTIs. So, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle before the menopause will hugely improve quality of life once after menopause, as well as reducing symptoms during menopause.

What can I do to help reverse/reduce the symptoms of menopause?

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

To be explicit you can lessen the symptoms, but you cannot reverse menopause. However, there are many treatments available to help improve the symptoms of menopause. One common treatment to address the symptoms of menopause is HRT. This is the provision of replacement hormones for hormones that will naturally decline during menopause. This will reduce many of the symptoms that come due to the menopausal transition, whilst also reducing many of the related health risks such as osteoporosis and heart disease. HRT is the most common and effortlessly available treatment for menopause. That said there are numerous other types of treatment you can use.

Testosterone Gel

Although testosterone is a commonly attributed to men, this hormone plays a part in women’s health too! Testosterone gel treats reduced sex drive and lowered libido. As a result is usually prescribed in circumstance where the menopausal symptoms affect sex life. Standard HRT has only limited benefits in terms of symptoms associated with sex drive, which is why testosterone gel may be a better option. The gel does not interfere with standard HRT, so both can be prescribed together to relieve the broad brush of symptoms.

If you are unsure where to start in treating menopausal symptoms, you can book a consultation with our pharmacist to discuss your next steps:

https://www.newington-pharmacy.co.uk/book-appointment

Oestrogen treatment

Oestrogen treatments can be prescribed. This treatment is used to improve symptoms of vaginal dryness and irritated skin. In addition, this can help diminish the likelihood of contracting numerous UTIs, which is a common symptom during menopause. Oestrogen is one of the main hormones affected by the menopause and is usually the hormone treatment given to the majority of women throughout the menopause.

Are there any risks associated with HRT?

There are moderate risks associated with HRT regarding its tablet form. Women over the age of 60 using HRT tablets have a slightly increased risk of cardiovascular disease along with a slightly higher risk of stroke. This risk can be made worse if HRT treatment is introduced late into menopause. The associated risks can be reduced by decreasing the dose of oral HRT or by using a gel or a patch.

Blood clots are another risk associated with taking oral HRT. By and large, the risk of blood clots are low but crucially important to discuss with your doctor when contemplating HRT. The increased risk of blood clots only occurs when taking oral HRT. Therefore, when considering HRT, it is essential to consider both risks and benefits on an individual basis, taking into account the wider status of the individual’s health and their risk factors. Thus, if increased clotting is a concern, your doctor, will likely prescribe you a HRT treatment that is not tablet form. Because oestrogen is safer when being absorbed directly through the skin in lower doses.

Another potential risk associated with HRT is breast cancer. Evidence suggests that there are 5 more cases of breast cancer in every 1000 women who take HRT for 5 years. Despite this relatively small increase in risk (which equates to 0.5% of women), the risk towards women will increase the longer HRT is taken. This can be further worsened due to the risk associated with aging. Fortunately, the risk normalises once HRT is stopped. It’s usually advised that women who have a history of breast cancer do not take HRT, as these women are put at an unnecessarily higher risk. Additionally, doctors are cautious about prescribing HRT in families with a strong history of breast cancer or an increased genetic pre-disposition.

If you have any concerns or queries about going through menopause, or HRT treatments, book a consultation with our pharmacist who can advise you on the next steps:

https://www.newington-pharmacy.co.uk/book-appointment

What are the non-medical options?

Herbal remedies

After having discussed the prescription and medical options, we understand not everyone will want to use a prescription. Firstly, a woman going through the menopause could make use of herbal remedies. These Remedies:

primrose oil
black cohosh
angelica
ginseng
St John’s wort
red clover

Offer women relief with a few symptoms. However, it’s important to remember herbal remedies unlike medical options, do not have scientific evidence to support them. Some people find them helpful but there is no assurance they will help improve your own symptoms. Most of the listed herbal remedies have similar impacts. Usually improving the symptoms of hot flushes and mental health symptoms.

Body-Identical Hormones vs Compounded Bioidentical Hormones?

