By Jenna Smith, divvyDOSE

Should I be taking a multivitamin? Are their natural supplements that I could be benefitting from? All great questions that may have crossed your mind before.

While eating healthy, balanced meals gives us some nutrients our body needs, very few people eat right every single day. Taking a multivitamin ensures that we are getting those nutrients daily and receiving trace elements, such as iron, zinc, potassium, and more, which promotes overall health and nutrition.

Have you tried to pick out a vitamin and got overwhelmed? You are not alone. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a recommendation. As important as it is to take your medication at the right time and dosage every day, it is equally as important to be consistent when taking your vitamin. Some have found that it is helpful to take their vitamins (and or supplements) at the same time every day as their medication, so it becomes a part of their daily routine.

Supplements…you hear this word a lot, what should you be taking? First off, you should always consult your doctor or pharmacist on what would be the most beneficial supplements for you before taking any. Recommended supplements can differ based on age, gender, if pregnant, current health condition, and more.

Let’s look at four common supplements and what they do for the body.

• Fish oil: Contains omega-3 fatty acids — essential nutrients important in preventing and managing heart disease.
• Probiotic: Works to keep general balance between you and the bacteria in your gut for intestinal well-being, featuring 25 billion active probiotic microorganisms to foster intestinal health, bowel regularity, and boost your immune system.
• Calcium and Vitamin D: Shown to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and support bone strength.
  
• Garlic: Further helps to maintain healthy blood pressure, gastrointestinal well-being, and overall health, as new research from Scandinavia shows garlic intake is related to healthier intestinal gut bacteria.

There is a pharmacy that will centralize all of your pills by sorting them into pre-sorted packs. Any combination of medications, vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counters that are offered in a pill form would be pre-sorted into daily packs, marked with the specific day and time for you to take. This makes adding vitamins and supplements to your daily routine easy with little to no effort on your part.

To learn more about the pharmacy that offers this service, visit www.divvyDOSE.com or chat with one of their pharmacists by calling 844.693.4889 to learn more.

Photo credit: Valentina_G/iStock

Practicing What They Preach:

Mississippi Valley Surgery Center Staff Focus on a Healthy Lifestyle

Nurses at the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center put an emphasis on a healthy lifestyle because they understand first-hand the negative effect of a few extra pounds.

Missy Soliz, Quality and Risk Manager (QRM) and Materials Manager for Mississippi Valley Surgery Center and Mississippi Valley Endoscopy Center, is very mindful of her Body Mass Index (BMI) and tries to exercise on a daily basis.

“People who are around me know that I’m very conscious about nutrition and exercise,” she said. “Missing a workout can change the course of my entire day because I don’t have that extra energy and those happy feelings you get as a result of the endorphins. It makes a huge difference.”

Deb Carlton, a pre-admission nurse at Mississippi Valley Surgery Center and Endoscopy Center, experienced firsthand what weight gain can do to your health when three years ago when she was diagnosed with a rare heart condition called myocarditis. The condition caused Deb to have shortness of breath during exercise or exertion, heart palpitations, and chest pain.

“The symptoms led me to live a more sedentary lifestyle,” said Deb. “I gained weight and then my blood pressure shot up, which in turn made all my joints hurt.”

As a healthcare professional, Deb understood the root of her problem was the added weight she was carrying. So she decided to take action. After talking to her doctor, she enrolled in a local weight loss program, Profile by Sanford. She selected the program because of the dieticians and counselors trained to customize programs for every unique individual. With the help of Profile by Sanford, she quickly got back on track.