Category: Blog

Just like many Americans, you probably have one or more supplements or vitamins in your kitchen cupboard right now. People are becoming increasingly conscious about their health. Beyond that, they’re looking for healthcare solutions they perceive to be natural through supplements and vitamins. 

But when it comes to health, misinformation is everywhere. Every day, we’re bombarded with information about eating healthy and supplementation with vitamins and health care products. Some are true, but many are just fads. 

Fortunately, we’re here to help you separate facts from fiction. Read on as we set the record straight on vitamins and supplements so you can see through the fads and understand what you truly need.

Myth 1: All Supplements Are Safe Because They’re Natural

Sadly, just because the label reads ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it’s safe. It doesn’t mean it’s effective either. Truly, nature has given us some very awesome products to boost our health, such as turmeric, almonds, omega-3-fatty acids, honey, and many more with beneficial medicinal effects. 

But the belief that ‘natural’ is pure and holds superior medicinal properties is not always true. We’re not saying that supplements are not beneficial for your health. They have medicinal properties, but they’re not ‘magic bullets’ for good health. There’s still more to them than we think.

Myth 2: You Don’t Need Supplements If You Eat Healthy

A lot of people believe they can get all the nutrients they need from diet alone. The truth is that there are certain vitamins and mineral supplements that may be missing in diets. For instance, someone who follows a strict vegan diet may not have a sufficient amount of vitamin B12 in their system since it’s mostly obtained from animal sources. 

Similarly, heart-friendly supplements like CoQ10 are difficult to obtain from diet alone. Although certain plant sources like broccoli contain some amount of CoQ10, how much broccoli do you think you’d have to take to meet the standard daily dietary value? 77 cups! Can you do that??

Myth 3: You Can’t Overdose On Vitamins

This is far from the truth. It is possible to develop health problems if you take large doses of these vitamins. Vitamin A, for instance, is essential for normal vision, but too much of it can lead to dizziness, liver dysfunction, and even joint issues. 

Similarly, Vitamin B6 is essential for the metabolism of proteins and the nervous system’s function. About 1.3mg per day is optimal for use in an average adult. But when consumed in high doses, it could lead to nerve damage and abnormal light sensitivity.

The best way to use vitamins is to take them according to the instructions stated on the label. 

Myth 4: Supplements Don’t Interact with Normal Medicines

Supplements are also capable of drug-drug interactions. This is especially true for herbal supplements. Herbal supplements usually interact with medications and could reduce their potency and effectiveness. 

In fact, taking certain herbal supplements with normal medications could result in unwanted and unpredictable side effects. For instance, imagine what could result from taking a supplement rich in Vitamin K, a natural blood thinner, when you are a patient already taking a blood thinner, such as Warfarin or Eliquis.

It is important to always consult with your pharmacist on your current medications and the supplements you’re taking to avoid unnecessary interactions.

Myth 5: Vitamin C Prevents Cold

It is true that Vitamin C as a dietary supplement boosts the immune system. But if you’re popping large doses of VItamin C to stave off cold, then you’re getting it wrong. The body is only capable of absorbing about 70 to 80% of Vitamin C, and the absorption drops down to about 50% if you take more doses. 

Hence, the fact that nutritional supplements containing vitamin C help strengthen your immune system is true health information. That doesn’t mean you won’t avoid any colds, but the symptoms may be milder, and the duration may also be slightly reduced. That’s your boosted immune system working.

Myth 6: Antioxidant Supplements Can Extend Life

You’ve probably heard that consuming more antioxidants may help you live longer. Oxidation is a cellular reaction that occurs in various cells in the body. The by-products of which are free radicals which can damage cellular components. 

Hence, it sounds plausible that taking more antioxidants can reverse the process and consequently extend life. But it’s far more complex than that. Antioxidant supplements reduce cellular oxidation, so they can reduce the risk of certain diseases, but they do not extend life. This is a myth about supplements.

Myth 7: The More Vitamins You Take, The Better

This is one of the most common vitamin myths. Just because you do not need a prescription to purchase them does not mean they’re safe to consume if you consume loads of them. Large doses of vitamins can pose risks to your health as well.

Understandably, people want to be free from diseases and want to stay healthy all life-long. But we need to dispel common myths and provide you with information that will help you make informed decisions about your health. That’s part of our mission at Carolina Pharmacy. Feel free to contact us to get the best advice on vitamins and supplements in Charlotte, Lancaster, and Rock Hill.

