Boomer Life is a lifestyle talk show all about Baby Boomers. Boomer Life features discussion on everything relevant in a baby boomers life, from Retirement Living, to healthy living, to living the good life!

This past Monday, they had our very own CEO, Bob Mehr on air!

You can hear the 1 hr segment about Pure, about pharmacies, compounding,  and about bio identical hormones here.

Pure Evolution!

Every week, Gloria Elizabeth one of our Nutritionist at Pure Integrative Pharmacy will host a video blog, covering topics such as health, wellness, and nutrition.

And without further adieu, here’s our first Vlog! Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get our latest commercials, videos, product education videos, and vlog!

To see our 2nd episode click here.

How do I know if I am low in iron?
If you feel tired a lot, regardless of how much sleep you get, get your iron checked. This is especially true if you have any of the other symptoms listed above. Iron deficiency is diagnosed with a simple blood test called “ferritin”. Any medical doctor or naturopathic doctor can send you for this test and the results are usually back within a few days.

What causes iron deficiency?
Iron levels drop when the amount of iron in the diet cannot keep up with the amount of iron the body needs. Situations where the risk for iron deficiency increases include: vegetarian diets, poor nutrition, frequent blood donation, heavy menstrual periods, endurance athletes, pregnancy. Some health conditions can also increase the risk of iron deficiency by interfering with iron absorption or by increasing iron loss from the body.

Why does iron deficiency make me feel so bad?
Our bodies need iron in order to make something called Hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is part of our red blood cells and without it, we are in for trouble! Hemoglobin allows red blood cells to carry oxygen properly so that it can be delivered to all of our tissues and organs. Imagine being stuck in a room without enough air. That’s a bit what it is like to be low in iron. Most of the symptoms of iron deficiency – fatigue, poor concentration, weakness, shortness of breath, even heart palpitations – are a result of the body struggling to get by on less oxygen than it needs.

What is the treatment for iron deficiency?
Diet improvements and iron supplements treat most cases effectively. However, the cause of your iron deficiency should always be investigated. In the majority of cases, the cause is poor nutrition. In some cases though, there can be something else interfering with iron absorption or causing increased iron loss from the body. A few additional tests can usually help to rule out more serious causes of iron deficiency.

Written By:

Dr. Serenity Aberdour, ND
Serenity Aberdour is a naturopathic doctor in Vancouver. She is the owner of Horizon Naturopathic Clinic.

Make Your Skin Glow
Your skin needs a very special essential fatty acid called GLA. GLA is called “essential” because we have to make it from the food we eat. Sadly the North American diet is made up predominantly of bad fats and devoid of “good” fats. And even if you eat well, to make matters, an enzyme that makes GLA from our food is often impaired especially after menopause which means you can’t make GLA from the foods you eat – the only way to get this important fatty acid is from a bottle. GLA is not found in fish or flaxseed oil so those oils don’t have the same skin benefit as GLA. The main source of GLA is found in borage oil (24%) and to a much lesser extent evening primrose oil (8%). Consuming GLA SKIN Oil is the fastest way to gorgeous skin .

Collagen for Smooth Skin
Collagen also plays a critical role in skin health. You have probably noticed how baby skin is so soft and smooth. Youthful skin is abundant in collagen and elastin fibers that lock in moisture and keep the skin firm. As we age, however, collagen production naturally declines. Women in menopause are especially susceptible to collagen deficiency. Research shows that women lose as much as 30 percent of their skin collagen in the first couple of years following menopause. And as if that is not bad enough, skin elasticity declines as well after menopause. It is the loss of collagen that causes sagging skin and wrinkles.

Reduce Deep Wrinkles in 28 days
Collagen is the key to smooth, beautiful skin. French researchers were able to reduce the depth of deep wrinkles in 28 days using Active Collagen. They gave women with deep crow’s feet wrinkles 2000mg of Active Collagen per day and discovered a decrease in deep wrinkles as well as increased moisture content in the skin. At day 28 over 70 percent of the women had a 30 percent reduction of their deep wrinkles. By day 84 a dramatic increase in skin moisture, a reduction in sagging skin and improvement in wrinkles was seen- and the results just kept getting better the longer Active Collagen was used. No other nutrient or skin topical has been found to reduce the depth of deep wrinkles like Active Collagen. Research proves Active Collagen provides a dramatic improvement in the look and feel of your skin. For beauty from the inside out take Active Collagen and GLA everyday.