Bioidentical hormone is a term used to describe hormone supplements, which have the same molecular structure as the hormones naturally produced by our body. It’s important to differentiate between hormones whose manufacturing is closely regulated and monitored by the appropriate regulatory bodies and unregulated supplements whose content may vary. Body-identical hormones is the term given to hormones that are manufactured to pharmaceutical standards and regulated so that patients using them can stay safe. Many so-called “bioidentical” hormones are plant-based which appear to be an attractive option to those who do not want to use traditional HRT treatments. However, these plant-based treatments are unregulated and may be ineffective or worse, so we don’t advise there use.

Compounded Bioidentical Hormones

Compounded bioidentical hormones are another option women may consider. This is a poorly documented and potentially dangerous treatment. Therefore, many health professionals will advise against using compounded bioidentical hormones to treat menopause symptoms. They could be unsafe, have less effect on your symptoms and they are not regulated.

Ultimately: Compounded bioidentical hormones, have little evidence about the risks they potentially have towards women’s health or if they are any safer than other treatments. Herbal remedies and traditional HRT treatments are generally monitored for safety by health regulatory bodies whereas compounded bioidentical hormones are not. This makes them an unappealing option.

If you are worried about going through the menopause or have any other health concerns book a health consultation with a professional to discuss what the best next step is for you. Book a consultation with our pharmacist who can advise you on the next steps:

https://www.newington-pharmacy.co.uk/book-appointment

Ozempic the Weight Loss Jab – Pros & Cons

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 06:23:48 GMT

Ozempic is a weight-loss injection which abruptly end your food cravings meaning you will lose weight at the unfortunate cost of our sacred diet. But how much do you know about this miraculous drug? Can it help reverse type2 diabetes, is it harmful, will the weight stay gone, is it even legal?

In this blog post we will have a critical look at Ozempic and see what the benefits are as well as the draw backs and consider if this is something we should all be using to tackle diabetes.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a medication that helps your pancreas produce more insulin which can be a boon to people with diabetes by helping them manage their blood sugar level. Within the medical industry, Ozempic medication is known as a glucagon-like peptide-1-agonist (GLP1a). GLP1 is a hormone produced in our gut which Ozempic aims to replicate. GLP1 regulates our appetite by telling our brains when we are full. This is why people who are not diabetic use it to help manage their weight. Detrimentally, this only solves the problem for a time because Ozempic can only be prescribed for a max of two years. This means that suppressing your appetite with Ozempic is only a temporary fix.

Moreover, if you were thinking that this could be an option to help manage your weight and you are not diabetic, in the UK it is only prescribed to people who have type 2 diabetes. Equally we need to ask ourselves are there any concerns as to what the long-term effects could before rushing head-on towards using this drug.

Is Ozempic a “quick fix”?

It can be a quick fix for someone wanting to commit the minimum 2 months of treatment before noticing significant weight loss. So, it would be more applicable to call it a “slow fix”. Yes, you will find improvements, but it won’t be instant. But much more importantly you can get more beneficial and longer-lasting results without any need for drugs like Ozempic at all! Just take a look at the success stories of our clients:

https://www.prolongevity.co.uk/success-stories/

How is Ozempic administered?

Similar, to WEGOVY, Ozempic is administered through an auto-injector once a week, which is injected into either your stomach, the front of your thigh or your upper arm. Normally this injection will be given by a medical professional such as a nurse.

The benefits of a reduced appetite

Despite the short-term nature of this drug, it will almost certainly help you lose weight for a while. Suppressing your appetite will mean you consume fewer calories which in turn will mean you lose weight if you maintain your normal routine. If you do not maintain a similar routine and level of activity you might simply maintain the same weight. However, the reduced calorie intake might also affect your energy meaning you won’t have as much energy to do the things you want to do.

