Ep. 170: Whole Genome Sequencing: One Year In
In 2022, Medcan became the first wellness provider in the country to enter the age of truly personalized medicine by providing whole genome sequencing to clients seeking the most advanced technology available to promote longevity. Now, a year later, who is getting their whole genome sequenced, and what impact has the decision had on their lives? What are some of the most surprising findings? Director of clinical innovation Allison Hazell (pictured above) leads director of genetics Jessica Gu and genetic counsellor Justin Lorentz in a fascinating discussion that also features CMO Dr. Peter Nord reflecting on his own experience getting his whole genome sequenced.
Ep. 169: Sleep Apnea & Medcan’s New At-Home Sleep Study
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, (pictured above) clinical director of Medcan’s new Sleep Program explains who is at highest risk for sleep apnea, and he introduces a simple and evidence-based device that could help you discover your diagnosis while sleeping in your own bed.
Ep. 168: Can Exercise Make You Smarter?
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 of exercise is best for our brains? Here, University of Geneva senior researcher and study lead author, Dr. Boris Cheval, (pictured above) joins Move host Dr. Andrew Miners to explore the connection between movement and cognition.
Ep. 167: How Your Friends Can Help You Live Longer
Rarely do we consider loneliness as a factor in determining how long we live. Yet according to loneliness expert Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, “social connections have potent influences on health and longevity, and lacking social connection qualifies as a risk factor for premature mortality.” Here, Dr. Holt-Lunstad (pictured above) joins Medcan MIND station team lead Jennifer Baldachin to explore how social connections promote wellness—with guidance on how to create new relationships.
Ep. 166: Answering the Questions Fitness Trainers Get Asked Most
If you've ever worked with a fitness trainer, you probably know that they're a wealth of knowledge when it comes to health and wellness. On a regular basis, they get asked popular questions like, “Do women get bulky if they lift heavy weights?” or, “Will my sleep quality suffer if I work out at night?” Here, get the science-based cheat sheet to these and other common fitness questions that Medcan trainers are asked every day. (pictured: trainer Sean Trotman)
Ep. 165: Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Sunscreen
As the weather heats up, so does the talk about sunscreen. Reapply every 2 hours—or every 4 hours. Only use SPF30 or higher…but maybe the SPF15 in your moisturizer is okay. Here, Refine medical director Dr. Jonathan Levy (pictured above) clears up misconceptions about your skin and sunscreen. Learn why SPF80 might not be as protective as you think, which UV rays your sunscreen is blocking, and how to know which brands will make you less likely to break out.
Ep. 164: Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
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. Rogers (pictured above) of Georgia’s Emory University. The two discuss the reasons we’re not getting the slumber we need—and share tips and tricks to maintain performance even during those periods where you’re not getting enough shut-eye.
Ep. 159: A Woman’s Guide to Preventive Health
This week, Medcan senior medical advisor, and bestselling author of The New Woman’s Guide to Healthy Aging, Dr. Vivien Brown, (pictured above) provides an overview on all things preventive health, touching on everything from telomeres to stress, and the importance of self-education to promote brain health. If you’re a woman, it’s an inspiring—and empowering—way to focus on your own wellness.
Ep. 158: Explaining Canada’s New Alcohol Guidelines
Canada’s new alcohol guidelines tell us there is no safe amount when it comes to drinking alcohol. To learn about the implications for us all, Medcan’s chief medical officer Dr. Peter Nord (pictured above) walks us through interviews with guideline coauthors Dr. Tim Naimi, physician and director of Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, and Dr. Jürgen Rehm, epidemiologist at CAMH and professor at the University of Toronto. We also check in with guideline critic Dr. Dan Malleck, historian and health sciences professor at Brock University.
Ep. 156: Workplace Wellness Success Stories
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 Eat Move Think, join such MAS physicians as Dr. Peter Nord (pictured above), Dr. Alain Sotto, Dr. Matthew Burnstein and Dr. Aisha Khatib as they share first-hand experiences of best practices for workplace wellness, to promote engagement and productivity among employees.
Ep. 155: What Do I Need to Know About Heart Disease?