Written By:
Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, MS
A women’s health expert who has been researching nutritional medicine for over 30 years. With degrees in nutrition and biochemistry she has authored 11 books including A Smart Woman’s Guide to Hormones. Visit www.hormonehelp.com to read her FREE A – Z Woman’s Guide to Vibrant Health.

There is so much more talk about Gluten-Free foods than ever before, but at the same time I believe there are still many misconceptions about whether or not people think it is an actual disease, medical condition or just a passing fad. The following article will hopefully bring to light what gluten is, the seriousness of this disease, its symptoms, possible testing options and resources for further information.
What is gluten you ask? It is the protein found in grass related grains like wheat, barley, rye, spelt and kamut. It is from the part of the grain that flour is made from. Gluten is what gives baked goods their elasticity, springiness of texture and the structural stability to hold together.
What is Celiac disease? A genetically based auto-immune disorder in which specific proteins from wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut (all of which contain gluten) trigger progressive destruction of the villi in the small intestine. This reaction prevents the body from properly absorbing nutrients from the foods eaten and leads to further nutrient depletion. Continued consumption of these grains if you are celiac can cause extensive bowel damage and in some cases, bowel cancer.
What are some symptoms of intolerance? Constipation, diarrhea, extreme weakness or fatigue, weight-loss/weight-gain, migraines, vomiting, neuropathy, dermatitis herpatiformis, anemia, swelling of the hands and feet, bone and joint pain and many more.
How do I get diagnosed? There are 2 types of blood tests called Blood serum IgA endomysial (EMA) and Blood serum IgA tissue transglutaminase (TTG). The other option if those come back negative, is an intestinal biopsy (a small piece of the intestine is clipped out for analysis).
Resources for support:
Canadian Celiac Association
Gluten Intolerance Group (US)

Websites with great recipes and tips:
www.nourishingmeals.com
www.livingwithout.com
www.LiveTheSmartWay.com
You can speak to our Natural Health Advisors and our Pharmacists at any of our locations to find out which natural products can heal the damage in the gut and help you achieve your health goals. For your shopping convenience, most of our locations have a selection of gluten-free snacks, food items and even pre-made flour mixes to choose from.

Written By:
Fiona Ehrenholz,
Natural Health Advisor, Pure at Chilliwack

Without breath we cannot survive. Asthma can make it challenging for many to catch their breath. During an asthmatic attack your respiratory tract becomes inflamed, mucus starts to build up and the muscles in your airways tighten. The resulting symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Symptoms range in
severity from mild to potentially life threatening. These symptoms often first appear in childhood but may also
develop in adults.

The causes of asthma are not fully understood. Asthma is a type of allergic response that involves our respiratory tract overreacting to trigger substances. Common triggers include:

• Allergens: dust, pollens, grass, moulds
• Irritants: smoke, pollution, chemicals, cold air
• Viral infections (cold/flu)
• Exercise

The best strategy to prevent asthma attacks is to avoid whenever possible these potential triggers. An annual flu shot and frequent hand washing can reduce your risk of viral infections. Also consider staying indoors during those times when the pollen counts are high or the grass is freshly cut. Wear a mask when you might be exposed to dust, moulds or strong chemicals. Stop smoking and stay clear of smoky areas. On cold days make sure to bundle up. A journal can
be a useful tool to help you identify your asthma triggers.
It is important to work with your doctor to develop a clear asthma action plan to manage your symptoms. Prescription medications can help to control asthma your symptoms. Inhalers (puffers) can help to either relieve or prevent asthma attacks. Mild symptoms can often be controlled using a fast-acting bronchodilator inhaler like salbutamol (Ventolin)
as needed to help open up your airways. Those with more frequent symptoms are recommended to use a corticosteroid inhaler like fluticasone (Flovent) to prevent attacks by reducing inflammation. There are also combination puffers (eg. Advair, Symbicort) that contain long-acting bronchodilators with corticosteroids for those who asthma is not well
controlled on a corticosteroids alone.
Another key to controlling asthma symptoms is making sure you are using your inhaler correctly. A spacer device
can be attached to most inhalers to assist in delivering the medication to your lungs. It is recommended that children who require inhalers to manage their asthma use a spacer. Make sure you ask your doctor or pharmacist if are unsure about your medications.
At Pure Pharmacy we are here to help you breathe easy.

