Options and Flexibility Key to Unlocking Retirement Security for American Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

As the U.S. House Passes SECURE Act, Small Biz Advocate Encourages Retirement Savings for All Americans Saying: 

“Americans Just Have to Do It!”

DALLAS, TX – As the U.S. House passes the SECURE Act, also known as the “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019,” Keith Hall, President and CEO of the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), the nation’s leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, today warned of a “looming crisis” of retirement security and encouraged the federal government to “streamline and expand retirement savings opportunities”regardless of employment structure. 

“Retirement security is a looming crisis for American families, including family owned small businesses,” said Hall.  “A combination of mounting debt and break-even bottom lines has created an environment where saving for retirement too often takes a backseat in operating budgets of many Americans, including the small business community. To help make retirement savings a priority, we continue to support ways that both streamline and expand retirement savings opportunities for Americans at every income level and employment structure.” 

The Trump Administration’s 2018 executive order opened multiple employer plans (MEPs) to small businesses and “expand(ed) access to workplace retirement savings plans for American workers.” The executive order would no longer require small businesses to have formal business ties and instead would allow small, independent employers to join together through MEPs to offer workers access to 401k retirement savings plans. Click here to read NASE’s statement on the 2018 executive order.

“While last year’s executive order was a good start, there is no one, right way to save in America. We support all paths that make it easier for Americans, including small business owners, to save for retirement. The major challenge for retirement savings is simply encouraging Americans to start saving.  Every effort making starting a retirement savings account simpler, incentivized and accessible, regardless of employment structure, is a positive step in the right direction.

“There are now many options and vehicles available to Americans who operate in various employment structures and income levels allowing them to save. With a changing workforce, the key to retirement savings is offering different options, more flexibility and innovative plans for millions of Americans – including the small business community. We must continue to make it easier to save by removing barriers and reducing operating costs and requirements while incentivizing opportunities to save for retirement.”  

AbbVie reaches an agreement with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) for VENCLEXTA®, a treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

• Following the signing of an agreement between AbbVie and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA), Ontario is the first province to reimburse VENCLEXTA. 
• VENCLEXTA is the first and only BCL-2 inhibitor to be approved in Canada. 
• A need exists for CLL patients who have failed novel oral therapies.ⁱ

MONTREAL, May 23, 2019 /CNW/ - AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global, research and development-driven biopharmaceutical company, announced today that Ontario is the first province to reimburse VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax) monotherapy under its Drugs and Devices Division's (DDD) Exceptional Access Program effective May 13, 2019.ⁱⁱ VENCLEXTA is indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have received at least one prior therapy and who have no other treatment options. VENCLEXTA is an oral, once-daily medicine. 

This listing follows the signing of an agreement between AbbVie and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) earlier this year. 

"People living with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Ontario finally have access to VENCLEXTA, which is great news considering the nature of this disease. When faced with CLL, which can be recurrent, it is important to offer physicians and their patients highly effective options to tackle this illness," explains Elizabeth Lye, Director of Research & Programs at Lymphoma Canada. "At Lymphoma Canada, we hope that soon all Canadians will have access to this treatment."

VENCLEXTA monotherapy will be available through the Exceptional Access Program for the treatment of relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in patients who have failed treatment with at least one prior therapy (including B-cell receptor inhibitors) or who have experienced intolerance to ibrutinib. 

"When I meet a patient for the first time, I always explain that CLL is a type of blood cancer that is chronic and that some may relapse after being in remission. In fact, most of the patients I see in my clinic have often already gone through another line of treatment. Therefore, I want to ensure I have the appropriate treatments available for my patients in a timely manner," says Dr. Peter Anglin, MD, FRCPC, MBA, Hematologist and Physician Lead, Stronach Regional Cancer Centre. "I am thrilled that Ontario is the first province to reimburse venetoclax; it's a positive step for people living with CLL who need access to this much needed treatment."

CLL, which is typically a slow-progressing cancer of the bone marrow and bloodⁱⁱⁱ, is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults. In Canada, CLL accounts for approximately 2,465 newly diagnosed cases of leukemia each year and is responsible for more than 600 deaths a year.^iv

"It's been a long time coming for wonderful news like this. I can remember reading about clinical trials for this treatment several years ago and thinking how promising it sounded for people like me who have already been treated with more than one line of therapy and relapsed," states Mark Silverstein of Aurora, Ontario. "Now it's finally here! Another treatment option in the CLL world has been approved and reimbursed in the province of Ontario, and hopefully soon coming to every Canadian province. And thank you AbbVie for your commitment to bringing VENCLEXTA to those who need it."