There’s a lot of misinformation surrounding COVID-19 testing and vaccines. Unfortunately, these myths are focused mainly on the tools we have for combating the virus. Testing and vaccination are important strategies that should not be overlooked. 

We’ve pooled together information from experts and verified resources so we can give folks the facts and debunk COVID-19 testing myths and COVID-19 vaccine misconceptions as well. Read on as we bring clarification concerning the several myths and facts around COVID-19 testing.

Myth 1: The COVID-19 Vaccine Alters The DNA

You’ve probably heard that COVID-19 vaccines alter your DNA. This isn’t true. It’s just a misconception around how the Moderna and the Pfizer vaccines were made. These vaccines were made using a relatively new type of technology that utilizes messenger RNA (mRNA). 

These vaccines only use mRNA to carry the information, which is genetic instructions that will teach your immune system how to fight off the virus. The mRNA does not interfere with your own DNA, and as soon as they’re used, they are destroyed by your body system.

Myth 2: You Don’t Need The Vaccine If You’ve Had COVID-19

This is also another misconception regarding how vaccines train the body’s immune system to defend against infections. 

Natural infections train the immune system to develop a defense against the same infection as a secondary and more pronounced immune response. However, this takes time.

In the case of COVID-19, for instance, we’ve seen cases of individuals being reinfected with the virus even after being ill with it. How long it takes natural infection from COVID-19 to fully provide immunity from the disease is still not clear. 

The Centers for Diseases and Control (CDC) recommends that people who have already been ill with COVID should get vaccinated to protect themselves and others from getting infected with COVID-19.

Myth 3: COVID-19 Testing Leads To More COVID Cases

That’s not true. Soaring COVID-19 cases are not due to more COVID-19 testing. In fact, recovery from COVID-19 has improved, and death cases have reduced too. Soaring positive test results only mean COVID-19 is spreading uncontrollably in a given community. 

Hence, more testing even provides evidence on transmission rates with an environment so you can better protect yourselves and your loved ones. 

Myth 4: You Don’t Need To Stay Safe Since You’ve Been Vaccinated

Vaccination from COVID-19 is not a license to skip all recommended safety guidelines. You should stay safe, practice social distancing, and wear face masks too. 

Even if you just recently tested negative for COVID-19, you should still stay safe since COVID-19 tests are only snapshots in time and only showed that the test was negative at the time the test was conducted. 

So whether you’ve had your first, second, or booster dose of the vaccine, you should still stay safe to keep yourself and others safe.

Myth 5: Getting A COVID-19 Vaccine Actually Gives You COVID-19

A COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t make you sick with COVID-19. As a matter of fact, none of the currently authorized vaccines in the United States contain the live virus. 

Understandably, people usually experience a brief period of mild sickness, such as fever. shortly after taking the vaccines. But truly, much like any other vaccine against infectious diseases, this is how vaccines teach your immune system how to combat the infection. 

The development of vaccines is a closely monitored process with proven clinical trials. Hence, the brief period of minimal side effects that accompany COVID-19 vaccines only lasts for a while and does not mean you’ve actually contracted the infection.

COVID-19 Vaccines Pose Serious Adverse Effects

While it is common to experience minimal side effects such as fever, chills, and headaches from COVID-19 vaccines, these are normal since that’s how the vaccine trains your immune system to combat the infection. 

COVID-19 vaccines were subjected to closely monitored clinical trials before they were released to the public. So they’re safe and effective. Adverse effects are a very rare occurrence, and if they ever occur at all, that would be an idiosyncratic scenario.

Myth 7: The Vaccine Is Not Safe Since It Was Rushed

Converging lines of evidence have shown that the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is 95% effective. Also, the development of these vaccines involved methods that have been used for years. The quick launch of the vaccine to the public is a result of enough funding resources from governments and help from study volunteers who helped quicken the development process.

As we get through this pandemic together, Carolina Pharmacy will continue to provide support by providing accurate information on COVID-19 vaccines and testing. We offer COVID-19 vaccines in Charlotte, Lancaster, and Rock Hill. You may also schedule a COVID-19 test in Charlotte, Greenville, Rock Hill, and Lancaster.  

The way we live our lives on a daily basis affects our cardiovascular health. Everything from blood pressure to the likelihood of developing heart disease is connected to our daily habits. 

