Go ahead, watch the video and learn some info on bug sprays and the answers to the questions above!

Want to know how to treat bug bites?  See How to Treat Insects and Home Remedies for Bug Stings and Bites.

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I know we’ve been talking about home remedies a lot, but this is one instance where an herbal delight like Earl Grey tea can do more damage than good.

Consumers of Earl Grey tea have reported their persistent muscle cramping problems were quickly cured once they stopped drinking the tea, giving us good reason to take a closer look as to why this may be true. 

The distinctive flavor you taste when drinking Earl Grey tea comes from the citrus fruit bergamot.  The oil from the fruit contains a natural compound called bergapten, which can disturb the flow of potassium into and out of your body’s cells.  If the cells in your muscles do not get enough potassium, your muscles are likely to cramp up.  This is the link some researchers have made as to why too much Earl Grey tea  may cause muscle cramps.

So, if you’re a big Earl Grey tea fan and are experiencing muscle cramps, try giving the Earl Grey a break and see what happens.  You may be pleasantly surprised, and perhaps you’ll even find a different tea flavor that suits your fancy just as well!

Any other remedies for muscle cramps that I’m missing?  Let me know by leaving a comment below or e-mailing me at Cate@getpharmacyadvice.com.

PS: Can’t quite figure out how to save money on your prescription medications?  Check out our video course to get free tips on how to do just that!

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Fast forward a bit…to a few years ago….a study was done that found that cinnamon can help people with diabetes type 2 control their blood sugar.   Cinnamon was thought to help move the glucose from the blood into the cells (a good thing) -decreasing blood glucose.  Great news and then…. 

Unfortunately, follow up studies did not show the same results.

So, what now?  The general idea is -What can it hurt?!   A few things to think about…

1.  Cinnamon should NOT take the place of any diabetes medications.  Think of it as a supplement. 

2.  If you choose to take cinnamon -it is just 1/4 teaspoon a day…it can just be shaken over food or taken in a capsule form.

3.  There are different kinds of cinnamon -cassia cinnamon was the kind used in the study.  Conveniently enough, cassia cinnamon is the typical cinnamon we all have in our spice racks.

I know, this doesn’t really clear much up -but hey that’s the info we have to work with right now!  

Want to see how vinegar can help control blood sugar?  Read Vinegar for Diabetes Type 2.

Want to learn how to save some bucks?  90 Ways to Save Money on Prescription Drugs.

The seeds that are used in the chia pet are edible too.  Chia seeds are high in fiber and protein and contain calcium, magnesium, B vitamins (great for energy) and antioxidants.

Chia also has a high level of ALA type omega-3 (like the kind found in flaxseed)…which is typically good but too much ALA can increase triglycerides -so take note if your TG are high already!

Chia seeds have been used for centuries and now, thanks to Oprah, have become popular again!  Chia seeds can help patients control blood sugar and blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. 

Chia is especially helpful with controlling blood sugar.  When chia reaches your belly it causes a gel that allows carbs to be digested at a uniform rate -that decreases the blood sugar super lows and highs.

Want to add chia to your diet?  Chia oil supplements, gels, whole seeds, seeds in drinks, bread, chips…the list goes on.   You can even add chia seeds to a glass of water -stir, let sit for 5 minutes, stir and drink…simple enough.

Have you been eating chia?  Tell us about it, go ahead and leave a comment!

The best way to add omega-3 to your life?  Eat fatty fish at least twice weekly.  Fatty fish include salmon, tuna, halibut and herring.

If the idea of eating fatty fish twice a week doesn’t float your boat -there are other options…fish oil supplements, flax seed and nuts.  But then the question arises -are they all equal in delivery omega 3s?  The answer is….wait for it….no!

Flaxseed oil is plant based whereas fish oil is fish based  -different omega-3 fatty acids. 

Flaxseed and other nuts contain ALA (alpha-linolenic acid); fish contains EPA and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid). EPA and DHA are way more beneficial then ALA. 

Flaxseed oil doesn’t lower triglycerides nor has it been proven to reduce cardiovascular risk.  So to get the best bang for your buck -take fish oil supplements! 

A few of notes here ….

1)Ground flaxseed can decrease LDL (bad cholesterol) 

2) Walnuts, soybean oil and canola oil also provide ALA but almonds don’t!

3) Your body can change some of the ALA to the highly desirable DHA and EPA.

