Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine

Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine An award winning naturopathic medical clinic with a focus on adjunctive cancer care. Hello, welcome to the online home of the PCNM. Sincerely,
Dr. Tapp ND

My name is Dr. Brenda Tapp ND and I am the clinic director. What is a naturopathic doctor you ask? Naturopathic doctors are medically trained professionals with 8 years of post secondary schooling. Our treatment philosophy is unique to any medical office. We believe in finding and addressing the root cause of your health concern. The doctors at PCNM are passionate about providing excellence in healthcare by providing you with the most effective natural therapies validated by clinical research and traditional/historical use. At PCNM, we are not against pharmaceuticals, we believe naturopathic medicine and conventional medicine work very well together. We employ standard diagnostic testing in combination with unique assessment tools to ensure we can effectively support you and your health. Here at PCNM we care about the health of our community. Our staff are ready to listen to you, answer your questions and help you understand your health. We promise to greet you with a smile and a warm cup of herbal tea. We also promise to respond to your concerns sincerely, truthfully and thoroughly. While I was attending school in Toronto two of my aunts were diagnosed with breast cancer, one of whom passed away. I decided to investigate my family history a bit further and found that breast cancer does run in my family. I immersed myself in the world of cancer prevention, adjunctive natural treatments, and clinical research. Through my own journey to reduce my risk of cancer I have become incredibly passionate about sharing my knowledge with the community I love. I decided to build PCNM, an adjunctive cancer care facility that offers IV therapy as well as natural family medicine.

✨ Christmas Clinic Closure Reminder✨A friendly reminder to all patients that our office will be closed from Wednesday, D...
12/19/2025

✨ Christmas Clinic Closure Reminder✨

A friendly reminder to all patients that our office will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 - Thursday, January 1 for the Christmas holidays.

We’ll reopen on Friday, January 2 at 9:00 am.

Upon return to the clinic, our reception team will work as quickly as possible to return all emails, voicemails and inquiries in the order that they were received.

❗️Important Note For Patients With Appointments Over The Holidays❗️
Several of our practitioners (Dr. Nicole Edgar, Dr. Kori Macarthur and Courtney Cartmel, RAc.) have opened up additional availability to see their patients ahead of the new year.

Please note that during these times, there will be no reception support, and your practitioner will let you in at your scheduled start time for all in-clinic appointments.

If you need any to pick up any in-stock supplements or have questions for reception, the last day for in-office support is Tuesday, Dec 23 between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Wishing you happiness and health this holiday season!

12/19/2025

If you’ve followed us for a while, you know that I’m passionate about shifting the way that estrogen is viewed. Often demonize, estrogen can be framed a hormone to be feared when it has so many wonderful protective benefits.

Continuing on our last video where we chatted about misinformation surround progesterone, we’re shifting gears to estrogen.

Let’s clear up a myth right away...estrogen HRT is not only for use in menopausal women. It can be use in perimenopause.

If you test your estrogen levels on day 3 of your cycle, they’re like to be on the high end of normal. This is exactly where we expect them to be.

Many of the symptoms women experience in perimenopause are not caused by this rise in estrogen, but the drop that happens leading up their periods.

When appropriately dosed and monitored, estrogen HRT can reduce your risk of future disease and support symptom management throughout perimenopause.

12/19/2025

Misinformation surrounding perimenopause is pervasive, even amongst the medical community.

This is not said to breed distrust.

It’s simply meant to bring awareness to information that is holding women back from feeling their best throughout this hormonal transition, and start a conversation around why education is so important, especially around a topic like perimenopause.

Turn the sound on to dive into a conversation I recently had with a patient regarding her progesterone levels and HRT.

A quick recap of the points we touched on:
→ Progesterone should always be tested on around day 20-22 (optimal is day 21) of your menstrual cycle as it rises after ovulation
→ There are many high quality studies supporting oral micronized progesterone as an appropriate treatment for supporting sleep in perimenopausal women

Now head to part 2 where we’re covering estrogen!

12/18/2025

Sometimes the biggest win comes from that seemingly insignificant changes that compound into one big win, or smaller milestones that all add up to one big accomplishment.

Far too often we get caught up in the big, flashy goals and milestones that we forget to stop and celebrate the little moments that got us to where we are, or the smaller benchmarks that are getting us closer to where we want to be.

Want some real life examples?

→ Dr. Tapp Leonard, ND added a 15-min buffer to all of her appointments to allow her time to get charting done in between patients. This is a small shift that’s had a big impact on her life both personally and professionally. She is able to show up and serve her patients better and turnaround their treatment plans quicker, while being able to be more present with family and friends without unfinished work weighing on her.

