If You’re Feeling Stressed by Pricey Meds, Pharmacists Can Help

(Feature Impact) If your wallet is feeling the squeeze of prescription drug costs as other living expenses like grocery and energy prices rise, you’re not alone.

More people are worrying about affording essential medications these days. In fact, more than 40% of adults said they skipped doses or didn’t fill prescriptions in the past year due to cost, according to a KFF Health survey.

People who take multiple drugs to manage chronic conditions often feel this pinch even more severely. They’re also more likely to make more frequent visits to their clinic or health system for care. That’s where a powerful ally can help them manage their drug costs: a health-system pharmacist.

These medication experts work side-by-side with the clinicians who prescribe drugs in health care practices – and sometimes prescribe medications themselves. Their deep knowledge can help people get the most out of the drugs they take.

“Pharmacists really know the full picture of medications, including pricing, insurance coverage, alternative therapies and potential side effects,” said Lindsey Amerine, PharmD, chief pharmacy officer for the Cleveland Clinic. “That’s why it’s helpful to not only count on your doctor to diagnose your condition and prescribe therapies, but also your pharmacist to optimize your medications.”

Get a Comprehensive Review of Your Medications

Asking the pharmacist on your health-system care team to go over your medications may reveal opportunities to save, Amerine said. Health-system pharmacists are uniquely qualified to provide this service because they keep close track of medication costs as well as approvals of new drugs and how those compare to older options.

A full review might reveal:

• Drugs once needed may not be as useful anymore. People often continue taking medications unaware that something new could offer greater benefits or their condition no longer requires the same therapy.
• Changes in your condition may mean you could safely take a lower dosage of a drug, thereby reducing costs.
• There may be less costly alternatives that would work as well such as a generic or older medication.

Get Help Exploring Discount Options

You’ve probably heard about programs that can help lower prescription costs, including discount and patient assistance programs. Pharmacists can help you understand how to navigate these programs and access potential discount programs and opportunities, Amerine said. Here’s how:

• Pharmacists can guide you through discount programs your health system offers.
• They can check your eligibility for drug maker discounts and help you understand how those discounts work with your insurance, especially if you have a high-deductible plan.
• Pharmacists can help you navigate the various prescription cost-savings programs and how they work.
• They can also help you learn about patient assistance programs that provide free or discounted medications to people who cannot afford them.

Medications are a vital part of your health care. Before you try to stretch a costly medicine or give it up altogether, talk to the medication expert on your health care team: your health-system pharmacist. For more information, visit yourpharmacist.org. 

Why It Pays to Talk Meds with a Pharmacist

“My doctor prescribed it, so I must need it.” Often this is true, but not always. People sometimes take drugs longer than they need to, at doses higher than necessary or that may interact with other medications.

Just as you’d see a heart specialist about an odd pulse rate, it can help to see a pharmacist – your medication specialist – to discuss your prescriptions.

Of all health care professionals, pharmacists have the deepest knowledge of drug interactions and safety issues. They’re experts on how the effectiveness of different medications – brand name and generic – compare. They also closely track changes in prices and know when a drug’s cost has dropped or if an effective, less costly alternative is available.

Health-system pharmacists’ expertise is especially helpful for those with multiple chronic conditions who typically take several medications with more benefits, costs and side effects to balance.

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Talking with a pharmacist can ensure your prescriptions are best for you and that you have access to the most affordable options.

SOURCE:

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

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5 Ways to Naturally Support Summer Energy and Focus

(Feature Impact) Summertime means sunshine, longer days, family vacations and social events everywhere you look – but summer can slip away if you feel too tired and distracted to make the most of your experiences.

According to a survey conducted by Atomik Research on behalf of Botanic Tonics, many adults ages 21 and older struggle to feel fully present in summer activities. Nearly half of respondents said having enough energy and a clear mind would help them get more enjoyment out of the summer moments that matter most.

With that in mind, here are five simple daily habits to support your energy and focus throughout the rest of the summer season.

Improve Your Sleep Quality

It might sound obvious, but getting better sleep should be a top priority for anyone trying to harness more physical and mental energy throughout the day. Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet; avoid consuming caffeine too close to bedtime; and wind down with a relaxing routine like reading or yoga.

Get Regular Exercise

Even though a workout consumes energy in the short term, it pays you back with dividends. Just 30 minutes of movement a day – including favorite summer activities like swimming or playing games in the yard – can improve your mood. Physical movement also helps reduce stress, which was a reported obstacle for 33% of survey respondents who wished they could be more present with friends and family during the summer months.

Stay Hydrated

When the weather is hot, it becomes more important to stay on top of your hydration. Even mild dehydration can negatively impact your energy and focus. When you’re out of the house, bring a reusable water bottle and set reminders to drink regularly, especially during and after outdoor activities.

Limit Device Usage

When you’re feeling sluggish, it can be tempting to collapse on the couch or in bed to scroll on your phone or watch TV. There’s nothing wrong with screen time in moderation, but digital fatigue is real and it can drain your energy and disrupt your sleep. Plus, 49% of surveyed adults said social-media-driven FOMO (“fear of missing out”) made it harder for them to enjoy their summer experiences in the moment.

