AGE-WELL announces virtual roadshows on the future of technology and aging in Canada
TORONTO, April 19, 2021 /CNW/ - AGE-WELL will host five virtual roadshows to hear ideas from Canadians about how technology can best support older adults in the future.
"The pandemic has laid bare the need for technology to support older adults and their caregivers. It's safe to predict that, whatever the world looks like post COVID, technology will play a much greater role in the lives of older Canadians and those who care for them," says Dr. Alex Mihailidis, Scientific Director and CEO of AGE-WELL, Canada's technology and aging network.
For the last six years, AGE-WELL has served as a catalyst for technological innovation that empowers older Canadians to live healthy, independent and engaged lives, while driving forward Canada's AgeTech sector. AGE-WELL now includes more than 250 researchers from 45 Canadian universities and research institutes, over 760 trainees and more than 400 industry, community, government and academic partners. Almost 5,000 older adults and caregivers are involved.
AGE-WELL has over 100 technology-based solutions in development or already making a difference in people's lives. These innovations include communications platforms, smart-home systems, wearables and remote therapies. AGE-WELL also supports 54 startups that are bringing products to market, while creating jobs and wealth.
Now, as the network prepares for the next phase of its important mandate, AGE-WELL invites Canadians to share their thoughts on key areas of action to support seniors' wellbeing and advance Canada's burgeoning AgeTech sector.
Each consultation session will include presentations by Dr. Mihailidis and an older adult or caregiver. Sessions will be moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, President and CEO of CanAge, Canada's national seniors' advocacy organization.
AGE-WELL NCE Inc. is Canada's Technology and Aging Network. The pan-Canadian network brings together researchers, older adults, caregivers, partner organizations and future leaders to accelerate the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians. AGE-WELL researchers are producing technologies, services, policies and practices that improve quality of life for older adults and caregivers, and generate social and economic benefits for Canada. AGE-WELL is funded through the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence program. www.agewell-nce.ca.
SOURCE AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE)
Char’s Gift: A Remarkable Story of Hope Through the Storms of Life
Grand Rapids, MI, April 19, 2021 — When Steve Harryman talks about his late wife, Char, he compares her to a 100-watt bulb, lighting up the world for others facing challenges in life, even as she faced the end of hers.
Steve honors Char’s legacy and generous spirit in his inspirational new book,Char’s Gift: A Remarkable Story of Hope Through the Storms of Life.
It was Easter Sunday, 1995, when Char suffered a grand mal seizure. And then another. And another. An MRI revealed a malignant tumor the size of a golf ball — a life-defining moment that marked the beginning of an unforgettable journey of unwavering love, faith and perseverance.
As Char was wheeled into surgery, she told her husband, “Keep trusting.” It was a mantra that would guide them during their darkest moments and propel them forward in faith. Doctors gave Char two years to live. God had other plans. And so did Char. She lived for 24 more years and touched the lives of thousands before her passing in May 2019.
“With all her struggles, with all her many battles against cancer, with all her perseverance and hope in Christ — Char was one of the most inspiring women I’ve ever met,” says Joni Eareckson Tada, author, Christian stateswoman and respected global leader in disability advocacy.
Early on in her cancer journey, Char struggled with the reality of her diagnosis, just as anyone would. Everything changed when she channeled her energy into deepening her relationship with God and serving Him by focusing on the needs of others.
For Char, making other people feel loved was her greatest joy. It is Steve’s hope that by sharing her inspirational story, others navigating a difficult time will find strength in her grace and faith — and just keep trusting.
Steve Harryman is the founder and president of Hope Through the Storm Ministries, a Christian faith-based organization devoted to bringing hope and encouragement to people facing serious illness and disability. Steve is also an award-winning writer, videographer, photographer and successful magazine writer. Char’s Gift is his first book. He lives in West Michigan and was married to Char for nearly 33 years before she went to heaven in May 2019.
For more information, please visit https://charsgift.com, or follow the author on Twitter (@steveharryman); Instagram (@steve_harryman); or Facebook (@steveharrymanauthor).
