It’s estimated that this year, on average, 76 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every day. In Canada, prostate cancer makes up 22% of all cancer diagnoses in men. However unlike many cancers, prostate cancer is a condition that you can live and even thrive with. Here, Dr. Peter Nord and Dr. Rajiv Singal hear from two Medcan client…

Menopause costs the Canadian economy $3.5 billion a year. Many women suffer through their symptoms in silence in the workplace, with fears of being criticized, isolated or even terminated. At Medcan, we’re working hard to fight against the stigma surrounding menopause. Here, we feature our recent webinar, Leading Through Menopause: Strategies for S…

As women age, physical and hormonal changes lead to new nutritional and wellness needs. So in episode 201 of Eat Move Think, Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky and Leslie Beck, RD, team up to guide you through women’s health by the decade. Learn what’s happening inside and outside your body during each decade of adulthood from your 30s onward—and how simple l…

Within Canada’s 20 million person labour market, 5 million people are working women over the age of 40. According to a recent report from the Menopause Society, an estimated 1 in 10 women will leave the workforce due to unmanaged symptoms of menopause—that’s around 500,000 women who will stop working because of their symptoms this year. As the Clin…

Whether you’re giving a presentation at work or competing in a swim meet, there’s nothing more frustrating than having all the tools and the practice in the world, and fumbling under pressure. Dr. Dana Sinclair, the author of Dialed In: Do Your Best When it Matters Most, knows this better than anyone. She’s a performance psychologist, and she’s wor…

Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the world’s most common gastrointestinal disorders, and Canada’s rates are some of the highest. It’s difficult to diagnose, impossible to cure, and can be tough to talk about—but not for today’s guest. Kate Scarlata, RD, is an expert in IBS and the low FODMAP diet. Here, she joins Leslie Beck, Medcan’s Clinical Di…

A recent report showed that Canada’s national life expectancy dropped for the third year in a row—now sitting at an average of 81.3 years. Why are experts calling this decline a historical change? How does your own life expectancy compare, and how can you make tweaks in your routine to help you increase your lifespan and your healthspan? Here, Dr. …

Studying the brain has never been an easy feat. Researchers haven’t had steady access to growing human brain tissue—until now. The team at Sunnybrook’s Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program is making impressive progress with the help of their lab-grown organoids, which mimic living human neurons and allow scientists to more accurately study the w…

Rucking, or wearing a weighted “rucksack” while walking or jogging, originated as a practical form of fitness hundreds of years ago. It started as a training technique to prepare soldiers to carry their gear long distances—and lately, civilians are praising its health benefits too. The hashtag #rucking currently has 23 million views on TikTok, and …

Whether you’re an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between—there is robust research showing that your health is directly related to your relationships with the people around you. Here, we break down the benefits of social connection and the health risks of loneliness. Plus, we give you a sneak peek of what Canada’s future Social Connection …

As 2023 comes to a close, Eat Move Think is rounding up the health and wellness trends and updates that left lasting impressions on such Medcan experts as Shaun Francis, Dr. Peter Nord, Leslie Beck and Dr. Andrew Miners. How did their own personal wellness evolve? What innovations will they be watching next year? And what are the biggest takeaways …

Rates of colon cancer in Canada aren’t standard across the board. They’re dropping in populations over 50 years old, and rising in younger demographics. Dr. Jeff Axler, Medcan’s director of gastroenterology and endoscopy, has scoped over 40,000 colons throughout his career. Here, he chats with CMO Dr. Peter Nord about why Medcan’s colon cancer scre…

Many Canadians are packing their bags for their annual trip down south to spend the winter months somewhere tropical. Travelling has cognitive and physical benefits, so how can you continue to see the world while staying healthy? How can you get the right care when you’re away? Here, Medcan CMO Dr. Peter Nord is joined by Medcan’s clinical director…

Our host, Shaun Francis, recently spent time in Helena, Montana on an expedition with other business leaders and Veterans. Shaun is the founder of True Patriot Love, one of Canada’s largest charities that supports Canadian military members and their families and the organization behind the trip. Here, he joins his friends and fellow expeditioners: …

When the temperature drops, we spend more time indoors, in closer proximity to other people, increasing our risk of getting sick. To help you stay healthy and happy during the colder months, we’re bringing you a comprehensive guide to the prevention and treatment of the cold and the flu. Get tips and tricks from all of your favourite hosts to help …

Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky is the clinical director of the Menopause and Perimenopause at Medcan. Since the program launched this year, she’s been working with women at Medcan to educate them about their health and help treat their unique symptoms and situations. Here, she joins Marisa Ciarlitto to chat about the questions that she gets asked most, ho…

Adult acne affects 5.6 million Canadians (and 75% of them are women!). September is Acne Awareness Month, so in episode 187 of Eat Move Think, we’ve teamed up with Refine, Medcan’s dermatology clinic, for the ultimate guide to adult acne. Dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Tran breaks down the who, what, where, when and whys of acne, and how you can know w…

