As the new year gets underway, there’s never been a better time to make a sustainable improvement to your diet

This January, from the 8th to the 14th, UK adults are encouraged to tackle obesity head on and improve their overall health for good. That’s because it’s National Obesity Awareness Week 2018.

Whether it’s by cooking healthier meals, avoiding snacking throughout the day, or making the effort to be a little more physically active, this is your chance to get healthy and stay healthy. If your New Year’s resolution was to lose weight and get healthy, this is the perfect opportunity to really get started.

Why is National Obesity Awareness Week so important?

Simply put, obesity awareness is important because obesity and weight problems are a growing problem in the UK. Britain is the most obese country in Europe, and rates have been steadily climbing for several years. In 2014, 62% of UK adults were classed as obese, compared to 53% 20 years earlier.

Nowadays, more than two thirds of men and almost 6 in 10 women are overweight or obese in the UK. Raising awareness of the dangers of weight issues can help us as a society to get to grips with this epidemic and begin to reverse the trend.

A large part of this is understanding the difference between short term weight loss solutions and long term lifestyle changes. Extreme diets may offer weight loss benefits in the short term, but making permanent changes to your lifestyle through diet and physical activity are the only way to ensure the long term health benefits associated with weight loss. Part of this comes from better understanding the food we eat and how the body handles them.

Take a second glance at your food shop this National Obesity Awareness Week

We all know about the negative effects of excessive consumption when it comes to food items like sugars. But when it comes to our weekly food shop most of us aren’t fully aware of the contents of regular food items like cereals and so-called “diet” options. For example, yoghurt is often marketed as a health food, and in cases of natural yoghurt products can be extremely good for you. However, some yoghurt brands, including ones aimed at children and “low-fat” options often contain large amounts of added sugar.

Cereal bars are often marketed as a healthy alternative to chocolates and sweets. And while there may be more nutritional value to these items it is important that you read the ingredients carefully and are not simply drawn in by fancy packaging. Many cereal bars contain corn syrup, sugar cane fibre and fructose among others, transforming your seemingly healthy snack into a particularly unhealthy option.

Examples such as these reflect the importance of obesity awareness, as it’s vital that we understand the ingredients in the foods we’re consuming so we know what to look out for, and what to avoid. That’s why taking part in National Obesity Awareness Week can not only benefit your own health, but increase awareness for others too.

Understanding how to choose the very best items for your shopping basket is a good start to developing a healthier diet. It is important to prepare your own food and drinks where possible to ensure you know precisely what you are ingesting each time you sit down to a meal.

If you are looking to make changes to your lifestyle that you can maintain for longer than 6 weeks, consulting your GP or pharmacist is a great starting point. For those who are struggling to achieve changes in their weight through diet and exercise, Express Pharmacy offers two proven medications, Xenical and Mysimba, which can help individuals to improve their health in conjunction with other lifestyle changes.

Contact the team at Express Pharmacy today by calling 0208 123 07 03 or by using our discreet live chat service.

Obesity levels are on the rise in the UK. One in four UK adults is obese, and obesity also affects one in every five children aged ten to eleven. This is largely due to a significant decrease in physical activity, poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle characterised by long commutes by car and long hours spent working at a desk. And with more UK adults suffering from obesity, it also means more of us are at risk of serious health conditions like coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even certain types of cancer.

So what can be done to shift this dangerous excess weight?

Many people find the solution in tried and tested weight loss medication. Xenical and Mysimba are both effective weight loss treatments available from Express Pharmacy. Xenical has been on the market for some time. The medication uses the active ingredient orlistat to reduce the amount of fat absorbed during digestion.

Mysimba is a innovate treatment which is still relatively new to the market and is designed to reduce hunger cravings and appetite.

Let’s break these two weight loss medications down further to better understand how they work, and which one is right for you. It is important to note that weight loss pills should not be treated as a magic solution to weight management and guidelines on the pack should always be followed in conjunction with advice from a recognised healthcare provider.

Xenical

How it works

Xenical helps you lose weight more easily by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs. The weight loss medication works within your digestive system to block some of the fat in the food you eat from being digested. By using Xenical, up to a third of the fat in the food you eat can avoid digestion.

Xenical attaches itself to the enzymes in your digestive system and blocks them breaking down fat you consume. This undigested fat is then eliminated from your body as it can’t be absorbed. Through this process, Xenical acts as an effective weight loss treatment when taken alongside a healthy, calorie-reduced diet.

How to take it

Xenical comes in the form of a 120mg capsule, which should be taken three times daily with liquid. Xenical should be taken alongside a meal or up to one hour afterwards.

Are there any Xenical side effects to be aware of?