If your doc says to add some omega-3s to your diet for your cholesterol and cardiohealth -then fish oil is the way to go.       
Want to get even more bang for your buck?  Watch our FREE video series 90 Ways to Save Money on Your Prescription Medications.      ]]> http://www.getpharmacyadvice.com/omega-3-flaxseed-versus-fish-oil/feed/ 0 http://www.getpharmacyadvice.com/glucosamine-chondroitin-and-msm-for-joint-pain/ http://www.getpharmacyadvice.com/glucosamine-chondroitin-and-msm-for-joint-pain/#comments Fri, 02 Apr 2010 01:44:46 +0000 Nova Simpson, Pharm.D. http://www.getpharmacyadvice.com/?p=1031 Joint pain can be irritating and -of course painful!  There are different options on how to treat joint pain.  One of the best supplemental treatments is with glucosamine and chondroitin…

Please leave us a comment about your experience!

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I am asked on a regular basis if alcohol is good for the body.  I actually have one older gentleman that asks me every month if he can drink a fifth of scotch with his medicine…but that is a different story.

Why red wine?

Most studies have shown that red wine is the most cardioprotective.  Red wine contains phenolic and flavonoids that have antithrombotic and antioxidants properties.  These properties help protect the heart by increasing good cholesterol (HDL), decreasing bad cholesterol (LDL) and decreasing the risk of clotting (that can lead to heart attacks and stroke).

The dryer (less sweet) red wines have the most phenolic and flavonoid properties.

How much?

Moderation!  Which means….No more than one drink daily for women and two for men.  It is best to drink with a meal. 

Can I drink more than that?

I do heart red wine!  However, when we drink more than the recommended amount -alcohol can quickly go from friend to foe.   It can lead to an increase in mortality by causing high blood pressure, increased fat in blood (triglycerides), alcoholism, stroke, breast cancer, etc.

Should I drink red wine?

Talk with your pharmacist or physician, there are groups of people that should just avoid alcohol all together but for the rest of us…

If you already drink alcoholic beverages -then go ahead and switch over to red wine (remembering moderation ). 

If you do not drink, then most likely you should not start.

Most of the benefits of alcohol can be found with lifestyle changes, exercise and aspirin.

Just a note:  Many people “take” alcohol to help them sleep.  Alcohol often helps people fall asleep -however, it usually leads to a fitful and all over poor quality of sleep.  The adverse effects of sleep deprivation the following day are still seen in people that “drink to sleep.” 

So, we have health benefits from red wine, chocolate and coffee…all my faves!  Now, if only cupcakes were healthy

Do you have any questions or comments?  Please holla at us!

Want to save money (so you can use it to buy that vino)?  Please see our FREE video series 90 Ways to Save Money on Your Prescription Drugs.

There are a couple of articles for background info about Diabetes Type 2 Overview and What is Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?

Which brings us to -How to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain…

Number 1 treatment:  Blood glucose control!  If the blood glucose levels are kept within range, neuropathy can be slowed and possibly reversed.

In addition, to help with pain…

1.  Antidepressants

• Cymbalta (duloxetine) -typical dosing for DPNP is 60mg once daily.  It is only available in brand only-pricey!
• Elavil (amitriptyline) or Pamelor (nortriptyline) -both come in generic and are well tolerated but can cause drowsiness and general dryness (dry mouth, eyes…)
• Effexor XR (venlafaxine ER) -dosing is usually 15-225mg daily.  Brand only so pretty pricey.
• Celexa (citalopram) and Paxil (paroxetine) -these aren’t used alone but can be added on to other therapy

2.  Anticonvulsants

• Neurontin (gabapentin) -this is the most popular drug to treat DPNP.    It is available in generic.  Gabapentin should be titrated slowly because of side effects like dizziness and sedation.
• Lyrica (pregabalin) -like gabapentin but more potent (and expensive)
• Tegretol (carbamazepine), Lamictal (lamotrigine) and Dilantin (phenytoin) -all can help but aren’t usually used because of the major side effects.

3.  Pain Drugs

• Ultram (tramadol) -works well for pain in general and DPNP -it has pain and antidepressent activity.  Inexpensive and well tolerated.
• OxyContin (oxycodone CR) -major pain medicine -lots of side effects and can lead to addiction but when the pain is bad -it works!

4.  Topical -Lidocaine patches -work well as an add on therapy.  

5.  Natural Remedies

• Capsin (capsaicin) -topical cream that is made from chili peppers!  The big picture is, capsaicin causes enough irritation in the area that the pain receptors are overwhelmed and “shutdown”.
• alpha-Lipoic Acid -an anti-oxidant that helps decrease pain and numbness.  Typical dose is 600mg daily.
• Evening Primrose -500mg up to 8,000mg daily.  Helps nerves function better (more sensation; less pain)
• Borage Oil -1,000 -4,000mg daily.  Works similarly to Evening Primrose
• Acupuncture and Magnet Therapy

We would love to hear your personal experiences!  Please leave us a comment!

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