Organique’s ImmunoStrongPH campaign supports frontliners during pandemic, DOH-PITAHC receives superfood donation to build body's natural strength and resilience

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The Department of Health (DOH) recently received over 5,000 blister packs of superfood ORGANIQUE Acai freeze-dried health supplement capsules to support frontliners and healthcare workers from at least 13 beneficiary institutions amid the prolonged pandemic and emergence of COVID-19 variants in the country. As part of its nationwide Immunostrong campaign, Organique Inc. officially turned over the donation to the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC), which the DOH designated for the distribution and delivery of the 5,644 blister packs in time for the 123rd anniversary of DOH.

Marketing Manager for Organique Cristina Go said that the health of medical frontliners and healthcare workers need to be prioritized as they have been selflessly and courageously risking themselves to virus exposure while taking care of patients almost 24/7 since the country declared a state of public health emergency in March 2020. “We are proud to support the DOH in continuously working towards a healthier nation, protecting the community through a stronger immunity. Indeed, the pandemic has revealed the best and the worst in many, and the DOH has proven too, that their profession is not just a job, but a calling that they answer without fail, to the best of their ability,” Go said.

As part of Organique’s Immunostrong PH nationwide health awareness campaign, Organique Inc. Trade Marketing Manager Cristina Go and Digital/Social Media Manager Justin Dela Cruz turned over its donation of Organique Acai freeze-dried health supplement capsules to PITAHC Director General Dr. Anabelle De Guzman for the benefit of medical frontliners and health workers.

She added that food supplements like Organique Acai Berry can help strengthen the immune system by providing essential nutrients to help give the body renewed energy every day. Acai, the main ingredient of the freeze-dried capsules, is hailed worldwide as a superfood packed with really high levels of antioxidants to help counter free radicals in the body. The superior health benefits offered by Organique Acai freeze-dried capsules are what the frontliners, health care workers, and the public need during this pandemic to help fortify their immune system to help them fight diseases and alleviate serious symptoms of illnesses like COVID-19.

Among the beneficiaries referred by DOH and PITAHC include the Philippine Heart Center, East Avenue Medical Center, National Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Reference Laboratory, National Certification Committee on Naturopathy, National Certification Committee on Homeopathy, COA Resident Auditors, PITAHC Board of Trustees and Employees, Herbal Processing Plants, and other frontliners or patients identified by PITAHC.

According to DOH, the pandemic has further aggravated the conditions of an increasing number of Filipinos who had been immuno-compromised by their unhealthy, abusive and sedentary lifestyles, not to mention lack of access to proper nutrition and sleep. Fully aware of the need to heighten public awareness, Organique has tapped award-winning vlogger and health enthusiast Wil Dasovich as Organique’s official brand ambassador, including health advocates and influencers to spread massive awareness on the importance of a strong immune system.

In conclusion, Go also reiterated,

“We are all in this together, together with Organique Acai Berry, working with our modern heroes, the medical frontliners and every single Filipino – as we all need to take care of everyone’s physical, mental, emotional and psychological well-being for an immunostrong future, and an immunostrong Philippines.”

For inquiries, visit www.organique.com.ph; fb: @organiqueinc.

Organique launches #ImmunoStrongPH campaign for a stronger immunity amid the pandemic, Introduces its newest ambassador, cancer survivor Vlogger Wil Dasovich

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In its effort to create a stronger community by promoting stronger immunity, Organique Inc. virtually launched its #ImmunoStrongPH campaign with leading content creator and cancer survivor Wil Dasovich as a fitting ambassador. The virtual presser highlighted health as the top of mind concern among the millions of Filipinos today as the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and as the whole nation moves toward recovery.

Aside from Dasovich, also present to discuss the important relationship between immunity and lasting health were Organique, Inc. CEO and President Catherine Salimbangon; DOH Director IV of the Health Promotion Bureau Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho; and featured COVID-19 survivor Lawrence Lee and hypertension survivor Marielle Vergara.

