Staying Healthy During The Holidays

We've said it before and we'll say it again: your health is your most valuable asset. No matter how you plan on celebrating the holiday season, we encourage you to make a conscious effort to keep your immune system strong and your health intact. Our compounding pharmacy at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help you stay healthy this holiday season with these quick, common-sense reminders.

1. Watch Your Nutrition
Cookies, candy, hot chocolate, Christmas cocktails... sweet treats and alcohol are far too accessible during the holidays. Indulging in a special beverage or a decadent dessert isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's important to do so in moderation. Your body has to work hard to process toxins like sugar and alcohol, so consuming large quantities of these substances can weaken your body's natural defenses and make you more likely to get sick. 

2. Don't Underestimate The Importance Of Mental Health
Your mental state plays a huge role in your overall physical health. If you are extremely stressed, for example, you may be more likely to catch a cold or nasty virus that could lead to a headache, fever, or stomach bug. Avoid overloading yourself with too many commitments this holiday season. Don't be afraid to say "no" when necessary!

3. Stay Active
Physical exercise boosts your immune system and contributes to greatly improved overall health. The cold temperatures and hectic schedules sometimes make it all too tempting to let exercise slide to the back burner (or off the stove entirely) during the holidays, but it's often far easier to make time for a little bit of exercise every day than being sick for several days in a row.

4. Make It From Scratch
When cooking or baking this holiday season, taking the time to make your items from scratch provies a great opportunity to make them more healthy. Instead of blindly filling your body with the refined sugars in the cake mix, for example, you can make your own and substitute healthier sweeteners (like agave nectar). It doesn't have to be a huge concession on your part to make a big difference - a little bit goes a long way!

5. Avoid Unnecessary Contact With Germs
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. One of the best ways to keep yourself from getting sick is to simply avoid contact with germs and illness-causing bacteria. Wash your hands with soap and warm water frequently, and avoid sharing foods or beverages with other people. There's a reason these suggestions are so pervasive in our society - they go a long way towards reducing unnecessary exposure to unhealthy viruses and bacteria.

6. Increase Your Body's Natural Defenses
Your body is equipped with germ-fighting cells and bacteria that are designed to keep you healthy. In addition to eating a healthy, balanced diet, you can increase this natural defense system by taking immune-boosting supplements. We offer a variety of these supplements, including elderberry juice and probiotics. 

Happy Holidays From The Lime!
On behalf of everyone at our Lake of the Ozarks pharmacy, we hope you and your family enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season. If there is any way we can be of service to you, please don't hesitate to let us know! We look forward to talking with you.

The Lime In The Coconut Specialty Compounding Pharmacy

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111 Crossings West, Suite 6

PO Box 2145

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 964-6786 

Hours:
Monday-Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

8 Ways To Strengthen Your Immune System This Flu Season

The colder weather and changing leaves make it impossible to ignore - fall is officially here. The changing temperatures (coupled with the new school year that is now in full swing) can take a serious toll on your immune system if you aren't prepared. This flu season, your friends at The Lime in the Coconut Specialty Compounding Pharmacy are here to help you stay ahead of the game with these simple but effective strategies to strengthen your immune system.

1. Avoid Sugary Foods
It can be hard to avoid sugar's enticing (and often downright addicting) lure, but consuming large quantities of sugar weakens your immune system. This can make you more susceptible to the germs that you will inevitably be exposed to this flu season. Do your immune system a favor by cutting back on sweet treats.

2. Get Plenty Of Sleep
Our body regenerates during sleep. A short night here and there may not be too problematic, but if you have several short nights in a row, you can begin to rack up sleep debt. Sleep deprivation is hard on your entire body, and your immune system is no exception.

3. Take A Vitamin D Supplement
Low vitamin D levels often correlate with greater risks of developing respiratory infections. Unfortunately, Americans as a whole suffer from a chronic vitamin D deficiency. As the days become shorter and the temperatures become colder, we'll get even less of this important vitamin. Offset this deficiency by taking a natural, high-quality supplement.

4. Drink Elderberry Juice
In the holistic health circles, elderberry juice is praised for its amazing immune-boosting qualities. A little bit goes a long way; it doesn't take much to see some fantastic benefits. Most people recommend taking 1-2 tablespoons per day.

5. Eat Raw Fruits And Vegetables
Nature's bounty offers a great resource for strengthening your immune system. Raw or home-cooked vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts offer multiple health benefits. Since they each offer different benefits, it is important to consume a variety.

6. Take A Probiotic
Probiotics have been shown to be enormously beneficial for improving gastrointestinal and respiratory health. There are types of probiotic supplements, and some are more beneficial than others. Be sure you're getting one that will be the most helpful for your body.