Char’s Gift: A Remarkable Story of Hope Through the Storms of Life
Publisher:Elm Hill, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing
“About Natalie is groundbreaking. It doesn’t preach or pretend to offer a panacea. Instead, it offers a refreshing, authentic look at one family’s struggle with addiction, easily the most powerful book published on the subject in the 21st century.”— Dr. Maryel McKinley PhD, Addictions Expert, Former Co-Host, “All Talk Recovery Radio,” Los Angeles, Arbitron rated No. 1 in Southern California
Pittsburgh, PA, April 19, 2021 — Like the band that played on as the Titanic sank, Christine Naman unpacked the groceries and made a meatloaf — the simple act of normalcy distracting her from an unthinkable reality: addiction was pulling her daughter under.
“Even with the picture of the situation coming more clearly into focus, I clung to denial like a kayaker who has been thrown from his boat would cling to a branch lying across the water,” Christine says. “It is amazing how deep into denial a person can go and how strongly they can hang onto it before reality smacks them around enough so that they let go.”
Christinetraces her daughter's years-long battle with addiction in About Natalie, a gripping, cautionary tale of how, in spite of a loving family and a comfortable life, a child can end up on the wrong path, meet the wrong people and get lost in the unthinkable.
About Natalie takes readers deep inside Christine’s emotional and mental turmoil as she grows into her new, unfortunate role as the parent of an addict. She steps on syringes left on the floor and wrestles one from the family dog’s mouth. She lives the nightmare of finding an unresponsive child on the floor and uses Narcan to revive her. She chases away a drug dealer and stays up all night waiting for her missing child to come home. She rejoices during periods of recovery and hope and is devastated during relapses. When her daughter suffers, Christine suffers right along with her.
Interwoven with Christine’s reflections are Natalie’s compelling poems that share her personal pain and the unvarnished truth of her struggle.
At its core, About Natalie is a story of fighting for — and right alongside — the ones we love, no matter how difficult the circumstances. It is a story of keeping the faith, battling hard and never giving up.
Bestselling author Christine Pisera Naman is a wife to a beautiful man named Peter and a mother to three fantastic kids named Jason, Natalie and Trevor. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, which she does poorly; painting, again poorly; and volunteering at her local hospital, which she hopes she does well. She is the author of the Faces of Hope series of books that are now housed in the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. Her other works include Caterpillar Kisses, Christmas Lights, The Novena and The Believers.About Natalie is her heart poured onto paper.
She hopes that by sharing her family’s difficult story she can bring understanding and knowledge to those who do not know the problem firsthand as well as provide comfort to those who know the nightmare of addiction all too well.
Here Are Some Great Snacks to Eat After an Intense Workout
Working out takes a toll on your body and energy levels. Therefore, it’s best to make a post-workout snack to replenish some of that lost energy and rebuild your muscle mass. Here is a list of healthy snacks to eat after physical exercise.
Yogurt and Berries
Yogurt is packed with nutrients that are depleted during exercise. It contains protein that replaces lost amino acids. Berries like strawberries and blueberries have a high antioxidant content. Antioxidants are beneficial after a workout because they minimize pain and soreness. When combined and drizzled with a bit of honey, Greek yogurt and berries are a satisfying treat that also makes you feel full.
Protein Popcorn
Lots of people who exercise enjoy making popcorn after an intense workout. Popcorn contains glycogen, which is a substance that stores carbohydrates within your body. When properly portioned, popcorn also provides a good amount of fiber with very few calories. Try to avoid eating popcorn with too much butter and salt. For some extra flavor and protein, you can even add your favorite whey protein powder to restore your body even further.
Antioxidant Bars
One of the most popular post-workout snacks is an energy bar. They’re packed with nutritious ingredients that keep you going as they repair your body. Antioxidant bars also ease pain and expedite the healing process. Bars with ingredients like flax seeds, goji berries, and walnuts make it easier to increase your antioxidant intake. Be sure to read the nutrition facts on the bars that you choose in order to determine how healthy they are.
Apples and Peanut Butter
Since protein is a pre-workout staple, consider eating apples and peanut butter. Of course, peanut butter contains high amounts of protein. The texture and sweetness of an apple pair perfectly with the nutty flavor of peanut butter. If you have an allergy or don’t like peanuts, try using almond butter instead.
Almonds
If you prefer your nut-based protein in its natural form, almonds are the snack for you. You can eat them anywhere, even while leaving the gym. Eating a serving of 23 almonds after a workout provides up to 6 grams of protein as well as nutrients like vitamin E, potassium, fiber, calcium, and magnesium. To boost your protein intake, you can pair your almonds with other nuts in a trail mix.
