Eat Move Think

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, they instead inform Canadians about the risk we incur for an alcohol-caused death at given consumption levels per week. To learn about the implications for us all, Medcan chief medical officer Dr. Peter Nord walks us through interviews with guideline coauthors Dr. Tim Naimi, physician and director of the 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.  Check out the episode webpage for links and more info.

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 how can you do it effectively—no matter your fitness level? Dr. Stephen Seiler is a professor at Norway’s University of Agder, and for decades he’s been researching the concept of the “polarized training” that separates training styles by lactate range and heart rate. Here, he explores the benefits of slowing down with Medcan CEO Shaun Francis.  Check out the episode webpage for links and more info. 

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-hand experiences of best practices for workplace wellness, to promote engagement and productivity among employees. Check out the episode webpage for links and more info. 

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 cardiology, Dr. Beth Abramson, joins Dr. Peter Nord to break down everything you need to know about heart disease, and the main risk factors that cause it. Learn what you can do to reduce your risk, how the risk factors are different for women, and how COVID-19 can affect your heart. Check out the episode webpage for links and more info.

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 and their families. Here, the two friends discuss the past, present and future of mental health in this country, with a view to providing us with ways to improve access and reduce stigma. It’s a conversation you don’t want to miss. Check out the episode webpage for links and more info.

Our conversations about mental health have changed in the past few years. Things that were considered taboo or inappropriate to mention are now commonly discussed. And that’s great, because authentic conversations can help to reduce stigma. 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? What do you do if you don’t have the time to talk? 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. Check out the episode webpage for links and more info.  

Eat Move Think is all about life hacks and wellness guidance to help you be at your best. So what happens when you place too much of a focus on productivity and goal-chasing? 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 about his own journey to calm, how our brains are affected by high levels of stress and anxiety, and how the rest of us can use calm to become more engaged, more present, and more productive in everything we do. Check out the episode webpage for links and more info.  

Genetic technology is advancing quickly, and the information in our DNA will continue to grow more important to promoting human health and wellbeing in the decades to come. Genetic counsellors help people to understand the implications of the information locked in their genes. Counsellors can provide guidance on which genetic tests may be appropriate, and, once test results are in, they help the subject understand the meaning of the results. In this episode, Medcan genetic counsellors demystify some of the most common questions involving genetics and wellness, such as, what’s the difference between clinical and consumer-grade genetic testing? Featuring Medcan director of clinical innovation Allison Hazell, clinical director of genetics Jessica Gu and genetic counsellor Justin Lorentz. Check out the episode webpage for links and more info.  

Ah, the last week of the year. Hopefully it’s your chance to kick back, relax, and spend time with loved ones. The holidays can be a time of reflection as you reminisce on the past year, or maybe you’re planning your 2023 and setting some New Year's resolutions. So what’s the secret to making long-lasting, permanent change? In this encore episode, join Shaun Francis as he chats with weight management expert Dr. David Macklin for tips to create practical, achievable goals. Check out the episode webpage for links and more info.

Curious about the food trends that will affect how and what you eat in 2023? Medcan director of food and nutrition Leslie Beck sure is. So in this episode she checks in with Nourish Food Marketing president Jo-Ann McArthur, the author of a closely watched annual report on food trends. The two experts discuss what’s likely to trend in the next year, the innovations headed our way, and how we may eat differently in the next 12 months and beyond. Check out the episode webpage for links and more info.