→ Courtney slowly transitioned from other roles in the clinic as her acupuncture practice grew. At the beginning of the year, she stepped away from her reception role to add more days in practice, and this fall, she transitioned out of her role as an IV tech. She now has a thriving practice seeing patients 4 days per week.

As we close out the year, it’s a great time to remind you that your wins don’t always have to be attached to specific goals, monetary milestones, or something that happens all at once.

Whether it’s taking a moment to yourself to start your day on the right foot, allocating time to eat lunch away from your desk or making micro moves to get closer to your dreams, it all matters and has more impact than you know.

Nutrition in cancer care isn’t about fear and restriction, it’s about fuelling resilience.This is why the idea that suga...
12/15/2025

Nutrition in cancer care isn’t about fear and restriction, it’s about fuelling resilience.

This is why the idea that sugar feeds cancer is one of the most common, and concerning, myths people encounter....

Not to mention that or someone already navigating fear and uncertainty that comes along with a cancer diagnosis, this message can create unnecessary guilt and shame.

There’s also the social isolation that often comes with rigid food rules. Avoiding shared meals, stressing over ingredients, or constantly worrying about “breaking the diet” can increase overall stress.

What else do we know? Chronic stress affects sleep, cravings, immune function, and recovery which is potentially offsetting any theoretical metabolic benefits the diet might offer.

Ready to dismantle this myth and dig into what the science says about nutrition and cancer (and learn what I lean into within my practice)?

Comment CARBS for the link to the full article!

12/14/2025

Let’s talk about a double standard that doesn’t get enough attention ⤵️

Women are made to fear and feel shame around their estrogen levels (both as it relates to cancer and everyday hormone health).

Men on the other hand, are not made to feel that way about their testosterone, even when it may influence the behaviour of prostate cancer.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is not automatically off the table for a man with a history of prostate cancer, and for the most part, men do not fear their testosterone.

Women deserve to feel the same way.

Many women are told they’re not a candidate for HRT because they’re :
→ BRCA positive
→ have a family history of breast cancer
→ still in perimenopause
→ over the age of 60
→ have migraines
→ have cardiovascular issues

This blanket no is not evidence-based and it robs women of an opportunity to have a conversation about their health and quality of life.

The conversation surrounding HRT requires nuance and personalization based on your history, symptoms and goals.

In many cases, women in these exact situations can have a safe and transformative experience with HRT.

The bottom line ⤵️

Women deserve not to fear their body’s own hormones like estrogen, and have health care providers who will provide them with all the information needed to make personalized decisions about their care and provide informed consent.

If you’re looking for an evidence-informed practitioner with an in-depth knowledge of HRT and oncology, I invite you to book a 10-min complimentary consultation with me (Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND) to learn about your options.
📲 705-761-6596
📧 health@pcnm.ca
🔗 online booking available in bio
📍 in-person consultations are available in Peterborough, Ontario or virtual for residents of Ontario.

12/12/2025

After many years of being part of our PCNM family, Nancy is officially retiring!

If you’ve been in our clinic or IV suite during her shifts, you already know that Nancy is the heart of our Fridays, and our clinic.

Nancy brings warmth, energy, and genuine connection to every single visit. She has celebrated countless birthdays with us, watched the clinic grow and evolve, and has been by Dr. Tapp’s side through every chapter of this journey.

She isn’t just part of our team, she’s part of our story, and while we’re so excited for her to enter this new chapter, we’re going to miss her more that words can say.

✨Join Us for Nancy’s Farewell Celebration!✨

→ Friday, January 2nd
→ 9:00am - 4:00pm

We’ll have snacks, refreshments and invite you to come on by to say farewell and help us send her off with love!

Want to be one of Nancy’s last IVs? Reach out to reception to spend a final visit with her. We’re confident that this will be a busy day so please book soon if you’d like to save your spot.
📲 705-761-6596

PS. If you can’t make it on Jan 2 but would still like to offer well wishes to Nancy, you can do so in the comments below or by sending an email to health@pcnm.ca 🤍

12/10/2025

At PCNM, we’re not just naturopathic doctors...we’re fierce patient advocates.

We’ll pull out all the stops and leverage our knowledge and every tool at our disposal to support your health, but you can bet that we’ll also be the person in your corner when you need further diagnostic testing, medication or health care that is beyond our scope of practice.

We’ll empower you and educate you as to what is happening in your body.

We’ll walk you through what the evidence supports and arm you with the information that you need to feel confident advocating for yourself.

