UNBREAKABLE – The OC Podcast : Bone Health + Osteoporosis

Original Air Date: March 18, 2025
Season 5, Episode 2

Has your doctor suggested a bone mineral density test? Sometimes called a BMD test, this procedure is used to analyze your bones. On this episode, Dr. Julie Gilmour an Endocrinologist and clinical lead for the Metabolic Bone Clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital, Assistant Professor in Quality and Innovation at the University of Toronto and a member of the Osteoporosis Canada Scientific Advisory Council discusses what a BMD test is, how the results are interpreted, and everything you should know to be confident ahead of your appointment.

Original Air Date: February 28, 2025
Season 5, Episode 1

With biosimilars entering the market for the treatment of osteoporosis, there is a lot healthcare providers need to know. On this episode, Dr. Alan Low, a Clinical Professor in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Care Director at MedInfuse Health, Primary Care Pharmacist / Pharmacy Lead at BioPro Biologics Pharmacy Clinical and a member of Osteoporosis Canada’s Scientific Advisory Council, discusses how biologics and biosimilars work, the benefits of biosimilars and how to speak to patients about these new treatment options.

Original Air Date: March 13, 2024
Season 4, Episode 7

We know that protein is important but what function does it play in our overall health and more specifically bone and muscle health. On this episode, Dr. Susan Whiting, a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan and one of Canada’s leading nutrition scholars and an internationally recognized authority on vitamin D and calcium supplementation, discusses what protein is, the important functions of protein in the body, how to determine the amount of protein required daily and more.

In Partnership With ThinkBeef.ca

Original Air Date: March 13, 2024
Season 4, Episode 6

In October 2023, Osteoporosis Canada published the New Clinical Practice Guideline For Management Of Osteoporosis And Fracture Prevention In Canada. This guideline contains new recommendations on various areas important for bone health including nutrition featuring five nutrient recommendations: calcium, vitamin D, protein, magnesium and vitamin K. On this episode, Dr. Wendy Ward, Professor in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Brock University, Canada Research Chair in Bone and Muscle Development and Chair of the Nutrition Guideline working group will discuss the new nutrient recommendations and how we can apply them to our daily life.

In Partnership With ThinkBeef.ca

Original Air Date: February 26, 2024
Season 4, Episode 5

For many people, being active and sticking to a regular exercise schedule is not part of their daily routine. However, once diagnosed with osteoporosis – exercise needs to become a habit, but many people are unsure of how to begin. On this episode, Dr. Lora Giangregorio, Professor and Schlegel Research Chair in Mobility and Aging in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo, will discuss the importance of exercise for bone health, how a person can design a program safely and if a person has fractured due to osteoporosis and wants to start an exercise program, what should they consider before they begin.

Original Air Date: December 14, 2023
Season 4, Episode 4

In addition to vitamins and minerals, protein is an important nutrient for your bone health and in the management of osteoporosis. On this episode, Registered Dietitian Lucia Weiler explores the significance of protein for bone and muscle health, how animal and plant proteins differ, the vital role of amino acids and how to easily integrate protein into a balanced eating pattern.

In Partnership with Danone Canada and Oikos

Original Air Date: December 14, 2023
Season 4, Episode 3

Eating well isn’t just for bone health but also for your overall health including your mental health. There is a lot to consider when making food choices and on this episode Registered Dietitian Sue Mah, with over 25 years of experience and Fellow of Dietitians of Canada will discuss how you can eat well and feel fantastic, how to avoid food pitfalls and conflicting information and how what and when you eat is connected to how you feel and more.

In Partnership with Danone Canada and Oikos

Original Air Date: December 14, 2023
Season 4, Episode 2

Our bodies need vitamins and minerals but we may not always be able to get the required amounts through our food choices. Supplements  may be required to ensure your needs are met. But can taking too much of a supplement or taking supplements for too long be harmful? On this episode Dr. Teri Charrois, pharmacist and Associate Dean of Practice Innovation and Professor of Teaching at UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences discusses what you need to know about supplements including the difference between water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins and if taking too much of a supplement can be harmful.