VENCLEXTA received a Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOC/c) from Health Canada on September 30, 2016. The therapy was approved as monotherapy for previously treated CLL patients, who have either a genetic mutation known as 17p deletion, or who do not have the mutation but have no other available treatment options, and who have received at least one other therapy. The 17p deletion is a genetic mutation that is found in 3 to 10 percent of people with previously untreated CLL and up to 50 percent of relapsed or refractory cases.^v Under Health Canada's NOC/c policy, AbbVie will provide Health Canada with data from additional studies to assess the clinical benefit of VENCLEXTA in these patient populations.^vi

"This agreement with the pCPA and subsequently the listing in Ontario are positive steps towards patients living with CLL accessing a medication that serves an unmet medical need," stated Stéphane Lassignardie, General Manager of AbbVie Canada. "AbbVie is committed to changing the way blood cancers are treated with innovative new treatment options." 

VENCLEXTA continues to be investigated in CLL and other hematological diseases.

VENCLEXTA is being developed by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. It is jointly commercialized by the companies in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S. 

About AbbVie Care
Canadians prescribed VENCLEXTA will have the opportunity to be enrolled in AbbVie Care, AbbVie's signature care program. The program is designed to provide a wide range of customized services including reimbursement and financial support, pharmacy services, lab work reminders and coordination, personalized education and ongoing disease management support throughout the treatment and beyond. 

About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research and development-driven biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative advanced therapies for some of the world's most complex and critical conditions. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to markedly improve treatments across four primary therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, virology and neuroscience. In more than 75 countries, AbbVie employees are working every day to advance health solutions for people around the world. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.ca and www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvieCanada and @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.

5 Ways States Can Unify BehindMarijuana And Reap The Benefits 

Medical marijuana is now legal in 33 states, but some have been slow to reap the economic benefits. Advocates say this is because of a long legislative and legal process that delays the rollout of legalization and results in numerous restrictions. “How the states regulate marijuana varies greatly,” says Sarah Lee Gossett Parrish (www.sarahleegossettparrish.com), a cannabis industry lawyer. “Each state has to decide how much a patient can possess, where and how they can obtain it, and what medical conditions warrant a physician’s recommendation for its usage.  “The more permissive state regulatory systems result in more patients and usually in more dispensaries.” Oklahoma, though regarded as a conservative or red state, is viewed as one of the most liberal when it comes to medical marijuana laws, Parrish says. And about a year after voters approved medical cannabis in Oklahoma, business is booming in the state.   Now comes Oklahoma’s “Unity Act,” signed into law in March. Parrish says it was  designed to streamline state regulation of medical marijuana without impeding commerce and imposing too many restrictions. “The Unity Act further develops Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program, an exemplary model for states that seek a more permissive regulatory scheme,” Parrish says. “There are compromises added for employers, but overall it benefits the patients and entrepreneurs. Oklahoma rolled out its medical marijuana program quickly and efficiently, wisely avoiding the quagmire of regulations that strangle the industry in other states.” Parrish explains some key provisions of the Unity Act that promote the industry’s growth while ensuring proper oversight:  Sale of seeds. “The Act includes language allowing commercial growers to sell seeds or clones to other commercial growers, thereby providing a much-needed legal way for new growers to obtain seeds and clones,” Parrish says. “Language that would also have allowed the sale by growers to patients or caregivers was deleted.” Patient confidentiality. “The Act preserves confidentiality of patients and caregivers, making the handling of all records subject to all relevant state and federal laws, including HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996),” Parrish says.  Employment Issues. The Act permits employers to refuse to hire workers for safety-sensitive jobs, examples of which are listed in the legislation. It provides that employers are not required to permit or accommodate the use of medical marijuana at the place of employment. “It also recognizes employers’ right to establish written policies about drug testing and impairment in accord with current Oklahoma law,” Parrish says. Seed-to-sale quality and safety checkpoints. The Act requires a medical marijuana seed-to-sale inventory tracking system, and mandates quality testing by licensees. “This includes testing for contaminants and THC/CBD content,” Parrish says.  New licenses. The Act creates a medical marijuana transporter license, a testing laboratory license, research license, a caregiver license and an education facility license. “These components show how the Unity Act represents a concerted effort to create a working framework for regulation and oversight,” Parrish says.  “It’s encouraging to see both sides of the aisle work together to achieve a common goal,” Parrish says. “Oklahoma is on its way to becoming a thriving cannabis industry, and that’s good news for everyone.” About Sarah Lee Gossett Parrish Sarah Lee Gossett Parrish (www.sarahleegossettparrish.com) is a cannabis industry lawyer whom The National Law Journal named a 2019 Cannabis Trailblazer — one of only 30 trailblazers recognized in the nation. She represents numerous dispensaries, growers, and processors, and is admitted to practice in Oklahoma and Texas. Ms. Parrish is a member of the National Cannabis Bar Association, NORML, and the National Cannabis Industry Association. She is also admitted to practice in all state and federal district courts in Oklahoma; the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. Ms. Parrish received her B.A. in letters from the University of Oklahoma, Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. She also served as chairman of the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women for the State of Oklahoma and was instrumental in starting the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, and her legal thriller, Guilt of Innocence, placed second in the New York Law Journal's national fiction writing contest.   

