for protection against viruses swirling around, we’d better treat our immune system like a best friend. Be supportive and thoughtful and notice the difference. NW Remedies is Olympia’s local pharmacy and nutrition center with supplements to help your defenses. Your immune system creates, stores, and distributes white blood cells that counteract the viruses and bacteria entering your body that are in abundance during cold and flu season.
Third-party certified options at the Nutrition Center at Olympia
When you enter NW Pharmacy, you will find yourself in the area featuring supplements and other over the counter (OTC) or non-prescription remedies. Ryan Martin, PharmD, Rph and director of pharmacy at NW Remedies, wants you to know that most products are third-party verified. Third-party verified means that the product has been tested for purity and quality ingredients. “What’s written on the bottle is what’s inside,” explains Ryan. You can ask the staff about third-party verification. That doesn’t mean that non-certified products aren’t good, as NW Remedies is careful with all of their supplements. Dietary supplements lack some rules, so extra scrutiny is fine. You want to be sure that the ingredients and quantities listed on the bottle are true.
Ryan takes his health to heart while encouraging you to do the same with yours. “I really like Thorne’s Daily Greens Plus,” he says. “I take it every day for overall health.” Just one scoop in a morning smoothie or glass of water supports focus, energy and healthy aging. “It’s USP verified,” notes Ryan. With greens, mushrooms and other nutrients, it’s a powerful addition to your routine. One serving has some monk fruit in it, making it less than a half teaspoon of sweetener per serving.
Ryan also likes OrthoMune, a balanced blend of flavonoids, vitamins and minerals for immune support. The formula has five main ingredients including the antioxidants Vitamin C and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to promote respiratory function along with quercetin, zinc and vitamin D for robust immune reserve. It’s nice to take one supplement instead of five. Many of our products have a money back guarantee.
There is abundant information about the amazing health benefits and value to your immune system by ingesting mushrooms. Evergreen State College graduate and mycologist Paul Stamets created Host Defense Mushrooms supplements, which can be found at NW Remedies, as well as other picks.
People who live in the Northwest often have low vitamin D levels. “It affects up to 90 percent of people,” says Ryan. Calcium supplementation is an important consideration for aging adults and bone health. A daily multivitamin can help fill the gaps.
Are you looking for your favorite brand? You’ll find a huge range of products from NW Remedies at Olympia, including:
- Plug
- orthomolecular
- Metagenics
- standard process
- Biotics
- Nordic naturals
- integrative therapy
- Xymogen
- Designs for health
- And many others
Ryan Martin’s tips for optimizing your immune system
Get enough sleep
According to a new study from the Center for Disease Control, more than a third of Americans don’t get enough sleep (seven or more hours a day) on a regular basis. Lack of sleep increases a person’s risk of developing serious medical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. You’re probably even grumpier! If doctors could prescribe sleep, many of us would get an extra hour of sleep a day. Your brain initiates repair and recovery processes on itself while you sleep, other parts of your body rest, and all contribute to your health, or lack thereof.
Eat healthy
Your defense system is optimized with a vegetable-centric eating style. Keep your intake of added sugar as low as possible, which reduces inflammation. Other ways to cool inflammation are to avoid processed and fried foods, as well as common pro-inflammatory substances like gluten and lactose. They are difficult to digest and have less nutritional value. Colorful fruits and vegetables are tasty and easy to prepare. The goal is to maintain homeostasis of the immune system. Here are some ways to get those important vitamins into your daily diet:
- Vitamin B6: salmon, vegetables, bananas
- Vitamin C: tomatoes, broccoli, spinach and citrus fruits
- Vitamin E: almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach
- Zinc: oysters, beans, meats, dairy products
- Magnesium: nuts and seeds, supplements
Minimize stresses
Decide how much and what kind of screen time is enough. Read a physical copy of a magazine or book. Take a walk. Practice yoga. Sit quietly. Remind yourself that you don’t have to do everything every day.
Maintain social connections
It’s important to talk and connect with others. Call a friend. Attend an event. Visit a friend. Volunteer. Go to the church. I attend a course. It’s not that difficult, but it’s important.
Compound Pharmacy of Olympia
In case you don’t know, NW Remedies is a compound pharmacy that provides services beyond a traditional pharmacy. This means that medicinal compounds can be manufactured in various forms to deliver them to your body in a way that works for you. Instead of a tablet, you could use a cream, ointment, suppository, or lozenge. They also work with veterinarians for your pet’s health.
How you feel, how well you are and how you recover from illness are at the forefront of our minds. NW Remedies is always thinking about your well-being and is available to talk to you about your individual concerns.
Find out more on the NW Remedies website. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
NW Remedies
1851 State Avenue NE #105, Olympia
360.491.0607
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