Eat Move Think

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 doing now to boost strength and prevent injuries What you can do when you’re out on the slopes to help reduce risk of injury or soreness What You Can Do Working with a personal fitness trainer is an excellent way to prepare for the upcoming season. Medcan’s Personalized Fitness Training Program provides you with a comprehensive approach to help you achieve your health and wellness goals, whether you are an exercise novice or a professional athlete. Work out in our state-of-the-art facilities in Toronto or Oakville or in the comfort of your home through our virtual sessions. To learn more about how Medcan can help you reach your fitness goals, visit medcan.com/fitness.

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 and how you can use this information to lead a healthier, longer life. What You Can Do To help you understand your personal genetic insights, Medcan offers a suite of enhanced genetics screening options, including Whole Genome Sequencing. With DNA testing of over 4,000 genes, you will receive a comprehensive view of your potential genetic risks. A Medcan certified genetic counsellor and a medical geneticist will provide clinical guidance to support evidence-based decisions to improve your health.  To learn more about our enhanced genetics screenings including Whole Genome Sequencing, and to request an appointment with one of Medcan’s genetic counsellors, visit medcan.com/genetics.

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 persistent sadness Brain fog, hot flashes or irregular menstrual cycles  Dr. Zelovitzky then breaks down five common health issues that can mimic burnout and shares actionable steps for addressing each one. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the symptoms and learn steps you can take on the path to feeling better. NEXT STEPS YOU CAN TAKE If you think you may be experiencing the issues described by Dr. Zelovitzky, or have other health concerns, speak to your doctor or health practitioner. If you haven’t had a detailed health assessment within the last year, the Annual Health Assessment from Medcan can help you gain comprehensive health insights. In just one day, you will complete up to 15 tests, including a dynamic lab panel along with cardiac health assessments, ultrasound imaging, and gender and age specific screenings. During the same appointment, you will receive your results along with personalized recommendations from our health professionals. Medcan can then support you within our extensive ecosystem of services, including nutrition counselling, mental health and wellbeing services, and our menopause and perimenopause program.  Learn more about Medcan’s Annual Health Assessment.  

Dr. Jennifer Tran, a double-board certified dermatologist at Refine by Medcan, tackles the most talked-about skincare myths in this enlightening discussion. She clarifies whether sunscreen actually causes cancer and dives into the effectiveness of snail mucin and pimple patches. The conversation touches on why children are drawn to expensive skincare, as well as the rising trend of flaxseed as a DIY alternative to Botox. Throughout, she emphasizes the importance of evidence-based skincare and consulting professionals.

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 sports, then walk you through specific functional movements designed to reduce injury, and promote mobility, stability and flexibility.  Find both video and audio versions of the podcast at the episode webpage: https://medcan.com/podcast/cottage-sports-injury-prevention/ LINKS Looking for more tips on how to reduce injury and promote strength? Consult with a Medcan fitness trainer today. The internet is full of sport-specific workouts. Here are some of them: Pickleball workout  Paddleboarding workout Tennis workout Improve your strength for golf Wakeboarding/wakesurfing workout   KEY MOMENTS 00:00 Beginning 00:12 Preparing for a summer full of fun 01:47 What are functional movements and how can they prevent injury?  02:43 The four pillars of healthy joints: flexibility, mobility, stability, and strength  04:37 Cottage sports can be dangerous because we’re not used to doing these movements every day.  06:29 Are people more likely to get injured from cottage activities? 07:55 Functional movements: The basics 09:18 Poor posture can actually increase injury severity 11:50 When is the most optimal time to do some functional movements, and how often should I do them? 13:38 Who could benefit the most from functional movements?  15:53 Pickleball & Tennis: The best functional movements to prevent injury 17:41 Golf: The best functional movements to prevent injury 19:05 Paddleboarding: The best functional movements to prevent injury 21:24 Swimming: The best functional movements to prevent injury 22:02 Kayaking: The best functional movements to prevent injury 22:48 Do I need to do functional movements if I’m just going for a leisurely swim? 24:18 Is there a full-body warmup we can do that targets every muscle group?  25:00 Three most important takeaways from this episode about functional movement.  