It’s an exciting time for the fields of nutrition and neurology. This year, two large studies determined that taking a daily multivitamin could improve memory and cognition in older adults. So can supplements actually improve your brain health? How else can food choices affect cognitive function? Here, our Eat host, Leslie Beck, RD, is joined by To…

Whether you’re working on a deadline or enjoying time with friends, city noise is jarring to the ears and even worse for concentration. A growing body of scientific evidence also suggests that high noise levels can be harmful to your health, increasing risk of hypertension, stroke and heart attacks. Here, environmental studies researcher Dr. Tor Oi…

Gastrointestinal health complaints form a large proportion of the reasons people visit their doctors—even though few people like to talk about what’s going on down there. And Medcan’s registered dietitians often get questions about how to promote digestion. So our Eat host, Leslie Beck, Medcan’s clinical director of food and nutrition, suggested a …

Research suggests that “one in three Canadians is living with diabetes or prediabetes.” So if your doctor tells you that you’re insulin resistant, what steps can you take? Here, Dr. Peter Nord is joined by Medcan endocrinologist Dr. Susan George—who was named to the Order of Canada in 2020—to break down how you can eat, move and think your way to i…

Perhaps your doctor mentioned it to you: consider adding strength training to your weekly routine. And here’s the thing: Strength training gets even more important as we get older. So in this episode, Dr. Andrew Miners, Medcan’s director of sports medicine and fitness, and McMaster kinesiology professor Dr. Stuart Phillips provide a guide to optima…

Intermittent fasting is one of the most popular fitness and nutrition trends out there right now—not only as an effective weight loss technique, but as a way to manage chronic disease risk and lower blood pressure. So what risks come with IF, and what should you know before giving it a try? In this encore presentation, Eat host Leslie Beck joins IF…

Last year, Medcan director of weight management Dr. David Macklin predicted the diabetes medication semaglutide would be a game changer for those seeking help to lose weight. Now known by trade names like Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, today semaglutide is advertised on billboards and in TV commercials — and the hashtag has more than 330 million vie…

Something about exercising in nature just makes you feel good. Hiking up a hill to enjoy forest views. Biking through the countryside. Even a walk through your community. And in fact, a new study suggests that working out in fresh air provides a special boost to your cognitive abilities – one that you won’t get if you exercise indoors. So how does …

Eat Move Think is all about giving you new ways to become the healthiest version of yourself. So in this special summer episode, we’ve challenged some of Medcan’s most wellness-obsessed teammates to tell us all about the content that changed the way they make their healthy choices. Hear about the media and pop culture that has made a big impact on …

If you’re anything like us, you’ve been waiting for the sunny days of summer. Between all the plans and trips you might have in store, it can be easy to let your healthy habits and routines fall by the wayside. So how can you optimize your wellness while you’re away? Join fitness managers Anna Topali and Tyler Kerr as they and their fitness team le…

Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky is the clinical director of women’s health and vitality at Medcan and leads the new perimenopause and menopause program. She’s a certified menopause practitioner and an advocate for the benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Zelovitzky also has an unusual backstory that includes working on Bay Street before attending m…

Medcan is expanding. There’s a summer pop-up in Muskoka’s Port Carling, a new location in Collingwood is coming soon and the Oakville location has been open for 18 months. The design in each of these spaces feels less medical and more high-end hotel. Elements like natural light and organic materials promote a sense of optimal wellness in visitors, …

“Worst air quality in a lifetime for many,” read the Weather Network app for many North Americans recently. Residual smoke from the wildfires in northern Ontario and Quebec created serious air pollution, causing Environment Canada to recommend that we avoid strenuous activities and limit our time outside. So how does wildfire smoke and air pollutio…

We’ve all had a headache that stopped our day in its tracks. To mark Migraine Awareness Month, we’re devoting an episode to the causes and cures for all sorts of headaches. That dull, throbbing pain could be caused by stress, poor diet, eye sight issues, or many other underlying conditions. So how can you know what is causing your headache? What is…

When you experience stress, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. So what exactly does the “stress hormone” do? Why is there an instinct to freeze in stressful situations, and what lifestyle changes could improve our ability to handle stress? Here, Medcan CEO Shaun Francis talks to the director of the UHN Krembil Research Institute, Dr. Jai…

“If you’re eating something that came wrapped in plastic and contains even one ingredient that wouldn’t be found in most household kitchens, it is most likely ultra-processed food,” writes today’s guest, Dr. Chris van Tulleken. He’s an Oxford-educated infectious diseases doctor, with a Ph.D. in molecular virology, as well as a BBC television person…

In 2022, Medcan became the first wellness provider in the country to enter the age of truly personalized medicine by integrating whole genome sequencing into a comprehensive preventive health assessment — allowing clients access to the most advanced technology available to promote longevity and address potential future health concerns. Now, a year …