Original Air Date: July 4, 2023
Season 4, Episode 1

When it comes to bone health, we all know calcium is at the top of the list. But like many things in life, it can be complicated. How much is enough? Can you get too much? And what does it do beyond strengthen our bones? On this episode, Dr. David Hanley a Professor Emeritus and a member of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism in the Department of Medicine and in the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health at the University of Calgary whose research has focused on calcium regulation and skeletal metabolism discusses the importance of calcium, hyper and hypocalcemia and more.

Original Air Date: April 19, 2023
Season 3, Episode 9

Have you started a prescription and then stopped taking it before its completion? Have you missed a dose or treatment as per the instructions provided by your healthcare provider? You’re definitely not alone. While it may not seem like a big deal to miss even one dose or one scheduled treatment, it could have very serious consequences. On this episode Carla Purcell, RN with the Nova Scotia Health Authority discusses why it’s so important to take medication as prescribed and follow a treatment schedule, why some people experience side effects and how to manage them and more.

Original Air Date: March 31, 2023
Season 3, Episode 8

A fear of falling can develop after a stressful life event or a fall that has resulted in a fracture. Falling from standing height – even when falling on concrete or ice – shouldn’t result in a broken bone – but if it does – that can be an indicator of osteoporosis. On this episode, Dr. Jenna Gibbs assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at McGill University discusses what can cause a fall, what is the standard definition of a fall, if you do fall, what you should do and more.

Original Air Date: March 29, 2023
Season 3, Episode 7

As we age, our needs change and so do our appetites and the type of foods we prefer. This can make it more difficult to get the bone-building nutrients we need. For older adults and seniors, it’s important to continue good nutritional habits while also recognizing changing needs. Pr. Genevieve Mailhot, Registered Dietitian, Full Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of Montreal and a researcher at the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center discusses eating habits as we age, what affects our appetites and how to make sure individuals, especially older adults and seniors get the bone building nutrients needed.

Original Air Date: March 7, 2023
Season 3, Episode 6

Many people think of osteoporosis as a condition you develop later in life. That’s not always the case and being aware of the factors associated with the disease can help you reduce your risk. In this episode, Dr. Rowena Ridout an endocrinologist at Toronto Western Hospital, staff physician in the UHN Osteoporosis Program and Chair of Osteoporosis Canada’s Scientific Advisory Council discusses why women and men under 50 can develop osteoporosis, what are the signs and symptoms and how other conditions, medications and treatments can affect your bone health.

Original Air Date: March 6, 2023
Season 3, Episode 5

If you have just had a fracture, you may think you have to stop being active. But did you know that moving and exercising safely is important for recovery and managing your future bone health? Dr. Caitlin McArthur is a physiotherapist and an Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University. She does research on improving the effectiveness of and access to rehabilitation for people living with chronic health conditions. On this episode, Dr. McArthur discusses how you should proceed with an exercise plan after a fracture, the type of exercises that are beneficial for bone health and in managing osteoporosis, who you should consult about staying active and more.

Original Air Date: February 28, 2023
Season 3, Episode 4

Spinal cord injuries are always concerning, more complex than they seem and can also be connected to osteoporosis. Dr. Cathy Craven is the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute/ University of Toronto Chair in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Rehabilitation, Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Medical Director of the Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program and Senior Scientist at KITE Research Institute within University Health Network. On this episode, Dr. Craven discusses what a spinal cord injury is, if having a spinal cord injury increases your likelihood of getting osteoporosis, how to preserve your bone mass after a spinal cord injury and more.

Original Air Date: February 2, 2023
Season 3, Episode 3

The terms osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are often mistakenly used interchangeably as they are two separate diagnoses. Dr. Heather McDonald-Blumer, a rheumatologist is a member of the Division of Rheumatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital/University Health Network. Her clinical interests include osteoporosis and inflammatory joint disease. She is the associate director of the Osteoporosis Program at UHN and is a member of Osteoporosis Canada’s Scientific Advisory Committee. On this episode, Dr. McDonald-Blumer discusses each condition, what makes them similar, how you can manage both conditions and more.

