May 2011
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IN THIS ISSUE
Daily Dose
Supplements for Children
Dr. Laura Blaisdell and Dr. Jeff Peterson Interview
May Promotion: 20% off kids supplements
Upcoming Events:
Dr. Jeff Peterson and
Dr. Laura Blaisdell - 5/10
Navigating Unchartered Waters: Kids, Probiotics, and Omega-3
Dr. Lowell Gerber - 6/14
Managing Cardiovascular Risk in Women PeRx News
New Nutrition Boards
Recipes for Kids
(They'll love to eat!) |
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Greetings!
"A mother is a person, who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie."
- Tenneva Jordan
Happy May! Laying the foundations of health begins when we are young. While our health plans change and adapt as we grow and age and learn, sometimes the support our bodies are given when we are young is the most important.
And no one helps support health more than Mom. This weekend is Mother's Day and so we'd like to salute all the moms out there caring for little ones (or grown up little ones) and helping to instill the gift and lessons of health on children everywhere.
We'd also like to give moms some resources and support in navigating the world of children's health and, in particular, supplements. That's why this month we have a great event on May 10 with Intermed pediatricians Dr. Laura Blaisdell and Dr. Jeff Peterson. They will shed some light on the importance of probiotics and omega-3s for kids. We've also got supplement recommendations, a May 20% off sale to compliment the event and some kid-approved recipes packed with nutrients growing kids need.
Plus, Dr. Gerber will be joining us in June to talk about managing cardiovascular risk in women and PeRx has new menu boards with calorie counts of many items served to help you make informed nutritional selections.
We hope that your May is filled with good health and good hugs from Mom. We look forward to seeing you in the store soon.
Cheers,
The Apothecary by Design Team
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  INTERVIEW: Dr. Laura Blaisdell and Dr. Jeff Peterson
Navigating Unchartered Waters: Kids, Probiotics, and Omega-3
May 10, 2011 - 6:30 pm
Next Tuesday, Intermed pediatricians Dr. Blaisdell and Dr. Peterson will be coming to the store for a lively discussion on what we know - and don't know - about probiotic and omega-3 supplementation in children. They'll share practical guidelines and recommendations for using some of these complementary and alternative therapies during the event and in preparation, we spoke with both doctors about what to expect.
Dr. Peterson, what are your experiences with childrens' nutritional and supplement needs?
Parents often assume that their kids should be taking a multi-vitamin supplement when in reality vitamin deficiencies are fairly rare. It often makes sense to supplement iron, calcium, and vitamin D depending upon diet and activity level, but I don't typically recommend a multivitamin for children.
And what are you finding kids lack the most?
Many kids do not eat much fish and so I think that omega-3 supplementation is often more important than multivitamins.
Why are omega-3s important to children?
They are a potent anti-inflammatory that have been shown to be therapeutic for a number of conditions including asthma, eczema, depression, ADHD. Consistent intake is also associated with lower rates of heart disease and stroke in adulthood.
Are there some children who benefit most from omega-3s?
Children with a history of inflammatory conditions such as asthma, eczema, as well as family with behavioral health concerns.
Dr. Blaisdell, What about probiotics, why are they important to kids?
The evidence is growing that a healthy gut plays a role not only in digestion, but also in allergy, asthma and autoimmune diseases--all of which are on the rise in urban cultures. Kids can be on multiple courses of antibiotics in any given year and physicians need to consider what antibiotic treatment does to the healthy symbiotic organisms in our bowels.
And what kind of children might benefit from probiotics supplements the most?
I advise parents that when kids are taking antibiotics, or shortly after finishing a course of antibiotics, probiotics should be administered with appropriate colony numbers. More research is needed before probiotics can be recommended to treat disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, colic, and constipation and to prevent common infections and allergy in children. Use of probiotics in healthy children does not appear to be harmful.
Dr. Peterson, what should parents consider when contemplating supplementation for children?
I have found that many of the children's omega supplements have relatively low levels of total omega (60-100mg range per dose). For therapeutic use for conditions like ADHD or eczema, the research suggests they need fairly high doses (600-1000mg daily). So I believe it's important for parents to look for brands which have higher concentrations.
Register for Navigating Unchartered Waters here! |
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DAILY DOSE: Children's Supplements
In coordination with Dr. Blaisdell and Dr. Peterson's Navigating Unchartered Waters event this month our expert nutraceutical team highlights three supplements just right for kids: one omega-3 and two probiotics. (See below for our 20% off sale on all three!)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids & DHA
Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA are important nutrients for health. Both promote cardiovascular and immune health. DHA is essential for the proper development of the brain, eyes, and nervous systems. Omega-3's have also been shown to positively impact mental function and attention. DHA is especially important for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children, especially those with ADHD.
Nordic Naturals Childrens DHA
Made entirely from Arctic cod liver oil, Nordic Naturals product is rich in the omega-3 DHA. Nordic's Children's DHA also contains healthy levels of 100% natural vitamins A and D. Available in strawberry-flavored liquid or chewable soft gels for age three and older.
