February 2019
    What's Happening this month:

February 14th - Double Loyalty Points and Happy Valentine's Day
February is American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month

Heart Healthy Tips:

1. Give up Smoking. Smoking is one of the main causes of coronary heart disease. However, a year after you quit smoking, your risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker!

2. Get Active. Try to fit in 30 minutes of activity, like walking, 5 days a week. Being active can also be a great mood booster and stress buster. It is never too late to start. During the winter months, walk indoors in your apartment building, or take to the mall to walk in a safe, ice-free environment.

3. Manage your weight. Being overweight increases your risk for heart disease. Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet low in fat and sugar, with plenty of fruit, vegetables and fiber. Getting active will also help manage your weight.

4. Cut down on saturated fat. Eating foods that are high in saturated fat can raise your cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease. Choose lean cuts of meat and low-fat dairy products.

5. Get your 5 A Day. Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Fruits and vegetables are a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

6. Cut down on salt. Avoid using salt at the table and try adding less to your cooking. Check food labels for the sodium content in ready-made foods, and try to keep your daily intake of sodium to less than 2,300mg. Cutting back on salt will also help lower your blood pressure.

7. Eat fish twice a week. Salmon is a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids which may help to protect against heart disease.

8. Manage your blood pressure. First, know what your blood pressure number is. High blood pressure isn't usually something you can feel, so you will need to get it checked to know your number. If your blood pressure is high, it needs to be treated.

9. Manage your diabetes. It is important to keep your blood glucose numbers as close to normal as possible to help prevent a heart attack or stroke.
  
10. Maintain a good social support network. People who are depressed, or are socially isolated are at greater risk for heart disease. Having a good social life with family and friends can help reduce your heart disease risk.
Know your numbers

Blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol.

Center Drug can help you know those numbers. We have a blood pressure machine in the store that you can use anytime. 
We are also able to test your blood glucose and cholesterol if you have never had that done and don't know what your numbers are, or if you just want to check to see if your medication is lowering your numbers. 
While blood pressure testing is free within the store, we do charge for blood glucose and cholesterol testing.  A blood glucose test is $20 and a cholesterol test is $35, and if you choose to test both glucose and cholesterol at the same time, the cost is $50. 
Call the pharmacy, or visit our website at www.centerdrug.com for more information on these point of care tests. 
Valentine's Day is February 14th

Valentine's Day Gift Idea

While chocolates are a favorite Valentine gift, why not change it up a bit, and gift your Valentine some Heart Healthy supplements. 

These vitamins and supplements are great for Heart Health:

* Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Omega-3 Fatty Acids help support a healthy-functioning heart. If you don't eat a diet that is high in Omega-3's, such as a diet that includes fatty fish such as salmon, on a regular basis, it is important to supplement your diet with Omega-3's from an outside source. Our bodies don't naturally produce Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

* Vitamin D. Vitamin D is produced by the body, more so when you are exposed to sunlight. However, during the winter months when we are not outside as much in the sunlight, as we age, and being overweight puts you at risk of a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D helps to regulate blood pressure and is important for healthy bones.

* CoQ-10. Coenzyme Q10 plays a vital role in the body for all energy-dependent processes. It is especially helpful in strengthening the contraction of the heart muscle and providing protection against free radical damage to the blood vessels. Anyone who is taking a statin drug for their cholesterol should take CoQ-10, as the statin limits the amount of CoQ-10 your body will produce by itself.

* Folic Acid.  Folic Acid helps the body make healthy new cells and can help reduce blood pressure and age-related vision loss.  

Center Drug carries three vitamin lines in which you can find these supplements. We have our Leader generic vitamins, Nature's Blend natural vitamins and the pharmaceutical grade supplements by Ortho Molecular. 

Ortho Molecular is our premium brand with proven absorption and results. (Stop in and take a look at the display by the Ortho Molecular supplements showing the Vitamin D test results of one of our Pharmacists to prove this point). While these supplements cost a bit more, you know exactly what you are paying for, and that you will get results from Ortho Molecular. Join our Ortho Molecular club by obtaining your punch card at the pharmacy counter. Purchase 9 Ortho Molecular supplements, and get your 10th FREE!    
Two Old Goats Essential Oil Lotions

Shop early for the best selection of cards, gifts and candy.  Another fun gift idea for Valentine's Day is our Two Old Goats essential oil lotion. This would make a fun gift for the man in your life! Two Old Goats lotion soothes tired, sore muscles with the power of goat's milk and therapeutic essential oils. This lotion really works to help soothe your aches, pains and stiffness related to arthritis, or just overworking your body! We carry 3 different sizes of the lotion, as well as a body wash/bubble bath, bath crystals and a lotion bar soap. Stop by today and pick up a bottle if you haven't tried it yet. You will not be disappointed!
Flu season

So far this year, we have had a pretty tame flu season here in Minnesota. 

However, within the past few weeks, Minnesota has seen an uptick in flu cases as well as cough and colds. 

Remember to cover your cough, wash your hands and stay home if you are feeling sick to help prevent the spread of germs. If you do find yourself not feeling well, stop in and we can discuss your symptoms and find the right over-the-counter products to soothe your symptoms. 

Also, remember that Center Drug can test you for the Flu virus and get you an antiviral if the test is positive. However, you do need to be tested within 48 hours of the onset of your symptoms for the medication to reduce the duration of your illness and for us to test you.  
Upcoming Double Point Days:
(Be sure to mark your calendars)

Thursday, February 14th

Saturday, March 16th

Monday, April 22nd

Join us on social media

We recently ran a contest on our facebook page and it was so much fun! Were you in on our contest? If not, join us on facebook now so you don't miss out on all the latest information and the next fun contest we may do. Who knows, you might be our next big winner of some great new product! 

If you're already on facebook just head over to the Hopkins Center Drug page and follow and like our page. Kelsey has just returned from her latest buying trip so we'll be featuring lots of new apparel and gift items in the coming weeks as well!

If you're also able to spare the time we would appreciate you rating us on facebook as well. More and more we're hearing from people new to the Hopkins community about how they found us through social media so this is a great way to support local business without any cost to you.
                         
Thank you and we'll see you soon on facebook and twitter!

Check out our app! If you use a smartphone or tablet and would like another way to refill your prescriptions, then please download it today.
Gift Gab

It's February! Valentine's Day is the time to let all those special people in your life know that you love them (or really, really like them). Either way, we have tons of fun gifts and cards to help you out.

We have adorable plush, beautiful jewelry, sweet smelling candles, and all sorts of fun inexpensive gifts for all those special people in you life.
Stop in, and let us help you say, I Love You!

-- Kelsey