What is Carnitine?

Carnitine is an amino acid-like substance that is synthesized in the body from the amino acid lysine. Carnitine is important in the metabolism of fat and energy production within the body, and promotes normal heart, skeletal muscle and liver function. Carnitine improves athletic ability. Some carnitine may be obtained from dietary sources, primarily meat since vegetables and fruit contain relatively little carnitine.

Athletes are most at risk from carnitine deficiency; vegetarians may also be at risk of carnitine deficiency if their diet contains low levels of lysine. Carnitine supplements are available in several chemical forms- only the L-form of carnitine is biologically active (the D-form is inactive). Carnitine levels are reduced by a high fat diet, certain drugs (e.g. valproic acid antibiotics), metabolic stress or disease.

Pharma Nord’s Bio-Fish Oil contains omega-3 in its “natural” (triglyceride) form which is converted into free fatty acids in the digestive system before absorption. The product also has the same EPA/DHA ratio as found in fresh fish with no heat treatment or chemical modifications.

According to Pharma Nord the unique aspect of Bio-Fish Oil is that the capsules are made of fish gelatine, making them 100% fish derived. A “natural” lemon flavour is added to each 1000mg capsule. Bio-Fish Oil is available in packs of 80 or 160 Capsules.

Infestation with Head Lice is a global issue; people of any age can be affected, however head lice tend to be more common in children. Although the exact rates of infestation in the UK are unknown, studies have shown that around 8% of children in primary schools have live lice.

These days people tend to find the idea of head lice infestation disgusting, however it is probably worth noting that a head louse infestation only really causes itching an no other physical problems and that Lice are not known to carry or transfer any diseases.

Treatment of Head Lice requires knowledge of 2 key things:

1. The methods that are available
2. The life-cycle of the head louse

In recent years new products have become available that promise to make treatment easier and more convenient.

Head Lice are parasitic insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood four to five times a day. They hang on to hairs close to the head, normally behind the ears or in the nape of the neck and are only rarely found in other hairy areas.  They have strong claws and cannot be removed from the hair by normal combing or brushing.

Head lice are spread through head-to-head contact because they cannot fly, jump or swim. This means that they are very unlikely to be spread through sharing combs, brushes, towels, clothing or bedding as they cannot survive for more that 12 hours away from their host. If a louse drops out of the hair than it is normally injured or too weak to crawl back to its host and will die.

Mature lice are about 3mm long and be beige, brown or blackish often camouflaging to the surrounding hair. The fertilised female can lay 5 to 10 eggs a day. The oval, yellowish-white eggs are golued singly to the hair shaft.

After 7 days the egg hatches leaving an empty egg case (or nit) stuck in the hair. Young lice are known as nymphs; they are white and smaller than adults. Over the next 10 days the nymph will moult three times and grow into a mature louse. Lice feed by piercing the skin and sucking blood from the scalp.

All the recommended treatments kill the adult lice but are less effective on the nymphs and eggs. This is why it is recommended to do a second treatment after 7 days to kill all of the freshly hatched nymphs. It is important to check that treatment has been effective 2-3 days afterwards. A Lice detection comb should be used again 8-10 days after treatment.

The main agents that are used for the treatment of head lice are physically acting compounds (dimeticone-based) and insecticides, including pyrethroids (permethrin), malathion and carbaryl. All of these except carbaryl can be supplied without a prescription.

The way that treatments like Hedrin work are not fully understood but it is believed that they work by coating the lice and disrupting their water balance meachanisms, stopping them from excreting waste and causing them to die. This means that these products are highly effective even on lice that may have become resistant to insecticides. You should always follow the instructions on any packaging fully.

Insecticide treatments like Derbac M, which use Malathion, or Lyclear are normally applied to dry hair so that the scalp and roots are saturated. It is then left to dry naturally and washed off after 12 hours. Shampoos and foam products are not normally as effective due to the short amount of contact time and the low strength of many that are available.

Pregnant women and people who suffer from asthma or eczema are normally advised to use Dimeticone based products (Hedrin).

There are many remedies on the market for colds, flu and coughs but most can be quite expensive. Pharmacy First have not only lowered the prices of the big names such Lemsip and Covonia, but we are also offering the lowest prices on all of the cheaper non-branded and generic alternatives.

Lemsip Alternative

We are currently selling a Lemsip alternative sachet in packets of 5 sachets that contain the same active ingredient found in both Lemsip and Beechams Sachets but for a fraction of the price. This box of 5 cold and flu sachets is, at the time of writing, available for only 95p.

The sachet form a hot drink that contains Paracetamol and Vitamin C to clear your headache and reduce your fever but also contains decongestants to unclog your nose, throat and chest so you can breathe easier and feel better without it making you drowsy.

We highly recommend this product for you to help deal with your colds and flu this winter.

