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PharmacyCOSTCO
PERHAPS YOU’VE
used collagen supplements to support
healthy hair, skin or
nails. But do you
know there are different types of collagen?
There are at least
;; different types of
this important protein in the human body, each with a
unique shape, location and function.
Types ;, ; and ; are the most abundant
and comprise ;; percent
of the body’s total collagen content. These
three types are
responsible for providing the basic
structural framework of the body.
Types ; and ;
are often found
together in the same
tissues, including
muscles, bones and
blood vessels. They
make up ;; percent of the skin
and are the preferred
types for skin care
products. Type ; is
found exclusively in
cartilage. It makes up
;; percent of knee joint cartilage and
is the preferred type for joint support
supplements.
Types ;, ; and ; can be used separately or together. Ultimately, all ;;
types of collagen deliver the same ;;
amino acids and the same nutritional
benefits. Although it is possible to
obtain collagen in the diet, collagen
supplements have been used safely and
effectively for decades. These nutritional products are suitable for men
and women of all ages.
Youtheory Collagen tablets, which
contain types ;, ; and ;, are available
in a ;;;-count container in the warehouses and on Costco.com, at a substantial value compared with other
retailers. Item ;;;;;;;.
BUYER’S PICK
Youtheory Collagen
Teresa
Thompson
Buyer, Pharmacy
OSTEOPOROSIS
Preventing bone loss
APPROXIMATELY ;; million
Americans have osteoporosis and low
bone mass, according to the National
Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF;
nof.org).
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that
results in weak, brittle bones, making
them more susceptible to fractures. One
of the most common causes of osteoporosis is the failure to take in adequate
amounts of key nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D, which is needed to
help maximize your body’s absorption
of calcium.
A healthy lifestyle with a balanced
diet, including an adequate amount of
calcium, and physical activity may reduce
the risk of osteoporosis in later life,
according to the NOF. The recommended
dietary allowance of calcium is ;,;;;
milligrams (mg) for women ages ;; and
younger and men ages ;; and younger.
For women ages ;; or older and men ages
;; or older, the recommended daily
intake of calcium is ;,;;; mg.
Along with a healthy lifestyle, supplements can help support healthy bones
and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. It is
best to get calcium and vitamin D
through your diet, but supplements are
available if you aren’t able to reach your
goals. Look for a U.S. Pharmacopeia–
verified product to ensure high quality.
Most patients will do well on supplements that contain calcium carbonate or
calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate tablets
are inexpensive and provide more calcium
in fewer tablets, but can cause constipation.
Calcium citrate may be tolerated better, but
is more expensive and has less calcium per
tablet. Calcium is absorbed best if you take
no more than ;;; mg at a time.
A variety of Kirkland Signature™ calcium gummy and tablet supplements with
vitamin D can be found in the warehouse
and on Costco.com. Your Costco pharmacist
can help you pick a calcium supplement
that is right for you.
Also, free bone-density screenings are
offered at Costco pharmacies. Bone-density
testing is performed by doing an ultrasound
of the heel bone. The test takes about one
minute and provides immediate results.
The result is reported as a T-score,
which is a number that compares your bone
density to the average bone density of a
young, healthy person. A T-score that is
greater than minus ; is considered normal.
The T-score can help determine your risk
of having a bone fracture; the lower the
T-score, the higher the risk for fracture.
To find a screening in your area, go to
Costco.com and search “health fairs.” For
additional information on osteoporosis,
please see the article on page ;;.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COSTCO PHARMACY, CLICK ON THE “PHARMACY” LINK
AT COSTCO.COM OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL COSTCO PHARMACIST.