After a workout, you need snacks that help rebuild your body from the inside out. Health experts recommend consuming between 20 and 40 of protein after exercising. By putting these healthy snacks in your workout regimen rotation, you can maximize your muscle growth.
Russell Alexander Law Firm Redesigns Website to Help Clients Remotely During Pandemic New website offers a more user-friendly experience for clients
LINDSAY, Ontario—Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers has redesigned its website to meet the needs of clients who cannot meet in person during the coronavirus pandemic and improve user experience.
Based on client feedback, the new site has improved navigation and faster loading times. It also has new features that will help as lawyers and clients continue to work together on Zoom due to social distancing requirements, such as a secure portal where clients can view and pay invoices.
“The pandemic has forced everyone to take a closer look at how they work online,” said founder Russell Alexander. “We hope this more user-friendly website will help our clients find and use the free resources we have long offered.”
The Lindsay, Ontario-based firm used Stem Legal to redesign the website, a process that took less than three months.
With courtrooms now holding routine hearings over Zoom and lawyers working remotely, the field of family law has become more tech-savvy overall in the last year. Alexander said the new website is part of a broader approach to working with clients online.
“Some of the practices that lawyers have picked up during the pandemic have turned out to be much more convenient and easy for clients,” added Alexander. “Even when the pandemic is over, these changes are here to stay.”
***
RussellAlexander Collaborative Family Lawyers Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers is committed to practicing exclusively in the area of family law in Ontario dealing with all aspects, including separation and divorce, child custody and access, spousal support, child support, and division of family property. A team of lawyers provide guidance from start to finish, helping clients identify and understand the legal issues as well as the options and opportunities available through the transition. The firm has offices in Lindsay, Whitby, Oshawa, Markham, Peterborough and Toronto, Ontario. For more information, visit: http://www.russellalexander.com.
Story of ‘Simple’ Man Sparks Real Conversations About Society’s Limits on People with Special Needs
Forest, VA, April 19, 2021― It’s a struggle that parents of children with special needs face every day and well into that child’s adulthood: how much decision-making latitude is safe?
NOKI is an empowering story from Douglas Farrago, MD, about a young man with autism who wants to become a professional boxer. Life’s circumstances have dictated the reason for him choosing this path. The lawless world of boxing has its reasons for embracing Noki and his abilities. And they are not good ones. So, the debate wages on: Should Noki be allowed to make the life-altering decision to enter the ring and put his life on the line?
Meanwhile, what few know is that Noki is actually a savant and can imitate and transform himself into any legendary boxer he wants — a plot twist that allows NOKI to pay homage to some of the greatest boxers of all time.
Dr. Farrago draws upon his experiences as an All-American collegiate boxer, a sports medicine trainer for professional boxers in Houston and his decades-long career in medicine during which he worked with autism patients to lend authenticity to his characters and narrative.
“Noki becomes somewhat of a hero to those with special needs in this story, which I think is pretty cool,” he said. “I felt it would be nice if a story showed that those with autism don’t need to be anything but themselves, and maybe it is the rest of us who need to change.”
Ultimately, NOKI is a heartwarming story that will spark real conversations about the limits that society places on people with special needs. Knowingly or not.
Author Douglas Farrago, MD, is board certified in the specialty of Family Practice. Recently retired, he had a large following of autistic and special needs patients in his career. Dr. Farrago is the inventor of the Knee Saver, which is currently in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Knee Saver and its knock-offs are worn by many major league baseball catchers. He also invented the CryoHelmet, used by athletes for head injuries as well as migraine sufferers.
Dr. Farrago received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Virginia in 1987, his Master of Education degree in Exercise Science from the University of Houston in 1990 and his Medical Degree from the University of Texas at Houston in 1994. His residency training occurred way up north at the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Dr. Farrago still blogs every day on his website Authenticmedicine.com and lectures worldwide about the present crisis in our healthcare system and the effect it has on the doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Farrago has written six books to date, his latest one being NOKI.
20 Tenets to Help Women Lead Purposeful, Successful Lives Revealed in The Woman Code
Morning Joe Host & Author of Know Your Value, Mika Brzezinski, Pens Foreword
Washington, D.C., April 19, 2021 — The pandemic forced everyone to pivot and re-prioritize, and for many women, that meant putting themselves last. Now, more than ever, women need to know their value, recognize their worth and fill their own cups first.
