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FROM PAGE 45 strengthen immunity. This includes: • Vitamin C and zinc. “As we know, vitamin C comes with many health benefits. It increases white blood cell production, as well as boosting white cell function by protecting from potential illness. Zinc is a mineral that’s essential in reducing the severity and duration of cold symptoms, as it directly inhibits the binding and replication of the illness as well as suppresses inflammation.” • Olive leaf extract. This natural supplement is “high in antioxidants that are used to help support your immune system and protect your body from potential illness when taken correctly. It also supports heart and diabetes health and reduces inflammation.” • Probiotics. “A quality daily probiotic will help reduce the occurrence of common colds and enhance immune system function as well as healthy digestion. In particular, the probiotic strains Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus fermentum have been shown to reduce the frequency of colds as well as the severity and duration of the cold.” • Andrographis and echinacea. “Andrographis is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine and is used widely to treat symptoms of cold and flu and other upper respiratory illness. It’s excellent to have on hand and to take at the first onset of cold and flu symptoms, and should be taken on a short-term basis.” For Claudia Sampson, pharmacist and owner of Blooms The Chemist Ballina in northern NSW, initiatives such as that launched by the Kynd brand (see box) “reflect this shift towards doing good in every aspect of business”. “We’re seeing more and more businesses introducing innovative practices to ensure they’re operating in a more ethical, sustainable way,” she said. She highlights the types of products Blooms stocks that can strengthen teachers’ immune systems. “Blooms The Chemist stocks a wide array of vitamins and supplements that can help boost immunity and keep teachers at their healthiest in order to support their students,” she said. “Well-known products such as vitamin C and zinc have been around for a long time and can help supplement a healthy diet to protect you from potential infections. “We carry ranges such as Kynd, and the Inner Health range, as well as a lot of the practitioner lines, like BioCeuticals and Activated Probiotics. And of course, hand sanitiser and hand wash are always essential to reduce the transmission of germs.” Ms Sampson says her pharmacy caters to a number of teachers, with the store’s advice to members of the profession, as well as childcare workers, being “to focus on building up their immune system and keep an eye on stress levels, which can have an adverse effect on immunity”. Touching on the other services that the pharmacy can offer teachers, Ms Sampson said: “In addition to personalised and professional advice, Blooms The Chemist pharmacies offer a range of services designed to help you take control of your health and wellbeing. From measuring blood pressure and total cholesterol levels to at-home sleep tests, our range of health checks can give you a quick health snapshot and identify any potential concerns to be discussed with your primary healthcare provider.” Pharmacies: a hub for immunity support Ms Vyoung agrees with Kynd founder Matt Stenmark that pharmacies are an excellent information hub for teachers when it comes to building their health, especially when the school season is just beginning. “Pharmacies can target local schools and provide education sessions with teachers and school staff on the importance of supporting a strong immune system,” she said. “Pharmacies can also set up a health promotion campaign during the back- to-school period, in which schooling staff can access a variety of information regarding ways to boost their immunity and prevent contracting common illnesses found in schools.” She adds that teachers are “more than welcome to come into the pharmacy and speak with our staff about their ... specific health concerns”. Both Ms Vyoung and Ms Sampson acknowledge that teaching can be a stressful profession, and that prioritising self-care, whether incorporating exercise and movement, mindfulness practices, connecting with friends and family, or just putting aside time to do something they enjoy, can make a huge difference to teachers’ stress levels and overall wellbeing. References 1. Borrelli I, Benevene P, Fiorilli C, D’Amelio F, Pozzi G. ‘Working conditions and mental health in teachers: A preliminary study’. Occupational Medicine, 2014; 64 (7): 530-532. doi.org/10.1093/ occmed/kqu108 2. Gamaldo CE, Shaikh AK, McArthur JC. ‘The sleep- immunity relationship’. Neurologic Clinics, 2012; 30 (4): 1313-1343. doi.org/10.1016/j.ncl.2012.08.007 3. Gominak SC, Stumpf WE. ‘The world epidemic of sleep disorders is linked to vitamin D deficiency’. Medical Hypotheses, 2012; 79 (2): 132-135. doi. org/10.1016/j.mehy.2012.03.031 HEALTH BACK TO SCHOOL 47 Kynd steps towards teacher’s health Kynd founder Matt Stenmark highlights the role of pharmacists and naturopaths in advising those involved in communities where health needs to be especially prioritised, such as teachers. “With pharmacists and often naturopaths in-store, pharmacies are an excellent hub of health information for teachers – and any Australian – trying to look after their health,” he said. Kynd’s products are ranged at Blooms The Chemist, which collaborates with the brand’s initiative in helping to offer health support to those in need. Mr Stenmark says Kynd’s immunity product is “an easy-to-use flavourless powder that contains well-known ingredients, vitamin C and zinc, to help contribute to normal immune system function”. “For every Kynd product we sell, we donate an immunity product to an Australian in need,” he said. “In addition to our one-for-one donations, we wanted to further support Australians during this unique time and donate to people that may need some immune support. That includes those who are looking after people in need and those who support our community, like schoolteachers. “The response to our donations has been fantastic and we’re certainly planning to continue our donations into the future.” RETAIL PHARMACY • JAN/FEB 2021