In this episode, Medcan Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter Nord sits down with Dr. Beth Abramson, Medcan’s Director of Cardiology, to explore the latest innovations in cardiovascular screening. They discuss how two advanced assessments, ApoB and Lp(a), are transforming proactive heart health strategies, and how these tests are now part of Medcan’s Annual Health Assessment. Plus, Dr. Abramson shares lifestyle tips every cardiologist wishes their patients would adopt. Highlights: Why Heart Health Mat...
Jun 18, 2025•17 min•Ep. 219
In this episode, Leslie Beck, Medcan’s Clinical Director of Food and Nutrition, discusses the US News & World Report’s Best Diets rankings. This year marks the 15th year in a row that the US News & World Report has published these diet rankings, which were released in early January. Sixty-nine leading health experts evaluated 38 diets in 21 different categories. Beck reveals the top four overall-rated diets for 2025 and also highlights some of the other notable category winners, and expl...
Feb 28, 2025•14 min•Ep. 218
Medcan CEO and Chair Shaun Francis speaks with Tony Moreau, a retired warrant officer, and Dr. Kristina Moreau, a retired captain and family physician with a special interest in sports medicine. This father-daughter duo shares their transformative experiences as competitors in the Invictus and Warrior Games, shedding light on the power of adaptive sports and the value of community. Highlights: Tony’s Journey : Following a PTSD diagnosis, the Invictus Games helped him rediscover connection, commu...
Feb 13, 2025•22 min•Ep. 217
Medcan’s Director of Clinical Innovation, Allison Hazell, is joined by Dr. Julia Alleyne, a Medcan family physician with a focused practice in sport and exercise medicine. Drawing from her extensive medical experience with numerous international sporting events including the Olympics and the Invictus Games, Dr. Alleyne shares insights, stories, and guidance to help inspire us all on our own wellbeing and recovery journeys. Episode Highlights: Fear of Reinjury: Understanding why fear can slow rec...
Feb 05, 2025•17 min•Ep. 216
Is your workplace ready to thrive in the changing healthcare landscape? In this episode, Tara Warren, Medcan’s Director of Growth, and Dr. Peter Nord, Medcan’s Chief Medical Officer, discuss specific strategies employers can take to shift from reactive to proactive health support. Listen to the episode and learn about key topics in employee health, including: The Challenge: With millions of Canadians lacking primary care access, employers need to step up to provide health solutions. Proactive Ca...
Jan 27, 2025•21 min•Ep. 215
Can the way you exercise help you sleep better? In Eat Move Think episode 214, Medcan Fitness Manager Simon Lim explores the powerful connection between movement and restful sleep. Learn how when you exercise and the intensity influences your sleep patterns, and discover practical stretches and mobility routines to reduce tension and promote a better night’s sleep. Highlights: Exercise and Sleep Timing: Optimal times for different types of exercise and their impact on sleep. Mobility Stretches f...
Jan 20, 2025•10 min
Is travel one of the keys to a healthier, happier life? Most people know travel can be enjoyable, but did you know it has numerous health benefits? In Eat Move Think episode 213, Dr. Aisha Khatib, Medcan’s Clinical Director of Travel Medicine joins host Allison Hazell, Director of Clinical Innovation, to reveal the surprising and evidence-based health benefits of travel. From the mental boost of planning a trip to the physical benefits of exploring new environments, this episode dives deep into ...
Dec 10, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 213
Are you a weekend warrior? Whether it’s playing recreational sports, cycling, or going for a long run, many of us are only able to fit their exercise into weekends. But is this enough to meet your health and fitness goals? In this episode of Eat Move Think , Dr. Andrew Miners shares insights on why being a weekend warrior can be as beneficial as spreading your exercise out throughout the week, how they can make the most of their activity while avoiding injuries and how to maximize the benefits o...
Dec 03, 2024•10 min•Ep. 212
Can you know what medicine will work for you—before you take it? The field of pharmacogenomics seeks to understand just that. Pharmacogenomics explores how our genes can influence our response to medications, and how genetic testing can help doctors optimize medical treatment for certain health conditions. Tune in to episode 211 of our Eat Move Think podcast to hear Jessica Gu, Medcan’s Clinical Director of Genetics, explain: What pharmacogenomics is How pharmacogenomics works, including how you...
Nov 26, 2024•7 min•Ep. 211
Medcan’s team of registered dietitians are here to help. Learn more at medcan.com/nutrition . About 30% of Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes —and many don’t even know it. The good news? With the right approach, it’s possible to prevent prediabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes—or even reverse it. In Ep. 210 of Eat Move Think, host Allison Hazell speaks with Leslie Beck, registered dietitian & Medcan’s Director of Food and Nutrition, about practical strategies for preven...
