Nutrition Conversations

• Canadian Food Regulations: Are they barriers or facilitators to food innovations in Canada? with Dr. William Yan, Dr. Samuel Godefroy and guest host, Teresa Mastrodicasa

  Over the past decade, food and food systems have emerged as key to tackling non-communicable diseases, sustainability, and food security. This has spurred major investments in technologies that transform how we produce and consume food. Yet, regulation and policy remain major barriers to innovation, access, and identifying foods that support healthy diets. Dr. William Yan earned his Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases from the University of Alberta and joined Health Canada in 1995. As Director of the Bureau of Nutritional Sciences (2010–2022), he led key Healthy Eating Strategy initiatives, including sodium reduction, trans fat elimination, and front-of-package labelling. Now retired, he is a CNS-SCN Fellow, and teaches at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Samuel Godefroy, former Director General of Health Canada’s Food Directorate and Vice Chair of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, has over 25 years of experience in food regulatory science and policy. He is President of both the International Union of Food Science and Technology and the Global Food Regulatory Science Society. Currently, he is a Full Professor at Laval University, where he leads the Food Risk Analysis and Regulatory Excellence Platform. In this episode, Dr. Yan and Dr. Godefroy discuss regulation and policy as a barrier and facilitator to addressing food system challenges, with a primary focus on food manufacturing and consumers as targets for food system modernization. This podcast is sponsored by Protein Industries Canada.

  --------  

  57:48
• Why We Store Fat Differently: The Science Behind Metabolism and Obesity with Dr. Kafi Ealey

  Research shows that adipose (fat) tissue isn’t just stored energy—it plays a critical role in metabolism, inflammation, and disease risk. Biological, environmental and nutritional factors contribute to differences in how people store fat and develop conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Kafi Ealey is an assistant professor in the School of Nutrition at Toronto Metropolitan University. Dr. Ealey obtained her MSc and PhD from the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto and completed postdoctoral training at the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Yokohama, Japan, as well as in the Department of Translational Medicine at the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children Research Centre. Dr. Ealey’s research is focused on understanding the biological and cellular processes that govern the diverse functions of metabolic tissues to promote overall health. Her work employs a range of experimental models to determine how nutrition can affect fat storage, the immune system, and how the body uses energy, and helps us better understand how to prevent or manage chronic metabolic diseases. Dr. Ealey is particularly passionate about examining the biological variations in metabolic systems that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in the prevalence of obesity-related conditions, including type 2 diabetes. In this episode, Dr. Ealey discusses how fat storage and metabolism vary across individuals and populations, and why these differences matter for health.

  --------  

  30:41
• Stronger for Longer: The Power of Exercise in Healthy Aging with Dr. Lora Giangregorio

  Older adults are the fastest-growing demographic in Canada, yet gaps in care persist, including limited healthcare access, social isolation, and rising cognitive decline. Addressing these challenges through diet and physical activity is key to promoting healthy aging and quality of life. Dr. Lora Giangregorio is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Bone Health and Exercise Science. She leads the Bone Health and Exercise Science Lab, also known as the BonES lab. The BonES lab team leads research on physical activity for older adults and people with osteoporosis. Dr. Giangregorio is a member of the Scientific Advisory Council for Osteoporosis Canada and was on the leadership team that developed the 2020 Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines. She also led the Exercise Working Group for the 2023 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Osteoporosis and Fracture Prevention in Canada. In this episode, Dr. Giangregorio discusses the vital role of exercise in supporting mobility, bone health, and muscle strength in older adults.

  --------  

  33:00
• Understanding Sodium: From Tackling Public Health Concerns to Practical Ways to Cut Back with Dr. JoAnne Arcand

  Sodium is essential for our bodies, but too much can have serious consequences for our health, including raising blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart disease. Dr. JoAnne Arcand is an Associate Professor and Registered Dietitian in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University. She leads a research program that explores evidence-based approaches to the implementation of nutrition policies and interventions to enhance population-wide strategies aimed at supporting healthy eating, including dietary sodium. Her research addresses behavioural nutritional risk factors across the lifecycle, from children to older adults, for both the general public and people affected by chronic diseases. Her work is recognized by awards such as a Heart and Stroke Foundation National New Investigator Award, Hypertension Canada Young Investigator Award, and a CIHR-INMD New Investigator Award. In this episode, Dr. Arcand discusses the role of sodium on our health and strategies to reduce its intake.

  --------  

  54:34
• Building a SHIELD: The Power of Nutrition in Healthy Aging with Dr. Agnes Siew Ling Tey

  The world's over-65 population is expanding rapidly, and the risk of malnutrition is prevalent in this population. Meeting nutritional needs is a recognized strategy to reduce and address multiple debilitating adverse health outcomes associated with malnutrition. Dr. Agnes Siew Ling Tey, Senior Lead of Clinical Science & Nutrition at Abbott in Singapore. Her research centers on pioneering dietary strategies to prevent and manage malnutrition, cardiometabolic diseases, and obesity. With over 50 contributions to international peer-reviewed journals, and an evidence-based position statement for the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand, Dr. Tey is also an esteemededitor and reviewer for various scientific journals. Prior to joining Abbott in 2016, Dr. Tey was a Research Fellow at the Clinical Nutrition Research Centre of Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). At Abbott, she has provided scientific leadership as the Study Chair and Lead Scientist for the Strengthening Health In ELDerly through nutrition (SHIELD) study on elderly nutrition and has led several randomized controlled trials in diabetes. Her broad expertise includes clinical research on malnutrition in older adults and cardiometabolic diseases in populations who are overweight or living with obesity. In this episode, Dr. Tey discusses the role of nutrition in healthy aging with a focus on the Strengthening Health in Elderly through Nutrition Study. This podcast episode is sponsored by Abbott.

  --------  

  26:17

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About Nutrition Conversations