Vapour Rub

We also have a great price available for a Vapour Rub product that is very similar to Vicks VapoRub. It comes in 50g jars and has the same effect for clearing your sinuses and letting you get on with your life.

This Vapour Rub can also be added to hot water to be used as an inhalant to further aid in clearing your airways.

Vapour Rub is normally applied to the chest, throat or back to let the vapour work on clearing you blocked nose and sinuses during a cold or flu.

Vapour rub is also good for people who may not be able to take medication during the time that they have a cold or flu.

Simple Linctus

Simple Linctus contains Citric Acid Monohydrate, which is also found in Benylin. It is commonly used to relieve the symptoms of coughs. Simple Linctus is a demulcent. It coats the throat and relieves the symptoms of coughs. It is a highly effective remedy for any type of cough and only costs 99p at Pharmacy First.

Simple Linctus is a great alternative to expensive cough medicines and branded remedies, such as Covonia and Benylin. For details of more great cheap cough remedies check out the Coughs and Colds section of the main website.

For childrens coughs, we would suggest using something like Galenphol Linctus Paediatric, which is aimed at children from 3 months to 12 years old.

Other Options

At Pharmacy First we also offer one of the widest ranges available for all cold, flu and cough remedies and we are always checking that our prices are as competitive as possible. Please feel free to browse our Cold, Flu and Cough Section or search fro your favourite remedy on our main site. If you cannot find waht you are looking for then please do not hesitate to contact us and let us know what we are missing!

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis causes bones to become more porous (less solid and less dense), which gradually makes them weaker and more brittle. “Osteo” means bone, and “porosis” means porous.

Bones affected by osteoporosis:

• Do not have enough solid calcium and phosphorus, and steadily lose their supporting protein framework
• Become thinner and more fragile than normal
• Break more easily, particularly the spine, hip, and wrist

To maintain bone density, the body needs enough calcium and other minerals and must produce the proper amounts of several hormones, including estrogen in women and testosterone in men. In addition, an adequate supply of vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium from food and incorporate it into bones.

What Causes Osteoporosis?

There is no single cause of osteoporosis.

Our bodies constantly build new bone and remove older bone. In childhood, more bone is built than removed, and so the bones grow in size. After age 30 or 40, however, the cells that build new bone do not keep up with those that remove bone. The total amount of bone then decreases, and osteoporosis may develop as a result.

The average rate of bone loss in men, and in women who have not yet reached menopause, is small. But after menopause, bone loss in women accelerates to an average of one to two percent a year.

This is because after menopause, the level of the female hormone estrogen in a woman’s body sharply decreases. Estrogen protects the skeleton by helping the body’s bone-forming cells to keep working. After menopause, when the level decreases, some of this protection is lost.

How to Avoid Osteoporosis

Preventing osteoporosis involves making a few changes in your diet, getting enough exercise, and considering whether the available medication is right for you.

One of the most important ways to help prevent osteoporosis is to get enough calcium in your diet. Here is the recommended daily dietary allowance of calcium for various age groups:

• Children, age 1-10- 800 mg daily
• Teenagers, age 11-18- 1,200 mg daily
• Pregnant teens – 1,600 mg daily
• Pregnant women, age 19 and older – 1,200 mg daily
• Breast-feeding women – 1,200 mg daily
• Adults, male, up to age 65 – 1,000 mg daily
• Adults, male, over age 65 – 1,500 mg daily
• Adults, women, before menopause – 1,200 mg daily
• Adults, women, after menopause – 1,500 mg daily

Manufacturers sometimes add extra calcium to foods such as orange juice and breakfast cereals. The Nutrition Facts label on the package will tell you how much calcium is contained in the foods you eat.

In addition, calcium supplement tablets are available over-the-counter.

One of the uses of vitamin D by the body is to help absorb calcium from the intestine. Some people with osteoporosis have a lower level of vitamin D and a less effective absorption of calcium as a result. Vitamin D is either made in the body from exposure to sunlight or is taken through foods.

The recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is 400 IU. You can increase that to 800 IU, especially if you don’t get enough in your diet and don’t get much sun exposure. Don’t take any more than that per day, unless your physician has recommended a higher dose.

One of the best ways to forestall osteoporosis is to do regular weight-bearing exercises.

Begin a regular exercise program and stay with it. Start light and gradually build up to 30 to 40 minutes of exercise several times a week. Of course, consult your physician before you begin any exercise program and if you feel pain after you’ve begun.

Although swimming is not a weight-bearing exercise, it can be excellent for strengthening the muscles in your back. The stronger the back muscles, the stronger and more dense the bones of the spine. Exercising in the water is also a good option for individuals with arthritis or others who experience pain with weight-bearing exercise.

