By Christine Cheng, R.Ph. and Fred Cheng, R.Ph.
Gardening can be a very peaceful and rewarding activity. It can “grow” your self-esteem as you see the fruits of your labour as well as reduce your stress levels, which could help with heart health, mental health, and help you sleep better.
For some, the bending and kneeling can be trigger pain in arthritic joints. Using a CURCUMIN-containing product can provide relief without triggering any irritation to the gastric lining, which is the concern with anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen. PURICA’s CURCUMIN Extra Strength 30% BDMC provides a more stable form of curcumin that lasts longer in the blood and improves bioavailability. By targeting two key inflammatory pathways, BDM30™ can product benefits in as little as one hour after an oral dose.
For those looking to keep your joints healthy, consider one of our all-time favourite supplements: RECOVERY® Extra Strength. The flagship product from Purica’s line-up, it contains glucosamine, MSM, vitamin C, magnesium, Betaine HCl, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and most importantly, Nutricol®. By supporting the health of your connective tissues (which makes up ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bone and more) and keeping inflammation at bay on a regular basis, they can stand up to the wear and tear of every day activities better without triggering the need for additional pain relief.
We must not forget about the health of other tissues! Make sure you protect your eyes with a hat and sunglasses. Supplements that contain lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that also have anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial to maintain the health of the eyes. Not only can lutein and zeaxanthin quench free radicals, they can filter out blue-light thus reducing photodamage (i.e., damage done by light) to the cells in the eyes. The combination of nutraceuticals in OCU-FORCE™ by Prairie Naturals can help protect retinal tissues against oxidation and improve the circulation to and from the eye.
Protect your skin when you’re out in the garden on these warm summer days. Try to cover up with light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. For those exposed areas, use a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 and make sure to re-apply every 2 hours. If it’s hot enough for tank tops and shorts, make sure you apply at least 30g (think a shot-glass worth) of sunscreen with each application. We really like the THINKBABY™ line of sun protection. Their 20% zinc oxide based sunscreen provides SPF 50+, is naturally scented (i.e., no added “fragrance” or “parfum”) and has a smooth application.
As for those pesky insects who like to bite us when we cross paths, keep a tube of DAPIS gel from Boiron® handy. This cooling gel provides quick relief of itchiness and can help reduce the pain of any insect bite.
Keep healthy while you’re out gardening! Talk to one of our Integrative Health Pharmacists to see which options are appropriate for you.
Christine and Fred Cheng are a passionate, charismatic sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique, family-operated Pharmasave stores in Cloverdale and Steveston, B.C. They specialize in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use. Everything mentioned in their article is available InStore.
***All information posted and shared by Cloverdale Pharmasave is offered to provide information and choices regarding nutritional support for various health concerns, none of which is intended to be a treatment protocol for any disease state. The information does not replace seeking professional advice from your physician. Consult your health care practitioner before taking dietary supplements.
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