We are all very familiar with the notion “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but what if I told you that a run a day might also keep the doctor away.  The notion isn’t exactly wrong, as many of us are well aware physical activity plays a crucial role in keeping our bodies…

O, Canada. Yes, we invented the phone, basketball, the Java programming language… oh and of course, insulin [1]. Discovered in 1921 by Toronto doctor, Fredrick Banting, insulin is a hormone made in our pancreas, a gland just below the stomach [1,2]. Since we have a sweet tooth for various glucose heavy desserts such as cakes…

We all know smoking is very dangerous for one’s health and it can increase the risk of lung cancer. Now this situation is comparable to the relationship between diabetes and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and need to be very careful…

For a while now, most researchers agree that mental health can indirectly and directly impact physical health. Mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, alter people’s ability to perform positive behaviours like exercise. In the long-term, this could seriously take a toll on your body, increasing the risk of various bodily problems. Anxiety plays a…

Have you ever stood in front of a large crowd of people to give a speech, sing, or present a major project? Do you recall sweat pouring down your face, a pounding heart, and the sudden urger to vomit your brains out? This (unfortunate) set of feelings is the “fight or flight” response. Believe it…

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – What is it? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness that affects persons who have been through or witnessed a terrible incident [4]. People of any race, nationality, or culture, and of any age, can develop PTSD. One out of every eleven people will be diagnosed with PTSD at…

As humans we feel emotions. Sometimes we’re happy, sometimes we’re sad, maybe even mad or if you’re like me watching a romantic comedy, you might be all three within the span of an hour. Since our emotions change frequently, we hear the phrases “you’re so moody,” or “you have so many mood swings,” quite often,…

“How college kids binge drinking antics have become a viral business: the creators call it I’m smacked! Getting smacked!”  That iconic viral Tik Tok trend made me a bit more aware of our drinking habits. For those of you who are not familiar, this trend is a compilation of videos of friends drinking with a…

Heart health is an important topic of discussion.  Whether it concerns diagnosis, symptoms, onset of the disease, or treatment of the disease, one issue is almost widely accepted worldwide. This issue is regarding the differences that men and women experience when it comes to disease stigmatization. This stigmatization, or simply stigma, can manifest itself in various ways.…

Maintaining good heart health is important for both men and women and helps lower the chances of having a heart attack, stroke or early death. The chance of having heart failure increases when you get older and knowing the risk factors for both men and women can help lower heart disease and failure rates [1].…