Clockwise: Organique Brand Ambassador Wil Dasovich; Organique, Inc. CEO and President Catherine Salimbangon; Department of Health Director IV of the Health Promotion Bureau Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho; Host Kurt Dueñas; and featured survivors of COVID Lawrence Lee and Hypertension Marielle Vergara at the virtual launch of Organique's national health awareness campaign entitled '#ImmunoStrongPH: Protecting the Community through Immunity.'

Stronger immunity, stronger community

According to Salimbangon, “Health is wealth, which is why we are promoting a deeper level of care for Filipino families and medical frontliners by advocating a conscious effort towards holistic health and overall wellness. Everyone, especially those at risk or are continually exposed to health hazards, can live their lives to the fullest with their loved ones for a long time.”

The #ImmunoStrongPH national awareness campaign was designed to generate awareness on the multitude of ways that Filipinos can protect themselves and their communities by strengthening their immune system. Chief of this is a healthy lifestyle, supported by clean eating and complemented by natural and organic superfoods such as the Organique Acai line of premium nutritional supplements. Being immunostrong can help Filipinos prevent the onset of diseases.

In support of DOH’s BIDA+ Solusyon

A collaboration between the private and public sectors, the #ImmunoStrongPH campaign complements the BIDA+ Solusyon campaign guidelines set by the DOH, which calls on the public to strictly adhere to health and safety protocols to prevent the continuous spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Ho said, “Practicing minimum public health standards is another layer of immunity. We request everyone to perform the BIDA+ Solusyon by wearing face masks, washing hands, sanitizing frequently, and practicing social distancing.” She also stressed the importance of investing in one’s health, saying, “The body remembers assaults done to it, and assaults can come in the form of bad food, smoking, lack of exercise. Bodies are vessels of investment.”

The #ImmunoStrongPH campaign also pays tribute to the country’s medical frontliners and community health workers for their dedication and hard work in protecting the Filipino people from illnesses.

Overcoming cancer and other illnesses

During the virtual launch, Dasovich narrated his experience as a colon cancer survivor at the tender age of 25 and how he was able to overcome it in a year’s time. He also spoke about the importance of keeping the immune system strong to be able to fight off diseases and recover quickly from them.

“I am so driven to make a difference in how people approach their health and wellness through my own personal cancer survival story,” Dasovich shared. “I cannot overstate the importance of being mindful of one’s physical health by staying fit, exercising regularly, and eating the right kinds of food for the nourishment of your body, especially in this day and age when we are exposed to many allergens and bacteria on a daily basis.“

“Throughout my journey as a cancer survivor, I’ve always believed in the power of taking antioxidants and ingesting super foods like Acai berries. The top Organique products like Acai freeze-dried capsules and Acai premium blend don’t only help you become healthier and live longer, but they also taste amazingly good,” Dasovich added.

Organique Acai Premium Blend Drink and ImmunoCare Kits sent by Organique to support frontliners and medical societies which include essentials like alcohol, face mask, face shield, and Department of Health BIDA+ Solusyon poster for information dissemination.

A campaign for the public good

His sentiments were echoed by COVID-19 survivor Lee and hypertension survivor Vergara, who shared their thoughts about the importance of having a strong immune system especially during a pandemic.

“Life begins at 60. At my age when I have about 10 years more, I can still accomplish more and I want to live with strength, stamina, and energy. Organique has been helping me through the years. You cannot take care of others without taking care of yourself,” Vergara said.

This was magnified by Lee who said, “Iisa lang ang buhay natin. Mas kampante ka kung alam mong mas healthy ka. Paano ako mag-p-provide sa family ko kung hindi ako healthy. Physically, tayo nag-suffer pero mentally, family natin ang nag-suffer.”

Medical societies and organizations —The Philippine Society of Medical Oncologists (left), and the Department of Health (right), receive the ImmunoCare Kits from Organique representatives.

Organique, Inc. pledged to donate Acai Freeze-dried capsules to selected hospitals and community centers in partnership with the Department of Health.

Salimbangon concluded the virtual event by saying, “We take care of our health, so that we can also take care of the health of those we love. #ImmunoStrongPH is about protecting the community through immunity. We are also strengthening our commitment as a health and wellness partner of the DOH by spreading awareness via our brand ambassador, Mr. Dasovich, and through our continued distribution of IMMUNOCARE KITS.”