As we get older, blood vessels become thinner due to long-term fatty deposits and plaque buildup along the vessel wall. Also, the force of contraction of the heart weakens, which affects the ability of the heart to pump blood across the organs. 

Understandably, aging is a risk factor for developing heart disease. But other factors contribute as well. Fortunately, there are healthy lifestyle choices you can make to keep a healthy heart. 

We need to constantly stay conscious of these lifestyle choices as we celebrate the National Wear Red Day and bring attention to heart disease.

Exercise Regularly

Getting at least 30-minutes of moderate physical activity per day can be a game-changer for heart disease prevention. 

Understandably, most people live busy lives, so they may be strapped for time. But exercising regularly for the prevention of heart disease and stroke does not mean carrying heavy dumbbells. 

You can start by considering minor activities such as walking, cycling, and more. These activities also have the added benefit of helping you maintain a healthy weight and controlling your blood sugar while moderating your blood flow. 

Avoid Leading A Sedentary Life

A sedentary lifestyle characterized by physical inactivity is a risk factor for heart disease. The more you sit, the more profound negative consequences you’re accumulating for your heart. 

A sedentary lifestyle slows down your blood flow and affects your body’s ability to process fats effectively. The consequence of which is plaque buildup on the walls of the arteries. 

Beyond having a negative impact on the heart, a person’s ability to use insulin is diminished. This is called insulin resistance and is one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes.

Eat Healthy Fats

Saturated fats and trans fats are bad dietary choices for your heart. These fats have been linked to being a chief risk for coronary heart failure. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature, which makes them a poor dietary choice for your heart. 

Typically, fat sources are usually a mix of different types of saturated and unsaturated fats. The goal for the prevention of heart disease is to have more unsaturated fats than saturated fats. 

Olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and almonds are great sources of unsaturated fats which are more beneficial to the heart. Some of these unsaturated fats have omega-3 fats which cannot be synthesized by the body and it’s yet beneficial for the heart. 

Pizza, cheese, fried desserts, doughnuts, and baked cookies, on the other hand, are great sources of saturated fats which are not beneficial for the heart. 

Consuming a high amount of these fats poses a great risk for cardiovascular diseases. 

Quit Smoking & Using Tobacco Products

If you smoke, you are 4 times more at risk of facing the consequences of heart disease. Cigarette smoke contains a handful of chemicals that can damage the heart. 

For instance, the nicotine in cigarette smoke can increase your blood pressure and make your heart work harder than usual. The carbon monoxide it contains poisons the blood and reduces the ability of the blood to transport oxygen to your heart and other organs. 

Quitting smoking is an excellent choice to prevent heart diseases and their consequences. It only requires a conscious choice and mental readiness to quit smoking successfully.

Maintain A Healthy Weight

Obesity is popularly called a “silent heart killer.” Being overweight can lead to fat deposits building up in your blood vessels which can lead to a heart attack. 

Carrying around excess weight makes it difficult for your heart to efficiently pump blood and increases your chances of developing diabetes. 

One of your best strategies for maintaining a healthy weight is by actually losing weight or watching your weight. This involves making a conscious choice of eating healthy, sitting less, and more routine exercise. 

Avoid Too Much Alcohol

Excessive alcohol intake is one of the leading causes of the development of heart disease. Alcohol is a high source of excessive calories, which can contribute to weight gain. 

Additionally, if you drink too much alcohol, you’re at risk of developing cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart muscle and makes it more difficult to pump blood. This condition can lead to heart failure or, ultimately, sudden death. 

Manage Stress Levels

Too much stress, physically or emotionally, can trouble the heart. Too much stress can lead to depressive syndromes and anxieties. Depression results in a sedentary lifestyle and attending consequences for heart disease. Anxiety also raises blood pressure. 

You can manage stress by practicing relaxation, exercising regularly, sleeping well enough, and adopting a relaxing hobby.

Cut Down On Salt

Too much salt provides your body with too much sodium, which can cause fluid retention and ultimately high blood pressure. 

Keeping tabs on your salt intake is a great dietary choice for preventing high blood pressure and other adverse cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart failure. 

We provide expert pharmacy advice regarding your health and medication needs at Carolina Pharmacy. Feel free to contact us for tips to prevent heart disease in Charlotte, Lancaster, and Rock Hill.

Adopting new healthy habits is very challenging, no doubt. Let’s face the fact, it is challenging to change your diet, and even more difficult to commit to exercising for physical fitness every morning. 

