Five Minutes with Mina Moussa – Pharmacy Manager at CCC North Geelong

What made you decide to become a pharmacist? 

I've always wanted to be in a position where I can help people. Pharmacists tend to be the first point of call for customers.  As a pharmacist, I am able to interact with many customers daily to offer health advice and education as well as identify the most suitable treatments for their specific condition.  It is very satisfying to receive positive feedback from customers in regards to treatments which I've recommended.

How long have you been a pharmacist?

I've been a pharmacist since 2005.

What brought you to CCC?

I actually interviewed for this job earlier this when I was still residing in the U.S.  I believe that the CCC model is ideal in the sense that it ensures that all customers entering our stores have the opportunity to interact with pharmacists who are highly approachable.  CCC places a lot of emphasis on the continuous training and development of its pharmacists.

CCC is able to provide the best health outcome for customers by offering a variety of professional services delivered by a diverse team that includes pharmacists, naturopaths and a diabetes educator.  I'm not aware of any other pharmacy group which offers such a holistic treatment approach.

What are you most passionate about in healthcare?

I am passionate about providing people with health-based solutions.  Every customer who steps into the pharmacy can benefit from a solution. They may need a better understanding of their regular medications, a remedy for troublesome symptoms or a treatment for the underlying cause of recurring issues.  The clinical areas that I’m most interested in are dermatology, eye & ear, as well as weight loss.

What is a fun fact about you that not many people know?

I lived in the U.S for nearly 2 years and my wife is a U.S citizen.

I love my footy and I've attended the last 3 AFL grand finals involving Collingwood.

Protect Your Skin From The Winter Blues

Geelong’s cold and blustery winter can play havoc with our skin. Here are some natural remedies to protect our skin winter blues, provided by our Naturopaths Beverley Windsor & Claire Lewtas.  

Beverley Windsor

Claire Lewtas

Zinc*

Most of us know that zinc benefits the immune system. However did you know zinc plays a wide and diverse role in the body including maintaining a healthy digestive system, blood glucose control, liver detoxification, improving taste sensitivity and maintaining healthy skin at all ages?  

Zinc is required to build all new tissues in the body including regeneration of skin cells.

It can be especially helpful at improving acne due to its ability to inhibit enzymes that can lead to hormonal imbalances. Conditions such as rosacea and psoriasis, which have an auto-immune element, may benefit particularly from zinc supplementation as it also supports the immune system as well as helping to regenerate skin cells.

Zinc also plays a role as one of the most important and powerful antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants have been highlighted as key elements in reducing and preventing the aging process. They have a long history of use in skin care products and may be just as useful when consumed. 

One of our favourites is Ethical Nutrients Zinc fix powder, which has a combination of zinc and vitamin C (another skin nourishing nutrient due to its role in collagen production). 

Vitamin E*

Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant in its own right and has the ability to regenerate other antioxidants. Vitamin E can neutralize free radicals that can cause inflammation and damage to many surfaces of the body, inside and out. Vitamin E is a fat soluble nutrient which means it’s often found in an oil form. It also means it’s particularly useful in preserving cell membranes of all cells, including skin cells. The oil itself can be quite hydrating and rejuvenating for the skin.  

It is a popular ingredient in many moisturising preparations, is used to alleviate dry and cracked skin, assist in skin repair, prevent stretch marks and diminish the appearance of scars. It is involved in many biological processes in the body and is particularly important during tissue inflammation and tissue injury.

There are eight different forms of vitamin E so to get the best out of your vitamin E supplement look for one which contains all eight. Vitamin E capsules can be taken orally or pierced and applied directly to the skin. We recommend practitioner products available in-store.  Alternatively you might try Blackmore’s Natural Vitamin E cream applied directly to the skin.

Vitamin C*

Vitamin C assists wound healing and also assists the assimilation of zinc. In some clinical trials topical applications have been found to be beneficial for sun damaged skin after three months of use. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties play a key role in collagen production. Clinical trials have also shown a significant decrease in hyperpigmentation of the skin. Its anti-ageing properties are related to it being an antioxidant and its reduction of reactive oxygen species that interfere and destroy collagen and connective tissue structures. Vitamin C has been found to improve fine wrinkles, tactile roughness, laxity and tone. 

We recommend Moo Goo Vitamin C Eye Serum that has a 50% olive oil derivative, 25% vitamin E and 25% vitamin C in a highly absorbable fat soluble form. Also try Ethical Nutrients Zinc fix (with vitamin C).

Silica*

This mineral provides nutritional support for collagen formation, which is important for healthy connective tissue including hair, skin, nails, bone and cartilage. Silica can be used internally and externally. When topically applied it may provide symptomatic relief of mild to moderate acne. Liquid silica is best or try Q-Silica capsules.  

Fish Oil

Fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids which have been found to be useful in atopic dermatitis. Some clinical trials have found up to 30% improvement after four months in the overall severity of atopic dermatitis and reduction of scaling. A high strength clean fish oil liquid is best and available in-store.