Try Botanical Energy Offerings

When energy levels start to dip, it’s easy to reach for a cup of coffee, a sugary energy drink or soda. Products made with thoughtfully sourced botanical ingredients offer a different approach. For example, Botanic Tonics’ “feel free” kava-centric supplements are designed to deliver chilled energy: a unique combination of energy, focus and elevated mood.

For smooth, sustained energy without caffeine jitters or sugar crashes, try KavaMaté, crafted with noble kava root and yerba maté. For those looking to elevate their mood and enhance focus, feel free Classic is thoughtfully crafted with noble kava root and natural whole leaf kratom – never synthetic ingredients, alcohol or concentrates.

Learn more about these products, responsible consumption and where to purchase at BotanicTonics.com.

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Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

Botanic Tonics

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(Feature Impact) Most Americans are eating enough protein. They’re just eating it wrong.

Protein is the macronutrient of the moment – for muscle building, losing weight and staying strong – but nutrition researchers say two things are missing from the conversation: timing and quality.

Spreading protein intake across the day produced about 25% greater muscle protein synthesis, even when the total daily intake was identical, according to research published in the “Journal of Nutrition.”

“Your muscles don’t have a bank account,” said Chris Mohr, PhD, RD, performance nutritionist. “You can’t deposit all your protein at one meal and expect your body to save it for later.”

Most researchers point to a target of about 30 grams of high-quality protein per meal to maximize muscle protein synthesis in most adults.

However, grams aren’t everything. The source matters just as much.

“Aim to get most of your protein from whole, nutrient-dense foods rather than relying on powders, bars and snacks that don’t have much else to offer,” Mohr said. “Supplements have their place but they should build on a real-food foundation, not replace it.”

Quality comes down to amino acids – specifically, whether a source contains all nine essential ones the body can’t produce on its own. Animal proteins (dairy, eggs, meat, fish) check that box. Many plant proteins don’t and tend to be lower in leucine, the amino acid most critical for triggering muscle growth. Dairy is especially rich in leucine.

Mohr recommends a source of dairy at every meal, including milk, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. He suggests cottage cheese with the highest levels of protein, such as MULU cottage cheese that contains 18 grams of protein per serving – one-third more than the leading brand.

Additionally, Mohr offers these tips to spread protein intake throughout the day:

• Start with a protein anchor. Build your morning meal around protein, such as scrambled eggs with cottage cheese or a Tart Cherry Cottage Cheese Smoothie with nut butter.
• Layer in protein at lunch. A salad with grilled chicken, a turkey and cheese wrap or a grain bowl with edamame and hard-boiled eggs can hit the 30-gram target.
• Make snacks count. Use cottage cheeseas a base for dips or keep hard-boiled eggs on hand for quick, protein-rich options. Or, in just 7 minutes when time is of the essence, you can prepare Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Toast with a delicious drizzle of hot honey.
• Treat dinner as a cap, not a catchup. By evening, protein intake should already be well distributed. Try a moderate portion of fish, lean meat or legumes alongside vegetables.
• Eat slow-digesting protein before bed. Studies show consuming casein protein before sleep – the slow-digesting protein found naturally in dairy – supports overnight muscle repair. One-half cup of cottage cheese or a glass of milk before bed is a practical, evidence-backed way to put science to work.

To find more protein-rich solutions to power your day, visit MULUProtein.com.

Tart Cherry Cottage Cheese Smoothie

Servings: 2

• 1          cup MULU low-fat cottage cheese
  
• 1          frozen banana, peeled
  
• 3/4       cup frozen tart cherries
  
• 1          tablespoon ground flaxseed
  
• 1          cup low-fat milk
  
• 1          tablespoon nut butter
  
• water

1. In blender, blend cottage cheese, banana, cherries, ground flaxseed, milk and nut butter on high speed until completely smooth, 45-60 seconds.
2. If smoothie is too thick, add water, 2 tablespoons at a time, and blend to preferred texture.
3. Pour into two glasses and serve or pour into sealed jar or container and refrigerate overnight; stir or shake well before drinking.

Nutritional information per serving: 310 calories; 35 g carbohydrates; 22 g protein; 10 g fat.

Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Toast

Servings: 2

• 1          cup MULU low-fat cottage cheese
  
• 2          slices sourdough bread
  
• 2          teaspoons hot honey
  
• 2          teaspoons chili crunch

1. Preheat air fryer to 400 F.
2. Spread 1/2 cup cottage cheese onto each slice of sourdough bread.
3. Transfer slices into fryer basket. Cook about 7 minutes, or until cottage cheese is golden, bubbly and lightly set.
4. Remove toast from air fryer. Drizzle 1 teaspoon hot honey and 1 teaspoon chili crunch over each slice and serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 295 calories; 38 g carbohydrates; 19 g protein; 6 g fat.

SOURCE:
MULU Cottage Cheese

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