Probiotics
Probiotics are living microorganisms that may help boost the kind of beneficial bacteria in the body that can destroy harmful bacteria and reduce infection. Probiotics can be effective in helping improve gastrointestinal tract infections and common digestive issues in children (including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Ulcerative Colitis). When evaluating a probiotic it is important to consider which strains are the most beneficial to the condition you are trying to address. Please check in with our nutraceutical team to assist you.
Metagenics Ultra Flora Powder
Designed to provide intestinal and digestive support on multiple levels, Metagenics Ultra Flora Powder helps maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora and support healthy immune function.
MegaFood Kids N' Us MegaFlora Probiotics Kids N' Us MegaFlora provides 14 beneficial probiotics to promote healthy bowel function, nourish a healthy digestive tract and support immune health. MegaFlora capsules are vegetarian and suitable for both adults and children ages 5 to 18. Come in and talk with our pharmacists and expert staff to learn more about our featured supplements and which ones may be right for your children. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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 UPCOMING EVENT: Cardiovascular Risks for Women - What They Are and How to Lower ThemDR. LOWELL GERBER | JUNE 14 | 6:30 p.m. Dr. Lowell I Gerber MD from Freeport Cardiology will be joining us in the store on June 14th for an engaging discussion on managing cardiovascular risk for women. Dr. Gerber is an advocate for proactive women's health and the use of bio-identical hormones as an important modality for preventive cardiology. Come learn why peri-menopause and menopause are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and walk away with important tips and insights for how to lower your risk. Dr. Gerber is a board certified cardiologist with a master's degree in exercise physiology and advanced training in metabolism, nutrition, and hormone optimization for both men and women. He applies principles of metabolic management to help patients to prevent and treat heart disease, lose weight, improve diabetes and to live well, longer. Register for Dr. Gerber's Event here! |
MAY SALE
Our three featured children's supplements are 20% off
Sale Runs Through May 31
20% off Nordic Naturals Children's DHA, Metagenics Ultra Flora Powder, and MegaFoods Kids N' Us Probiotics*
*Sale cannot be combined with loyalty card discount
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PERX NEWS: A City of Portland Grant Helps Bring Nutrition Insights to PeRx Consumers
Come see our new nutrition boards!
You may have noticed that PeRx has received a bit of a new makeover recently. Hanging above our counter are some brand new menu boards. And while they look great, it isn't the new colors or items listed that make them so special; it's the numbers.
Over the past few months, PeRx has been focused on a project to help provide better insights into the nutritional value of the food and drinks we offer. As part of a grant provided by Healthy Portland, City of Portland and the Department of Health and Human Services we've been taking a close look at the calorie counts of everything we serve.
Stephanie Agne, registered dietitian of Smart Meals for ME has been coordinating our efforts, working closely with our vendors and team to obtain recipes, analyze products and ingredients and calculate the nutritional information of many of the drinks and food items we serve. Our new boards and nutrition brochure share those results--even down to the calorie counts of every permutation of drink--taking into account size, milk type, and flavor.
The project ties into the menu labeling regulations passed into law by the Food and Drug Administration in March 2010. The bill, starting in 2011 in Maine, requires that restaurants with 20 or more locations nationally add calories to their menus to provide consumers with uniform and consistent nutrition information to help inform choices. And ultimately, to lead to better decisions, as research shows that menu labeling results in customers making healthier choices when dining out.
To increase the focus on health in Portland, the City created the current grant to encourage local, non-chain restaurants to share their calorie counts. We thought it was a great idea and reached out to become part of the program.
"We want to be part of the health care solution at PeRx and Apothecary by Design," says Diane Madden, our PeRx director. "Giving customer's information about calories at the point of purchase enables the customer to make informed decisions. Whether you are counting calories or in the mood for a treat, we are excited about providing this valuable information."
Take a look at our new boards the next time you visit!
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 RECIPES FOR KIDS
In conjunction with this month's great event on omega-3s and probiotics for children, here are three recipes packed with nutrients (and kid-taste approved!).
Jamie Oliver's Fish Pie
This is a fantastically simple fish pie which doesn't involve poaching the fish or making a tedious white sauce. Loads of good, fragrant veggies are added quickly by grating them in. You can use whatever fish you like so select salmon to increase the omega-3s.
Cinnamon Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Halloween isn't the only time to roast a batch of pumpkin seeds...they are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and, with a sprinkling of salt and cinnamon, they make a healthy, transportable snack.
Yogurt Parfaits
They look decadent enough to eat for dessert, but yogurt parfaits are actually a very healthy option for after-school snacks. Yogurt is packed with probiotics and your kids can help create the dishes by choosing fruits and putting together the layers. (Sprinkle in some flax seeds to add some omega-3s too.)
Which healthy foods and meals do your little ones love to eat?
Share on our Facebook page!
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Please note that special promotions and sales cannot be combined with our loyalty program.
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