Probiotics

There is also very promising research with probiotics and atopic eczema. Significant improvements have been found with some of the Lactobacillus strains. Probiotics also improve digestion and immunity. Emerging evidence is showing how important the microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract is. Antibiotic use reinforces the importance of replacing the friendly bacteria for our optimal health including our skin health.  A good multi-strain probiotic that has 9 strains of friendly bacteria and is dairy and gluten free is available in-store. 

For more information or to find out if these supplements are suitable for you, visit Community Care Chemist and speak to our friendly professional pharmacists and naturopaths. After all, the best skin care begins with a WHOLE HEALTH TREATMENT.

*Use only as directed and always read the label

*Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet

*Vitamin supplements can only be of assistance if the dietary vitamin intake is inadequate

Experienced Naturopath and Diabetes Services Geelong

Diabetes is a condition which can distress the entire body. It is a chronic but manageable disease that effects over two million Australians. If not taken seriously and treated regularly, diabetes can pose a risk to life. With proper education and effective management, patients with diabetes can lead a healthy and normal life. There are different types of diabetes; type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, all complex and serious.

There are health care professionals in Geelong with experience and expertise in diabetes education and management. The Geelong storeprovides an in-store certified diabetes educator who is available to assist people in better understanding the disease, as well as providing customers with ways to control the illness, and make positive lifestyle changes through incorporating healthier choices into their life to manage diabetes more effectively.

Health care professionals in Geelong assist and support diabetes patients with diabetes through a whole health approach. They provide advice on medication, nutrition, and lifestyle factors such as pregnancy, travelling with insulin, instructions on diabetic devices and advice for carers. They also provide diabetes related advice and support online, in person and over the phone.

A wide range of diabetes care services are available at various centres in Geelong. They provide caring and efficient support to their patients in a safe and respected environment. Patients can also get memberships at these centres and receive different kinds of privileges which include discounts and rewards.

There are different kinds of remedies available for various ailments both natural and non-natural. Nowadays, people’s beliefs in natural medicine is increasing day by day. Naturopathy adopts a holistic approach towards the patient and their condition. In this, treatment is done through natural therapies which taps into body’s self-healing abilities. It is believed that every person has a self-healing mechanism which can nourish, repair, detoxify, rejuvenate, hydrate and heal the body provided that the right care is given.

The naturopaths in Geelong try to understand and activate the patient’s bodies intelligent innate healing mechanism to provide the right kind of treatment. Naturopathy aims to eliminate body toxins and ensures that a person feels mentally, physically and emotionally healthy. In order to complement natural treatment, Geelong’s qualified naturopaths use nutritional medicine which includes flower essences, herbs and an extensive selection of practitioner-only products.

To get the most of the customer’s experience, Geelong’s naturopaths provide a consultation where they work personally with them, guiding the treatment for various health issues including weight loss, stress, improving the immune system, fatigue, allergies, sleep disorders, depression, digestion, and degenerative illnesses such as arthritis, hormonal imbalances, fertility, skin problems; as well as preventative health measures and strategies. The naturopaths provide quality service and advice and genuinely care for the health of their patients and the Geelong community. 

For more information, visit: http://www.communitycarechemist.com.au

Real and Effective Geelong Naturopath and Diabetes Programs

The advancement of our society has stemmed from our understanding of the human body and the ability to treat disease effectively. However, with every ailment we cure or provide a cure for, there is another one discovered. Whilst conventional medicine is important and valuable, for a preventative approach many people turn to naturopathy. 

Naturopathy adopts a holistic approach towards the patient. It involves treatments through natural therapies which tap into thebody’s self-healing abilities. Practitioners of naturopathy believe that every person has a self-healing mechanism which can nourish, repair, detoxify, rejuvenate, and heal the body through providing the right conditions and care. This practice tries to understand and activate your body’s innate healing mechanism to provide the right kind of treatment. This style of medicine aims at eliminating toxins from the body and ensuring that the patient feels mentally, physically and emotionally healthy. 

There are many naturopaths in Geelong that will take into account the history of the patient’s health andwork with them to suggest a treatment plan to improve diet and lifestyle. They provide treatment for various health issues including weight loss, stress, improving immune system, fatigue, allergies, sleep disorders, depression, digestion, arthritis, hormonal imbalances, fertility and skin problems. In line with the preference for natural treatment, naturopaths in Geelong recommend medications like herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, homeopathic, flower essences, ear candles, tissue salts, aroma therapy and body work therapies. To bring balance and harmony to mind, body and soul, they may recommend a combination of these treatments. Naturopathy helps to determine what changes need to be made to support the patients’ health and healing.

Although diabetes is not considered an extreme disease, if it is not taken seriously and treated regularly it can pose a risk to life. With proper education about diabetes, one can live a healthy and normal life. There is complete treatment and care available for diabetes in Geelong. With latest treatment and methods patients are provided with highest quality of service. There are community support groups which help people in staying updated towards the disease and the treatments. 

There are health care professionals in Geelong with experience and expertise in the treatment of diabetes through education and management. They assist people in better understanding the disease. They also educate them about how to read and comprehend food labels in order tochoose the healthiest option.There are special programs for those who are new to the disease and need more information.