Do you need a boost of energy this 2024? A healthy balanced diet, good quality sleep and regular exercise are enough to provide all your energy needs. But in today’s fast-paced world, stress, low quality sleep and your eating habits can negatively impact your energy needs. Supplements can be used if you need a boost of energy but should not replace a healthy diet.

Here are some of the best vitamins and supplements for energy.

• Vitamin B Complex

The B vitamins play an essential role in the production of energy in the body. A vitamin B complex supplement usually contains all eight B vitamins which are

B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), B12 (cobalamin) in one pill. The B vitamins are involved in many processes in the body such as energy production, formation of red blood cells, immune function, cell function and brain development.

Many foods are rich in the B vitamins. However, chronic alcoholism, gastrointestinal disorders, pregnancy and being vegetarian can increase your risk of B vitamin deficiency since animal foods are most commonly the best sources of B vitamins.

• Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in the production of energy from the food you eat. It contributes to the health of your nerves and blood cells. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in fish, meat, eggs, milk and poultry. Older people, vegetarians and people with gastrointestinal disorders causing malabsorption may have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Symptoms of a deficiency in vitamin B12 may include fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and weight loss. Taking a vitamin B12 supplement has not been shown to have harmful side effects.

• Iron

Iron is an essential mineral in the body needed to produce haemoglobin in red blood cells that transport oxygen from the lungs to the entire human body.  Iron plays a role in immune system function, cognitive function, energy production, and reduction in tiredness and fatigue. Foods rich in iron include red meat, green leafy vegetables, seafood, beans and nuts. People likely to be deficient in iron are pregnant women, women who bleed heavily during menstruation and vegetarians.

Excessive iron intake can, however, be toxic to the body and result in severe adverse effects. Consult with your doctor first, before taking iron supplements.

• Magnesium

Magnesium helps regulate nerve function and muscle contraction and relaxation. It also helps regulate blood glucose and blood pressure. Magnesium is required for metabolism and energy production. Magnesium supplements have been shown to improve sleep quality and ease fatigue. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include fatigue, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting.

Food sources of magnesium include milk, bananas, legumes, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts and whole grains such as brown rice. People with type 2 diabetes, older people, alcoholics, and gastrointestinal disorders that cause malabsorption are more likely to be deficient in magnesium. Magnesium supplements may interact with some antibiotics, diuretics and antihypertensives.

• Ginseng

Ginseng is a herb rich in antioxidants which may decrease inflammation, reduce fatigue, increase energy levels and enhance physical activity. Research shows that ginseng can boost the immune system and improve brain function like memory, behaviour and mood.

Vitamins and supplements are generally safe when used appropriately. Nevertheless, some supplements may interact with other medications, may worsen underlying medical conditions and result in harmful side effects when overconsumed. Speak to a doctor or dietician before you start taking supplements. If you are experiencing chronic mental and physical fatigue, see a doctor to rule out any underlying disease.

We are excited to inform you that our Coastal Estate Pharmacy is one year old! It’s been a delight serving the people of Coastal Estates and its surrounding communities for the past year. Thank you for trusting us with your health and wellness needs. Your support and loyalty have been the driving force behind our success. Join us in celebrating this milestone!

As we celebrate our anniversary, we want to give back to you our cherished clients. Our Coastal Estate Pharmacy is offering:

Up to 10% discounts in-store every Friday throughout the whole month.

FREE delivery within a 5km radius from our pharmacy!
Free blood pressure monitoring and blood sugar tests on weekends.

FREE HEALTH SCREENING
27th November – 1st December 2023

Look out for exciting prizes to be won in-store throughout the month.
Call us on 0593 935 404 / 0509 941 535. Find us with our store locator. Please click here.

TOP-UP Pharmacy, Whatever you need….24/7

Today, we join the rest of the world in celebrating World Diabetes Day under the theme “Access to Diabetes Care.” The purpose of this theme is to focus on the prevention of type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related complications.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot use the insulin it produces effectively. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose or blood sugar. Diabetes leads to major health complications such as blindness, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation.