Well.ca launches a new patient education portal to drive access to information on emerging and innovative care

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 23, 2019 /CNW/ - Well.ca today announced the launch of a new patient education portal, providing patients with a trusted source for therapeutic guidance on new and emerging approaches to care. 

Through this portal, patients will be able to virtually connect with wellness professionals for a variety of personalized services, conveniently delivered through telehealth. The portal is available in Ontario and will be launched in the rest of Canada soon. 

Health professionals will be available to advise on: 

• Naturopathic medicine; 
• Nutrition; 
• Pregnancy and parenting; 
• Mindfulness; 
• Food sensitivity testing; 
• Sleep; and, 
• Medical cannabis.

"Our customers are looking for real-time access to a variety of diversified health and wellness professionals. As patient therapies are becoming increasingly complex and multi-faceted, our goal is to enhance the education and support that patients receive," said Rebecca McKillican, CEO, Well.ca. "Our nurse educators, allied health professionals, and other care providers can provide personalized guidance and recommendations, as well as answer questions related to emerging therapies." 

To facilitate patient access to medically-reviewed information related to the use and therapeutic implications of medical cannabis, Well.ca has partnered with licensed producers to co-create content. 

Under current regulations, pharmacists in Canada cannot dispense medical cannabis from a pharmacy.

About Well.ca

Well.ca is a proudly Canadian company that's passionate about our customers, our business, and the products we offer. At Well.ca, we believe that Canadians should never have to compromise on the health, wellness, baby and beauty products that they choose for themselves and their families. With over 40,000 curated products, thousands of peer reviews, and Canada's largest assortment of green and natural brands, we make it easy to make choices you can trust. Well.ca is a wholly owned subsidiary of McKesson Canada.

About McKesson Canada

Founded more than 100 years ago, McKesson Canada is dedicated to delivering vital medicines, supplies and information technologies that enable the health care industry to provide patients better, safer care. Our solutions empower pharmacies, manufacturers, hospitals and other health care institutions by enabling them to get closer to the millions of patients they serve every single day, while contributing to the quality and safety of care in Canada.

SOURCE MCKESSON CANADA

Cannabis cultivator Autumn Brands welcomes new partner

Hanna Brand adds balance to male-dominated industry

SANTA BARBARA, CA – (May 2019). Cannabis cultivator Autumn Brands is excited to welcome Hanna Brand to the company’s Owner/Sales position, recently announced Autumn Shelton, CFO of the 50 percent woman-owned, family-run, and pesticide-free cannabis farm along Santa Barbara County’s sunny coastline. Hanna is responsible for increasing revenue and maintaining the farm’s pure growing practices that began in Holland more than 100 years ago. 

She serves as the face of Autumn Days, a hybrid of a customer appreciation and education event that is typically held at a dispensary, where she shares her vast knowledge on the specifics of cannabis and general agriculture. On the farm, Hanna oversees the team responsible for harvesting and packaging, and she manages the branding and the post-harvest bulk of privately held and entirely self-funded Autumn Brands.

Hanna is a sixth-generation farmer and a recent graduate with a degree in Agricultural and Environmental Plant Sciences with a concentration in Environmental Horticultural Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, giving her a rare combination of old-world craftsmanship and tech savviness coupled with a millennial’s approach to holistic wellness.

“Cannabis was a weed growing wild. Now it’s so hybridized and developed into a designer product … I have the passion for the plant and the science. I’m in for the long haul,” said Hanna, whose roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic and fearlessness are additional assets in the male dominated field. “My priority is putting out a quality product at a fair price and evolving with the industry.” 

Born and raised in Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County, Hanna is a member of the local Sunset Rotary Club and counts wakeboarding, skiing, soccer, and beach volleyball among her favorite off-duty activities. Hanna also possesses an unusual skill in the United States – speaking Dutch.

About Autumn Brands

Autumn Brands is a licensed California cannabis cultivator dedicated to the synergy of health and wellness. The Autumn Brands’ family farm started in Holland more than a century ago, and today, sixth-generation farmers apply the same expertise garnered in growing the world’s finest tulips to producing pure and potent strains of cannabis in sunny, coastal Santa Barbara County. Autumn Brands is proud to be 50 percent woman owned, free of pesticides.  For more information, visit www.autumnbrands.com or email leighanne@anderson-pr.com.

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Worldwide Study Finds Linoleic Acid Benefits the Heart

The Peanut Institute Reports Fatty Acid in Peanuts Lowers Risk of
Major Cardiovascular Events

Albany, Ga. (May 22, 2019) – A large-scale study recently published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation, showed that higher levels of linoleic acid in the body are associated with a lower risk of major cardiovascular events. Specifically, linoleic acid, the main omega-6 fat found in peanuts, was associated with a 22-percent reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and 12-percent reduced risk of stroke.

Researchers examined data from 30 studies in 13 countries that included 68,659 participants. They concluded that linoleic acid can be an important tool in helping to prevent cardiovascular disease. 

“Omega-6 is an essential fatty acid that we need but, unfortunately, our bodies don’t produce it. That’s why it’s important to incorporate foods that contain omega-6, like peanuts, peanut butter and peanut oil, into a healthy, balanced diet,” says Dr. Samara Sterling, director of research for The Peanut Institute. “In fact, the American Heart Association has been touting the benefits of omega-6 for heart health since 2009.”

In addition to the recent study in Circulation, other research is showing beneficial relationships between peanut consumption and a reduction in heart disease. 

A study published in the Current Atherosclerosis Reports in 2018 found those who consumed peanuts regularly had a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. A 2017 study that examined more than 200,000 participants showed that regular peanut consumption was associated with a 15-percent reduced risk of coronary heart disease.

“Research continues to accumulate around the health benefits of peanuts. It’s truly accurate to call them a superfood because they’re nutrient-dense and deliver superior health advantages in a very small serving,” says Dr. Sterling. “Peanuts are an affordable way to get a significant dose of vitamins and minerals in a small handful. Today’s researchers are looking into the impact that dietary patterns have on chronic disease prevention and peanuts are, once again, proving themselves beneficial in those studies.”

According to Dr. Sterling, the recommended daily serving is a handful of peanuts or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. A serving of peanuts is one ounce or approximately 35 peanuts.

A one-ounce serving of peanuts is close to 170 calories and delivers a number of cardiovascular advantages:

• 19 vitamins and minerals, many of which fight heart disease – The heart-healthy vitamins and minerals delivered by peanuts include vitamin E, folic acid, niacin, magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc, copper and potassium. Peanuts are also a good source of magnesium, copper, vitamin E and biotin and an excellent source of niacin, manganese and molybdenum. 
• Bioactive compounds – Polyphenols, phytosterols and antioxidants are plant substances that offer health benefits beyond vitamins and minerals. They’ve been shown to help reduce cardiovascular disease and cancer risk, lower inflammation and cholesterol and improve blood flow. 
• Healthy fats – The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in peanuts, like those in olive oil and avocados, help decrease “bad” LDL cholesterol and increase “good” HDL cholesterol. 
• Fiber – Studies have shown that diets high in fiber can contribute to lower levels of LDL cholesterol. Plus, high-fiber diets are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.

A link to the study published in Circulation is available: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.038908

 # # #

Dr. Samara Sterling is a Nutrition Scientist with expertise in the use of plant-based nutrition for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. She currently serves as the Research Director for The Peanut Institute and has also worked as a nutrition consultant for various community-based nutrition projects. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook University, a master’s degree from Andrews University and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

Based in Albany, Ga., The Peanut Institute is a non-profit organization supporting nutrition research and developing educational programs to encourage healthful lifestyles that include peanuts and peanut products. The Peanut Institute pursues its mission through research programs, educational initiatives and the promotion of healthful lifestyles to consumers of all ages. As an independent forum, The Peanut Institute is uniquely positioned to work with all segments of the food industry, the research community, academia, consumer organizations and governmental institutions.

References
Coates, A.M., A.M. Hill, and S.Y. Tan, Nuts and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. Curr Atheroscler Rep, 2018. 20(10): p. 48.
Agarwal, P., et al., MIND Diet Associated with Reduced Incidence and Delayed Progression of ParkinsonismA in Old Age. J Nutr Health Aging, 2018. 22(10): p. 1211-1215.
Chen, X., et al., Dietary Patterns and Cognitive Health in Older Adults: A Systematic Review. J Alzheimers Dis, 2019. 67(2): p. 583-619.

How to Motivate Yourself to Keep Biking through the Summer Heat

You know that riding your bike each day offers you a ton of benefits. Your heart rate improves, you tone up, and you lose weight. However, riding in the summer heat can make it difficult to power through. If you just can’t muster up the motivation to ride this summer, then you might try incorporating these four tips to get yourself out on the road again. 

Get a Nicer Bike

Riding an old clunker of a bike in the hot summer affects you in the same way that driving an old, hot clunker of a car would. When your body is too hot, it can often cause inflammation that makes those bumps and jolts from exciting spring rides feel even more uncomfortable on your bones and joints. Instead, getting a new bike with better shock absorption, easy gear changes, and smooth braking features can help reduce the discomfort that comes with summer biking.

Treat Yourself to Cool Bike Gear

There’s a reason that serious cyclists wear the types of clothes they do. Fitted jerseys, the right shoes and helmet, along with other gear makes for a safer and easier ride. Even the wrong backpack or messenger bag will change your ride and make your posture uneven. If this issue is affecting your ride, then you may want to talk with someone in your local biking community about the types of custom cycling kits that are on the market. Gearing up the right way means your summer ride won’t put unnecessary stress and make it easier to find the motivation to ride.

Set Daily Goals/ Incentives

There’s something very satisfying about setting a goal and achieving it, especially if it’s a large goal. The right goalsbecome catalysts for change. Here’s a tip to ensure that you’re setting the right kind of goals: Make sure they’re big enough and specific enough to excite you and motivate you. For example, don’t just say, “I try to ride every day to lose some weight.” Rather, state it in specifics: “I will ride an hour each day so that I can eventually lose 10 pounds by the end of the summer.” Be realistic, however, and consider working up to your goals by slowly increasing the amount of time you spend biking. You can also add extra motivation through peer pressure by telling your goals to your friend so you feel more committed to them.

Bike in the A.M.

It probably goes without saying that one of the reasons summer rides are so difficult is because it’s so hot. This is an easy issue to sidestep if you ride in the cool of the morning. Aside from getting your ride out of the way for the day, you get to enjoy the world as it’s waking up. Instead of fighting lunch-rush traffic, you can bike while the roads are empty and all you have to dodge are birds gathering for their morning worm.

Riding your bike when it’s really hot out can be a strain on your body and your motivation. However, there are some steps you can take in order to find your riding mojo once again. Doing things like investing in a new bike and gear, riding in the morning, and setting powerful goals can make all the difference. Try any and all of these tips to make your summer ride more pleasant and fruitful.

Belly Fat Not Budging? How to Get a Flat Stomach for Summer

Summer is fast approaching, and unfortunately, not everyone is as confident in a swimsuit as everyone else. Luckily, it is never too late to get started to achieve the body you've always wanted. Little lifestyle changes can truly do wonders not only in your physique but in your mental health as well. Being more active in general and mindful of what you put into your body is one of the keys to true happiness. With time, even the most stubborn fat in your body can be worked off. 

Soluble Fiber

The fat in the belly is certainly the hardest to work off, as it consists of fat that has been developed throughout the years. The thing about getting rid of the fat in this area is that it requires a lot of discipline in the kitchen. This is especially true for the bottom half of the stomach. Incorporate more soluble fiber into your diet which will help to regulate your metabolism and bowel movements.

Eat Well

Being wary of what you put into your body will also help to cancel out any bad foods you have been eating. Fast food, junk food, and foods that are very calorically dense are often difficult to eliminate in your diet. The best solution instead if you can't completely avoid them is to focus on portion control. The best diet is basically being within a caloric deficit that is also rich in nutrients. Whether you're on a low carb, low fat, keto, or Vegan diet, as long as you don't surpass a healthy calorie maximum you will shed fat in no time. 

Stay Hydrated

Drinking lots of water is the best way to stay on track with your dieting. The more water drink will also help to suppress your appetite and encourage fat loss. Not only that, but water is essential for flushing out toxins and sodium in your body. Those chemicals, when not properly flushed out, can become trapped and cause swelling and bloating. If you’re feeling uggy and lethargic with your belly fat, some extra water may be exactly what you need. 

Get Professional Help

If you still aren't fully satisfied with how your body looks after consistent working out and healthy eating, do consider getting external help. A huge trend that actually provides positive results is the bodysculpting procedure. This procedure will simply tighten everything back into place so that the hard work you put into your belly will be more defined. Sometimes no matter how hard you workout and diet, the extra fat in the tummy just won't go away. Don't ever be ashamed to get external help, because it can and will do wonders for your body.

If you are focused on getting the perfect hot bod for the coming summer, you’ll have to do more than just work hard. You’ll have to take care of your body the way it deserves. If you’re really having trouble losing the weight you need through healthy eating and exercise, consider seeking professional help so that you can be at your very best.

California Company Engineers Nanotechnology CBD Experience – Faster Onset and Higher Bioavailablity, Delivered Through Any Water-Based Product

Santa Barbara, California – (May 2019): Infused By EpicTM has become the technology for conversion for making cannabidiol (CBD oil) extract into a water soluble, nano-encapsulated liquid and powder form. The finished product delivers a highly potent, bioavailable form of CBD for the faster onset and more complete absorption of oral, sublingual, transdermal, ocular, and other CBD delivery systems.

Oil and water don’t mix.  The human body is about 70% water and our cells about 90% water. Products with traditional CBD oils are harder to digest, are much longer to take effect, and lose some of their potency along the way.  Infused by Epic™ helps to improve this functionality.

Products incorporating Infused By EpicTM  technology achieve a higher bio-availability of at least 5x times and faster onset than conventional oil-based products.  This allows for faster absorption into the bloodstream through any water-based mechanism, including creams, gels, food and beverages.  Infused By EpicTM  products are more harmonious with the human body and therefore deliver a much higher percentage of the CBD you take.  

What is Nanotechnology?  Nanometers are a unit of measurement of really small things.  Nanotechnology is the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers.  A human hair is approximately 50,000 – 100,000 nanometers.  Shaquille O’Neil is over 2 billon nanometers tall.  Infused by Epic™ CBD liquid is less than 100 nm.

Why Nanotechnology?  Nanotechnology gives the ability to deliver products that have a faster onset (important for pain, sleep, anxiety) and increased bioavailability (at least 5x greater).  So consumers are getting all the benefits that they’re paying for.

Founded by CEO Diana Starr Langley, a seasoned medical entrepreneur and proven technological innovator, along with nanotechnology expert and COO Kalon Baird, Infused By EpicTM aims to bring the latest in nanotechnology to the booming CBD wellness market. Proving that necessity is, indeed, the mother of invention, the company originated with Baird’s own research developing a more potent and bioavailable CBD oil as part of a holistic healing approach to his mother’s battle with breast cancer. 

Thanks to his in-depth nanotechnology research and medicinal cannabis industry experience, Baird achieved his ambitious goal and watched first-hand as his mother’s journey ended with a “cancer-free” diagnosis. Now, paired with Langley’s entrepreneurial and medical know-how, they bring a singular passion and dedication to sharing Infused By EpicTM premium products with a growing CBD and cannabis market. 

