While you may think that arthritis is a condition unique to humans, our furry friends struggle with joint wear and tear just like we do. Unfortunately, they are not able to tell us about their discomfort, so it is up to pet owners to determine whether their pets may be in pain. There are many indications that your dog, cat, or other pet may be suffering from arthritis, including the following:

• Occasional lameness
• Tender joints
• Swollen joints
• Stiffness
• Avoiding getting up or moving around

Fortunately, glucosamine supplements can often be used to treat arthritis caused by normal aging. As pets get older, their ability to produce Glucosamine diminishes often resulting in damage to the cartilage that allows joints to function normally. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring compound that encourages the growth of new cartilage in joints. It has been used for decades and is generally well-tolerated with very few side effects. In fact, if you are suffering from arthritis, you should speak to your doctor about glucosamine treatment as it can be used to help humans too!

How a Compounding Pharmacy Can Help

If you own a dog or cat that does not like taking pills, you understand how hard it can be to make sure that your pet takes his or her required medication. Pets can eat around a pill with remarkable accuracy, and many animals need to be restrained in order to get them to swallow their medication. If only there was a way to get glucosamine into a pet-friendly form that your dog or cat will love to eat…

Fortunately, there is! A compounding pharmacy can take glucosamine and compound it into a variety of different forms that will do away with the daily struggle of trying to get your pet to swallow a pill or a tablet. Some of the pet-friendly forms of glucosamine we offer include liquids, treats, biscuits, powders, and gels. Keep in mind that our compounding services are not limited to glucosamine supplements – we can help with virtually any medication or supplement that you need to give to your pet.

Call 856-323-8723 or stop by today for more information.

If your pet is displaying signs of arthritis, you should explore treatment with glucosamine. At Kress Specialty Apothecary, we can compound glucosamine into a variety of forms that your pet will love to take. To learn more, call us today at 856-323-8723 or send us an email through our online contact form.

For people with Seasonal Affective Disorder, the winter blues hit like clockwork. SAD is a form of depression triggered by the change in seasons, primarily causing depressive periods during the fall and winter and non-depressed periods during the warmer months. A blue mood can limit a person’s ability to live their lives to the fullest, function well at work, and enjoy their friends and family. People with SAD often experience less energy, loss of interest in activities, an inability to focus, increased appetite, and sleeping more than usual.

If you have Seasonal Affective Disorder, follow these tips to help you cope during the cold winter months:

1. Maintain a routine.

Create a schedule and stick to it. For people with depression, the winter can spur an impulse to avoid interacting with other people and engaging in activities. Planning out your weeks can help you refrain from hibernating during the cold months. Include exercise, relaxing time, plans to see friends, and errands. If you schedule time to relax, you’ll feel less indulgent when you are lethargic.

2. Get Moving.

Exercise can help cure your blue mood. It releases feel-good chemicals in the brain that may ease Seasonal Affective Disorder. Working out can serve as a distraction from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression. Any physical activity that gets you moving can help improve your mood. Exercise doesn’t have to be limited to intense cardio and lifting weights. If you don’t enjoy running, try yoga or walking. Try to incorporate more physical activity throughout the day. Take the stairs at work instead of the elevator. Walk to get lunch or grab coffee rather than driving.

3. Soak up the Sun

Take in as much sunlight as you can each day. If you have seasonal depression, get outside as much as you can during the day and keep your curtains open to expose yourself to natural light when you’re indoors. Try spending at least thirty minutes every day outside. It can lift your spirits, relieve stress, and offset the seasonal drops in serotonin. Bundle up and take a stroll around the block during the early afternoon when the sun is the brightest. Even on a cold, cloudy day, you’ll still experience more sunlight than you would inside.

4. Try Light Box Therapy

Add more sun to your day with a light therapy box. Light therapy is a proven treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder. You can buy a box for your home or office. The bright rays will simulate your body’s circadian rhythms, elevate your brain’s serotonin, and suppress the release of melatonin. Doctors recommend sitting in front of a light box for about thirty minutes every day to effectively combat seasonal depression. Most people find light therapy to be most effective in the morning when the winter blues are the worst.

5. Get More Vitamin D

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder. A recent study found that vitamin D supplements have significantly improved the symptoms of depression. You can get natural vitamin D by spending a little time outdoors each day. Talk to a Kress Pharmacist about what supplements are right for you.

Call Kress Specialty Apothecary today to find out more information about our Pharmacy Services (856) 323-8723 and how we can help with SAD.