“Women are the soul of what keeps the world going. We keep our families, our companies, our communities and our nations intact,” explains Sophia A. Nelson, acclaimed journalist and author of The Woman Code: 20 Powerful Keys to Unlock Your Life (April 2021, Health Communications).
Named one of the most inspirational books by Woman’s Day in 2015-2017, this transformative book is updated with new insights about the profound economic and societal shifts that have changed our world since the pandemic. Nelson guides women through living out a powerful life Code that will lead them to purposeful, meaningful and authentically successful lives.
Every woman lives by a Code, whether she realizes it or not. It informs how she treats herself and others and how far she is willing to go in order to find success. Nelson calls on women to examine whether the Code they’re living by is truly helping them create the lives they desire. A senior columnist for USA Today and a frequent commentator on CNN, Nelson reveals 20 powerful Codes including:
Know Your Value
Be Resilient
Choose Your Thoughts and Words Wisely
Lift Other Women as You Climb
Practice Love, Laughter, Loyalty
With life quotes from philosophers and poets, mystics and her maternal grandmother, plus her experience as a Black woman rising through the ranks of a male-dominated news industry, The Woman Code is an essential tool of transformation for women to enjoy in reading groups, retreats and Bible study groups. It will help women honor themselves while navigating the demands of work, home, family and friendship no matter what their age or stage in life.
About the Author
Sophia A. Nelson is an award-winning American author and journalist who appears regularly on CNN’s Inside Politics and Newsroom as a legal and political analyst. She is an adjunct professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.
Nelson covered former First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House from 2010–2012. The author appears frequently on CNN and has been a contributor to MSNBC, NBC, Fox News, the BBC, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer and the Today show. She writes for The Huffington Post Healthy Living and The Daily Beast. She has also contributed to USA Today, Essence, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Washington Post. She is the author of The Woman Code, Black Woman Redefined, and E Pluribus ONE.
Memoir Details Author’s Journey with Mental Illness and Disability
Long Island, NY, April 19, 2021 – As we enter Mental Health Awareness month, one author and artist is sharing her coming-of-age story through the lenses of mental illness, disability and steadfast determination. Long Island native Ruth Poniarski’s first book, Journey of the Self: Memoir of an Artist, published by Charlotte, North Carolina-based Warren Publishing, is a stunning and unflinchingly-honest memoir that challenges the stigmas placed on mental illness. The book has received glowing reviews, including a Kirkus Star review.
It started as a college prank; a friend offered Ruth Poniarski a brownie that, unbeknownst to her, was laced with angel dust. What resulted was a debilitating accident, and the first of many mental breakdowns that spiraled into diagnoses of psychosis, schizophrenia, severe anxiety and bipolar disorder.
For years, Poniarski struggled to cope with her new reality as she undertook a rigorous architectural program, sought out new friends (and the perfect mate) and battled through the depths of mental illness. Her journey led her in all directions as she sought comfort, solace, stability and love.
Now an accomplished artist, Poniarski considers her memoir to be a portrait of sorts.
“This book, like many of my paintings, is about introspection,” she says. “So many of us, particularly when we’re young, seek definition through labels or through what others think of us. It’s so easy to say, ‘I have bipolar disorder, therefore, X,’ or, ‘So and so doesn’t love me the way I love him, therefore, Y.’ But none of that is who we truly are.”
The release of Poniarski’s memoir is particularly timely in light of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing orders.
“A lot of people are stuck at home right now. This kind of isolation forces a person to examine themselves; what makes them unique beyond who they are to society,” says Poniarski. “That kind of self-reflection allows us to become more available to others. You have to know yourself first.
“So, who am I?” Poniarski laughs. “Well … you’ll just have to read the book!”
For more information about Ruth Poniarski or her book, please visit: ruthponiarski.com.
Health Canada Authorizes EVRYSDI® (risdiplam) for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in adults and children
SMA is a progressive neuromuscular condition that affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord and impacts the muscles used for activities such as breathing, eating, crawling and walking i ii
EVRYSDI® (risdiplam) is the first at-home administered treatment for SMA.iii
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 15, 2021 /CNW/ - Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) today announced that Health Canada has granted EVRYSDIⓇ (risdiplam) market authorization for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in patients two months of age or older.iii
EVRYSDI works by helping the body make more of a protein called, "SMN protein." EVRYSDI increases and sustains the amount of SMN protein in the body, which helps to treat SMA. It is the first medicine for SMA that can be taken at home and is administered once daily by mouth or feeding tube.iii
"The Health Canada approval of EVRYSDI is a welcome addition in our ability to treat SMA. It is an efficacious treatment that significantly increases survival motor neuron (SMN) protein in SMA patients," said Dr. Hugh McMillan, Pediatric Neurologist at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. "We now have an additional and convenient treatment option with EVRYSDI, as it's the first at-home and oral option for patients."
