Get better nutrition through compounded supplements to boost the body’s defense
ON Tuesday, there were 1,841 new Covid-19 cases recorded in the country, according to the Department of Health (DOH), the highest since February 19 when the Philippines logged 1,923 new infections.
since the early days of the pandemic, the government’s Covid-19 response experts have been constantly reminding the public to follow the minimum public health standards (MPHS) like wearing of face masks, frequent washing/sanitizing of the hands, maintaining physical distancing and staying in well ventilated areas, among others.
But many may have forgotten that the best defense the body has against any ailment is through nutrition, where a healthier lifestyle and proper diet can help build that strong, individual immunity wall. However, eating healthy, taking only the good food like fruits and vegetables, which many believe can help boost the body’s nutrition to avoid any deadly disease, may still not be enough to give the body that extra boost. This, however, can be provided by supplements.
“A good diet, an active lifestyle and sleep are generally sound practices to maintain health, but in this rapidly paced, fast-food, high-stress world we live in, our bodies need a little more help to be optimal. This is where supplementation comes in,” says Dr. sheree Bondoc, a board-certified Fellow of the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecology society (POGS) and a Certified Fellow in Metabolic, Nutritional and Functional Medicine from the Metabolic Medical Institute (MMI) of the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine (A4M) and George Washington University.
Personalized supplementation
YES, over-the-counter (OTC) and popular food supplements are easily accessible. They may be generally effective, but their efficacy varies since users have different physical and health parameters. Users react differently to mass-produced medicines, with some having allergic reactions (skin rashes or breakouts), gastrointestinal issues or worse, complications from interactions with other medicines. Others find the medicines they take rid the body of important nutrients by interfering with their absorption, excretion, or metabolism.
Dr. Bondoc said supplementation goes beyond just taking a daily multivitamin because supplements can actually be taken for a specific purpose or goal, like Vitamin B12 that plays a central role in Methylation, a biochemical reaction in the body’s cells.
“Just because a supplement is ‘good’ doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for you. Taking just any supplement may actually cause you to deviate from your goals, such as taking Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or evening primrose without guidance can actually worsen a hormonal imbalance,” Dr. Bondoc said.
Nutrition Month reminder
IN light of July being Nutrition Month, Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy (AIP) reminds Filipinos to pursue a healthier lifestyle starting with better nutrition using compounded solutions.
Nutritional supplements play an important role in addressing nutrient deficiencies resulting from an unhealthy diet or long-term drug therapy regimen. It also helps help address the nutrition gap.
As prescribed, drug compounding for nutritional purposes can help users get the nutrients they need at just the right doses. Compounded supplements may contain more than two active ingredients mixed to maximize efficacy while reducing side effects. AIP’S Nutraceuticals are specifically developed for nutrition and immunity-boosting, which include a combination of vitamins C, D, and zinc that can bolster health and prevent diseases in all stages of life.
When combined with a healthy diet, they contribute to better health promotion. The vitamin-mineral supplements improve immune function in adults and the elderly while the supplemental nutrients help maintain energy and mental health. Calcium and vitamin D help build optimum bone mass during childhood and can address bone loss resulting from aging, while Zinc reduces inflammation and boosts immune health.
Being a specialty compounding pharmacy, AIP is the first licensed compounding pharmacy in the country by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and offers compounded medicines specifically suited for individual conditions and needs to help improve nutrition and health instead of using the “one-size-fits-all” approach of mass-produced medications.
The company also works closely with its partner doctors to find the best and most effective solution for a patient’s nutritional need, and also offers patient counseling to help address patient medication inquiries. It also directs or recommends doctors whom they can seek for further medical consultations.
Aside from complying to up-to-date regulations and standard practice for compounded preparations set by the Philippine FDA, AIP also adheres to USP (United states Pharmacopoeia) grade active ingredients to assure clients of excellent-quality products.
“The primordial cause here is to help people live better quality lives by improving their health. Medicine should not only treat symptoms but solve the root cause of the problem, making people healthy at the core. Ultimately, the goal is help patients live long and live well,” Dr. Bondoc concluded.