You probably had a list of healthy habits you planned to adopt into your lifestyle in 2021. This may not have worked out as you had hoped. But 2021 is now done and dusted. What we can do is to make 2022 work by committing to achieve our health goals. Here are the seven habits you need to adopt to build a healthy life in 2022.

Cut Down on Sugars

A lot of individuals eat more sugar than necessary. Sugar-rich diets are bad for your health and overall well-being. Hence, sugars in carbonated drinks, sweets, candies, and many processed foods are also unhealthy. 

Different health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and dental issues, have been linked to sugars. For optimal health, the WHO advises no more than 5% of calories from added sugars. 

Although it is challenging to keep up with this limit, you can achieve it by reducing your daily consumption of sugary drinks or opting for sugar-free drinks.

Schedule Exercises in Your Daily Activities

If you’re struggling with squeezing exercises into your daily activities, then you’re not alone. Despite people’s best and honest intentions, they still find themselves struggling to exercise even for just once within a week. 

But when you think about exercises, what comes to your mind? Lifting heavy weights? Rounds of pushups? You can begin with low-intensity exercises like walking the dog or doing sit-ups. Short jogs down the street are also great for your physical health.

When you get used to these, you can move to moderate-to-high intensity exercises, such as basketball, soccer, or running. Just ensure to exercise efficiently and be consistent without burning yourself out.

Commit To Consuming More Fruits and Vegetables

Achieving your nutritional health goals for 2022 includes consuming more fruits and vegetables. Incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet may look difficult, but the health benefits are well worth it. 

Fruits and vegetables have powerful antioxidant properties that help to reduce blood pressure and prevent stroke. They also help to combat infections by boosting the immune system. 

Additionally, you can set a goal to try a variety of fruits and vegetables from time to time. This enables you to benefit from the different types of minerals in various types of fruits and vegetables.

Get Fit but in a Fun Way

The health benefits of physical fitness can never be over-emphasized. Apart from controlling your weight, keeping fit helps you combat certain health conditions and diseases, such as stroke, heart problems, arthritis, and more. 

Additionally, it combats depressive moods by boosting your energy. For best results, exercise in a fun way. Make it social!. It can be as simple as taking weekend dances or hiking. When you do this, you’re getting fit naturally without making it look like a big deal.

Get Enough Sleep Daily

Good sleep has some surprising health benefits. Good sleep forms a very vital part of your brain functioning. Hence, your cognition, memory, and decision-making skills are highly dependent on your sleep quality. Poor sleep quality can be a major contributing factor to sleep disorders, heart diseases, blood sugar levels, and body weight. 

Moreover, if your focus is to boost your productivity in 2022, you can begin by improving your sleep. One of the leading causes of poor performance and concentration has been linked to sleep deprivation. 

Although individual sleep needs vary, experts have suggested that adults need an average of seven or more hours of sleep per day.

Keep Your Body Hydrated

The fact that about 60% of the human body is composed of water is enough proof that the body loves water. For optimal physical body function, mental performance, and internal environment, you need to drink enough water. A body lacking enough water is not a healthy one. It leads to fatigue and altered body function. Staying hydrated is one of the easiest to keep your body at its best in 2022.

Work on Improving Your Posture

Beyond just exercises and physical fitness, maintaining a good posture is critical to your well-being and overall health. If you suffer from chronic pain, such as back or shoulder pain, working on your posture can be the easiest and most affordable way to manage it. 

Improving your posture makes you breathe better and improves your mood and digestion. Additionally, improving your posture boosts your energy and affords you greater function as you age.

At Carolina Pharmacy, we’re committed to helping you achieve your health goals through quality pharmaceutical services. Contact us for information on our pharmaceutical services to learn how you can adopt healthy habits this year. Visit one of our pharmacies in Charlotte, Lancaster, and Rock Hill.

Now more than ever, easy access to quick and convenient medical care is an important aspect of efficient pharmaceutical care services. There are situations when a patient may not be able to drive to a pharmacy because of illness, social distancing, or any other reason.  

A pharmacy delivery service provides easy and convenient access to patients’ medication needs through a doorstep delivery. Including a pharmacy delivery service as part of your comprehensive healthcare management program may be the best investment to take into your health. This is especially beneficial for those currently taking multiple medications. 

Imagine having to cope with multiple medications at different intervals with each coming with its own different sets of instructions. 