One in ten people worldwide, currently live with diabetes. In 2021, 537 million adults had diabetes. Diabetes was responsible for 6.7 million deaths in 2021 worldwide – 1 every 5 seconds. In Ghana, 329,200 adults out of a population of 16,732,900 adults had diabetes with a prevalence rate of 2% in 2021.

Living with diabetes can be challenging. However, as your trusted pharmacy, we are here to support you in managing your diabetes with the right medications and expert advice on lifestyle modifications to enable you to lead a long, healthy, and balanced life. In this article, we highlight lifestyle changes to help you manage your diabetes.

DIETARY CHANGES
Healthy eating plays a major role in managing diabetes. The type of food you eat, the quantity and the combinations of foods you eat affect your blood sugar. Eat a balanced diet of starches, proteins, fats, fruits and vegetables. Reading food labels can help you make healthier food choices. Reduce your
portion sizes to help reduce your calorie intake.

Carbohydrates affect your blood sugar the most because carbohydrates are converted to sugar. Reduce your portion sizes, know the amount of carbohydrates in your food, and try to eat the same amount of carbohydrates for each meal especially if you take insulin.

Decrease your intake of foods that are high in sugar such as sweetened drinks, fruit juice and cake. Decrease your fat intake, especially saturated fats found in foods such as pastries, spring rolls and fatty pork. Eating less processed meats like hot dogs and consuming lean meat like skinless chicken and turkey help reduce your saturated fat intake.

Increase your intake of dietary fibre. Foods high in fibre include whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits. These foods are low in carbohydrates and help control your blood sugar. Speak to your doctor or dietician about the best foods to eat in addition to your medications to help control your diabetes.

WEIGHT LOSS
Losing 5% to 10% of your body weight can significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Weight management helps control diabetes and reduces the risk of complications if you already have diabetes. Being overweight increases your risk of cardiovascular disease which is a leading cause of death in people with diabetes. If you are obese or overweight, aim to lose weight gradually till you achieve a healthy BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9. Increased physical activity and eating a healthy diet with fewer calories would help you lose weight.

EXERCISE
Regular physical activity helps to control diabetes by decreasing blood sugar. It is recommended that most adults should have 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise on most days such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling and playing football.

Check your blood sugar levels before, during and after exercise. This is very important if you take insulin or medications that decrease blood sugar. Stay well hydrated when exercising and be conscious of signs of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) such as increased sweating, lightheadedness, irritability, hunger and confusion.

Speak to your doctor if you have not engaged in exercise for a long time and about the best type of exercise for you.

MANAGING STRESS

Stress increases your blood sugar levels and can cause insulin resistance making diabetes difficult to manage. Being stressed and anxious can lead to bad food choices, overeating, increased alcohol intake and poor sleep quality which affect your blood sugar levels. Stress increases your risk of developing complications of diabetes such as stroke and hypertension.

Manage stress by exercising, getting good quality sleep, taking time off work to relax and psychotherapy.

ALCOHOL
Alcohol adds excess calories to your daily intake. Consuming alcohol can lower your blood sugar levels and affect your diabetes medications. It can also worsen diabetes complications such as nerve damage and eye complications. Avoid alcohol if you can. If you decide to drink, speak to your doctor.

Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as no more than one drink a day for women of any age and men over 65 years old and two drinks a day for men under 65. One drink equals a 12-ounce beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.

Check your blood sugar levels before you drink and be aware of signs of low blood sugar.

References

www.who.int.com | www.diabetesatlas.org | www.idf.org | www.webmd.com | www.mayoclinic.org | www.heart.org | www.diabetes.co.uk

In our bid to expand across the country and make pharmaceutical products readily available 24/7, we are delighted to announce that Top-Up Pharmacy has opened a new branch in Ho to serve the people of Ho and its surrounding communities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the CEO of Top-Up Pharmacy, Dr. Richard K. Odor, stressed our mission of alleviating the suffering of people who come into contact with the Top-Up brand by providing good quality and affordable healthcare for all.

