Herbalist and nutritionist, Margo Gladding, MS, CNS, LDN will cover conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and dermatitis. She will discuss key nutrients, provide diet and lifestyles tips, and recommend natural skin care products that promote skin healing. Margo will also talk about unique testing that can provide important insights into your health.

The class is open to 20 people. Please call 410-750-1951 or emailellicottcitypharmacy@gmail.com to reserve your space.

Join us at Ellicott City Pharmacy on Wednesday, May 15th from 5 PM to 6 PM to learn about our 12-week weight loss program that is designed to stimulate your metabolism and burn unhealthy fat while giving your body important nutrition for overall health.

The class is open to 20 people. Please call the pharmacy at 410-750-1951 or email ellicottcitypharmacy@gmail.com to RSVP!

Often have brain fog?

Want to calm an overactive mind?

Join us at Ellicott City Pharmacy on Wednesday, April 17th from 5 PM to 6 PM for a free lecture on Nutritional Support for Mood, Memory, and Focus.

Nutritionist and herbalist, Margo Gladding, MS, CNS, LDN will provide diet, lifestyle and nutrient recommendations for supporting brain health. She will cover tips for improving attention, alertness, and concentration in both adults and children.

The class is open to 20 people. Please fill out the form below to reserve your space now! You can also call the pharmacy at 410-750-1951 or email ellicottcitypharmacy@gmail.com to RSVP!

If you are one of the millions of Americans that suffers from uncomfortable symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes, then join us on Wednesday, March 13th from 5-6 pm to learn about Natural Remedies for Allergy Relief.

Herbalist and Nutritionist, Margo Gladding, will cover diet, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations to help you feel your best this allergy season.

The class is open to 20 people. Please call the pharmacy at 410-750-1951 or email ellicottcitypharmacy@gmail.com to reserve your space now!

Want relief for uncomfortable gas and bloating?

Join us at Ellicott City Pharmacy on Wednesday, February 20th from 5:30-7pm for a free class on Natural Solutions for Common Digestive Complaints.

Nutritionist and herbalist, Margo Gladding, CNS, LDN will teach you how to get to the root cause(s) of your digestive distress. She will cover the foundations of gastrointestinal health and provide you with diet tips and natural remedies that can optimize digestion.

The class is open to 20 people. Please call the pharmacy at 410-750-1951 or email ellicottcitypharmacy@gmail.com to reserve your space now!

Your diet is one of the most important weapons you have against cancer. Studies show that eating a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables can significantly reduce your cancer risk. While we know that heredity is a major factor in cancer risk, it has been shown that up to 70% of cancers are related to a poor diet. Eating processed and refined foods fails to provide the body with critical cellular nourishment. However, eating a healthy diet full of nutrient rich, whole foods can provide antioxidants, fiber, and other vital nutrients for cell protection. Cruciferous vegetables in particular, (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, radish, cabbage, kale, etc.) contain compounds that protect against carcinogenesis by protecting DNA and enhancing detoxification. Other beneficial foods include berries, nuts and seeds, dark leafy greens, citrus, tomatoes, grapes, avocado, celery, asparagus, garlic, onions, and whole grains.

High quality nutritional supplements work synergistically with food to provide additional targeted support. Studies show that curcumin, DIM, green tea, resveratrol, quercetin, CoQ10, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C, D, and E, selenium, zinc as well as select mushrooms aid the immune system, fight inflammation, and have anticancer effects.

Beyond diet and supplements, some other critical components of cancer prevention are avoiding harmful chemical carcinogens such as tobacco, synthetic hormones, environmental/household toxins (pesticides, industrial-by-products, heavy metals, food additives, synthetic chemicals in body care products), and radiation as well as minimizing nutrient depleting medications.

While cancer may appear to strike suddenly, it does not just happen overnight. In fact, cancer generally develops over a lifetime. Even though you cannot change your genetic predisposition, there are many factors that you can control to reduce your cancer risk.

Article written by Margo Gladding, MS, CNS, LDN

Margo Gladding is an herbalist and licensed nutritionist who teaches classes and provides private consultations at Ellicott City Pharmacy. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Science degree in Herbal Medicine. She currently serves on the Maryland State Board of Dietetic Practice. Margo has over 7 years of experience working in an integrative pharmacy and loves helping people learn more about nutrition and herbs.

Each year, millions of women seek relief from complaints such as PMS and menopausal symptoms, fibroids, ovarian cysts, fibrocystic breasts, and endometriosis. These health problems often result from a condition known as estrogen dominance. With estrogen dominance, a woman can have deficient, normal, or excessive estrogen levels, but little to no progesterone to balance its effects in the body. It is a dangerous health concern because the body has a hard time distinguishing between its own, naturally produced estrogen, and foreign estrogens, which are difficult to detoxify and get stored in fat cells. This can result in bodily processes that are regulated by estrogen, such as breast cell division, to become unnaturally triggered or stimulated. Studies also link estrogen dominance to the development of certain cancers, including breast, uterine and ovarian.

Causes of estrogen dominance include exposure to environmental xenoestrogens and endocrine disruptors (found in plastics, detergents, pesticides, inorganic food sources, etc.), use of synthetic estrogens (birth control pill and hormone replacement therapy), anovulatory menstrual cycles, stress, obesity, poor liver clearance of estrogens, and a diet high in fat and refined carbohydrates, and low in fiber.

To promote healthy hormone balance, minimize your contact with xenoestrogens by avoiding plastics for water and food storage. Instead, use glass or stainless steel. Choose natural body and home cleaning products. Eat hormone free meats and organic dairy and produce whenever possible. Increase your fiber intake and eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower, etc.). Engage in regular exercise. Take steps to manage stress levels. And, take supplements that support liver health and promote the removal of excess estrogens, such as calcium D-glucarate, DIM, and turmeric.