Keep in mind that it is possible to get too much exercise. Some women athletes who train excessively and exercise strenuously may alter their hormone production so severely that their menstrual periods stop, a condition called amenorrhea. This can lead to osteoporosis and fractures.

Here are some of the many benefits of exercise:

• Maintaining bone condition. The pull on the bones from exercising muscles helps to maintain bone density and strength.
• Improving your posture. Exercising the back muscles helps the whole body become more upright. This can help avoid the “bent-forward position” that can develop with osteoporosis.
• For general fitness. This is important for everybody, but especially for individuals with osteoporosis.

Menopause, as well as surgical removal of the ovaries, causes estrogen production to decrease. Low estrogen levels make women more vulnerable to osteoporosis. Women can protect themselves by taking estrogen to replace what their ovaries no longer produce naturally. This is called hormone replacement therapy.

Studies have shown that osteoporosis can be prevented or delayed if estrogen treatment is begun within the first few years of menopause. Hormone replacement therapy is considered both an effective treatment and a preventive measure for osteoporosis.

Hormone replacement therapy has been shown to entirely restore the rate of post-menopause bone loss to the pre-menopausal rate. It may even replace a small amount of bone already lost.

For infomation about medications such as Raloxifene please consult your GP.

Alli is a popular weight loss product that has been around since early last year. It contains an ingredient called Orlistat, which had been available only on prescription until Alli was launched.

All works in your digestive system to stop about a quarter of fat in your meals from being absorbed into your body. This fat passes out of your body and may cause changes to your bowel movements. By stopping your body from absorbing more of the fat, Alli helps you to lose weight as long as you eat the right kind of diet.

In the last few months Alli has gained a lot of press coverage in the UK because of possible “fake” Alli being sold, mainly online. So we at Pharmacy First thought that it would be a good idea to tell you exactly what you should be looking out for when you receive your Alli.

Firstly, check that the website that you are purchasing from is fully accredited and has the Registered Pharmacy logo on their site. This shows that the website is registered with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. This goes a long way to showing that they are a reputable company to purchase medications from.

Once the product arrives there are a number of things to look out for.
Fake Alli is sometimes missing an LOT number on the side of the box. This should be a 7 digit number that shows the batch of Alli they the box was produced with.

Another thing to look out for is the expiry date. A lot of the “fake” Alli have an expiry date that includes day, month and year (e.g 19 09 2011), whereas the genuine Alli has only shows the month and the year (e.g 09 2011).

Genuine Alli capsules contain small white pelletts, as seen below, while a large number of fake tablets contain a white powder instead.

There has been a number of other articles writeen about this subject in the past that have claimed that there should also be writing printed on the foil seal of the bottle under the lid. We have spoken to GlaxoSmithKline (who make the drug) about this after a number of queries from our customers. We were informed that this used to be the case but that it is not anymore. The reason given was due to increased costs in getting this printed in numerous languages for international export.

At Pharmacy First we are committed to offering the best possible customer service, so we have ensured that the prices for our Alli Capsules are second to none. We currently sell packs of 42 Alli Capsules for £19.60 and packs of 84 Alli Capsules for £29.95.

What are abdominal Cramps?

Abdominal cramps are very different from period pain, indigestion and heartburn.

People who suffer from abdominal cramps often describe stabbing or sharp pains within the digestive tract which includes the stomach, small and large bowels.

What is the underlying cause?

The stomach, the intestines and the colon all have an outer layer of smooth muscle.

Using rhythmis, wave-like muscle contractions, known as peristalsis, food is gently squeezed, broken down and pushed along the digestive tract, usually without us feeling a thing.

The digestive tract, however, is very sensitive. Food, bacteria, stress or excitement van cause the movement of the smooth muscle along the digestive tract to become imbalanced, causing a spasm. When this happens the normally gentle, wave-like contractions can become strong painful cramps.

Symptoms cramps can occur along side include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal Bloating
• Nausea
• Headache
• Flatulence
• Poor Appetite
• Bladder Problems

Triggers that can cause spasms:

• Diet or Changes to Diet
• Lifestyle Changes
• Stress
• Food Allergy or Intolerances
• Food Poisoning
• Gastro Viral Infections
• Overactivity of the Gut
• Hormonal Factors
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

How can Buscopan Cramps Help?

Buscopan Cramps is specifically designed to treat the cause of abdominal cramps:

• It treats the spasm – the source of the abdominal pain.
• It contains butylbromide, which has an antispasmodic action, relaxing the cramping muscle of the stomach and bowel
• It acts locally in the gut to interrupt the signal from the brain which is telling the muscle to cramp. This helps the  uscle to relax, thus allowing the pain to fade and the digestive processes to return to normal.
• It does not cross the blood brain barrier or enter the central nervous system.

Buscopan Cramps are available at Pharmacy First for only £3.25 (RRP: £4.39).