Canadian research: Superfood Acai berry could help protect vs COVID-19 symptoms, Organique harnesses its anti-inflammation properties

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In this time of the global pandemic, the health and safety of our loved ones are of utmost importance. It is critical for people to protect their immune systems and maximize all the wellness support they can get. 

Thus, Organique, a USDA approved Acai Berry supplement Brand, has partnered with health and wellness experts in the Philippines and a reputable Canadian research team who has done a clinical study on Acai Berry. 

University of Toronto researchers presented as one viable option the nutrients found in the Brazilian acai super berry in a virtual forum on December 1 in partnership with Philippine wellness company Organique. Filipino medical experts were also present in the forum, entitled “Superfood Acai Berry Against COVID-19 symptoms: How to Harness its Nutrients,” which focused on the Canadian study that found the super berry to be a potential treatment for some COVID-19 symptoms. 

The clinical trial tests, which are slated to wrap up by the end of the first quarter of 2021, will determine whether an early intervention of acai palm berry extract can help mitigate severe inflammation problems in COVID-19 patients, thanks to the superfood’s potent anti-inflammatory properties.

“Organique has always believed in ‘prevention over cure.’ This is what has continuously compelled us to provide an affordable, safe, and effective immunity-boosting supplement powered by the acai super berry,” said Organique CEO and President Cathy Salimbangon. “The findings from the University of Toronto’s study could be ground-breaking as we navigate COVID-19.” 

Organique’s premium health products harness the powers of the Brazilian acai super berry, touting benefits for anti-aging, weight-loss support, immunity-boosting, and more. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been strong evidence that COVID-19 can trigger the body’s acute inflammatory response, leading to severe complications such as heart and lung inflammation. Initial medical studies have shown that the acai berry’s extracts have the potential of controlling the body’s inflammatory response within normal levels. 

The acai can also significantly decrease NLRP3-mediated inflammation, which is what triggers the body's response to ward off infections and stress. These findings came from Dr. Ana Andreazza, associate professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Originally from Brazil and working with other Brazilian researchers on this berry, Dr. Andreazza said that “acai was effective as an anti-inflammatory. It's important to note that it has a very similar effect on the NLRP3 cell as it does with damaged mitochondria as we’ve seen.” 

Dr. Joseph Lee, a guest speaker at the forum who has done extensive research on Acai, said, “For the duration that we have given acai to our patients, we have noted that they are stable and there is no erratic change to them even if they are on maintenance for high blood and liver enzyme---and those are prone to changes. Basically, through continued monitoring of all our patients and their responses to acai, we have found that acai remains a most promising superfood that can likely live up to all the claims.” 

A previous study by Dr. Andreazza also revealed that acai may even prevent mental stress too—another problem brought about by the pandemic and its socio-economic consequences such as financial uncertainty, economic slowdown, and long bouts of isolation during lockdowns. 

Although much of the research is at its early stages, the researchers remain positive that it can potentially open doors in the fight against disease worldwide. 

“Within the next six months, we can see if it can be shared globally as efficient treatment. We can see if it can treat the virus, and if ever, be used for prevention, as well as for the actual symptoms. We will also monitor if there are any after-effects in COVID-19 patients two to five years down the line,” added Dr. Michael Farkouh, lead researcher and director of the Peter Munk Centre of Excellence in Multinational Clinical Trials. “The beauty of this trial is it can be done remotely. We can ship the extract or the placebo and monitor them for any need for hospitalization. We will be checking in on them on day 1, day 15, and day 30 for regular monitoring of their clinical status.” 

“This can make a huge difference in a country like the Philippines, where many are unable to afford COVID care. If proven effective, this is just another reason why the acai berry should be a staple in our lifestyle,” stated Dr. Sonny Viloria, an expert in Integrative Wellness. While there has yet to be an approved vaccine for COVID-19, Dr. Viloria iterated that our immune system remains our best weapon against sickness. 

Salimbangon concluded, “We at Organique have been believers of the powers of acai since 2009, and we will continue to spread awareness about it until more people have more access to these supplements. Maintaining good health means good nutrition-—and that could possibly be achieved with supplements like Organique.”