The disadvantages of losing your appetite

Having a reduced appetite can do harm as well as good. Yes, Ozempic will help you lose weight but it could also impact your nutrition: if you do not have a diverse and nutrient rich diet, your already-poor nutrition could be further effected by eating less. Which could lead to further health issues.

You will lose weight

As we have suggested above you will likely notice weight loss after 8 weeks of using Ozempic. This absolutely can be a positive. Nevertheless, there is a “good” type of weight loss and a “bad” type. When weight is lost it is generally a combination of muscle and fat loss. Retaining as much muscle mass as possible throughout our life is one of the top predictors of heath. If you lose too much muscle mass later in life you put yourself at risk of other illnesses like Sarcopenia (muscle loss meaning there is nothing holding your skeleton in place and eventually making you frail). So, if you are prescribed Ozempic you must aim to keep active in the hope that when you lose weight you aren’t losing more muscle.

Specifically, we recommend resistance or strength exercise and to increase the protein content in your diet. Dr Peter Attia (a world authority on longevity) discussed Ozempic when he was invited to the Megyn Kelly show recently. He commented that about 2/3 of the weight lost using the drug is muscle mass. So, you might weigh less but actually get fatter overall.

Peter Attia’s Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq3qieTLHDD/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

Is Ozempic an insulin shot?

No Ozempic does not contain insulin, you will still need to take regular insulin shots if it’s prescribed for you. Ozempic is a Glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor antagonist. This means that it mimics your body’s naturally occurring hormone Glucagon-like-peptide-1 which is released in our bodies when we eat food so helping to regulate blood sugar and appetite.

What are the side effects of Ozempic?

The most common side effects of Ozempic are Nausea (a feeling that you are about to vomit) diarrhoea and/or constipation together with stomach pain. Although these are the most common symptoms you also run the risk of other less common side-effects including:

Pancreatitis which is where the pancreas is inflamed which can lead to further health problems and can become life-threatening in few cases.
Changing vision Ozempic can cause blurred vision and people with diabetic retinopathy can have this condition worsen because of the drug.
Kidney disease, Ozempic can have a substantial impact on your kidneys leading to kidney damage, disease or in the worst-case cause kidney failure.
Hypoglycaemia this is when your blood sugar drops to low.
Thyroid cancer Ozempic has been shown to increase the chances of a person developing thyroid cancer.
Gallbladder disease Ozempic can increase your risk of gallbladder diseases.
Allergic reaction some people might have an allergic reaction to this drug which is why it is important that you speak to a medical professional before using Ozempic, this is something you should consider before using any new drug not just Ozempic.

Conclusion

For most people the drawbacks of Ozempic are greater than the benefits. The nature of the weight loss can is key because you lose muscle mass rather than excess fat. This is a disaster when there are so many healthier, cheaper and simpler ways to obtain the weight-loss benefits without the side effects of using medication.

Given the potential side effects and limited benefits, drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are simply not the logical step first when trying to improve your health whether or not you have type 2 diabetes.

If you are concerned about weight gain, type2 diabetes or prediabetes why not book a FREE 15-minute consultation with one of our clinical team. We will talk you through your symptoms and address your health concerns.

Book a free 15-minute consultation here:

https://www.prolongevity.co.uk/booking-form/

Download a free e-book about Prediabetes here:

https://www.prolongevity.co.uk/prediabetes-ebook/

Importance of Flu Vaccinations

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 05:13:59 GMT

As the seasons change and temperatures drop, one common concern that looms over us is flu. The flu, also known as influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can lead to mild to severe illness, affecting millions of people worldwide each year.

Newington Pharmacy is here to offer a comprehensive flu service that aims to keep you protected and provide the care you need if you fall ill.

Understanding the Flu

Common symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and headache. While most people recover within a week or two, the flu can lead to complications, particularly in vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

Newington Pharmacy's Flu Service

Convenient Access:

Newington Pharmacy understands the importance of accessibility. Their flu service allows you to get your vaccine at a time that suits you.