7. Limit Alcohol Intake And Tobacco Use
Products like alcohol and tobacco are hard on the body. If your body's systems have to work harder to process the alcohol or tobacco it is exposed to, it will have fewer resources leftover to guard against germs, bacteria, and viruses. Cutting back on alcohol and tobacco use is always beneficial, but it is especially important during flu season.

8. Get Plenty Of Exercise
The "use it or lose it" maxim applies to exercise and the physical benefits it provides. Consistent exercise offers protection against a wide array of health challenges, including osteoporosis, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and more. By keeping your body in good condition, it will be better prepared to fight off the germs it will inevitably be exposed to this time of year.

Get Your Immune-Boosting Agents At The Lime!
In addition to compounded medication, our pharmacy at the Lake of the Ozarks offers a wide variety of over-the-counter immune-boosting agents. We sell high-quality probiotics, vitamin D supplements, elderberry juice, and multiple herbal supplements. Stop by and see us to pick up your immune-boosting agents!

The Lime In The Coconut Specialty Compounding Pharmacy

Feel As Good On The Inside As You Do On The Outside!

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111 Crossings West, Suite 6

PO Box 2145

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 964-6786 

Hours:
Monday-Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

7 Best Foods To Eat When You Have A Cold

We usually think of cold and flu season as something that occurs during the cooler months, but it seems like everyone has been battling a nasty cold lately. While some of it may just be allergies, it seems hard to deny that many people around the Lake are battling a particularly stubborn cold or cough that simply doesn't want to let up.

If you have been struggling to overcome an ongoing cough or cold, our specialty compounding pharmacy at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help you get back on your feet. Medicine, supplements, and diet all play an important role in combating an illness.

Best Foods To Eat When You Have A Cold

While we certainly recommend and encourage you to take medicines and supplements designed to combat the symptoms you are experiencing, it's important to recognize that your diet and overall nutrition play an important role in the healing process as well. If you have been struggling with a cold or cough, we recommend incorporating some (or all) of the following list of foods into your diet.

1. Garlic
Garlic contains a powerful antioxidant that works wonders for your immune system. People who take garlic are less likely to get sick in the first place, and those who do get sick typically recover much faster. Its health benefits are strongest when it is consumed raw.

2. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons, are high in vitamin C. Since eating lemons is usually rather unpleasant, you can substitute by putting slices of it in hot tea or water. (As a side note, red bell peppers are also high in vitamin C.)

3. Fish
Oily fish contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce the inflammation that may be preventing your immune system from fully functioning. Tuna, salmon, and mackerel are all good options.

4. Hot Tea
Hot tea does more than soothe a sore throat; the right tea can also provide your body with valuable nutrients. For best results, we recommend drinking immune-boosting herbal teas, such as echinacea or elderberry. Don't forget to add lemon and honey!

5. Greek Yogurt
Bacteria isn't always a bad thing - in fact, good bacteria is essential to maintaining proper health. Greek yogurt is high in probiotics that can help replenish strains of healthy bacteria in your gut. Watch the sugar content in the yogurt you choose, however - a large amount of sugar may actually counteract the positive effects of the probiotics.

6. Mushrooms
Believe it or not, mushrooms may also be a health "super food." Most of the mushrooms commonly found in grocery stores contain fiber, vitamin B, potassium, and several immune-boosting antioxidants.

7. Dark Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are packed with enough nutrients to practically keep you healthy all on their own. Kale, beat tops, arugula, spinach, and other dark greens contain vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, calcium, folate, fiber, and cartenoids (among other things). A general rules is that the darker the leaf, the more health benefits it offers.

The Lime Is Here To Help With Your Health-Related Needs

Eating these types of nutrient-rich foods is a great place to start, but your efforts to keep your body healthy shouldn't stop there. Consistent exercise is also important, and you may want to consider taking a few over-the-counter supplements as well. 

One of the supplements we highly recommend is vitamin D. Proper amounts of vitamin D are essential in order to maintain optimum health. Good levels of vitamin D promote strong bone health, reduce the risk of upper respiratory infections, and boost the immune system. Unfortunately, most Americans suffer from a chronic vitamin D deficiency. Spending more time in the sun can help improve your vitamin D levels, as well as consuming mushrooms and fortified milk or orange juice. Dietary supplements can be incredibly beneficial as well.

Get Your Supplements At The Lime!

We are proud to offer a variety of immune-boosting healthy supplements, including vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, and many more. If you or someone you know is suffering from a stubborn cold, stop by our pharmacy in Lake Ozark MO to pick up your over-the-counter supplements. Our friendly staff will be happy to answer any of your questions!

The Lime In The Coconut Specialty Compounding Pharmacy

Feel As Good On The Inside As You Do On The Outside!

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111 Crossings West, Suite 6

PO Box 2145

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 964-6786

Hours:
Monday-Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM