A business based in Canora has produced a new oral spray which offers potentially life-changing benefits to the human immune system.
MyShrooms Defence, the most recent product by Nick Martinuik of MySpray Therapeutics in Canora, only recently became widely available.
Martinuik, a medical researcher, homeopath and registered massage therapist, has practised natural medicine in Canora for over 20 years. He has partnered with a pharmaceutical lab in Vancouver and formulated other health-promoting products in the past, including MyPain LiniMint, Vitamin B12 Energy and MyShrooms Immunity.
鈥淲hat I really enjoy about my work is the discoveries,鈥� said Martinuik. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great when you have that 鈥渁ha moment,鈥� get it to a finished product, and then start seeing results and helping people.鈥�
鈥淲e need to start thinking outside of the mainstream and focus on improving health and preventing diseases, rather than just reacting after we have a problem.
鈥淚f you do what you鈥檝e always done, you get what you always got in the past.鈥�
Martinuik said MyShrooms Defence is produced with sustainably-produced, organic chaga and has been approved, licensed and registered by Health Canada.
He said chaga, also known as the king of medicinal mushrooms, is a unique species, as it grows by extracting nutrients from living trees, usually birch, and develops a black charcoal outside with a golden inside. Chaga has been used for thousands of years in European, Russian, Asian and Canadian First Nation cultures, and is prized for both the nutritional value and composition of biologically active compounds, which stimulate the immune system and promote longevity.
鈥淐haga is one of the most nutrient rich substances on earth, with a variety of over 200 different vitamins, minerals and micronutrients, including vitamin D,鈥� said Martinuik.
鈥淐haga is a rich source of potent antioxidants and powerful phytochemicals, such as sterols, phenols, beta-glucans, and melanin. Vitamin D is an essential hormone for disease prevention and the regulation of minerals. Combined they strengthen the body's natural defence system, and protect against pathogens, illness and disease. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.鈥�
Fungi, and the mushrooms they produce, including chaga, have been in existence for much longer than mankind, he said.
They have survived all kinds of disastrous events that have caused plant life and animal species to become extinct, thanks to their strong and experienced defence system.
Mushrooms and humans share 50 to 70 per cent of the same DNA, which helps explain why chaga attributes transfer well in the promotion of human health.
鈥淐haga is one of the most potent immune modulators,鈥� said Martinuik. 鈥淏ecause our immune system is relatively young and inexperienced, it struggles in recognizing many diseases such as cancer. But the medicinal properties of chaga enhance the immune system to recognize abnormal cells and begin fighting back, as proven in numerous medical studies.鈥�
鈥淚t can bring an immune system up or down, depending on what鈥檚 needed. Allergies and rheumatoid arthritis are examples of an overactive immune system, and in these situations chaga acts as an immune modulator and calms the system down.鈥�
Martinuik said the birch trees which typically produce chaga are usually found in a cold northern climate, such as Saskatchewan. This trait helps make chaga one of the most nutrient-dense natural substances in existence.
Many of those who are interested in natural health remedies like to make chaga tea, which has a number of health benefits extracted from chaga.
But Martinuik said after extensive research, MyShrooms Defence was created using a dual extraction process.
鈥淥ur dual extraction process uses hot water and ethanol, which gets all the beneficial medicinal properties out that we are looking for,鈥� he said.
鈥淢yShrooms Defence is taken as a spray, directly into the mouth. As a spray it is absorbed quickly and at a much higher level than a pill or anything that we would have to digest.鈥澛�
As seen in many studies, it can be used as an adjuvant to help fight alongside traditional cancer-fighting treatments, and is beneficial for the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
While MyShrooms Defence is valuable in the fight against existing medical conditions, Martinuik encourages those in good health to consider making it a part of their daily routine.
鈥淗ealthy people can take it to make sure they stay that way,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t puts our defences on high alert so taking it daily can have a huge impact on all areas of health, including stress management.鈥�
Martinuik said the field of immunotherapy has gained support in recent years, and received an important boost with the recent announcement that the 2018 Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded to immunotherapy researchers in cancer treatment.
Further information on MyShrooms Immunity is available at www.myspray.ca. The product can be purchased on-line, at the Homeopathic Medical and Therapy Clinic (HMTC) in Canora, and at most local pharmacies.
Martinuik said he鈥檚 looking forward to doing more research and potentially releasing more mushroom-based health products in the future to take advantage of the mushroom鈥檚 abilities to aid in a variety of bodily functions.