As with all prescription medication it is important to be aware that it is possible to experience some mild side effects when taking Xenical. This can include changes to bowel function caused by the presence of unabsorbed fat in the intestines. In some cases this can present itself in the form of:

- Fatty or oily stools

- Oily spotting

- Intestinal gas with discharge

- Increased bowel movements

- Poor bowel control

Should any of these symptoms persist or get worse over time, it is important to consult a doctor promptly. In few rare cases it is possible to experience more serious side effects to Xenical in the form of an allergic reaction. If taking Xenical results in a rash, itching, dizziness, breathing problems or swelling to the face/throat/tongue, it is important to contact a doctor immediately[i].

Indulging in a few festive tipples is understandable, but excessive alcohol consumption at Christmas can have severe consequences

Many of us like a few drinks at Christmas time, but it’s hard to deny the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Understanding more about the possible consequences of drinking is the first step in keeping your consumption balanced and under control. This will help you have a happier and healthier festive season.

The negative effects of drinking at Christmas

Excessive drinking at any time of year puts you at risk of both short term and long-term health conditions, some of which can be extremely serious. These include heart disease, liver disease, stroke, brain damage, nervous system damage and certain kinds of cancer such as mouth, throat and breast.

And since we tend to drink more at Christmas than at any other time of year, it’s important to consider the negative effects of drinking at Christmas, which can really put a dampener on your festive season.

Migraines

Multiple studies have shown excessive alcohol consumption to be one of the most common migraine triggers. Beverages such as red wine can put you at greater risk of suffering intense throbbing pain in the front or side your head. There is a wide range of effective migraine relief medications available from Express Pharmacy to help get you through the Christmas period.

Weight gain

On average, UK adults gain an extra 1.3 pounds during the holiday season, as we tend to see December as a time of indulgence. Alcohol is a major contributor to winter weight gain, putting you more at risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. More and more people are turning to weight loss medications like Xenical and Mysimba to help them shed excess pounds quickly and safely.

Erectile Dysfunction

One of the negative effects of drinking at Christmas for men is an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. This is often a result of a poorer diet, increased drinking habits, lack of physical activity and sometimes even Christmas-related stress. With this in mind, it is hardly surprising that sales of impotence medications like Sildenafil and Viagra double in the run-up to Christmas.

Guidelines for drinking at Christmas

Staying health conscious in your drinking habits over the festive period is, of course, partly about knowing how much to drink at Christmas, and knowing the up-to-date unit limits for men and women (14 units a week.) However, it isn’t just about knowing how much to drink at Christmas. There are other factors to consider.

Do your research

In order to encourage yourself to drink responsibly this December, brush up on the negative effects of drinking at Christmas. Hearing statistics such as alcohol being a causal factor in over 60 medical conditions will help you understand the importance of moderation.

Take days off

Even though it’s Christmas, you should still abstain from drinking on most days. Give yourself a rule to follow that you will spend more days of the week not consuming alcohol than you do actively drinking.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking plenty of water between alcoholic drinks helps your body clear out alcohol. In fact, it’s estimated that your body needs four-parts water for every one-part alcohol.

Watch your urine

If your urine is a dark amber colour or smells strongly, this is a clear sign that your body is dehydrated and needs more water, less alcohol.

Drink slowly

Drinking slowly gives your body, and particularly your liver, more time to metabolise and flush toxins from your body.

Never drink on an empty stomach

Drinking without eating floods your body with alcohol, forcing your liver to work particularly hard. Carbohydrates and fats are the best food groups for absorbing alcohol effectively, helping you line you stomach and avoid a hangover. By allowing food to absorb alcohol, there remains less alcohol for your body to absorb.

For more information on having a happy and healthy festive season, contact the team at Express Pharmacy. You can use our discreet live chat service or call us on 0208 123 07 03.

Acid reflux symptoms often worsen in winter, but why? And what is the best treatment for acid reflux?

Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common health concern in the UK. In fact, 60 per cent of the adult population will experience acid reflux at some point within a 12-month period, and around a quarter will experience weekly symptoms.

Acid reflux can be diagnosed as when acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus, resulting in heartburn, an unpleasant sour taste and possibly nausea. A lot of people who do suffer from acid reflux often find that their symptoms worsen during the winter months.

So why is your acid reflux worse in the winter? And what can be done to lessen your symptoms?

Why is your acid reflux worse in winter?

Understanding more about acid reflux as a condition is the best way to understand why it tends to worsen over the winter months. By gaining a clearer understanding of the causes of winter acid reflex, you are one step closer to finding the best treatment for acid reflex and heartburn.

Early to bed, late to rise

Gravity has a part to play in the symptoms of acid reflux, as the stomach acid is more likely to leak into the oesophagus when you are not standing or sitting upright. So in winter, when we tend to be less physically active and spend more time in bed or slouching on the sofa, symptoms can worsen. Sleeping with a pillow propping up your upper back can help reduce acid reflux.