Expert Advice:

The knowledgeable pharmacists at Newington Pharmacy are readily available to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the flu, its prevention, or symptoms. They can provide personalized advice based on your individual health needs.

Don't let the flu get the better of you. Visit Newington Pharmacy and take advantage of their exceptional flu service. Remember, protecting yourself also means safeguarding those around you. Stay healthy, stay informed, and let Newington Pharmacy be your partner in flu prevention and care.

Newington:

To book your flu vaccine give our pharmacy a call or visit us and we are happy to help!

Book your flu jab today!

Eroxon: A Breakthrough for Erectile Dysfunction?

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 04:50:44 GMT

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem which affects millions of men worldwide. It can severely impact a man’s quality of life, his relationships, and his self-worth. However, ED is NOT inevitable, but its a warning of more fundamental health problems to come: For example, Type2 diabetes which can result in massive changes in all aspects of your life. Type2 leads to various other very serious health conditions that will significantly affect your quality of life, and indeed shorten it by at least ten years if not addressed.

There are many treatment options available for ED which have some side effects. These may be severe, eg priapism which is an extremely painful and prolonged erection. However, a topical gel (topical meaning to relate or apply directly to a body part) called Eroxon is now available and is a safe treatment option for (ED) without the side effects commonly associated with other medication.

What is Eroxon?

Eroxon is a topical gel not a medication as such! So Eroxon unlike traditional treatments has fewer and less harmful side effects than are associated with injections and oral medications. Eroxon is actually classed as a “medical device”. It does not have an active ingredient, but instead works via an evaporative effect. For these reasons it does cause the same issues that orthodox medication will. According to the Eroxon website it is composed of water, ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerin, carbomer and potassium hydroxide.

Although Eroxon is suitable for most men, some men might find they are not achieving the desired results. If this is the case, then they should seek the advice of a medical professional because there could be a fundamental health issue that definitely needs to be addressed.

How Is Eroxon Applied?

The gel is applied directly to the penis, it is recommended to use only a “pea-sized” amount of gel which is rubbed onto the glans (head) of the penis for around 15 seconds. Eroxon will quickly begin to take effect by improving blood flow and promoting an erection. Recommendations of how often Eroxon should be used are once per intercourse attempt. However, there is no maximum usage so you could use it more than once per intercourse attempt if required. Finally, much like other (ED) treatments it requires a man to have some degree of sexual stimulation to work.

What are the Benefits of Eroxon?

Eroxon has many benefits that conventional (ED) medications do not. Predominantly its extremely easy-to-use! This is especially the case when compared to other treatments where you would need an injection or a doctor’s prescription. Eroxon is available over the counter from pharmacies. In addition, Eroxon does not have many side effects unlike traditional treatments. Because Eroxon has no active ingredient it will not interfere/interact with other medications.

Is Eroxon Safe?

Yes! Eroxon is safe, and arguably safer than other traditional medications. Eroxon does not have an active ingredient but works through physical action and the evaporative effect mentioned previously. This is why Eroxon is not officially classed as a medication. There has been a handful of people reporting a low-level penile burning sensation and one woman reported vaginal irritation. But even in these cases it’s not clear that the gel was actually the cause of the problem.

Red Flags!

Roughly 95% of ED cases are the result of the cardiovascular system not working correctly . This makes (ED) a massive indicator of a man’s cardiovascular health. Eroxon, Viagra or other similar (ED) treatments will almost inevitably simply be masking the much more serious health issue. So once again we are treating the symptoms while ignoring the cause while serious underlying health problems worsen. Let us not forget that for many people the first time they become aware of their heart disease is when they have a heart attack. Worse still, 1/3 of first-time heart attacks are fatal. We’ve left things too late.

How can ProLongevity help?

Our Guide to A Healthy Heart

Sun, 14 May 2023 06:25:52 GMT

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death amongst men and women globally. Now the fact that heart disease causes 1 in 3 deaths today may come as no surprise but the fact that heart attacks were virtually unknown 120 years ago is nothing less than astonishing. So, in the immortal words of Gavin and Stacey “What’s Occurring???”