Article written by Margo Gladding, MS, CNS, LDN for the Women’s Journal.

1. Poor diet – a diet high in “junk food” in early childhood is more likely to cause a long-term nutritional imbalance. Excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugar negatively affects learning ability and increases aggressive and restless behavior in children. Hydrogenated oils/trans fats take the place of healthy, natural, and essential fatty acids, they also harden cell membranes, interfere with the ability to transport nutrients into the cell and remove waste materials from cells, cause problems with energy metabolism, decrease good HDL and increase total cholesterol, increase risk of cardiovascular disease, increase risk for diabetes, increase inflammation, lower immunity, interfere with enzymes, contribute to neurological problems, etc.
2. Synthetic dyes, artificial flavors, and preservatives can be disruptive to behavior and mood.
3. Food sensitivities – a gluten-free, casein-free diet may lead to improvements in behavior and physiological symptoms in some children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  A strict gluten-free, casein-free diet was shown to improve GI symptoms in children with ASD as well as increase their social behaviors, such as language production, eye contact, engagement, attention span, requesting behavior and social responsiveness.
4. Nutrient deficiencies – numerous studies have shown evidence of mineral deficiencies in children with ADHD, namely, zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, and selenium. Consumption of certain artificial food additives can lead to various nutrient deficiencies in some individuals, in particular zinc deficiency, which can exacerbate anxiety and conduct disorder problems. A disturbance in the zinc:copper ratio is also evident, with high levels of copper being found in many ADHD children.
5. Environmental toxins and contaminants – exposure to metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, aluminum), solvents, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, or other environmental toxins has been linked to ADHD. It has been proposed that prenatal and perinatal insults to the developing brain, including environmental toxins, can disturb the timetable of expression of neurotransmitters and their receptors. Chelation therapy for binding heavy metals in the body may improve social interaction, cognitive function, and behavior.
6. Electronic media – it is believed that early television watching may overstimulate a developing brain of a young child, and lead to sensory addiction. As a result, children may have an inability to regulate their own behavior, motivating the need for more stimulus-seeking behavior. Restlessness, anxiety, and impulsivity may result from a perceived lack of stimulation.
7. Lack of natural light – exposure to cool-white fluorescent lights appears to affect learning ability in children, and research suggests that it may also be linked with the incidence of attention-deficit disorder and hyperactivity. One study showed that there was a 32-percent reduction in hyperactive behavior in children when fluorescent lighting was removed from their classrooms.
8. Inactivity - physical exercise enhances brain activity and modulates neurotransmitter systems, thereby improving memory, concentration, learning, and mood. Regular exercise that is cognitively, socially, and aerobically challenging offers the most benefit.

Here are ten tips to help you stay on track:

1. Start slow with simple changes and know that every positive change makes a difference.

2. Try meal planning as a way to help you stick to your diet as well as save time and money.

3. Portion your snacks out ahead of time to help reduce overeating. Examples of healthy snacks include fresh fruit, nuts/seeds, raw vegetables, hummus/black bean dip, nut butter, hardboiled egg, yogurt, and protein shakes.

4. Manage sugar cravings by eating every 3-4 hours and never skipping meals.

5. Seek emotional support by enlisting the help of friends and family.

6. Support your mood and manage stress levels. Low serotonin levels are linked to carbohydrate cravings. Stress is also a common trigger for emotional eating.

7. Keep a food diary to track of your food intake/mood/emotions for a week to help you determine what areas need the greatest amount of support.

8. Avoid foods that you are sensitive to (they promote inflammation) – common ones include soy, dairy, wheat, gluten, corn, eggs.

9. Supplement with clinically proven ingredients found in products such as Pathway Healthy Weight, Pathway Super Citrimax, and SafSlim.

10. Know yourself – know whether it’s best to eliminate certain foods from your diet or if you can aim for moderation.

Article written by Margo Gladding, MS, CNS, LDN for Ellicott City Pharmacy.

Milky Oats (Avena sativa): A nourishing tonic for the nervous system, rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Oats have relaxing properties and are specific for nervous debility and exhaustion. Best taken for many months in the form of a tincture, take 1 tsp three times daily in water.

Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera): An Ayurvedic herb used to help the body adapt to stress. This adaptogen supports the adrenals as well as the immune system. It is also best taken for many months and it is recommended that you take 1 tsp of tincture twice daily in water.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): This herb helps to relieve spasms in the digestive tract and has uplifting properties. It is also considered a tonic herb that helps to restore nervous system health. It makes a pleasant tasting tea. Steep 2 tsp of lemon balm for 5-10 minutes and enjoy.

Nettles (Urtica dioica): This herb is very nutritive and contains trace minerals and vitamins, such as iron, potassium and silica. It strengthens and supports the whole body and is useful in cases of anemia and fatigue. Steep 1-2 tsp of nettle leaf for 10 minutes. Drink a cup of nettle tea three times daily.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): This is a wonderfully relaxing herb for both mother and baby. It is especially helpful in cases of anxiety and tension along with digestive complaints such as gas pains. Chamomile makes a very nice tea that can be enjoyed throughout the day as well as before bed to promote sleep. Steep 2 tsp of chamomile flowers for 5-10 minutes.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): Skullcap can be used for both short or long-term support for exhaustion. It strengthens the nervous system, reduces tension and irritability, and promotes restful sleep. Take 1 tsp of skullcap tincture three times daily.

Article written by Margo Gladding, MS, CNS, LDN for Ellicott City Pharmacy.