Nov 19, 2024•18 min•Ep. 210
Imagine if you could know years in advance that you’re at risk for a certain illness. What if you had access to the tools and information to take action now to prevent it? In episode 209 of Eat Move Think, Dr. Peter Nord, Medcan’s Chief Medical Officer, explores this topic. Tune in to hear Dr. Nord explain: The role of genetics in predicting future health Medical advances that can help identify early risk factors and indicators What steps you can take now to improve your health into your later y...
Nov 13, 2024•10 min•Ep. 209
Looking forward to skiing or snowboarding this winter? Make sure your body is ready so you can enjoy the season without injury. In this episode, Dr. Andrew Miners, Medcan Clinical and Operations Director of Sports Medicine, Therapy, Rehabilitation and Fitness shares expert tips to get your body ski-ready. Tune in to hear Dr. Miners explain: The types of injuries or strains you might experience during cross-country or downhill skiing or snowboarding What pre-season exercises you should start doin...
Nov 06, 2024•10 min•Ep. 208
Medcan’s Director of Clinical Innovation, Allison Hazell, speaks with Jessica Gu, Medcan’s Clinical Director of Genetics, about the ApoE gene and its connection to longevity, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. They explore how ApoE variants, including E2, E3, and E4, impact your health, and discuss how genetic testing, including whole genome sequencing, can help you understand your risk for these conditions. Tune in to learn how lifestyle changes can influence genetic risk factors ...
Oct 29, 2024•15 min•Ep. 207
Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky, Medcan’s Clinical Director of Women’s Health and Vitality explores an important question in this episode: Is it burnout, or could something else be affecting your health? The symptoms of several health concerns can often be mistaken for burnout, which can lead to misdiagnosis or missed treatment opportunities. Dr. Zelovitzky reviews symptoms to watch for, including: Numbness in hands/feet or leg cramps Fatigue or shortness of breath Sleep changes Mood swings or persisten...
Oct 21, 2024•45 min
Does sunscreen cause cancer? That’s just one of the many skincare myths circulating this summer on social media. As a dermatologist at Refine by Medcan, Dr. Jennifer Tran gets a lot of questions about what’s trending on the various platforms. So in this episode, Dr. Tran provides her take on what’s based in scientific evidence — and what is completely suspect. Featuring such topics as snail mucin, pimple patches, benzoyl peroxide and benzene, glass skin, red LED lights, whether kids should be bu...
Aug 14, 2024•19 min
Cottage season is here. For many of us, that means trading the congested city for a cabin in the woods — and outdoor activities like paddleboarding, pickleball, wakeboarding, kayaking, golf or tennis. And whether you’re an expert or just getting started, preventing injury can be crucial to a successful summer vacation. That’s where functional movement training comes in. Join Medcan Interim Fitness Manager Simon Lim and Fitness Team Lead Stephanie Tzemis as they discuss the most common cottage sp...
Jul 29, 2024•30 min•Ep. 204
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 clients who were diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer here at Medcan. Hear about their experiences, how you can prevent prostate cancer, and why a diag...
Jun 24, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 203
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 Success. Joined by Janet Ko, President of the Menopause Foundation, and Salima Valji, CEO of Unleash Forward, Inc., Clinical Director of Menopause and ...
Jun 10, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 202
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 lifestyle and diet choices can help you move through your life with vitality and confidence. Check out the episode webpage for links and more info....
May 15, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 201
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 Clinical Director of Medcan’s Menopause and Perimenopause Program, Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky is working to change these statistics. In Part One of our Women...
May 06, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 200
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 worked with high-performers of all kinds (from the Toronto Raptors to Jamie Lee Curtis) to help them reach their potential. Here, Mind Station Team Lead...
Mar 11, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 199
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 Director of Food and Nutrition, to give you a comprehensive guide to the many facets of IBS, and how to get the best results using the low FODMAP diet. ...
Feb 26, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 198
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. Peter Nord is joined by Dr. Doug Manuel, MD, director of the Big Life Lab at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and expert in preventive medicine...
Feb 12, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 197
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 way different conditions affect the brain. Here, Dr. Peter Nord explores how this advancement could change the way we understand Alzheimer’s disease an...
Jan 29, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 196
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 the versatile activity has been covered by experts like Peter Attia and Michael Easter. Here, get the rundown on rucking and whether it’s right for yo...
Jan 15, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 195
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 Guidelines will look like. Learn how your peers can shape who you are, why it’s tougher than ever to connect, and how you can prioritize your social ...
Jan 01, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 194
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 that you can carry forward to optimize your own health in 2024? Check out the episode webpage for links and more info....
Dec 18, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 193
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 screening guidelines stand out from other recommendations in Canada, how you can learn about your unique risk, and why the preparation for your colonoscop...
Dec 04, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 192
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 of travel medicine, Dr. Aisha Khatib. Learn how you can deal with health issues effectively while abroad (or even prevent them before you leave). Plu...
Nov 20, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 191
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: True Patriot CEO Nick Booth, former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada Erin O’Toole, and Veteran Ryan Hawkyard. They reminisce about the highs...
Nov 06, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 190