CVD is the most common cause of premature death. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent or treat this condition. This guide will walk you through what you need to do.

What is Heart disease, and how is it caused?

Make a commitment to heart health.

The unfortunate truth about blood pressure medication is that if you are taking it for so-called “pre-hypertension” it won’t reduce your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or dying. In other words you are taking daily medication that doesn’t confer any real benefit yet may still cause unnecessary side effects. That said, antihypertensive medication is helpful if you have moderate-to-severe hypertension.

(Average = 140/90 | Moderate = 160/100 | Severe = >180/110).

So the principle is: Management of blood pressure should be based primarily on lifestyle changes and not solely reliant on medication.

Sadly, most health professionals ignore the root cause of the issue and treat the symptoms instead with a prescription.

STATINS

The benefits of statins have been grossly exaggerated by the vested interests of the pharmaceutical industry to sell more drugs. They have convinced us that taking statins will significantly prolong our lives.

In fact, as we discussed with Prof Malhotra, statins will likely do more harm than good if you haven’t had a stroke or a heart attack (shocking!). More shocking still, even for those who HAVE suffered a stroke or heart attack the likely benefit is a few days. (Yes: not years, not months, not weeks but a few DAYS longer life expectancy)

If you want to learn more about Heart disease and if statins really do help reduce cholesterol and what's the real key to a longer healthier life, please enjoy our podcast with world-renowned cardiologist Professor Aseem Malhotra .

If you prefer reading, we recommend you take a look at Aseem Malhotra’s book: A Statin-Free Life: A Revolutionary Life Plan for Tackling Heart Disease – Without the Use of Statins

You can also listen to another riveting ProLongevity podcast starring Dr. Malcolm Kendrick where he speaks on LDL, clotting disorders and even more relating to heart health and cholesterol. Please click here to watch the podcast on YouTube .

If you would like to find out more about how corporate greed is polluting our minds, our bodies and the environment. You can read this blog called “Diesel-gate / Statin-gate”

These steps can help prevent/treat heart disease.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide and can cause further complications, such as heart attacks, strokes and congestive heart failure.

These diseases are largely preventable by making small, incremental lifestyle changes. In fact, you may be able to cure your heart disease without medication by following these seven steps:

Know your numbers.

Blood pressure . This is the amount of force your blood exerts on your artery walls when it's pumping through your body.
Metabolic syndrome . This is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

To learn more about metabolic syndrome, please read this blog .

Cholesterol . Health professionals are obsessed with Cholesterol, which has become the ultimate marketing opportunity for Big Food and Big Pharma. But actual “cholesterol” is not detrimental in the way we’ve all been led to believe. Bottom line? Don’t spend your time obsessing about cholesterol or how many calories you are eating (rather than the nutritional quality of your food). The true culprit is what we call “The Trifecta of Evil” ie a diet high in sugar, carbs and processed foods.

If you want to learn more about how calories don't count, and how cholesterol is good for you, read this blog .

Triglycerides (so-called “bad cholesterol”) are a type of fat found in the bloodstream that play a vital role in metabolism but may lead to atherosclerosis if too high for too long — think of them as just another risk factor for heart disease and smoking or diabetes, for example.

Our good friend and client Mark Felstead thought he was in healthy shape and unfortunately suffered from cardiac arrest during a triathlon: to find out more about Mark, please enjoy this blog .

Know your family history

Your family history is a crucial part of understanding your risk for heart disease. It may be difficult to find out about your parents’ health, but this information may help you understand how to best protect your heart.

In fact, knowing whether someone in your family has had heart problems can be very enlightening because it often reveals information that you might not have known. For example:

If someone close to you has had a heart attack or stroke at a young age, that could mean that they have genetic factors that increase their risk. It also means they may have been doing things wrong—like smoking or eating poorly—which puts them at an even higher risk of having another incident later in life. You should take this as an opportunity to learn more about healthy lifestyle choices before your next family reunion!

