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Capsule moments

People with bad heartburn are often prescribed a medication to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and they work really well.  But stomach acid is necessary for the absorption of certain vitamins like B-12 so it is good to supplement with a daily multivitamin or at the very least an oral B-12 supplement.

Back in Victorian times, one of the most popular item on pharmacy shelves was laudanum. This was a term used for medicine that had opium as its main ingredient.  It was added to many medicines for a whole range of medical conditions including the common cold.  It actually contained codeine and morphine and was found to be an excellent pain reliever but it also was highly addictive. Its use was legally curtailed with the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.

To get the most out of your doctor visit, it’s important that you be honest about your lifestyle habits not saying you smoke or drink less than you do or eat a better diet than you really do.  Your doctor can’t help you unless she knows what’s going on in your life.  Also decide on one major health concern and if necessary make another appointment to address others.

Waiting for the New Year to adopt a healthier lifestyle?  Why not start now?  Start losing those extra pounds may make for a more relaxed holiday season.  To gain a pound in a week, you would have to eat 3500 calories more on top of your regular diet.  That’s 500 extra calories daily.  Eating 500 calories less daily will set you up well for the holidays.