We have all heard the phrase ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’, and it is so unfortunately preached more than practiced among the average American household. Before you laugh that off, keep in mind that there are several scientific studies that link missing breakfast to a number of dangerous health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. There is a definite and dangerous trend towards overlooking the true power of breakfast, and we will soon be paying the price.

Scope of the Issue: The numbers are skyrocketing, and staggering. A near 45% of Americans regularly go without eating some form of breakfast, with high numbers in each age group but particularly when it comes to teenage boys. Far from just fulfilling a stereotype, this grouping of adolescents going without their important nutrition should be taken seriously, as well as the impacts that this decision has towards other aspects in their development and life success.

What’s at Risk: For those who skip breakfast, they are putting themselves at risk of getting type two diabetes and gaining weight. While the latter may sound counterintuitive, there has been a noticeable uptick in caloric intake and poor food choices throughout the day in those who forgo their breakfast or brunch. Making the same choices day after day also means that those individuals will be at risk for a rise of cortisol and the stress response system, which in term activates issues with blood pressure and the storage of fatty cells. This is a major risk to the body as a whole.

Not All Breakfasts Created Equal: While the above information about eating breakfast is certainly striking, eating breakfast does not mean the same thing for people who enjoy a bowl of fruit and granola and those who always down a Frappuccino and doughnut each morning. Here’s a quick look at some of the divisions:

• Breakfast foods high in glycemic carbohydrates, such as muffins, bagels, and donuts, will give a spike in glucose at the start of the day and a sharp crash later on.
• High protein-low carbohydrate foods will result in a stabilized blood sugar and let that ‘fullness’ feeling last for far longer. A nice magic number here for anyone who is trying to eat the best breakfast with a stable blood sugar is consuming 35 grams of protein each morning with your meal.

Finding A Loophole. If you are a busy professional on the go or a sleepy teenager, mornings are not always the happiest time of the day and certainly not when you want to be thinking critically about all of your food choices. So while you may not be in the mood to fry up some eggs and sausage, you can certainly grab a protein or meal replacement shake, which will give you your requisite 35 grams of protein and leave you ready to hit the ground running and start your day on the right note.

From all of us at Kress Specialty Apothecary, we hope that you are making the right choices in your morning routine, whether that means sitting down to a quiet breakfast or mixing up a Perfect Protein Powder shake on the go. For more information about our varied services and specialties, give us a call today at 856-323-8723 to learn more.

When you take medications, you expect them to help your health and not cause additional issues in your system such as depletion of important nutrients. However, many medications can cause nutrient depletion in many ways. Some drugs may result in a loss of appetite, which can lead to malnourishment. Others can decrease your body’s absorption of nutrients or may limit the usual positive effects of nutrients. Regardless of how nutrient depletion occurs, it is important to be aware of which medications may cause this problem and address the matter through supplements or other recommendations from your doctor or pharmacist.

The following are some of the types of drugs that may commonly lead to nutrient deficiencies and the nutrients they may affect:

• Hormone replacement therapies — May deplete folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6, magnesium.
• Antibiotics — Affect B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and “good” bacteria.
• Drugs that lower cholesterol — Statins can deplete Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a naturally-occurring antioxidant.
• Seizure medications — Anti-convulsants can affect vitamin D levels.
• Acid blockers — These medications can block absorption of many nutrients, including vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, calcium, zinc, folic acid, chromium, and phosphorus.
• Medication for hypertension — Diuretics can cause deficiencies of potassium, ascorbic acid, thiamine, magnesium, sodium, and pyridoxine. Beta blockers can affect levels of CoQ10.
• Hypoglycemics — These insulin drugs can cause decreased levels of vitamin B12, CoQ10, and folic acid.

Nutrient depletion can cause many different issues with your health and can cause many side effects. While children are most at risk of serious effects of nutrient depletion, this condition can affect anyone of any age or health. The effects you may experience will depend on the particular nutrient that you are lacking, but symptoms can include the following:

• Fatigue
• Muscle pain, weakness, or stiffness
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in limbs
• Development of osteoporosis
• Reproductive problems
• Vision impairments

The good news is that nutrient depletion can be treated through diet changes, supplements, and other compensatory actions on your part. This is always an issue you should discuss with your doctor or pharmacist.

At Kress Specialty Apothecary in Barrington, New Jersey, we not only look to treat immediate medical conditions but also focus on your overall health. We can determine the risks of nutrient depletion from your medications and can make recommendations to ensure you are receiving all of the nutrition your body needs. If you would like to learn more about our many services, please call us at 856-323-8723 or stop into our store location today!