The Dose
A weekly look at the health news that matters to you. Dr. Brian Goldman brings you the best science from top experts in plain language. He cuts through the BS and confusion to give you a dose of smart advice that you won’t find anywhere else. New episodes every Thursday.
Latest episodes
Mar 3, 2021 • 20min
Here's how to know if your kid has COVID — and what to expect if they do
With kids in Canada mostly back in classrooms, more kids are testing positive for COVID-19. So how do you know if your kid has COVID? Infectious disease physician Dr. Janine McCready breaks down the symptoms, the best tests for kids, and how to lower the risk of your kid getting sick.
Feb 24, 2021 • 21min
Here’s how to help kids build resilience during the pandemic
The pandemic is testing the limits of kids' resilience. But there are proven strategies that can help children cope, even if caregivers and parents feel they’re not coping so well themselves. Nancy Heath, a professor of educational and counselling psychology at McGill University in Montreal breaks down what parents should - and shouldn't - be doing to foster resilience.
Feb 18, 2021 • 22min
How can you know if your mask is working and if the air you're breathing is safe?
With the COVID-19 variants spreading in Canada, infectious disease specialist Dr. Lynora Saxinger joins Dr. Brian Goldman to break down the newest science around masks, with tips on which ones you should be wearing, how to fit them, and how to tell if your mask is working.
Feb 11, 2021 • 21min
What vaccines are coming next and how effective will they be against the COVID-19 variants?
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Zain Chagla breaks down everything you need to know about the five leading vaccines against COVID-19 and how they work - or don’t - against the variants of concern. And what it could all mean for your life and the future of the pandemic.
Feb 3, 2021 • 21min
How has the stress from a difficult year changed your brain and what can you do about it?
Stress changes your brain and has physical, mental and cognitive side effects. Many Canadians report drastically increased stress rates during the pandemic. Psychology professor Leslie Roos joins Dr. Brian Goldman to share proven, evidence based strategies for managing stress and feeling better.
Jan 27, 2021 • 22min
What are the do's and don'ts of getting the most out of my daily walk?
Doctors say walking is one of the most meaningful things you can do to improve your health because it delivers a powerful range of physiological, cognitive and mental health benefits. So much so that Dr. Jane Thornton actually prescribes walking to her patients.
Jan 20, 2021 • 21min
What do I need to know about the new COVID variants?
Infectious disease specialist and virologist Dr. Samira Mubareka says the presence of seemingly more infectious coronavirus variants in Canada is a public health emergency and existing public health rules around social distancing, masks, and hygiene may have to be tightened.
Jan 14, 2021 • 24min
How worried should I be about my kids spending so much time online during the pandemic?
As kids' screen time soars during pandemic, experts say there could be serious long term physical, mental and emotional consequences - but treating tech like nutrition can help parents: consume healthy tech, limit junk tech, and eliminate the toxic.
Jan 7, 2021 • 23min
Is 'Dry January' during the pandemic a good idea?
Considering taking some time off from alcohol? Addictions specialist Dr. Peter Selby says booze breaks like "Dry January" are a good idea, especially in light of a new study showing Canadians are binge-drinking during the pandemic.
Dec 17, 2020 • 24min
Now that the first COVID vaccine is here, what do I need to know?
The largest immunization rollout in Canadian history has begun with the arrival of the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. This milestone raises many questions, from why different people get the first shots in different provinces to concerns about potential allergic reactions or adverse side effects when our turn finally comes. Plus, there's already a lot of misinformation out there. Dr. Caroline Quach, chair of Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), answers these questions and gives us the science-based facts.