If several members of your family suffer from high blood pressure and unhealthy lipids (so-called bad cholesterol) levels over the course of many years without ever getting treatment for these conditions, then it's likely there are genetic factors involved as well (and perhaps environmental ones too). In this case, you're probably better off asking yourself how much time each day does everyone spend sitting around watching TV rather than exercising? What kind of diet do people eat regularly? Do any members smoke cigarettes regularly? All these things matter when trying to keep yourself healthy because they all contribute toward making sure our bodies function properly over time.

Eat better to live healthier.

Move more for a longer life.

Research shows that physical activity can help you manage your weight, prevent heart disease and stroke, reduce stress, and improve your mood. In addition to the many benefits of being active, exercise can also lower the amount of fat in your blood (called triglycerides). This is important because high levels of triglycerides can increase your risk for heart disease.

If you're not exercising right now, it's never too late to start! Even people who are older or have medical conditions can benefit from regular physical activity. The list below shows simple ways to get moving:

Walk briskly (or power walk) at least 30 minutes per day at 4 miles per hour (mph) or faster
Do some housework
Do some strenuous gardening
Climbing the stairs
Dance!
Take a free class from our good friend John Molyneux

Quit smoking for good.

If you're still smoking, it's time to quit. Smoking is bad for your health, causes cancer and heart disease, is expensive, addictive and a bad habit that can affect your family.

In fact, smoking will reduce your life expectancy by 7 years compared with non-smokers. That's seven more years of life that could be spent with friends or family if you weren't smoking!

Not only does smoking increase the risk of lung cancer but it also increases blood pressure which puts strain on blood vessels throughout the body including those supplying blood to the heart and brain. As well as increased risk of stroke and heart disease (which accounts for around 80% of all deaths caused by smoking), this puts further strain on other organs such as kidneys or lungs which are already working hard due to heavy tobacco consumption (nearly 20 cigarettes per day).

If you want to learn more about smoking and its effects, please enjoy our latest blog: The History Of Smoking And The Influence Of Sugar .

Consider alcohol use.

Alcohol is a drug that can be addictive and dangerous when abused, so please avoid binge drinking. There are many negative health consequences associated with heavy alcohol use, including liver damage, heart disease, cancer and other types of gastrointestinal problems. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will also increase your blood pressure levels and cause you to retain water weight — both things that can contribute to heart disease.

For those who don't drink regularly or at all: If you decide to consume any alcoholic beverage in moderation and do not exceed the recommended limit! (That said the occasional glass-or-two of Malbec is healthy and enjoyable)

Pregnant women should ideally not drink at all during pregnancy because it can have lasting effects on the baby's health as well as cause behavioural issues later in life (such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

If you would like to know more about the effects of alcohol, watch this amazing video from our founder Graham Phillips about the complication’s alcohol can cause to your health .

Prioritise sleep

According to an article published in ‘Diabetologia’, our bodies metabolise breakfast differently according to our sleep patterns. A lack of sleep interfered with the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels after eating.

Regularly staying up late will not only damage your metabolism but it will also affect your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. The amount of time you spend also does not make a difference — so even if you went to bed at 1 a.m. and woke up at noon, the body processes the first meal of the day poorly.

Sleep is intricately connected to the body's hormonal and metabolic processes and is therefore crucial in maintaining metabolic health. So, it is vital that you simultaneously prioritise sleep in order to prevent CVD.

To find out more about how sleep damages your metabolic health, please enjoy our blog .

Conclusion

A healthy heart is the best indicator of a long, happy and healthy life. It's good for you, and it's great for your loved ones. Remember that heart disease is treatable, but prevention is much more effective than treatment. If you're taking care of yourself now, you'll be glad you did in 10 or 20 years.

If you would like to reduce your risk, please book a free consultation with ProLongevity .

Your guide to a Keto Diet

Sun, 14 May 2023 05:23:03 GMT

What is a Keto Diet?