5.4 million Canadians are at high risk of experiencing or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea—and not all of them snore. Sleep apnea is the most common breathing-related sleep disorder, and spending the night in a hospital or clinic is an uncomfortable and inconvenient way to be diagnosed and get treatment. Here, Dr. Chris Chan, clinical director …

For years, scientific evidence has suggested that there could possibly be a link between exercise and cognitive function. A new study in Scientific Reports analyzed the genetic data of over 350,000 people to determine whether or not regular physical activity can really improve our brain health. So can working out really make us smarter? What type o…

Did you know that loneliness is associated with health risks as negative as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? When we think of a healthy lifestyle designed to promote longevity, we think of factors like diet, exercise or genetics. Rarely do we consider loneliness as a factor in determining how long we live. Yet according to loneliness expert Dr. Juliann…

Fitness trainers are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to health and wellness. Here, Medcan fitness managers Anna Topali and Tyler Kerr lead some of our top trainers as they discuss science-based answers to the questions that come up again and again. Do women get bulky if they lift heavy weights? Will my sleep quality suffer if I work out at nigh…

As the weather heats up, so does the talk about sunscreen. Reapply every 2 hours—or every 4 hours. Only use SPF 30 or higher…but maybe the SPF 15 in your moisturizer is okay. Here, Refine medical director Dr. Jonathan Levy clears up misconceptions about your skin and sunscreen. Learn why SPF 80 might not be as protective as you think, which UV rays…

Sleeping well is crucial for wellness. But for those of us who work at demanding jobs, it can be all too easy to sacrifice sleep. In fact, thanks also to streaming services and social media, society is as sleep deprived as we’ve ever been. So in this episode, Medcan chief medical officer Dr. Peter Nord talks with sleep deprivation expert Dr. Ann E.…

What’s the best way to lose weight, and keep it off for good? Does your body prefer a low-fat or a low-carb diet? The body’s metabolism rate, genes, and microbiomes can all affect the way we lose or gain weight. The good news? The field of personalized nutrition will likely soon be able to give you a full list of which foods will help your body los…

Medcan trainers and doctors say that the single biggest change you can do for your wellness is to go from doing nothing, to doing something. For the non-smokers among us, the biggest change in your body happens when you go from a sedentary lifestyle to a simple fitness routine that you can gradually build on, and walking is one of the best ways to …

Can you breathe your way to a better mood and reduced anxiety? This week’s guest says it's possible! Medcan consulting psychologist Dr. Amanda Beaman chats with the medical director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University, Dr. David Spiegel, a physician. Dr. Spiegel's recent study with podcaster and neuroscientist Andrew Huber…

Can certain foods cure pre-menstrual syndrome? Do soy products cause breast cancer? And can a healthy diet help you conceive, or improve the symptoms of menopause? In this episode of Eat Move Think, we explore the world of women's nutrition. Guided by Medcan’s director of clinical innovation, Allison Hazell, our Eat expert, Leslie Beck, RD, and reg…

As we approach International Women’s Day, Eat Move Think begins a two-week look at wellness specifically for females. This week, Medcan senior medical advisor, and bestselling author of The New Woman’s Guide to Healthy Aging, Dr. Vivien Brown, provides an overview on all things preventive health, touching on everything from telomeres to stress, and…

Canada’s new alcohol guidelines took a radically different approach. Most health recommendations provide advice on safe amounts of the substance in question. But Canada’s 2023 Guidance on Alcohol and Health tells us there is no safe amount when it comes to drinking spirits, wine or beer. Sidestepping any suggestion for specific consumption levels, …

Everyone from Peter Attia to the Global Cycling Network is talking about zone-based fitness training. It’s gaining popularity as a way to optimize your workouts and train like an endurance athlete, all while making sure you don’t work too hard. So we contacted a global expert to determine whether it’s worth the hype. What is Zone 2 training, and ho…

Workforces increasingly expect their employers to support their health and wellbeing—which is why Medcan created the Workplace Health and Wellness Strategy Playbook. In the latest episode of our weekly podcast, Eat Move Think, join such MAS physicians as Dr. Peter Nord, Dr. Alain Sotto, Dr. Matthew Burnstein and Dr. Aisha Khatib as they share first…

February is Heart Health month, and with the heartiest (ahem) of holidays coming up, in the form of Valentine’s Day, what better time to bring attention to how you can keep your heart healthy and strong? Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Canada, and is the first leading cause of premature death in women. Here, Medcan director of…

Mary Deacon has been pioneering efforts to improve Canada’s mental health for 25 years. She’s the founding president of the CAMH Foundation and the founding chair of Bell Let’s Talk, which she still leads today. She’s also worked with Medcan CEO and True Patriot Love chair Shaun Francis on a million-dollar fund to support military members, Veterans…