Trending Now: Digestive Health Discussions
Written by: CDHF
Updated: January 7th, 2026
Join the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF) in person, for TrendingNow: Digestive Health Discussions, an engaging and science-backed series designed to educate and empower Canadians in managing their digestive health.
Through in-person and digital seminars, expert Registered Dietitians will provide practical strategies on topics like IBS management, the mind-gut connection, gut health essentials, digestive conditions, and healthy eating for kids. Each session includes an interactive Q&A, ensuring participants can get personalized insights.
🔎 View the events near you below, and secure your spot. These events are FREE, but we require you to register.
No upcoming events at this time
Past Events & Recordings
Whether you’re 40 or 75, this session will empower you to feel better, eat better, and age well – starting with your gut. As we age, digestive issues like bloating, constipation, indigestion, and food sensitivities can become frustratingly common – but they don’t have to be your new normal.
Breaks down the real reasons your digestion changes with age and what you can do about it. Attendees will walk away with practical tips to manage common digestive issues, get clarity on gut symptoms, optimize nutrition and make simple, effective food choices that support health and longevity.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), also known as fatty liver disease, affects about 25% of Canadians but often has no symptoms. Caused by fat buildup in the liver, it can lead to cirrhosis, cancer, or liver failure if untreated. A rise in obesity and Type 2 diabetes is expected to increase MASLD cases by 20% by 2030.
Obesity, a chronic and relapsing disease, is linked to insulin resistance and MASLD. It also increases the risk of heart disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, cancer, and more. These conditions can significantly impact quality of life, leading to disability, mental health issues, and early death.
This seminar aims to educate you on MASLD, as well as give you the information and motivation needed to address it.
This event was made possible by Novo Nordisk.
Location:
Northgate Lions Recreation Centre – Room Selection – Room 210 Edmonton, Alberta
Date & Time:
July 25, 2025
Presentation: 1:30pm-2:30pm
Join Serena Benali is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist for an informative session on all things gut health and digestion and how to make your golden years your best and healthiest! By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Understand how aging impacts digestive function and gut health;
- Recognize the connection between gut health, chronic disease risk, and overall health in older adults; and
- Identify key nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support a healthy gut microbiome and digestion in the golden years.
About the Speaker, Serena Benali, RD:
Serena Benali is a Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist, and the owner of In Good Nutrition, a private practice serving clients across Canada. With a practical, science-based approach, she helps individuals cut through nutrition confusion and build realistic, sustainable habits for long-term health. Serena is especially passionate about digestive health and empowering clients to better understand the gut–nutrition connection. She offers personalized guidance tailored to each client’s lifestyle, goals, and health concerns—helping them feel more confident, comfortable, and in control of their digestive health and overall well-being.
Location:
Private Event
A recording will be made available, to be posted on CDHF.ca
Date:
July 9th, 2025
Recordings of Past Events
Location:
Hazel McCallion Central Library – Noel Ryan Auditorium, Floor 1
301 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga, ON L5B 3Y3
Date & Time:
June 17th, 2025
Refreshments: 5:30-6:00pm Presentation: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), also known as fatty liver disease, affects about 25% of Canadians but often has no symptoms. Caused by fat buildup in the liver, it can lead to cirrhosis, cancer, or liver failure if untreated. A rise in obesity and Type 2 diabetes is expected to increase MASLD cases by 20% by 2030.
Obesity, a chronic and relapsing disease, is linked to insulin resistance and MASLD. It also increases the risk of heart disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, cancer, and more. These conditions can significantly impact quality of life, leading to disability, mental health issues, and early death.
This seminar aims to educate you on MASLD, as well as give you the information and motivation needed to address it.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn the importance of liver health as well as what can happen if our livers lose function, such as in MASLD
- Participants will understand how the foods we eat impact our liver function, including foods to eat more of and those to avoid
- They will learn other lifestyle factors that impact liver health
- They will be empowered with knowledge and skills and with an easy how-to plan to improve their liver health day to day
Session Outline
- Learn about why your liver health matters and how it contributes to your overall health and wellbeing
- Understand the basics of liver function and what can go wrong if a liver is unhealthy, focusing on MASLD/fatty liver disease
- The role of nutrition in optimizing liver health , as well as preventing and treating MASLD/fatty liver disease
- Practical tips for improving your liver health and function: Dos and Donts for liver health.