But, if all your medications are delivered at once on your doorstep and sorted appropriately in a single package with clear instructions on the best way to take them, there’s no doubt that this would make life easier for every patient. Read on to discover more benefits of medication delivery service:

Easy and More Convenient Access to Your Medication Needs

Medication delivery service, either online or through the telephone, allows convenient access to medications. Patients can benefit from this convenient access to medications, especially in emergencies. 

During these events, rushing to a pharmacy may not be the best option. A phone call to a pharmacy that offers a medication delivery service allows you to confirm the availability of needed medications and request faster doorstep delivery. 

Moreover, easier access to pharmaceutical services through medication delivery ensures improvement of therapeutic outcomes for patients since they will get their medications immediately.

Better Medication Adherence

Non-compliance with medication use poses a serious health concern. Patients usually have many reasons to skip their medication use. While some are voluntary, many are also a result of inconveniences in accessing medications and poor understanding of medication use regimens, especially when medications are obtained from different sources. 

Pharmacy delivery services make provisions for bedside deliveries and even ensure that patients with chronic illness have their medications delivered to them on a regular basis as needed. Adherence is further enhanced through automated reminders and compliance packaging. 

Beyond adherence, pharmacy medication delivery service also improves safety because of a nearly-perfect dispensing accuracy. Hence, unwanted medication-related adverse events can be avoided since you will get personalized advice and proper packaging on the right use of the medicine.

That includes the correct dose, interval, and time to take prescribed medications and when not to use the medications.

Additional Money Savings

You are likely to pay more in dispensary fees the more frequently you receive a fill. However, a customized medication therapy management program that accommodates home delivery of your medications on a weekly or monthly basis saves you more money. 

Imagine just having to schedule your medication orders online or through a phone call without having to waste time and money driving to a trusted pharmacy. Beyond saving you money, it also gives you greater control over healthcare costs over the long term. So, there’s usually no medical wastage because patients get only the medications they need.

Additionally, medication use errors are reduced, and expenses that come with managing medication errors on the part of the patient are also minimized. 

Quick and Automatic Processing of Medication Refills

Another benefit of having a pharmacy delivery service for patients is the greater efficiency achieved through the automatic processing of refills. Once you send a delivery order, you get documented electronic evidence that ensures that you get the right types and quantities of medications in the correct doses, dosage forms, time, and condition. 

Beyond getting easy access to your medication needs, automatic processing of medication refills also promotes medication adherence in patients. This enhances the quality of care for patients.

Medication Advice by Telephone

There are several aspects to drug therapy care. Patients need better access to information beyond just how to take their medications. For instance, patients need more information on how to manage possible side effects. 

Medication advise by telephone results in efficient patient counseling. Patients who desire more private consultation services and longer counseling duration also enjoy enhanced satisfaction with care.

Similarly, they also need advice on how to manage certain interactions with food or other drugs that they may experience while using the medication. 

Patients can easily get answers to these questions when they have their medications processed and delivered to them and benefit from medication therapy management via the telephone. 

At Carolina Pharmacy, we provide client-centered convenient care through personalized prescription delivery services. Even if you cannot leave your workplace or home, we are available to deliver the medications to you at your convenience. Feel free to contact us for your medication delivery in Charlotte, Lancaster, and Rock Hill.

 The fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period for 2022 Medicare coverage is October 15 – December 7, 2021.

Medicare Open Enrollment is the time where you can enroll in Medicare for the first time or assess your current enrollment and determine if it is the best one to fit your needs. You can also make the decision to switch plans if what you’re currently enrolled in will not fit your needs in the following year.

If Medicare enrollment and benefits seem overwhelming, you’re not alone – it can be confusing to navigate, especially if you’re newly eligible. As you near the age for Medicare qualification, you should make it a priority to understand how enrollment works so that you can find the best plan and avoid late enrollment fees.

Carolina Pharmacy is currently offering free consultations to help you enroll in the right Medicare plan. Together, you and our Medicare enrollment consultant will review your health needs to help you determine:

• How you can save money on health care, such as lower premiums and/or copays
• If your current medications and providers will remain in-network in your plan in 2022
• If Original Medicare Enrollment is an option and if you are eligible to enroll before age 65
• What a Medicare Supplement plan is and if you need one

Contact us today for your FREE consultation! Fill out our online form or call 866-846-8809, just mention Carolina Pharmacy!