He stated that our overriding philosophy is to meet the total healthcare needs of our clients. This vision has led us to set up a clinic, diagnostic centre, and modern medical lab. ”We did not look up to the skies of profit or the valleys of pride when we took up this journey,” he added.

Dr. Odor reiterated that Top-Up Pharmacy is focused on promoting preventive healthcare and seeks to become a trusted healthcare partner for Ho and its neighbouring towns and villages.

He said “Our goal is not only to help individuals manage their existing health conditions but also to prevent future ones from occurring. We want to be proactive in promoting a healthier Volta Region.’’

The guest speaker for the occasion, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archebald Yao Letsa, emphasized the importance of preventive health care to help reduce deaths from cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Dr Letsa said, ‘’According to the World Heart Federation, at least 80% of all premature deaths as a result of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by controlling four main factors such as unhealthy diets, tobacco use, lack of physical activity and excessive alcohol intake.”

He emphasized the importance of pharmacy operators in ensuring the privacy and protection of their clients’ health information.

Tell a friend to tell a friend that Top-Up Pharmacy has opened its doors to the Volta region and its environs.

Top-Up Pharmacy reinforced the giant strides made in the Ghana pharmaceutical industry over the last 18 years by winning the ultimate and most coveted award at the just ended Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana Conference. The Chief Executive Officer of Top-Up Pharmacy, Dr Richard K. Odor, was adjudged the CEO Pharmacist of the Year 2023. Top-Up Pharmacy was also the winner of the 2023 Pharmacy of the Year.

The 87th Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana Annual General Meeting and Conference took place on the 5th – 8th of September, 2023 in Takoradi. The event was themed “The Pharmacist for National Development.” Present at the ceremony were the Deputy Minister of Health, Honourable Tina Gifty Naa Ayele Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, Honourable Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, and Ghanaian business mogul, Sir Sam Jonah, who was the guest speaker for the conference.

We owe the successes we have chalked over the year to our hardworking and committed management, staff, and loyal customers of Top-Up Pharmacy. It is a win for the Top-Up team, and we celebrate you. Congratulations!!!

The 5th Ghana Pharma and Healthcare Awards, an awards scheme instituted to recognize excellence in the pharmaceutical industry, was held recently under the theme “Positioning the Pharma Industry to Meet Future Trends and Technology.” The event focused on innovative and technological shortfalls in the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare industries.

In total, 70 companies and personalities were honoured for their exceptional work and contributions to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Top-Up Pharmacy picked up a total of four awards at the ceremony. The company won the 2023 Emerging Brand of the Year and Community Pharmacy of the Year. Dr. Ellen Foster-Nyarko and Solomon Odoi of Top-Up Pharmacy won the 2023 Outstanding Community Pharmacist and Community Pharmacy Intern awards respectively. The Marketing Manager of Top-Up Pharmacy, Dr. Nyantakyi, was present at the event to receive the awards.

The Ghana Pharma and Healthcare Awards was organized in partnership with the Ghana Pharmacy Council, Food and Drugs Authority, Foameddms, and the Community Practice Pharmacists Association and powered by Globe Productions and the Graphic News Plus App.

The Chief Executive Officer of Top-Up Pharmacy and Lena House Clinic, Dr. Richard K. Odor, in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of a staff dinner and awards night held Wednesday, noted that the issue of quark practitioners were of major concern but lauded the regulatory body for taking steps to weed out unqualified people who had infiltrated the system.

He cautioned people to desist from taking drugs without first talking to a doctor or a pharmacist.

“Drugs can become poisons depending on how they are used. You need to speak to a pharmacist on every drug you take so that you will have the full benefit of the drug because a poorly used drug becomes a poison,” he said.

Dr. Odor, while praising the workers for their distinguished service, also appreciated them for their indispensable role in the ongoing success of the organisation.

Dr Odor said from what started as a tiny single store in Tema Community Four, the company now has 20 branches employing 300 people, stressing that in the coming years, the company was looking at growing into a big pharmaceutical company with branches in all the regions of Ghana.