Infused By EpicTM   liquid and powders are available now to product manufacturers as an additive to their current products. They  can also be included in various products made by the company available for white label use.  Infused By EpicTM products guarantee maximum potency and the highest-quality consumer wellness benefits. For more information, visit www.InfusedByEpic.com .

About Infused By Epic™: 

Infused By EpicTM  technology transforms traditional isolate and distillate cannabidiol (CBD) extracts into a nano-encapsulated water-soluble liquid or powder for easy addition to any water-based delivery system (including creams, gels, food and beverages). Founded by medical technological innovator CEO Diana Starr Langley and nanotechnology expert COO Kalon Baird, Infused By EpicTM guarantees EFFICIENCY of potent CBD delivery to the bloodstream across all routes (up to 5x efficacy in 10 minutes or less with oral, transdermal, sublingual, ocular, etc.); the PREDICTABILITY of a reliable, repeatable experience; and CONTROL over a finished product with homogeneous therapeutic benefits. 

Younger, stronger, sharper. Tracking the benefits of physical activity over the long term 

The Baby Boomers were in their 20s when aerobics became the favourite workout and when people started jogging to stay in shape. After the fitness trend took hold in the late 1970s, people became healthier over the years -- cholesterol and blood pressure levels fell, and deaths from heart disease dropped dramatically.  

Four decades later, those who started on the ground floor with regular physical activity are realizing its long-term benefits in obvious (and not-so-obvious) ways, says Dr. Paul Oh, medical director of the Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.

Although regular exercise has huge benefits at any stage of life and for any length of time, Dr. Oh lists these top 5 benefits of sticking with physical activity over the long-term.You’re less likely to get dementia: Physical activity plays a significant role to keep us mentally agile in our senior years. Research indicates that physical activity improves cognitive function, but a decline in fitness explains why some people are more prone to dementia than others. Another study found those who exercised at least twice a week during middle age were much less likely to develop dementia by the time they reached their 60s and 70s.

It helps fight frailty: After age 30 we tend to lose one-third of a pound of muscle per year, and our bones become weaker if they aren't subjected to weight-bearing exercise. Studies show regular strength training can triple overall muscle mass in older adults.

It helps you relax and puts you in a better mood: Exercise produces feel-good hormones that act as anti-depressants. Being physically active also simulates stress – we sweat, our heart races, our mind is on alert. This exposure helps equip the body to handle the ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction that happens when we’re anxious. 

Your heart gets stronger: Regular moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity strengthens your heartmuscle, improving its ability to pump blood to your lungs and throughout your body. Being active also boosts production of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or ‘good,’ cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This keeps blood flowing smoothly and decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

It keeps you young (ish): A recent study tracked a group of people in their 70s who had been running regularly for 40+ years and compared them to young adults. Although the active elderly group did have lower aerobic capacities than their younger counterparts, their capacities were about 40 percent higher than inactive adults their age. The active, older adults had the cardiovascular health of someone 30 years younger and far more than the muscles of more sedentary seniors.

Dr. Oh is available to talk more about the benefits of regular physical activity over the longer term and its potential to improve physical and mental health as we age. We can also put you in touch with fitness experts and physically active older adults in your area to talk more about how physical activity changes the aging experience.

Below are two long-term gym-goers (40 years) who joined GoodLife Fitness when it first opened and haven't missed more than a week or two since. Both are also available to share their stories.

Ken Eady made a pact with his two older brothers when he was in his early teens. After watching their 53-year old father suffer his third heart attack, they promised each other they wouldn’t allow heart disease to cut their lives short.


Ken began working out 2-3 times a week and joined the first GoodLife Fitness club in 1979. Ken is still going strong in his late 60s. Although he had to stop playing sports after numerous surgeries, he has found other physical outlets in kayaking and paddle-boarding.

Paul Coleman began working out in 1981. Livestock and cash crop farmer by trade, Paul was already strong, but he wanted cardio training to keep him fit for his other job as a referee with the Ontario Hockey League. That’s what led him to the gym, but he keeps coming back because of the friendships he has developed.

Nearly 40 years later, Paul jokingly describes himself as the ‘oldest, fattest fit guy at the gym.’ While he’s never been a goal-oriented person, fitness is now ingrained in his lifestyle and you can find Paul working out four to six times per week.