This Winter Season, Take Care of You

This article is sponsored by Nature Made®

The holidays and winter are upon us, and while this season is celebrated with cheer, it also can be incredibly busy and stressful, especially for pharmacists and other healthcare providers. Did you know that about 40 percent of healthcare professionals will still go to work despite not feeling their best? Among the healthcare professionals included in the study, pharmacists were those most likely to show up for duty.ⁱ

Take care of yourself by providing your body with nutrients that support overall health, your immune system, mood and energy metabolism. Several Nature Made® vitamins and supplements are #1 Pharmacist Recommended in their category* for a reason, so it’s time to listen to the advice you give your pharmacy patients and take control of your own health.

Immune system support during the winter season^†

A well-functioning immune system is foundational for your health, especially during the winter months. These vitamins help support a healthy immune system^†:

• Vitamin A—helps control cellular processes in the immune system and contributes to the growth and development of immune cells.^ii†
• Vitamin C—supports the immune system in its important roles in white blood cell production and function as well as other immune system cells.^iii†
• Vitamin D—helps regulate the immune response and is involved in immune cell function.^{iv †}
• Vitamin E—helps neutralize free radicals and helps support the immune system of older adults.^v†
• Zinc—helps in normal development and function of various immune cells.^vi†

Support a healthy mood during the holiday stress^†

Don’t let stress interfere with the quality of care you provide your pharmacy patients. This time of year can be particularly stressful and bring with it a rollercoaster of emotions. When emotions get out of balance, it can cause you to feel moody.^† SAM-e (s-adenosylmethionine), a naturally occurring molecule produced and used by your body, helps to support a healthy mood.^† Help replenish SAM-e levels with #1 Pharmacist Recommended* Nature Made® SAM-e Complete.

Support cellular energy production during a demanding season

We know this is the busiest time of year for pharmacists, but don’t let the rigors of a demanding day deplete your energy levels. Actively manage your energy metabolism with these #1 Pharmacist Recommended* supplements from Nature Made®:

• Vitamin B-12 — aids in/supports cellular energy production and is also important for proper red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis and normal function of the nervous system.^vii†
• CoQ10 - helps support cellular energy production in the mitochondria — the powerhouses of most cells.^viii†

Amidst the change in seasons, the holidays, and the New Year’s rush, it can be easy to forget to manage your own health when you’re taking care of the health of others. Nature Made® believes a healthier you is a happier you. By taking a proactive approach to your well-being, you’re setting yourself and your pharmacy patients up for success this year and next. To learn more about Nature Made® products, visit http://www.naturemade.com/hcp.

*Based on US News & World Report — Pharmacy Times Survey, Nature Made is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Brand in Nine Categories – Letter Vitamins, Omega-3/Fish Oil, Coenzyme Q10, Flax Seed Oil, Herbal Supplements, Cholesterol Management-Natural, Garlic, Diabetic Multivitamins and Mood Health Supplements

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

i. Chiu, S., Black, C. L., Yue, X., Greby, S. M., Laney, A. S., Campbell, A. P., & Perio, M. A. D. (2017). Working with influenza-like illness: Presenteeism among US health care personnel during the 2014-2015 influenza season. American Journal of Infection Control, 45(11), 1254—1258. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.04.008.

ii. Ross CA. Vitamin A. In: Coates PM, Betz JM, Blackman MR, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 2nd ed. London and New York: Informa Healthcare; 2010:778-91.

iii. Wintergerst ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH. Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions. Ann Nutr Metab 2006;50(2):85-94.

iv. Edfeldt K, Liu PT, Chun R, et al. T-cell cytokines differentially control human monocyte antimicrobial responses by regulating vitamin D metabolism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010;107(52):22593-22598.

v. Marko MG, Ahmed T, Bunnell SC, et al. Age-associated decline in effective immune synapse formation of CD4(+) T cells is reversed by vitamin E supplementation. J Immunol. 2007;178(3):1443-1449.

vi. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc . Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2001.

vii. Office of Dietary Supplements - Vitamin B12. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2019, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/#h2v.

viii. Crane FL. Biochemical functions of coenzyme Q10. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001;20(6):591-598.