What are the types of Keto?

Over the years many controversies and myths about the keto diet have emerged, but it is very safe and beneficial for many people. (Please consult with your doctor, to decide whether a keto diet is right for you).

There are multiple different keto diets, so it is important you find the one that works best for you! The 3 main keto diets are listed below:

Standard Ketogenic Dieting (SKD)

This is the most common version: it is a very low carb, moderate protein and high-fat diet. It typically contains 70% fat, 20% protein, and only 10% carbs. You should consider the SKD if you plan on losing weight and are living quite a sedentary lifestyle.

Targeted Ketogenic Dieting (TKD)

This version of keto allows you to add a small number of carbs to meals around workouts. This diet is usually followed when you are taking part in regular physical activities and the SKD diet adversely affects your performance. However, on the days when you are not exercising you should still follow SKD.

To compensate for the added carbs, it is crucial to cut back on fat intake.

Cyclical/Cycle Ketogenic Dieting (CKD)

This diet involves periods of higher-carb re-feeds, such as 5 Ketogenic days followed by 2 high carb days.

Keto vs low carb

As a keto diet, low carb is about restricting carbohydrates from your diet mostly bread, pasta, grains and sugary beverages. Like the keto diet increasing your protein, healthy fats and veggie intake replaces the lost carbs.

Weight loss is achieved by the restriction of carbs and the elimination of high-calorie foods. The health benefits are similar to those of keto, including blood sugar control and reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications.

Please consult your physician before deciding which diet is right for you.

Keto Supplements

Using ketone supplements is claimed to be a bio-hack to make your body go into ketosis without following the full ketogenic diet. Researchers found that taking exogenous ketone supplements (such as MCT Oil) in a fasted state may decrease appetite for over four hours, but other studies suggest they may hinder weight loss efforts.

Many participants in studies have stated that they experienced the ‘low carb flu’ or ‘keto flu’. This includes headaches, fatigue, brain fog, bad breath, increased hunger, poor sleep and nausea. The symptoms can often be reversed by taking extra salt – for example in salty bone broth or Bouillon.

We suggest before trying ketone supplements try the low carb diet first because it’s a great way to reduce weight and gain health benefits without restricting yourself to a Ketogenic (extremely low carb) diet.

For a free consultation with our founder Graham Phillips, please click here !

Keto and alcohol

Counting carbs while drinking isn't easy. Many alcoholic drinks (especially real ales) contain a lot of sugar and carbohydrates, which can cause a spike in your blood sugar, which sets off a vicious cycle of hypoglycaemia.

Your liver can't convert fat into glucose when you drink alcohol, so you're at a greater risk of hypoglycaemia once your blood sugars start to drop. Drinking these beverages can lead to a spike in blood sugar followed by a steady drop several hours later, often while sleeping. The result is disrupted, poor quality sleep and damaged health

When it comes to drinking, it's good to be well informed about all of the facts so you can choose the right type of drink:

Low-sugar beers and ciders - sometimes called diabetic drinks - should be avoided. Their sugar content may be lower, but they may contain more alcohol.
Low-alcohol wines typically have more sugar than normal wines. If you decide to select these, drink them in moderation. Be careful when drinking beverages with a lot of sugar, like sweet wines, and liqueurs.

For more on alcohol and diabetes, please read this blog .

Keto and fruit

Prolongevity X Diet doctor

If you are interested in pursuing a keto diet or a low carb diet we highly recommend Diet Doctor! You can find Graham’s Podcast with Dr Bret Scher the medical director of Diet Doctor here !

Don't miss out on a FREE Diet doctor membership when you sign up for the ProLongevity gold package .