Comfort food

As well as being less active in winter, UK adults also tend to follow a less healthy diet too. Taking comfort from the cold with hot, fatty-rich foods is common in winter, but for acid reflux sufferers they can find their symptoms worsen as a result. This is because certain food groups such as fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate and coffee, can aggravate acid reflux symptoms — and these are often the foods we see as comforting.

Christmas cheer

In the run up to Christmas, we are more likely to gorge on unhealthy food and alcoholic drinks than at any other time of year. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with a few festive tipples, excessive alcohol intake can result in a significant increase in acid reflux symptoms during December. Alcohol is one of the main contributing factors in acid reflux, as it is itself acidic.

What is the best treatment for acid reflux?

There are several different options when it comes to finding the best treatment for acid reflux. Sometimes, it is a case of implementing certain lifestyle changes into your routine which helps to reduce symptoms of the conditions. These work particularly well in terms of preventing acid reflux, but in terms of finding the best treatment for acid reflux, it may be that effective medication is required.

How to prevent acid reflux

Lifestyle changes to prevent or improve acid reflux can include simply enjoying certain things in moderation, like alcohol and fatty foods. Don’t consume substances which trigger your acid reflux in excess.

Increasing your level of physical activity can also reduce your chances of suffering acid reflux symptoms, especially if you are currently overweight and are using exercise to reduce your excess weight. You can also raise one end of your bed by 10 to 20cm to prevent stomach acid from travelling towards your throat.

How to treat acid reflux

Acid reflux medication is an effective and efficient form of GERD treatment. There are several treatments available from Express Pharmacy, including Omeprazole and Lansoprazole — both of which are established and tested medications for treating acid reflux symptoms. So don’t suffer this winter, find the right treatment for your condition today.

For help, information and treatment for any healthcare concerns you have this winter, contact Express Pharmacy. Call us on 0208 123 0703 or use our discreet Live Chat service today.

Find out how this innovative weight loss medication could help you lose excess weight fast

Obesity is a serious issue in the UK. More than 20 per cent of UK adults are classified as medically obese, and a further third of the population are overweight. These figures have risen rapidly in recent years as we as a society spent more time behind a desk and fewer hours taking part in physical activity. From car commutes to office jobs and long hours spent binge watching in front of the TV, the modern lifestyle has played a significant role in our expanding waistlines.

And obesity isn’t just a case of looking overweight — it can serious implications on your overall health. Obesity is a major contributing factor in a significant number of serious health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

With weight gain posing such health concerns, many people turn to weight loss medication as a way of shedding pounds quickly. The latest of these is Mysimba: an innovative weight loss treatment that is both safe and effective.

What is Mysimba?

One of the main reasons people struggling to lose weight is related to mindset. Aspects such as excessive hunger, struggling to manage portion sizes and stress eating can all make it extremely difficult to lose weight with confidence. Mysimba acts as an effective weight loss medication by reducing feelings of hunger and alleviating food cravings.

Studies have documented that, when used alongside a healthy diet and an increase in physical activity, Mysimba can lead to significant weight loss results. Mysimba can help you lose an average of 5 per cent of your total body weight used with a healthy eating regime, compared to a loss of just 1 per cent in individuals who used diet alone. In fact, 42 per cent of Mysimba users lost at least 5 per cent of their total body weight, whereas only 17 per cent of individuals not using Mysimba lost 5 per cent.

How does Mysimba work?

Mysimba uses a combination of two active ingredients: bupropion and naltrexone. Both of these ingredients have been used previously for different purposes — bupropion as an antidepressant and a stop smoking medication, and naltrexone to reduce alcohol dependence. However, Mysimba marks the first time these ingredients have been combined.

The combination of naltrexone and bupropion acts on the part of the brain which controls energy balance and food intake, controlling the pleasure associated with eating food. This allows Mysimba to reduce feelings of hunger and alleviate food cravings.

Mysimba can also reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. As such, diabetic using Mysimba have found it helps improve their blood sugar control.

How do you take Mysimba?

Mysimba comes in an accessible tablet form which can be taken with or without food. Regular dosage starts by taking one tablet each morning for the first week, then one tablet taken morning and evening in the second week. During the third week of using Mysimba, two tablets are taken in the morning and one tablet taken in the evening, and in the fourth week two tablets can be taken morning and night.

Mysimba can help you lose 5 per cent of your total body weight in 16 weeks. If you haven’t lost 5 per cent of your total body weight after 16 weeks, it’s best to stop the treatment.

Could you benefit from Mysimba?

Mysimba is a great weight loss treatment solution for any adult over 18 with a body mass index (BMI) over 30. A BMI over 30 indicates obesity, meaning you could benefit from a course of Mysimba. In cases of weight-related co-morbidities like type 2 diabetes or controlled hypertension, a BMI over 27 could mean that Mysimba is the right weight loss medication for you.

If you’re interested in weight loss medication like Mysimba from Express Pharmacy, use our discreet 3-step diagnosis program or contact a member of our team today on 0208 123 07 03.