It's hard to believe that in 2013, my staff and I were asked to submit an article to the newspaper. Pharmacist Scott Frank wrote the first one entitled "The Crimes We Commit Against Our Stomachs ."Now nine years and 250 articles later, we have discussed many different topics presenting conventional and alternative treatments for many conditions. I say we because this is not a solo effort, as my staff is constantly prodding me to address different topics. Some topics get the attention of an article, while others are in a holding pattern for further consideration. 

The other part of "we" is you, the reader. It's not uncommon to have patients approach me and ask to write about a particular topic making the reader a part of the process. It is helpful to get input because writing what I know and like to talk about is easy, but diving into a new topic can be a challenge and expands my knowledge and helps me help others with the same concern.

One of the most humbling things that has occurred while writing these articles happens when a patient brings in their folder or binder with all of the articles neatly filed and then references one from months prior. It's a little embarrassing and causes me to blush a little. Ultimately, I feel I'm making a difference for those who read this article, and I say this because of the remarks people make in public or at the pharmacy.

Another source of enjoyment is having my peers read the article and providing positive feedback on my writing. A month or two ago, a retired physician stopped by the pharmacy to say hello and thanked me for the information I write about each week. He liked that I provided another point of view to the community.

If you have been reading these articles from the beginning, I hope you can tell my writing has improved. The writing in those first articles was pretty bad, but, as with everything, you need to start somewhere. My wife and probably all of my English instructors would tell you that my grammar was never really good. Fortunately, for modern technology, I can use a program that scans the article for grammar suggestions, making them more readable. 

Ultimately, the goal of writing this article is the same goal we have as a pharmacy team: to inform and educate the public. While doing this, I have tried to bring a different view on health care concerns and one that is not biased. As some may think, my goal is not to sell more vitamins but to provide the community with tools to improve their overall health. 

Today's article is being written from the waiting room of a clinic, which I find ironic. I am due for my yearly physical to ensure everything is working as it should be. I'm curious to see if my doctor will ask me if there is anything he can do to improve my good health further. I will keep you posted.

Much has been talked about in these 250 articles, so I want to summarize some fundamental health concepts that you can take away and act on immediately to make a difference in your overall health.

In the world of pharmacy, we know that medications can deplete nutrients from our bodies. A classic example is taking a potassium supplement to offset the potassium loss from taking certain diuretics. Unfortunately, many drugs deplete nutrients that are less well known, and this can pose a problem hindering your body from functioning at its very best. Utilize your pharmacist to help you assess which medications deplete nutrients and work on bringing them back into your system with food or supplements.

Inflammation is the mother of all diseases and illnesses. Make it a priority to decrease inflammation by making healthy dietary choices, exercising, reducing stress, getting adequate sleep, going gluten-free for four weeks, and checking your omega-3 fatty acid status. All these areas can help access and lower your inflammatory burden.

If you asked me what the one thing you could do immediately to improve your health would be to look at what is at the end of your fork. That seems like an odd recommendation, but it is the absolute truth. If we don't look at the food we eat as the foundation of our health, we are in big trouble. The thought not only refers to the type of food we are eating but also the quality of the food we eat. We have all heard the saying, "you are what you eat," and if you eat donuts every day, don't be surprised when you look in the mirror and have a donut looking back at you.

It is an honor to provide the community with information that can positively affect your health if you choose to act on it. We are all at different places in our lives, and sometimes we need a little nudge in the right direction. Change is hard, and it can be uncomfortable but making a change on your terms is way easier than being forced into making changes.

Remember that you do not have to eat the elephant in one bite, and taking little bites can eventually consume the whole, so take the first step and don't be afraid to mess up. Going to the gym the first day or waking up early to go for a walk for the first time is always the hardest. It does get easier, and you will grow to enjoy and miss it when you don't. I hate to copy a phrase from a famous company but just do it!!

If you have difficulty accessing the article, you can view it on my website at www.irsfeldpharmacy.com or join our email list on the same site and have it emailed each week. 

My staff and I would like to help you find ways to regain your health, so call or stop to schedule a consultation. Please visit my website at www.irsfeldpharmacy.com to see this and other archived articles in the blog section. Until next time, be vigilant about your health!!