February is Heart Health month, so 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 cardiology, Dr. Beth Abramson, (pictured above) joins Dr. Peter Nord to break down everything you need to know about heart disease, and the main risk factors that cause it.
Ep. 154: What Can I Do to Promote Mental Health?
Mary Deacon has been pioneering efforts to improve Canada’s mental health for 25 years. She and Medcan CEO Shaun Francis ways to improve access and reduce stigma. It’s a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Ep. 153: How to Talk to Someone Who’s Struggling
Our conversations about mental health have changed in the past few years. So when your coworker or close friend discloses that they’re having a tough time, how can you provide the response they need? What’s the best way to set boundaries? And how can you take care of yourself? Learn about things to say, do, and avoid to best show your support, from wellness host Dr. Peter Nord and Medcan social worker Jennifer Baldachin (pictured above).
Ep. 152: How to Calm Your Mind
When you fixate too much on productivity and goal-chasing, focus can fizzle, and burnout results. In productivity expert Chris Bailey’s new book, How to Calm Your Mind, he writes that “in an anxious world, the path to productivity runs through calm.” Here, Medcan consulting psychologist Amanda Beaman talks to Bailey (pictured above) about his own journey to calm, and how the rest of us can become more engaged, more present, and more productive.
Ep. 151: What Does A Genetic Counsellor Do?
Genetic technology isn’t just for scientists anymore. We give genetic tests as gifts to our friends, our family, even our pets. Yet few people really understand what it is that a genetic counsellor does, or how clinical genetic testing works. Here, director of clinical innovation Allison Hazell (pictured above), clinical director of genetics Jessica Gu, and genetic counsellor Justin Lorentz answer the questions they get asked most.
Ep. 150: How to Change, with Dr. David Macklin
Ah, the last week of the year. It might be a time of reflection as you reminisce, or maybe you’re already planning your 2023! Most of us make New Year’s resolutions with true intentions of sticking with them. So what’s the secret to making long-lasting, permanent, healthy change? As you finalize your goals and hopes for next year, join Shaun Francis as he chats with weight management expert Dr. David Macklin about creating practical goals that are sure to last.
Ep. 147: The Year in Wellness
The last 12 months have whizzed by, and so in this episode, Medcan experts like CEO Shaun Francis, Eat host Leslie Beck, Move host Dr. Andrew Miners and many more take stock of the way wellness changed in 2022, both for them personally, and for society as a whole. We also hear where our experts expect wellness to go in the next 12 months.
Ep. 146: Skincare on Your Holiday Schedule
The holiday season often prompts thoughts of skincare rejuvenation treatments. Medcan’s dermatology clinic, Refine, takes over Eat Move Think this week to round up the most innovative and effective skincare treatments to address your biggest skincare concerns. Refine medical director Dr. Jonathan Levy (pictured above) and Refine aesthetician Lesley Bray answer listener-submitted questions about the best ways to boost collagen, get an instant glow or tackle fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, get important tips on how to best care for your skin through the winter.
Ep. 145: A New Way to Assess Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Early detection of cardiovascular disease can be life-changing. Problem is, many methods identify cardiac disease only after it has progressed to later stages. High-sensitivity troponin screening uses a blood sample to detect elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, years before most other methods. In this conversation between our Wellness host, Dr. Peter Nord, Medcan’s chief medical officer, and Tricia Ravalico, (pictured above) Director, Global Scientific Leadership and Education at Abbott, we explore the development of the hs-Troponin test and describe why it is so innovative.
Ep. 144: Can Strength Training Help You Live Longer?
Conventional wisdom (and plenty of research) says engaging in aerobic activity like running, swimming, or cycling can lengthen your life. Now, a new study suggests that adding strength-training exercises to your aerobic fitness routine will provide an added boost when it comes to living longer. Join Dr. Andrew Miner as he chats with the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Jess Gorzelitz, (pictured above) an associate professor at the University of Iowa with expertise in kinesiology and epidemiology. Learn how older people can start strength training, why lifting weights provides longevity benefits—and why strength training is most beneficial for women.