- Dietitian tips on understanding liver health supplements and other lifestyle factors that impact liver health
- Putting it all together: What to eat, what to eat if eating out and your go-to checklist for improving liver health
About the Speaker, Nishaat Patel, RD:
Nishaat is a Registered Dietitian with international experience in Canada and Australia, where she gained a deep understanding of how culture and environment shape our eating habits. She holds a BSc in Nutrition and Food Science from McGill University and a Master of Dietetics from Monash University.
With a focus on digestive health, Nishaat empowers her clients through personalized, evidence-based nutrition coaching. Her approach is rooted in the belief that there’s no one-size-fits-all diet—real change comes from nutrition plans that fit your lifestyle. Nishaat sees clients virtually with NutriProCan.
She is registered in both British Columbia and Ontario. When she’s not working, Nishaat enjoys yoga, travel, discovering new restaurants, and spending time outdoors with loved ones.
This event was made possible by Novo Nordisk.
Location:
Ben Franklin Place – Chamber & Auditorium 101 Centrepointe Drive Ottawa ON K2G 5K7
Date & Time:
June 24th, 2025
Refreshments: 5:30pm-6:00pm Presentation: 6:00pm-7:00pm
In this presentation, Keren explores MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) through the lens of real-world nutrition, gut-brain science, and emerging research. Her approachable and empowering style ensures that participants not only understand the condition but feel confident taking steps toward better liver health.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand MASLD
- Understand that MASLD is when fat builds up in the liver because of health issues like obesity or diabetes, not alcohol.
- Recognize other names like NAFLD, MAFLD, NASH and MASH that have been used to describe it.
- Know how doctors check for MASLD using blood tests, scans, and by ruling out other causes.
2. Describe How MASLD Affects Different People
- Learn that some groups may have more severe MASLD.
- Understand that diet, genetics, and muscle health can affect how MASLD develops and is treated.
- Know that treatment needs to be personalized for each person.
3. Compare Lean and Obese MASLD
- Realize that MASLD can happen even in people who arent overweight.
- Understand that lean MASLD may be harder to detect and treat.
- Learn that both types can cause liver damage and that healthy lifestyle changes are needed.
4. Understand How the Brain Affects Eating Behavior
- Learn how brain chemicals can make us crave unhealthy food.
- See how ultra-processed foods are designed to make us want more, even if were full.
- Understand how this can lead to overeating and make MASLD worse.
5. Explain the Role of the Gut Microbiome
- Know that gut bacteria help keep the liver healthy and support digestion.
- Understand how an imbalance in gut bacteria (dysbiosis) can lead to liver problems.
6. Know What Foods Help or Harm the Liver
- Understand the latest dietary recommendations to reduce liver fat, reduce fibrosis and manage MASLD.
- Learn about foods and probiotics that can improve gut health and support the liver.
About the Speaker, Keren Reiser, RD:
Keren Reiser, RD, MHA, is a Registered Dietitian and health strategist with over 20 years of experience helping individuals manage complex digestive health conditions through nutrition, education, and personalized care. She holds a Master’s in Health Care Administration, bringing a unique blend of clinical expertise and systems-level thinking to her work in digestive and metabolic health.
Keren runs a private practice, KerenReiser.com, offering personalized nutrition counseling virtually in Ontario and in-person sessions in Ottawa. She is also the founder of FODMAP Ease, a specialty meal planning service supporting individuals living with IBS and following the low FODMAP diet.
Keren’s work is rooted in clarity, compassion, and practical solutions. She has written several articles for the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), helping to educate the public on gut health, nutrition strategies, and chronic condition management.
This event was made possible by Novo Nordisk.
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Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) – Testing, Managing, and Prevention