Written By:
Kristy Horner, B.Sc (Pharm)
Pharmacist, Pure at Robson

Back in 1960 one in 20 women developed breast cancer — today it is 1 in 8. Although we are raising a lot of money for breast cancer awareness and treatment, few women know what they can do to reduce their risk of breast cancer. My maternal grandmother died of breast cancer and reversing the rates of breast cancer is my goal. Scientifically-backed plant nutrients found in Estrosmart can help balance hormone levels while halting abnormal cell growth. Estrosmart quickly balances hormones thereby making periods effortless, slowing the growth of uterine fibroids, halting ovarian cysts and reversing abnormal PAPs while controlling hormonal acne, but where it really shines is at helping to protect your breasts from abnormal cell growth and dangerous estrogens. I-3-C, Sulforaphane, DIM and D-glucarate are a few of the nutrients in Estrosmart that have been shown to keep your estrogen from converting into cancer-causing estrogens. The reason the Cancer Society tells you to eat broccoli is because it contains these powerful breast-cancer preventing agents – but you would have to eat 10 cups of broccoli per day to get the same amount of breast-protecting nutrients found in Estrosmart. By naturally detoxifying dangerous estrogens Estrosmart balances hormones keeping estrogen to progesterone ratios normal. Abnormal cell growth occurs when estrogen levels get too high. And when estrogen gets too high it then converts to cancer-causing estrogens called 16-hydroxyestrone. Estrosmart stops the conversion of our good estrogens to bad thereby protecting us.

Start today and de-stress your life. Practice deep-breathing exercises, sleep at least 7 hours at night. Eat plenty of dark colored vegetables. Purchase natural cosmetics to reduce your load of toxic environmental estrogens. Do not eat soy foods as recent research found that one 8 oz glass of soy milk can increase estradiol, a strong estrogen, by 380 percent. Take two capsules of Estrosmart every day to protect yourself and keep your hormones balanced.

Written By:
Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, MS
A women’s health expert who has been researching nutritional medicine for over 30 years. With degrees in nutrition and biochemistry she has authored 11 books including A Smart Woman’s Guide to Hormones. Visit www.hormonehelp.com to read her FREE A – Z Woman’s Guide to Vibrant Health.

What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease that occurs when normal cells “malfunction” and begin growing uncontrollably. These cells form lumps or tumors in one area of the body but can also spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Benign tumors stay in one area of the body and are usually not life threatening. Malignant tumor cells can invade nearby tissues and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Early detection of malignant tumors can help prevent cancer-related death.

Avoid Known Carcinogens
UV radiation from sunlight can cause skin cancer and its incidence rate continues to rise in Canada. Make sure you protect yourself by wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen. Wear a wide brimmed hat to protect your head and face and make sure to apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure.

Over 25% of all cancer-related deaths are linked to lung cancer. It is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Smoking tobacco can damage your lungs and increases your risk of lung cancer. If you smoke, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about options to help you quit smoking and reduce your risk of lung cancer.

Know Your Body and Get Checked
The key to cancer prevention is early detection. Know your body and be aware of any changes. If you notice any unusual lumps, especially in your breasts or testicles, let your doctor know right away. Watch out for any changes in size, colour or shape of birthmarks and moles on your skin. Most women over the age of 50 should be screened for breast cancer and elderly men with urinary problems should be checked for prostate cancer. Have a discussion with your healthcare provider to see what cancer screening methods are appropriate for you.

Know Your Family History
Some cancers have genetic factors that can be passed on from generation to generation. Inherited gene mutations in your DNA might leave you more susceptible to certain types of cancers. If you have a family history of cancer, mention them to your doctor.

Not all forms of cancer can be prevented but by being cancer aware and following these tips you can reduce your risk and live a healthy, cancer-free life!

Written By:
Jeff Giles, B.Sc (Pharm)
Pharmacy Manager, Pure at Latoria Walk

Digestive enzymes promote chemical reactions in the body, aiding digestion; their increased activity may benefit injuries and inflammation.

Probiotics, meaning ‘to promote life’, are friendly bacteria living in the intestinal tract that balance health by promoting good bacteria. Physical exercise, a nutritional plan, core supplements and persistence make your boot camp program a success with you looking and feeling great! Always consult your doctor before starting a boot camp class or any fitness program.

From: Canadian Health & Lifestyle
Submitted by: Webber Naturals
Written By:
Dr. Joyce Tellier Johnson, BSc, ND, educates health care professionals on natural health products; integrating pharmacological and natural therapies. A regular guest on CHUM radio; writes for numerous magazines on the safe and effective use of complementary medicine.