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 diagnosis does not have to hold you back from living a long and happy life.  LINKS Visit our Men’s Health webpage to learn more about your prostate cancer risk and stay up to date on your screening. See more prostate cancer statistics from the Canadian Cancer Society Read some of the latest research on prostate cancer prevention and management: ”...higher intake of plant foods after prostate cancer diagnosis was associated with lower risk of cancer progression,” from this 2024 study in JAMA Network Open KEY MOMENTS 00:57 How common is prostate cancer? 03:44 Your risk goes up with age 4:58 It might not affect your quality of life at all 6:54 Men don’t always advocate for their health 7:55 Meet two Medcan clients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer 9:19 What is PSA? 11:59 Prostate cancer screening: MRI, PSA ratio and biopsy 14:08 Experience and risk of getting a biopsy 16:22 The Gleason Score, and stages of prostate cancer 20:50 Is it cancer or BPH? (benign prostatic hyperplasia) How to know 23:47 Does testosterone increase your risk of prostate cancer? 25:02 Your PSA trend matters more than your current levels 26:24 A regular GP may not have caught this Medcan client’s cancer 27:55 Treatment options: radiation vs surgery 30:55 The importance of being proactive about your health and recovery  31:34 One man’s post-surgery 10,000 step streak 34:36 Surgery results and recovery 36:52 Lifestyle choices that can prevent an enlarged prostate 37:36 Tips from two of Dr. Singal’s patients  

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 Perimenopause, Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky, covers critical topics on menopause awareness and support in the workplace. The panelists debunk myths about hormone therapy and breast cancer risk, offer valuable tips for advocating for menopause-related needs in the workplace, and share resources to empower women and foster supportive environments at work. LINKS Medcan’s Menopause and Perimenopause Program led by Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky, offers six months of comprehensive, holistic support that is personalized to your unique symptoms and concerns.  Janet Ko is the President and Co-Founder of The Menopause Foundation, where you’ll find a helpful symptom tracker among other useful resources. Salima Valji is the CEO and Founder of Unleash Forward Inc., a purpose driven leadership accelerator focused on elevating women and people of colour to senior leadership roles and board positions.  Find more helpful resources at The Menopause Society (formerly known as the North American Menopause Society). More references and research:  The Menopause and Work in Canada report by the Menopause Foundation breaks down the economic impact of menopause.  Closing the women’s health gap: A $1 trillion opportunity to improve lives and economies by The McKinsey Health Institute Read a recent critical review of the Women’s Health Initiative, which created societal distrust in the efficacy and safety of hormone replacement therapy. Plus, our panelists’ favourite women’s health books to add to your bookshelf. Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky’s pick: Estrogen Matters: Why Taking Hormones in Menopause Can Improve Women's Well-Being and Lengthen Their Lives -- Without Raising the Risk of Breast Cancer by Dr. Avrum Bluming and Dr. Carol Tavris Janet Ko’s pick: The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health With Facts And Feminism by Dr. Jen Gunter Salima Valji’s pick: The Menopause Brain: New Science Empowers Women to Navigate the Pivotal Transition with Knowledge and Confidence by Dr. Lisa Mosconi To stay in touch with our panelists, you can connect with Janet Ko and Salima Valji on LinkedIn.  

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.

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’s Health Special Series, she’s joined by her former client, Norma Pasquale. After having faced debilitating perimenopause symptoms, Norma’s life changed after treating her symptoms with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Hear her story, and learn how you can advocate for your health and get the best care and resources for your unique needs.  

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 Jennifer Baldachin chats with Dr. Sinclair. Get the best strategies to overcome fear, transform your self-talk, and dial into a performance mindset that lets you access your best self, no matter the circumstances.