Courtenay Pharmacy

01/13/2026

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01/12/2026

Could a chemical found in one type of chocolate slow down ageing?

A chemical found in dark chocolate could potentially help to decelerate the ageing process, new research suggests🍫

The study focused on levels of theobromine – a compound naturally present in cacao plants – in the blood, comparing them against markers of biological ageing.

These markers indicate the body's health and functional age, rather than its chronological years.

Although experts advise against increasing chocolate intake, they believe the findings could reveal everyday foods that “hold clues to healthier, longer lives.”

Scientists have uncovered a surprising link between dark chocolate and slower aging. A natural cocoa compound called theobromine was found in higher levels among people who appeared biologically younger than their real age.

01/11/2026

Did you know? 🥚🥚🍳Eggs are rich in several nutrients that promote heart health, including betaine and choline. A study of nearly half a million people in China suggested that eating one egg a day may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, although experts stress that eggs need to be consumed as part of a healthy lifestyle in order to be beneficial.

Eggs are also a source of vitamin A, which is important for good vision.
👁️👁️As we age it’s normal for our vision to start to deteriorate but there are some useful nutrients, obtained from a balanced diet, which may help protect and support eye health. Eggs are one example: the yolk contains large amounts of carotenes – of particular note are lutein and zeaxanthin – which are important for preventing macular degeneration and cataracts.

01/10/2026

A good reminder from Antibiotic Wise 🤚🧼🫧

You should wash your hands:

After using the toilet or changing a nappy.
Before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables.
Before eating or handling.
After blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing.
Before and after treating a cut or wound,
After touching animals, including pets, their food and after cleaning their cages.

Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them spreading to other people and objects, which can spread illnesses such as food poisoning, flu or diarrhoea.

As we return to work and school: Remember to practice good hand hygiene regularly to prevent transmission of many illnesses.

01/09/2026

Butterflies rest when it rains, because it damages their wings🦋
It's okay to rest during the storms of your life.
You'll fly again when it's over.

01/08/2026

Analysis of Welsh health records indicates that older adults who received the shingles vaccine were about 20% less likely to develop dementia over seven years compared to unvaccinated peers. The vaccine also appeared to slow disease progression and reduce dementia-related deaths, with stronger effects observed in women. These findings suggest both preventive and therapeutic potential for the shingles vaccine against dementia.

An unusual public health policy in Wales may have produced the strongest evidence yet that a vaccine can reduce the risk of dementia. In a new study led by Stanford Medicine, researchers analyzing the health records of Welsh older adults discovered that those who received the shingles vaccine were 2...

01/07/2026

If you think you or someone you look after has symptoms of sepsis, seek medical attention immediately (either by visiting a physician or dialling 9-1-1). Tell your healthcare provider “I am concerned about sepsis.”

Learn more about causes and symptoms in this article from Canadian Sepsis Foundation https://www.canadiansepsisfoundation.ca/causes-and-symptoms

often develops in the community, at home or at work? It’s important to understand that sepsis can develop from any infection, viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal.

An infection progressing to sepsis is a medical emergency. Please learn to recognize the symptoms of infection progression. Sepsis can take a family from zero to the impossible in a matter of hours.

01/06/2026

❄️🌨☃️Winter is the perfect time for comforting soups and stews 🥣🥔🥕🍅🌽Plus, they're an excellent way to load up on lots of healthy vegetables.

01/05/2026

Walking is a powerful tool for regulating the body’s stress response. It helps to lower the circulating levels of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

This process is linked to its influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the body’s central stress response system. By calming this system, walking helps your body relax, leading to a state of greater calm and buffering you from the negative effects of chronic stress.

Knowing the benefits is one thing; putting them into practice is another, especially when you’re feeling low on energy.

When you’re struggling with motivation, the most important rule is to start small.

Forget ambitious goals like walking for an hour every day. The initial objective is simply to build momentum. A brisk 10-minute walk can be enough to clear your mind and help you relax.

Even a 5-minute walk during your lunch break is a significant victory. Research shows that even short bursts of activity, such as three 10-minute walks spread throughout the day, can be just as beneficial as one continuous 30-minute walk.

The goal is to create a pattern of small, consistent wins that build your confidence.

01/04/2026

You never know, you might find yourself a new hobby 😍🎨🏃‍♀️🎍

01/03/2026

Need to reset after the holidays? Then check out these healthy recipes to kick start your New Year's resolutions. Heart & Stroke https://www.heartandstroke.ca/articles/healthy-new-year-recipes

Commit to cooking more at home this year. It’s a great way to eat well and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke!
Try these healthy recipes, this year: https://bit.ly/4sjQRn8!

01/02/2026

Useful tips for managing stress...

- Know your triggers.
- Identify your warning signs/ symptoms.
- Recognise what isn’t in your control.
- Avoid overwhelm e.g. delegate.
- Let go of unnecessary tasks.
- Improve time management ⏰
- Learn to say no.
- Set boundaries 🌼
- Schedule down time.
- Exercise regularly 🏃‍♀️
- Do breathing exercises e.g. deep belly breathing
- Go for a walk 🚶‍♂️
- Spend time in nature 🌳
- Get plenty of sleep 💤
- Have a healthy balanced diet 🥗
- Keep blood sugar well managed
- Practise mindfulness.
- Meditate 🧘
- Journal your thoughts 📝
- Take time for hobbies 🧶
- Read a great book 📚
- Listen to music 🎶