An interview with Lloyd Taylor from PD TEA (Head Tea Drinker) & Team Fox on August 29, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Please tell me a little about your background.
I was born in Yorkshire England and moved to Canada as a child.
I received a BA from Wilfrid Laurier University in Kitchener Ontario.
When my career as a Formula race car driver came to a crashing end, I started a business specializing in barcode tracking labels. I ran that business for 30 years until my Parkinson’s forced me to stop.
I have a wonderful wife and 3 great kids.
I consider myself a fortunate person. Even Parkinson’s has given me more than it has taken.
In an attempt to give back, I have launched PDTEA. (pdtea.com)
Can you tell me more about your organization?
PDTEA uses the healing power of tea to soothe the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
It is an all-natural, organic tea blend, that targets dopamine production, cognitive functions, anxiety, energy, and digestion.
Proceeds support the Michael J Fox Foundation.
The Story of PDTEA
As a busy entrepreneur, husband, and father of three, with a great network of friends, I consider myself a fortunate person. As I push through my PD journey, I can say that in some respects the disease has given me more than it has taken. The disease has introduced me to a community of people who find a way to live their best lives despite the obstacle of Parkinson’s. The course of their lives has been altered by the disease and they have chosen to find new paths; sometimes better than the ones they were on.
Last summer, my own course was altered when I cycled with a group across the Canadian Maritimes as part of a Parkinson’s fundraiser. One of the cyclists in our group went on to ride in South America, where he was introduced to a local tea that had positive effects on his PD symptoms. The more he drank, the better he felt. He packed a suitcase with tea and brought it home.
I was intrigued. The tea was not widely known or consumed in North America partly because of the format and the taste. As the suitcase began to empty, I searched for a solution and found it in my own backyard. My neighbor of 20 years is one of Canada’s leading tea merchants. He prepared a dozen blends for tasting. Ingredients were tweaked; each one chosen to address a symptom of Parkinson’s. The new tea is better than the original. It is grown on organic family farms and packaged in biodegradable sachets in a state of the art, solar powered factory. And while I have enjoyed sharing it with close members of my PD community, it is time to let more people know.
The response has been overwhelming, and I realize PDTEA can do more than just ease symptoms; it can raise funds and contribute to the search for a cure. PDTEA will be available at the end of summer 2023 and proceeds will support the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Please join me on this path. Sign up now to be notified when PDTEA is ready to ship.
It’s time to drink the tea.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
My passion is bringing relief to PwP’s who suffer daily with symptoms of PD.
My goal is to raise $100,000 for Team Fox
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
Everyone’s Parkinson’s journey is unique and so everyone’s symptoms are different. Finding relief from those symptoms is the goal.
What type of training and how long are the programs?
The effect of the tea is cumulative. Most people find 1-2 cups daily is effective.
What effect can it have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Here is feedback from some of our PDTEA drinkers.
PDTEA clears the fog. – Peter
I’ve added PDTEA to my routine. I feel great. Even my handwriting has improved. – Rick
PDTEA gives me an energy boost without jitters or crash. I love it. – Steve
A friend introduced me to PDTEA. From the first sip I was hooked. The taste is great, and it has a positive effect on my PD symptoms. – Jim
PDTEA relaxes me and helps with stiffness. – Sharon
PDTEA puts a pep in my step – Eddie
What would you like to see as a future goal for your programs?
Our goal is to reach as many people as possible. We started local and want to bring the benefits of PDTEA global.
What events do you participate in?
The Proceeds
PDTEA is proud to donate proceeds from all sales to Team Fox, The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s grassroots fundraising arm dedicated to funding research and accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
We launched PDTEA at the World Parkinson’s Congress in Barcelona Spain.
PD Avengers.
PDTEA is a proud partner of PD Avengers – a global alliance to end Parkinson’s disease.
PD Avengers believe in a “Think Global, Act Local” approach to advocacy. They are a global alliance of people with Parkinson’s, their partners and friends, standing together to demand change in how the disease is seen and treated.
PD Avengers is built on the three pillars – Wellness, Advocacy & Research.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
There is a calming effect to sitting with a hot mug of tea. It’s a chance to be mindful and thankful. This is true for PwP’s and caregivers.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Pdtea.com
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
Please spread the message and encourage people to visit our website and register.
Every drop helps.
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
It takes more than one strategy to live your best life with Parkinson’s. The more options you can give yourself, the better you are. A mug of tea is a small part, but every drop helps.
More about PDTEA
The Tea
PDTEA applies the healing powers of tea to the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. It is an all natural, organic blend, that targets dopamine production, cognitive functions, energy and digestion.
PDTEA contains active ingredients from the plant Ilex Paraguariensis, which studies show:
- has a negative correlation to rates of Parkinson’s Disease
- helps prevent the degeneration of dopaminergic cells
- aids the maturation of dopaminergic neurons
PDTEA provides a boost of energy and mental clarity without caffeine jitters, crash or sleep interference.
PDTEA is an aid in reducing anxiety.
PDTEA is an anti-inflammatory.
PDTEA assists digestion.
PDTEA is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
PDTEA is a tool to help manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
The Research
The following sources are scientific research studies and proof points about the impact of tea on the symptoms of Parkinson’s and the specific benefits that particular ingredients can have on the disease.
Title: [Ilex Paraguariensisi] A Protective Factor in Parkinson Disease.
Source: Clin Neuropharmacol. 2022 Jul-Aug 01;45(4):79-83.
Title: A Case-Control Study of the Effects of Ilex Paraguariensis on Parkinson’s Disease.
Source: Front Neurol. 2021 Mar 10;12:619535.
Title: Inverse association between consumption and Parkinson’s disease. A case-control study.
Source: J Neurol Sci. 2015 Sep 15;356(1-2):163-7.
Title: (Ilex Paraguaiensis) protects dopaminergic neurons degeneration and improve their maturation in culture
Source: International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Mov Disord. 2018; 33 (suppl 2)
Title: Green Tea Intake and Parkinson’s Disease Progression: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Source: Front. Nutr., 26 May 2022
Sec. Nutritional Epidemiology
Volume 9 – 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.848223.