SHOPPERS DRUG MART/PHARMAPRIX PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR TOP NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

Lose weight; quit smoking; exercise more among most popular resolutions every year

TORONTO, Dec. 23 /CNW/ - For many Canadians, ringing in the New Year also involves the annual tradition of reflecting on self-improvement and the making of New Year's Resolutions. Among the most popular resolutions made every year is the decision to improve health by losing weight, getting in shape and quitting smoking. To assist customers with these health improvement goals, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix stores have stocked a full line-up of health and wellness products.

"Starting out the New Year with a personal goal is exciting and many people want to get started right away," says Lisa Gibson, Director, Communications & Corporate Affairs, Shoppers Drug Mart. "Shoppers Drug Mart makes it easy and affordable with its large selection of the latest natural health, wellness and fitness products that can help customers as they make lifestyle changes."

QUIT SMOKING - SEVERAL OPTIONS!

NICODERM Patches
NICODERM is a smoking cessation aid in a clear patch and is intended for people who want to stop smoking "cold turkey" style. The product offers a comprehensive treatment plan, based on the number of cigarettes smoked and offers quitting plans to suit both light and heavy smokers. This can be a helpful option for people who travel frequently or who work in environments where smoking won't be possible for extended periods of time. Consumers can obtain free additional online support through the company's website at www.nicoderm.ca.

Life Brand Quit! Gum and Lozenges
Life Brand nicotine replacement gum and lozenges can help smokers quit using a more gradual approach. The gum and lozenges release controlled amounts of nicotine, helping users deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Quitting smoking can be challenging. To help people select the option that will be most effective for them, Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacists are available to answer all questions and provide more information about smoking cessation products.

NATURAL WELLNESS AND WEIGHT MANGEMENT

Supplements can be an important component of wellness and weight management plans. The body needs to be supported during weight loss, increased physical activity and the detoxification process that would occur while quitting smoking. A full line of natural health products is available in-store:

CLA with Green Tea Extract (conjugated linoleic acid)
Life Brand CLA with Green Tea Softgels may help encourage the reduction of body fat and promote lean muscle. CLA inhibits the body's mechanism for storing fat and causes the body to burn stored fat for energy.

Green Tea
Green tea is abundant in polyphenols - a group of plant chemicals that offer benefits in the antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and fat weight loss categories. Life Brand Green Tea supplement provides green tea extract in a convenient capsule.

Probiotics
Life Brand Platinum Super Probiotic Capsules are specially designed to support immunity and healthy digestion by building healthy gut microflora throughout the digestive tract. A healthy digestive system supports weight loss by ensuring that wastes are effectively removed from the body and by supporting the liver in detoxification.

Multivitamins
Vitamins are essential to optimum health. A deficiency in just one nutrient can cause imbalances in the body, opening the door to potential illness. A daily multivitamin supports the body's energy, metabolism and detoxification processes.

Vitamin D
The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus, helping to form and maintain strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D is found in food and is also synthesized in the body after exposure to sunlight. During winter months when more time is spent indoors, vitamin D supplementation is often recommended. Life Brand Platinum Vitamin D offers 1000 IU in tablet form.

Omega-3
Supplementation with omega-3 EPA/DHA can help maintain cardiovascular health, support cognitive health and brain function and play a role in normal growth and development. Life Brand Omega-3 Triple Strength One Per Day Formula is triple concentrated to provide EPA: 600 mg and DHA: 300mg. Life Brand also offers omega-3 gummy fish and orange flavour softgels for kids.

GET IN SHAPE

Exercise is important to a healthy lifestyle for many reasons. It helps support the body's lymphatic circulation, helping rid the body of waste and toxins. Exercise helps to normalize hormone function, strengthens the heart muscle, increases circulation, improves oxygen delivery, increases metabolism and reduces stress. Healthy nutrition and supplementation support are important parts of a fitness plan.

Bodylogix^®
The Bodylogix^® line of supplements is specially formulated to help increase muscle, lose weight and improve overall well-being. The collection includes multivitamins, protein powders, energy and weight-loss products, pre- and post-workout nutrient formulas and a cleanse detox system. With the purchase of any Bodylogix product, customers will receive a free, customized online diet and exercise program according to their age, weight, fitness level and access to exercise equipment. The program includes weekly meal plans, recipes, workout schedules, exercise videos and one-on-one advice.

Sportzone Creatine Monohydrate
This product is designed to improve performance in repetitive bouts of brief, highly-intense physical activity (eg. sprints, jumping, resistance training). It can help increase muscle mass when used in conjunction with a resistance training regimen.

Sportzone L-Glutamine Powder
Life Brand L-Glutamine Powder helps support immune and digestive system health after periods of physical stress. It also helps to assist in muscle repair after exercise.

Life Brand Energy and Snack Bars
Athletes and people on the go want a balanced energy bar fortified with vitamins and minerals. Sportzone Energy Bars and Shapers Snack bars can be part of eating well and may assist in achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight.

iGym Essential Walking Set
Walking is an excellent and affordable form of weight-bearing exercise that delivers the full gamut of health benefits. The iGym Essential Walking Set contains a pedometer, wrist weight, water bottle and waist belt.

iGym Essential Yoga & Pilates Set
Increased strength and flexibility are just a few of the benefits of practicing yoga and pilates. This set contains a 65 cm Gym Ball with hand pump, yoga mat, eye mask, resistance tube and two yoga blocks.

About Shoppers Drug Mart
Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The Company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Québec).  With more than 1,181 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the Company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada.  The Company also licenses or owns more than 58 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Santé in Québec) and eight luxury beauty destinations operating as Murale.  As well, the Company also owns and operates 63 Shoppers Home Health Care stores, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services.  In addition to its retail store network, the Company owns Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provider of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services, and MediSystem Technologies Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities in Ontario and Alberta.

For further information:

Lisa Gibson
Shoppers Drug Mart / Pharmaprix
416-490-2927
[email protected]