Lower Your Blood Pressure: Monitor, Diagnose, and Manage

Fri, 12 May 2023 08:20:52 GMT

High blood pressure , also known as hypertension , is a common medical condition that affects many millions of people worldwide. It is a condition that occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is too high. Despite what you may have been led to believe, there’s nothing “essential” about hypertension, and neither does it HAVE to go up as we age. In hunter-gatherer populations who don’t eat junk foods, but move around a lot and sleep well, hypertension and heart disease are virtually unknown. Whereas in Westernised, industrialised societies, heart disease is the single largest killer.

For obvious reasons high blood pressure, is known as the " silent killer ."

Since people with hypertension usually have no symptoms, you may have high blood pressure without even being aware of it. In a rare but severe form of hypertension, symptoms like headaches, bleeding from the nose, and shortness of breath are common. A normal blood pressure is when your results estimate a top (systolic) pressure of less than 120 and a bottom (diastolic) pressure of less than 80.

What is our Blood Pressure Service at Newington Pharmacy?

The blood pressure service offered by Newington Pharmacy aims to help patients to diagnose and manage their blood pressure levels and reduce their risk of developing the complications associated with hypertension.

The service involves a trained pharmacist taking a customer's blood pressure measurement and providing advice on how to manage blood pressure levels. The pharmacist will also provide guidance on lifestyle changes and offer recommendations on medications that may be helpful in managing blood pressure. If you are detected with high blood pressure, we provide you with a device that will measure your BP continually over the next 24 hrs. This provides a MUCH more accurate diagnosis than a one-off reading

Why Choose Newington Pharmacy's Blood Pressure Service?

The service is provided by trained and experienced pharmacists who are knowledgeable about hypertension and its management. The pharmacists are also friendly, approachable, and always ready to answer any questions that customers may have. Customers can trust Newington Pharmacy to provide them with the best possible advice and recommendations on managing their blood pressure levels.

You are eligible for the NHS blood pressure check service if you are:

Approximately 5.5 million people have undetected hypertension nationwide - you may be one of them.

Our blood pressure service is quick and convenient. Book an appointment with us or give us a call, and we can check your blood pressure measurement along with a personal consultation.

newington_v1

Symptoms of menopause: how to reverse them?

Symptoms of menopause

Mental health symptoms resulting from menopause:

Physical symptoms of menopause:

Why does menopause happen?

Should I worry about menopause?

What can I do to help reverse/reduce the symptoms of menopause?

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Testosterone Gel

Oestrogen treatment

Are there any risks associated with HRT?

﻿

What are the non-medical options?

Herbal remedies

Body-Identical Hormones vs Compounded Bioidentical Hormones?

Compounded Bioidentical Hormones

Ozempic the Weight Loss Jab – Pros & Cons

What is Ozempic?

Is Ozempic a “quick fix”?

How is Ozempic administered?

The benefits of a reduced appetite

The disadvantages of losing your appetite

You will lose weight

Is Ozempic an insulin shot?

What are the side effects of Ozempic?

Conclusion

Importance of Flu Vaccinations

Understanding the Flu

Newington Pharmacy's Flu Service

Convenient Access:

Expert Advice:

Newington:

Eroxon: A Breakthrough for Erectile Dysfunction?

What is Eroxon?

How Is Eroxon Applied?

What are the Benefits of Eroxon?

Is Eroxon Safe?

Red Flags!

How can ProLongevity help?

Our Guide to A Healthy Heart

What is Heart disease, and how is it caused?

Make a commitment to heart health.

STATINS

These steps can help prevent/treat heart disease.

Know your numbers.

Know your family history

Eat better to live healthier.

Move more for a longer life.

Quit smoking for good.

Consider alcohol use.

Prioritise sleep

Conclusion

Your guide to a Keto Diet

What is a Keto Diet?

What are the types of Keto?

Keto vs low carb

Keto Supplements

Keto and alcohol

Keto and fruit

Prolongevity X Diet doctor

Lower Your Blood Pressure: Monitor, Diagnose, and Manage

What is our Blood Pressure Service at Newington Pharmacy?

Why Choose Newington Pharmacy's Blood Pressure Service?

You are eligible for the NHS blood pressure check service if you are: