life | SMART


Te new you - a healthier 2017 A


Donating blood can reduce risk of heart attack, exercise improves mental health


long with the fun of holiday dinners and celebrations often comes an over- indulgence of food and drink. Te ar-


rival of a new year can provide a great opportunity to reset and establish better health habits. The most commonly sought


advice after the holidays is for weight loss, cleansing, and de- toxification solutions. Many peo- ple want to drop a few pounds in January, but it's best to take a broader approach to achiev- ing these goals. According to the World Health Organization, we need a balance of physical, mental, and emotional health for optimum wellness. Losing it: drop those 10 pounds


When it comes to our physical


health, the ultimate goal is to be able to per- form the basic activities of daily living easily, without pain. We want to wake each morning with sustainable energy that lasts all day long, to be free of illness, and maintain a healthy body composition. For many people, achieving our ideal weight


(or just losing that last 10 pounds) cannot be easily achieved through diet and exercise. Intermittent fasting, where you fast for


one or two nonconsecutive days each week, can make an incredible difference for weight management and overall health. Fasting has clinically proven benefits that include improv- ing mental function and memory, preventing dementia, controlling blood sugar, boosting growth hormone, and lowering IGF-1, a pro- tein highly associated with cancer. To learn more, I recommend the books "Fastdiet" by Michael Mosley, M.D. and "The Complete Guide to Fasting" by Jason Fung, M.D. and Jimmy Moore. I also recommend Moore's "Keto Clarity" in which he details how the ketogenic diet can be miraculous for weight loss and improved health. Natural supplements that can assist with


weight loss include green tea extract and Meratrim, a combination of Indian sphaer- anthus and mangosteen extract. One study found that those taking this extract lost five pounds and two inches in only two weeks, and after twelve weeks the average weight loss was twelve pounds, with a five-inch waist reduc- tion and three-inch hip reduction. Separating fat from fiction!


I recommend avoiding any processed foods


marketed as "low fat." Foods with the low fat label usually substitute the satiating fat with sugar or starch. For many years fats have been by assailed by public health experts, but it is now clear that past recommendations to avoid fats have contributed to the epidemic of diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and


dementia that we have today. New research has not only exonerated fats (including the vilified saturated fat), but many well-known health professionals now rec- ommend increasing healthy fat consumption, and encourage reducing carbohydrate intake for weight loss, improved brain function, and energy. I recom- mend the book "Eat Fat Get Tin," by Mark Hyman, M.D. which as Dr. Hyman says, "separates fat from fiction." Cleansing: stick to the outside I am generally not an advocate


Natural Health Nathan Zassman


of cleansing or detoxification supplements. Our body has the innate ability to eliminate toxins, but unless our diet and lifestyle choice supports these natural processes, our toxicity levels can


increase, potentially contributing a variety of health concerns. Some people seek out colon cleansing


products, looking to mediate or 'undo' the consumption of toxic or unhealthy foods, or to provide quick relief from constipation. Laxa- tives and cleansing supplements have no clini- cal evidence of efficacy. Some detox methods can increase the risk of liver damage, harm the gastrointestinal tract, and even precipitate symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. Poor bowel function can lead to toxins ac-


cumulating in the body, resulting in a wide range of health conditions including fatigue, headaches, hemorrhoids, insomnia, varicose veins, body odor, and diverticulitis. Rather than cleansing for a set period of time as de- fined by a product, I believe we should detoxify daily through our lifestyle, with exercise and dietary choices including foods and supple- ments that improve liver function. Te liver is our most important organ for detoxification. Specific nutrients including N-acetyl cysteine and alpha lipoic acid increase glutathione. Tis "master antioxidant" is crucial for the liver. I also recommend probiotic supple- ments and fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi. Eating lots of high-fibre raw or steamed green vegetables is important, as is drinking green smoothies and fresh vegetable juices which can be miraculous in their ability to support gastrointestinal and liver function. Blood-letting through donation


A five-year clinical study by the Univer-


sity of Kansas found that donating blood can reduce heart attack risk by up 86%, and that male smokers who donate have half the risk of stroke compared to those who have never given blood. Donating blood lowers blood viscosity, iron levels, and free hemoglobin, resulting in better blood flow and increased nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide is the miracle molecule that dilates blood vessels, improv-


To a healthy new year, salad or no salad.


ing circulation to every part of the body. Low blood viscosity is highly associated with a decreased risk of atherosclerosis, hyperten- sion, and cardiovascular disease, while elevated iron levels are tied to higher risk of many cancers. Te new blood cells created after donating are also more flexible and less likely to impede blood flow. Donating blood every 2-3 months is associated with a lower risk of liver, colon, lung, stomach, and throat cancer. Plus, every donation saves an average of three lives.


Staying sharp While exercise is an integral part of at-


taining good physical health, it also plays a critical role in achieving optimal mental health. Research has proven that different types of exercise can have specific mental health benefits. In older adults, aerobic exer- cise performed three times a week for a year resulted in improved memory tests. Lifting weights helped improve problem-solving and multitasking. When combined, researchers found improvements in executive function and associative memory. Learning new things at any age brings tre-


mendous long-term health benefits, whether it’s learning a foreign language, taking a cooking class, or pursuing a hobby like mu- sic lessons or woodworking. Plus, the social interaction and new friends can make the learning experience even more enjoyable. Many believe that the knowledge gained through travel cannot be achieved in any other way. Exposure to new places, ideas and cultures can challenge and expand our ways of thinking.


Being happy Seeking to improve our emotional health


may be one of the most difficult New Year’s resolutions to stick to, as emotional responses so often seem to be involuntary, like they're hardwired into our brain. Learning how to calmly deal with the stresses of daily life, con- trolling our temper when upset, and striving to be in a good mood at all times may be even more important than achieving optimum physical and mental health.


Taking up yoga, learning to meditate,


the study of mindfulness, and controlled deep breathing techniques can all help us improve emotional health, and when done daily, help to more effectively handle stress and naturally lower cortisol levels. I highly recommend the book "Emotional Rescue" by Dzogchen Ponlop which is a guide to learning how to transform negative emo- tions into energy and power. Based on Bud- dhist psychology, the methods outlined in this book can help anyone deal with anger, aggression, and desire more positively. Mental or emotional stress increases


levels of the hormone cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels depress adrenal function, resulting in fatigue. A classification of herbs called adaptogens can help the brain and body deal with stress and restore adrenal function, resulting in increased energy. Some of the most popular and effective adaptogens include rhodiola and ashwa- ghanda. In addition to supplements, I ad- vise trying to make some small changes to your daily routine that together can make a big difference. Eat less, sit less, stand more


I recommend eating less, avoiding sugar


and refined carbohydrates, sitting less, standing more, moving more, and getting more sleep. Take opportunities to volunteer or share your knowledge. Reconnect with family and friends. Make a conscious effort to smile more, and spend time each day be- ing thankful for the beauty in your life, and for the friends you have. What you mentally focus on advances, so focus on the many wonderful things in your life. By making healthy choices and incorpo-


rating some manageable lifestyle changes into our daily routine, we can lose weight, cleanse toxins, boost energy, and make improvements in our physical, mental, and emotional health that will last all year long. Nathan Zassman is the owner and presi-


dent of Aviva Natural Health Solutions. To see this article and more visit avivahealth. ca/articles.asp


Renewable energy & cleantech in 2017: expect the unexpected T


he last issue of SmartBiz, I reviewed many highlights in renewable en- ergy from 2016, ranging from solar,


electric vehicles to policy. Tis time, I look at what to expect this year. One thing you can count


in for 2017 is unique develop- ments in renewable energy and cleantech as this industry continues maturing. 2017 solar will see growth


in utility-scale solar projects, especially in the US, thanks to the renewal of the Invest- ment Tax Credit last year and falling solar costs. According to GreenTechmedia.com, its expected 70 per cent of 14.1GW of install solar photovoltaic (PV) will come from utility scale projects. Unfortunately, it’s a little bit harder to


Watch out for in 2017 the rise of offshore Adam Johnston


find a complete breakdown for Canadian solar markets. CleanEnergyCanada.org has 2015 installed capacity at over 2GW, is the most up to date. However, this data does not break down into certain catego- ries. Nonetheless, I expect Canadian solar capacity to increase, both in utility-scale and residential users, thanks to falling costs and Canada's national carbon plan, due by 2018.


February 2017


wind farms. In 2016, we saw the first ever US offshore wind farm completed off Rhode Island. Offshore wind farms have certain advantages over onshore, including hav- ing steadier and faster wind speeds than their onshore counterparts, according to the American Geosciences Institute . Offshore wind farms provide new investment op- portunities for coastline com- munities ( i.e. B.C., Maritimes) who are looking to diversify their energy needs. Many US east coast states are now de- veloping the offshore policy to support climate change and economic needs, according to Renewable Energy World.


Tis year may be the year off-shore wind finally takes off. Due to reduced lithium-ion battery


costs, battery storage will continue its upward momentum in 2017 as batteries compliment solar energy as a storage unit. Battery storage units are becoming cheap- er and more attractive to consumers. Late in 2016, Tesla introduced its Powerwall 2, which has double the storage capacity of the original Powerwall, according to TechCrunch . It’s these types of innova-


tions that will have a significant impact on how consumers use solar energy, but if they choose this route,the solar/battery storage combo will provide a strong one- two punch. As for policy and legislation, expect


2017 international renewable energy and climate policy to be dominated by US Pres- ident-elect Donald Trump. From Trump's cabinet pickings (nominating Exxon CEO Rex Tillersonas his secretary of state, and climate-denier Myron Ebellto the head of the US Environmental Protection Agency) it’s clear his interests lie within fossil fuel development. Adding more fuel to the fire, Trump has requested the names of US Department of Energy employees working on climate change related work be listed. Stormy seas are looming over the US cleantech industry now. However, I expect emerging markets to maintain their strong investment in renewable, es- pecially China, and India, that are looking to decrease their carbon emissions while growing their economies. Nationally, expect the next Canadian


federal budget to offer more incentives , through tax credits similar to the US, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attempts to make Canada a leader in green technol- ogy, while meeting the goals of the Paris Climate agreement . If there is one slogan for 2017 in renewa-


www.smartbizwpg.com Smart Biz 11


bles and cleantech: expect the unexpected. Adam Johnston is a freelance writer on


cleantech and renewable energy issues. He also owns a part time social media and cleantech writing business. He can be contacted at salayconsulting@gmail.com.


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