LyfeMD

For people living with chronic digestive and inflammatory diseases, it can often be confusing and overwhelming to find the right wellness plan to help manage symptoms. LyfeMD empowers people to take control of their wellness through a holistic approach that incorporates customized health assessments, physical activity and yoga plans, goal-setting and behaviour change supports, including a personal coach. The company has created an easy-to-use solution to help people self-manage their disease and elevate their wellness. 

Developed by gastroenterologists, hepatologists and registered dietitians, the lifestyle therapies offered through LyfeMD were all created from evidence-based research as part of Ascend (Alberta’s Collaboration of Excellence for Nutrition in Digestive Disease), which brings together experts from the University of Calgary and University of Alberta, led by Dr. Maitreyi Raman out of the Cumming School of Medicine. During early research studies, it was clear that many patients were having difficulty finding the right diet therapies to deal with their inflammation and symptoms. “With LyfeMD, we just want to help people who are struggling with something that's really hard,” says co-founder Lorian Taylor. “We want to be the go-to resource for patients with digestive disease because they can trust what we're telling them and what we're saying about effective treatments.”

With support and guidance from Innovate Calgary, LyfeMD was officially launched in May 2021. “Innovate Calgary helped us as we moved beyond the idea stage,” says Taylor. UCeed investment will support the company as it continues to develop the app and enhance its therapies with ongoing research. With 39 million Canadians living with chronic digestive disease, LyfeMD will have a strong impact across the community.

Visit LyfeMD’s website for more information.

LyfeMD has received investment from UCeed, a venture philanthropy fund accelerating UCalgary and community-based startup companies to advance problem-solving research, create jobs and fuel the economy. A key program in the UCalgary innovation ecosystem, UCeed bridges the gap between innovation, demonstration and commercialization, and is managed by UCalgary’s knowledge-transfer and business incubator, Innovate Calgary.

The UCeed Social Impact Fund is powered by the generosity of the United Way of Calgary and Area and its mission to mobilize communities for lasting social change and the Government of Alberta’s Creative Partnerships initiative to support arts and non-profit sectors.