We’ll write the letters to your physician, specialist or practitioner to push for next steps.

We’ll follow up.

We’ll help remove as many barriers standing in your way as we can.

Your health and well being is our priority and we’ll always go to bat for you to help you get the care you need.

12/09/2025

AI is great for so many things, but getting health advice is NOT one of them...especially if you’re a female.

From early drug trials that excluded female participants, studies that failed to track how conditions present differently in women, and a system where many standard reference ranges, treatment thresholds, and “typical” symptom pictures were built around the male body, we know that women have been underrepresented in healthcare and medical research for years. AI is further compounding this.

Because LLMs like ChatGPT are platforms that organize and present information from sources already available online, using these platforms risks giving women health guidance that is incomplete, inaccurate, or simply tone-deaf, and subtly reinforces the same blind spots women have fought to dismantle.

Biases and incorrect info aside, privacy is also a significant concern.

Licensed medical professionals must follow strict rules and regulations designed to protect your personal/medical information. Even the sharing of your charts between practitioners within the same clinic requires patient consent.

Platforms like ChatGPT...not so much. Even though OpenAI states that data isn’t used to train newer models when “chat history” is turned off, the lines around data privacy are blurry at best.

Remember technology is only as progressive as the data it’s built on, and that means it still has catching up to do.

Comment STORY to read the full article on our blog.

Your thyroid may be a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, but it has a BIG job regulating your metabolism, energ...
12/07/2025

Your thyroid may be a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, but it has a BIG job regulating your metabolism, energy, body temperature, mood, and even how your hair and skin feel.

So what happens when autoimmunity strikes?

Autoimmune thyroid diseases are among the most common autoimmune conditions, especially in women.

While Hashimoto’s eventually slows the thyroid glands hormone production and Graves’ Disease speeds it up, both begin with the same underlying issue: the immune system becomes dysregulated and starts reacting to the thyroid.

👉🏼 Swipe to learn more about how gut microbiome imbalances, increased intestinal permeability, and loss of immune tolerance plays a role in autoimmune thyroid disease.

Ready to explore how naturopathic medicine can support your thyroid & gut health? Book a 10-min complimentary consultation with Dr. Cara MacMullin, ND to learn more.
📍 In-person appointments in PTBO & Millbrook
📲 Virtual consultations available for residents of Ontario

Visit the link in our bio to get started!

12/05/2025

What do mold and porcupines have in common?

Just like a porcupine releases it quills when it feels threatened, mold releases harmful mycotoxins into the air.

These are not benign. Mycotoxins are:
→ hepatotoxic
→ nephrotoxic
→ neurotoxic
→ carcinogenic

For someone already facing a hematological cancer like this patient is, exposures like this can be an amplifier, damaging DNA, impacting immune function and worsening inflammation.

He also told something with me that makes complete sense and I want to share it with you as well. During demo jobs where him and his team are tearing out bathrooms, some of them feel terrible within minutes.

Spores and mycotoxins can trigger immediate symptoms in sensitive individuals. Why is this important to know?

If you’re a plumber, contractors, home renovator, or even someone doing DIY projects at home, and have been exposed to mold or are dealing with some potentially unexplained symptoms, this might be the missing piece.

Myself (Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND) and are trained specifically in mold and mycotoxin illness, so if you think this applies to you, we invite you to book a 10-min complimentary consultation to learn how we can help.
📲 705-761-6596
📧 health@pcnm.ca
🔗 Online booking link in bio
📍 In-person appts available in PTBO or virtual throughout Ontario. Dr. MacMullin, ND is also available for in-person appts in Millbrook, Ontario.

UPCOMING HOLIDAY CLOSURE REMINDER 🎄Our clinic will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 to Thursday, January 1 — reopen...
12/03/2025

UPCOMING HOLIDAY CLOSURE REMINDER 🎄

Our clinic will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 to Thursday, January 1 — reopening on Friday, January 2 at 9:00 am — to allow our staff time to rest, recharge and enjoy the holidays with their families.

→ Swipe for several important reminders leading up to the holidays

Please note that while some practitioners are taking appointments during the closure, our clinic will be closed to walk-in traffic and administrative support. If you’re reaching out by phone or email, all inquiries will be responded to when we reopen on January 2, 2026.

If you need any refills, special order supplements or to get in to see one of our practitioners ahead of the holidays (availability is very limited), please reach out to reception right away for support.

Wishing you happiness and health this holiday season!

Address

386 Burnham Street
Peterborough, ON
K9H1T6

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17057616596

Website

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4717604554829/WN

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category