If so, a few important tips:

1. Do not miss a dose. If you do, do not double up your dose. Keep track of missed doses.
2. Check your INR (International Normalized Ratio) as scheduled. This number tells you how thick or thin your blood is. Your physician will adjust your dose as necessary. This is why it's important to keep track of any missed doses.
3. Keep your dietary vitamin K intake consistent day to day. Warfarin works on vitamin K to prevent clots. Vitamin K is found primarily in green leafy vegetables. Ask your physician or pharmacist for a list of vitamin K containing foods.
4. Warfarin interacts with many things. Consult with your physician or pharmacy when making changes to vitamins, OTC items, diet, and other medications. Any changes made, let your physician know.
5. Take warfarin with a full glass of water at the same time every day.
6. Store your medication away from heat, light, and moisture.
7. Make sure your physician knows of any upcoming surgeries, procedures, and especially dental work. (Let all of your providers know you take warfarin)
8. Carry an ID card that states you take warfarin.
9. If you take warfarin, it is for an important reason. Education is needed for friends and family also.
10. Read your patient information leaflet that comes with your medication. It tells you a lot!

Iron is necessary to ensure oxygen delivery to every cell in your body. Do you have low energy? Feel tired? Have trouble sleeping? Are you replenishing your iron stores to ensure you have oxygen for times of stress and illness? I do not have to explain why our bodies need oxygen. Low levels can manifest slowly as headaches, sexual dysfunction, irritability, swelling of the tongue, brittle nails, and lack luster hair to just name a few.

Iron can be obtained from your diet. Some examples of dietary sources include: red meat, lima beans, kale, spinach, watermelon, beets, prunes, clams, almonds, and chlorophyll. Check with your doctor if you need further supplementation.

Keep in mind just like any food you can consume it but are you absorbing the necessary nutrients? The tannins in tea, polyphenols on coffee, phosphates in soda, and calcium if taken within two hours of an iron supplement all impair iron absorption.

You subsequently can also increase iron absorption by combining foods rich in vitamin C (tomatoes, peppers, green veggies, citrus fruits) with iron rich foods.

I routinely boost my iron stores. Sometimes in the winter my lips crack in the corners. When I consciously increase my iron intake, I am able to avoid this. Women especially need to be aware of the benefits of iron very month. Your immune system will thank you. Prevention is the treatment!

One other tidbit I wish I knew earlier is if you aren't ensuring oxygen stores you will burn carbohydrates first instead of fat during exercise as it takes less oxygen to burn carbs. If you are exercising for weight loss ensure your body has plenty of iron.

Oxygen, oxygen, oxygen! The key to optimal wellness :)

A bit of information, to your health! Explore Iron! Questions welcome!

What do you want to know more about to improve your health? Mind, body, and spirit. Put in a comment.

Eliminate all aluminum from your diet and lifestyle!!!

Read Labels:
Salt 
Baking Powder
Cake Mixes
Antacids
Soda Drinks
Pickled Foods
Processed Cheeses
Deodorant
To name a few!

Avoid cooking with aluminum foil or using as a wrapping for food.  Avoid drinking out of aluminum bottles or cans (beer/water).

Aluminum is a heavy metal that leaches into food and settles in the kidneys, brain, and intestines. I won't begin to explain what these three organ systems do for your body and mind. 

Aluminum has been associated with Alzheimer's and interferes with the body's ability to absorb calcium and phosphorus, two essential components for almost every body function.  

A Quick and Easy Detox: Reduce and Eliminate Aluminum in your Diet/Lifestyle.

There are options!!!!  Read labels and educate yourself.  Prevention is the treatment.

Your body will love you for it!

To your health 

Do you ask your doctor questions about the prescriptions they write for you? An impromptu survey reveals that 75% of those presenting a prescription at the pharmacy do not know how to take the medication prescribed.  Before you leave your doctor appointment, make sure you know what is prescribed, how to take it, and ask questions. 

Yes, we are well trained at reading physician handwriting but YOU must be your own advocate. Take ownership of what's going into your body; you will lessen the chance of error. Those patients who are empowered protect themselves. 

One of the first questions we are trained to ask you is "how did your doctor tell you to take this medication". Not only does your  answer to this question ensure the correct the drug, dose, and schedule for your body, but it helps us help you. If pharmacists recorded every time they had to call a doctor for clarification on a prescription, this number would reach to space and back several times!

Pharmacist are just as responsible for a prescription as your physician. We take this seriously. 

Be empowered and become a vital part of YOUR own healthcare team.

Vitamin "X". Really? Anyone care to guess?

I was told at a doctor's appointment that I should leave with a prescription for Xanax because I am young, single, live in NYC, and have a stressful job. So what?!  No thank you, I'm fine.  And by the way, did you know I am a pharmacist? Xanax is not a vitamin. Far from it!