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- Body Care & Beauty (29)
- Diet (169)
- Exercise (58)
- Green Living (78)
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- Nutritional Supplements (216)
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- Stress Management & Lifestyle (76)
- Village Green News (196)
Paula Gallagher
Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutritionist on the staff at Village Green Apothecary.
read more..
Margo Gladding
Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational
and professional experience. read more..
Jared Rice
With his duel background in holistic nutrition and exercise Jared takes a comprehensive and integrative approach to wellness. read more..
Ellen Kittredge
Ellen’s knowledge base has given her the tools to be an effective
nutrition and health counselor.
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Naz Amini
Naz is a nutrition counselor and lifestyle educator for Village Green Apothecary. read more..
Carmen Ugas
Carmen is a therapeutic lifestyle educator for Village Green Apothecary. read more..
Debi Silber
Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
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Steve Stillwater
Steve is committed to greener living and offers to easy-to-implement green living tips and ideas.
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Farzin Farid, Pharm.D
Farzin is a licensed pharmacist with a strong background in herbal, mineral, and vitamin therapy.
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Joe Ailts
Joe, Director of Medical Education at NeuroScience, Inc., provides scientific and clinical education on neuro-endo-immunology.
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Other Conrtributors
Scott O’Dell >>>James Brodsky, MD >>>
Christine M. Gonzales >>>
Beth Ritchie >>>
Jim Fox >>>
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Pharmacy & Compounding
Compounding Pharmacies – Recent Controversy Addressed by Village Green Pharmacist
by Village Green Admin | November 13, 2012
Compounding pharmacies have been in the news a lot recently, with the awful situation resulting from a pharmacy in New England producing drugs that caused an outbreak of fungal meningitis. Ron Keech, R. Ph., who has been Village Green’s head compounding pharmacist for over 30 years, was interviewed by WTOP on this subject. In the article, he discusses some of the current misconceptions being talked about with regard to compounding pharmacies, plus the origins and advantages of compounding.
Read the article, “Compounding Pharmacy Gave Industry Black Eye.”
Nutrient Depletion: Corticosteroids
by Paula Gallagher | November 6, 2012
Corticosteroids are usually prescribed for conditions that cause swelling and inflammation. Applied as a topical, taken as a tablet, used as a nasal spray or eye drops, or even as an inhaler, there are many ways to take corticosteroids.
Some conditions that corticosteroids are prescribed for include arthritis, lupus, kidney disease, asthma, and even eczema.
Long-term use of steroids can have many side effects including changes in mood, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcers, diabetes, osteoporosis, increased appetite and weight gain. So talk to your doctor about what can be done to minimize these side effects, if they do occur.
One thing that you can do is take calcium and vitamin D, since steroids reduce calcium absorption and increase urinary excretion and may interfere with calcium and vitamin D metabolism. Considering that osteoporosis is one potential side effect of these drugs, consider supplementing with at least 1,000 mg of calcium per day and 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 to maintain proper bone health.
Nutrient Depletion: Antidepressants
by Paula Gallagher | October 29, 2012
Prozax, Zoloft and Paxil are just a few of the frequently prescribed drugs that fall under a category of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs work by increasing the amount of serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter) available. Some people experience symptoms of depression when certain brain chemicals become imbalanced.
For some people, antidepressants can be life changing, but long-term use may result in depletions of certain nutrients that are important for overall health.
Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin B2 in particular have been shown to be deficient in people who take antidepressants. CoQ10 is an important antioxidant and membrane stabilizer, and is a cofactor in many metabolic pathways, particularly in the production of ATP (energy). Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is involved in energy production, prevention of anemia, immune health, eye health, and nervous system health. (more…)
Nutrient Depletion: Acid Blockers
by Paula Gallagher | October 8, 2012
One of the most prescribed categories of drugs is acid blockers. These include Pepcid and Prevacid. Used to treat heartburn, gastric (stomach) ulcers, duodenal (intestinal) ulcers, reflux esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), these drugs can also have a slew of side effects, many of which are associated with nutritional deficiencies.
Here are some of the nutrients that you may be deficient in if you are taking an acid blocker.
- Iron – Stomach acid is needed for iron absorption and people with ulcers may be iron deficient due to blood loss.
- Vitamin B12 – Decreased secretion of stomach acid and pepsin impairs absorption of cobalamin. (more…)
Nutrient Depletion: Blood Pressure Drugs
by Paula Gallagher | September 25, 2012
Blood pressure drugs such as ACE inhibitors and beta blockers are important medications for many people, but they can come with many side effects, especially as a result of nutrient depletion.
If you are currently on any of blood pressure drugs, talk to a pharmacist about side effects and nutrient depletions.
The following nutrients are usually depleted with long-term use of blood pressure medications:
Magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc – These important minerals work synergistically to support cardiovascular health.
CoQ10 – This important antioxidant acts as a cofactor in many metabolic pathways, particularly in the production of ATP (energy). It is also is a key nutrient in maintaining a strong heart.
For some people, exercise and diet can eliminate the need for blood pressure medications. Consuming a diet low in sodium and rich in fruits vegetables, and combining that with a daily 30-minute walk, can make a big difference.