The Health Canada market authorization was based on data from two pivotal clinical trials designed to represent a spectrum of people living with SMA: FIREFISH in symptomatic infants aged two to seven months and SUNFISH in children and adults aged two to 25 years.iii
SMA is a progressive neuromuscular condition that affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord and impacts the muscles used for activities such as breathing, eating, crawling and walking.iii It affects approximately one in 6,000 babies born, and about one in 40 people are genetic carriers.iv SMA is caused by a mutation of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, which leads to a deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. This protein is found throughout the body and is essential to the function of nerves that control muscles and movement. Without it, nerve cells cannot function correctly, leading to muscle weakness over time. Depending on the type of SMA, an individual's physical strength and their ability to walk, eat or breathe can be significantly diminished or lost.v
"Cure SMA enthusiastically welcomes the arrival of EVRYSDI to the Canadian market. Despite the treatments for SMA currently available, a number of Canadians remain without treatment and a large percentage do not have access to existing ones due to their age, state of health or due to the complexity of administering treatment in a hospital setting," said Amy Loignon, Co-President, Cure SMA Quebec. "This situation is especially exacerbated by COVID-19 and the burden caused by it. We are pleased to see this first oral treatment for SMA, giving these patients hope that their condition may stabilize and even improve."
About the Health Canada Approval
The Health Canada market authorization of EVRYSDI is based on data from two pivotal clinical trials designed to represent a spectrum of people living with SMA: FIREFISH in symptomatic infants aged two to seven months; and SUNFISH in children and adults aged two to 25 years.iii
FIREFISH is an open-label, two-part study investigating the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of EVRYSDI in symptomatic Type 1 SMA patients (all patients had genetically confirmed disease with two copies of the SMN2 gene).iii
Part 1 of FIREFISH was designed as the dose-finding part of the study. The confirmatory Part 2 of the FIREFISH study assessed the efficacy of EVRYSDI at the therapeutic dose selected based on the results from Part 1.iii
Patients from Part 1 did not take part in Part 2. In Parts 1 and 2, the key efficacy endpoint was the ability to sit without support for at least five seconds, as measured by Item 22 of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development – Third Edition (BSID-III) gross motor scale, after 12 months treatment with EVRYSDI.iii
SUNFISH is a two-part, multicenter trial to investigate the efficacy, safety, PK and PD of EVRYSDI in SMA Type 2 or Type 3 patients between two to 25 years of age.
Part 1 was the exploratory dose-finding portion.iii
Part 2 was the randomized double-blind placebo-controlled confirmatory portion. Patients from Part 1 did not take part in Part 2. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline score at month 12 on the Motor Function Measure-32 (MFM32).iii
In clinical trials, EVRYSDI improved motor function in pediatric and adult patients with various levels of disease severity, including Types 1, 2, and 3 SMA.iii
Analysis of the data indicates 29.3 per cent of participants with infantile-onset SMA were able to sit without support for at least five seconds as measured by Item 22 of the BSID-III gross motor scale (29.3%; 90% CI:17.8%, 43.1%; p<0.0001); a key motor milestone not normally seen in the natural course of the disease. Additionally, 85.4 per cent of participants met the criteria of event-free survival without permanent ventilation (secondary endpoint) in each case after 12 months of treatment (85.4%; 90% CI:73.4%, 92.2%; p<0.0001).iii
Analysis of the data indicates patients with later-onset SMA met the efficacy criteria of significant improvement in motor function assessed by the Motor Function Measure-32 (MFM32) (1.55 point mean difference; p<0.0156) at 12 months of treatment with EVRYSDI, compared to placebo (1.36 points [95% CI: 0.61, 2.11]; -0.19 points [95% CI: -1.22, 0.84], respectively).iii
About EVRYSDIⓇ (risdiplam)
EVRYSDI is a pre-mRNA splicing modifier of survival of motor neuron 2 (SMN2) designed to treat SMA, which is caused by mutations in chromosome 5q that lead to SMN protein deficiency. EVRYSDI works by helping the body make more of a protein called, "SMN protein". EVRYSDI increases and sustains the amount of SMN protein in the body, which helps to treat SMA. EVRYSDI is a strawberry-flavoured liquid taken once daily by mouth or feeding tube.iii
About Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
SMA is a progressive neuromuscular condition that affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord and impacts the muscles used for activities such as breathing, eating, crawling and walking.iiiIt affects approximately one in 6,000 babies born, and about one in 40 people are genetic carriers.ivSMA is caused by a mutation of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, which leads to a deficiency of SMN protein. This protein is found throughout the body and is essential to the function of nerves that control muscles and movement. Without it, nerve cells cannot function correctly, leading to muscle weakness over time. Depending on the type of SMA, an individual's physical strength and their ability to walk, eat or breathe can be significantly diminished or lost.v
About Roche
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof, combined with a focus on innovation, have made Roche the leader in personalized healthcare – a strategy that aims to provide patients with timely access to their best possible healthcare solution.
Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.
Founded in 1931, Roche Canada is committed to searching for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases while making a sustainable contribution to society. The company employs more than 1,500 people across the country through its Pharmaceuticals division in Mississauga, Ontario and Diagnostics, as well as Diabetes Care divisions in Laval, Quebec.
Roche aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders.
Roche Canada is actively involved in local communities through its charitable giving and partnerships with organizations and healthcare institutions that work together to improve the quality of life of Canadians. For more information, please visit www.rochecanada.com.
v Anderton RS, Mastaglia FL. Advances and challenges in developing a therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. Expert Rev Neurother. 2015;15(8):895-908. doi: 10.1586/14737175.2015.1059757. PMID: 26200127
SOURCE Roche Canada
We all love sipping on a good cup of tea! Earl gray. Peppermint. Green tea. Black tea. Chamomile. Matcha… whatever your favorite may be, the combinations and possibilities are endless! And while we may enjoy tea for its diverse flavors and healthier energy kick, there are actually a number of health benefits that come with drinking tea regularly.
In honor of National Tea Day approaching (April 21st), Jaya Jaya Myra, former immunologist turnedmind-body wellness expert and bestselling author, wanted to highlight the wonderful mental and physical health benefits of drinking tea every day.
“Tea is one of my daily routines because it helps build synergy with everything else. This simple act has tremendous benefits for physical and mental health, and emotional wellbeing. Tea can boost the immune system, help fight viruses, and even decrease stress and anxiety, which we all need right now.” says Jaya Jaya Myra.
Here are Jaya Jaya Myra’s top 5 mind-body benefits of drinking tea:
Benefit #1: Fights Viruses and Boosts Immunity Black and green tea are known to have antiviral properties that can help your immune system combat viruses like the common cold and maybe even Covid-19. Anything extra we can do to support the immune system right now is a win-win.
Benefit #2: Powerful Antioxidants Fight DNA Damage and Reduce Signs of Aging Want to maintain that youthful radiant glow and stay healthy at the same time? A cup of tea, particularly green tea or matcha, a day may be just the thing. Tea, and green tea in particular is loaded with powerful antioxidants that fight DNA damage and oxidative stress on the body, keeping you looking and feeling young. Those antioxidants can also help prevent heart disease and even cancer.
Benefit #3: Reduces Stress and Anxiety Black and green tea contain L-theanine, a compound that helps fight stress and anxiety naturally. It can also promote a sense of calmness, while helping you focus on whatever task is at hand, making tea a great morning or mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Theanine can minimize the jitteriness of caffeine, but if you’re sensitive to caffeine, go for a tea that has less, like green or oolong.
Benefits #4: Drinkable Medicinal Spices People have been making “tea” with herbs and spices for centuries. While these are technically tisanes if tea leaves are not used, we’re not keeping track because the potent health and wellness benefits are profound. A common Ayurvedic staple is cumin coriander fennel tea, which contains a host of health benefits including stimulating digestion, which is the root of all health according to Ayurveda. Lavender and chamomile teas can help promote sleep and relaxation. You can make tea to have practically any health or wellness benefit you want!
Benefit #5:A Great Social or Self-Care Routine Whether used as a daily self-care routine or a way to spend time with friends and family, tea has you covered. It’s one of those things that can be enjoyed just as much alone as in a social setting.
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