He said they were equally targeting the West African sub-region and also considering veering into local production of pharmaceuticals because they thought that should ultimately be the way forward to bring quality affordable medicines to the doorstep of people to take care of their healthcare needs without necessarily spending a lot of foreign currency importing these same medicines.

Challenge

Dr Odor said one of the challenges facing the business was getting an appropriate location to open a facility while the other challenge was getting access to funding.

He said because medicines were expensive trying to get the right kind of medicine and having all the stocks a client needed at any point in time was daunting.

He expressed the hope that the banks would be more welcoming and supporting the pharmaceutical industry so that the cost of doing business in the pharmacy space would be less and they could pass that benefit to the clients so that invariably, the cost of medicines would go down.

He also expressed the hope that the challenges faced in the clearing of medicines at the ports would be looked at so they could bring in registered products that would benefit the general public

The General Manager in charge of Retail, Dr Emmanuel Fiadzorgbe, said Top Up Pharmacy Group had lived up to its ideals of delivering exceptional pharmaceutical care and making a positive impact on people’s lives.

He commended the staff, who, he said, had worked tirelessly around the clock to ensure customers’ needs were met with care, professionalism, and expertise.

Awards

Five hardworking staff of the Top Up Pharmacy Group Limited were honoured for their outstanding contributions to the company. They were Dr Amanda Mingle- East Legon Branch, Best Branch Manager, Sandra Adofo- Spintex Branch, Best Sales Supervisor Solomon Adevu-Transport Department, Best Non-Sales Supervisor, Ms Prisca Ansah- Osu Branch, Best Junior Sales Staff and – George Mordzi- Tema Community 9 Branch, Best Junior Non-Sales Staff.

Long-service awards were also given to staff who had served the company for 10 years and above. They include Janet Okantu who had served the company for 15 years.

The CEO and his wife, Mrs Olena Odor, were also appreciated by the staff of the company.

Sources: graphic.com.gh

Some beverages may help promote weight loss by boosting metabolism and providing other health benefits. In this article, we will share five drinks to add to your diet and weight loss regimen to help you achieve your weight loss goals. These drinks are best taken in the morning before breakfast.

• Green Tea

Green Tea has been shown to be one of the most effective drinks for weight loss. Green tea is packed with antioxidants which help improve your metabolism and help you burn fat. It also contains caffeine, which can help with weight loss by increasing energy levels and improving performance during exercise.

According to several studies, green tea can reduce body mass index, and body weight and help you lose harmful belly fat. Start your day with a cup of green tea preferably without sugar to help you reap the greatest benefits.

• Apple Cider Vinegar

Kickstart your day with a glass of apple cider vinegar mixed with water to aid you lose weight. Some studies have shown that apple cider vinegar is effective in promoting weight loss. Apple cider vinegar contains a compound known as acetic acid, which boosts metabolism, suppresses appetite, and decreases blood sugar and insulin levels after eating leading to weight loss. Acetic acid also helps burn fat and reduces fat accumulation in the belly and liver.

Mix 1 – 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with water and drink it 2 – 3 times a day before meals. Do not exceed the recommended doses and do not drink it undiluted as this can result in harmful side effects such as burns in the digestive tract and erosion of tooth enamel.

• Ginger Tea

Ginger tea can enhance weight loss by increasing fullness, reducing appetite, and helping burn calories more effectively. Steep ginger slices in boiling water and simmer for 5 – 10 minutes. Strain and drink. You can combine ginger tea with lemon or green tea.

• Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera juice may stimulate weight loss by boosting your metabolism and help regulate blood sugar control. Evidence from research shows that aloe vera affects the metabolism of fat and prevents the accumulation of abdominal fat.

• Lemon Water

Drinking a glass of lukewarm lemon water in the morning has a lot of health benefits. Most of the health claims of lemon water causing weight loss are anecdotal. However, lemon water may promote weight loss by keeping you hydrated, boosting your metabolism, and keeping you feeling full for longer. Lemon contains vitamin C, which may help you burn fat, and pectin fibre which
may help decrease appetite and calorie intake.