Original Air Date: October 27, 2022
Season 3, Episode 2

Menopause affects at least half the population and is often not discussed openly leading to many myths and misconceptions. As a result, too many women enter menopause uninformed and unprepared. Dr. Nese Yuksel is a full Professor with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Health Sciences at the University of Alberta. Additionally, she holds a cross-appointment at the Multidisciplinary Bone Health Clinic at the University of Alberta Hospital. She has been practicing in the areas of menopause and osteoporosis for over 20 years and is a NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner. In this episode, Dr. Yuksel discusses the stages of menopause, how menopause impacts women’s health including bone health, and more.

Original Air Date: March 15, 2022
Season 3, Episode 1

Dr. Andrea Josse received her doctoral degree in exercise physiology and nutrition from the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University and then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at The University of Toronto. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University. In this podcast, Dr. Josse as a nutritional scientist and exercise physiologist, will discuss the impact of dieting on bone health and encourages making sustainable choices over the long term for positive health outcomes.

Original Air Date: November 25, 2021
Season 2, Episode 6

Shelly Hagen is a Registered Dietitian and is a member of Osteoporosis Canada’s Scientific Advisory Council (SAC). She currently works as an Educator in the Women’s Wellness Program at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta facilitating menopause and osteoporosis group education sessions, and working one-on-one with patients to make well informed health decisions concerning menopause and osteoporosis management.  In this podcast Shelly discusses the connection between Celiac Disease and Osteoporosis and how to manage one’s bone health when diagnosed with this autoimmune disease.

Original Air Date: June 2, 2021
Season 2, Episode 5

Dr. Claudia Gagnon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at Université Laval and a clinician-researcher scholar of the Fonds de recherche en santé du Québec. She is also active as a member of the Osteoporosis Canada (OC) Scientific Advisory Council. Dr. Gagnon’s research focuses on the impact of obesity, diabetes and their treatments (in particular bariatric surgery) on bone health. In this podcast she discusses why both men and women with diabetes are at higher risk for low bone density and for osteoporotic fractures.

Original Air Date: April 7, 2021
Season 2, Episode 4

Dr. Debra Butt is an Associate Professor and Clinician Scientist in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is also active as a member of the Osteoporosis Canada (OC) Scientific Advisory Council and the OC Clinical Practice Guidelines Working Group for Exercise in Individuals at Risk of Fracture. In this podcast she discusses why people fracture as a result of osteoporosis, what to expect after a break and how to avoid future broken bones.

Original Air Date: March 30, 2021
Season 2, Episode 3

Dr. Susan Whiting is one of Canada’s leading nutrition scholars and an internationally recognized authority on vitamin D and calcium supplementation. A Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan and a member of Osteoporosis Canada’s Scientific Advisory Council, Dr. Whiting’s research looks at the dietary influences on bone health in children and adults. In this podcast she speaks to the importance of calcium and bone health.

Original Air Date: March 10, 2021
Season 2, Episode 2

After having eight fractures Larry Funnell was diagnosed at the age of 48. He was shocked when his doctor told him he had osteoporosis because like many others, he didn’t think the disease affected men. Larry shares his story to raise awareness and educate men on their risk of osteoporosis.

Original Air Date: January 20, 2021
Season 2, Episode 1

Professor Wendy Ward is a kinesiology and health sciences professor at Brock University, a Canada Research Chair in bone and muscle development and a member of Osteoporosis Canada’s Scientific Advisory Council. Professor Ward speaks about Vitamin D which is sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” and is critical to your overall wellness including having a big impact on your bone health.

Original Air Date: January 20, 2021
Season 1, Episode 2

Visiting an osteoporosis clinic for the first time can seem intimidating, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Dr. Lianne Tile, a general internist, is the medical director of the University Health Network Osteoporosis Clinic and a member of Osteoporosis Canada’s Scientific Advisory Council. Dr. Tile shares what a patient can expect and how to prepare for their first visit to an osteoporosis clinic.

Original Air Date: November 1, 2020
Season 1, Episode 1

When Christine Thomas was only 42 years old, she bent down to pick up her newborn daughter – fracturing her spine. That fracture led to the discovery that Christine had been living with undetected osteoporosis. Since then, she has become an author, advocate, volunteer and speaker who shares her osteoporosis story to help others.