Thursday, February 26th 2009

By marcella jones

Like many other lifestyle choices, the health decisions that we make are inextricably tied to environmental consequences. Society, as a whole, is no longer ignorant about the effects of carbon dioxide emissions or waste production on our planet, but it remains an individual’s choice as to whether or not to care.  

So that the health of the environment is not compromised for the health of the individual, we should be making more sustainable choices about what we eat, how we exercise and how we manage our illnesses. From naturopathic medicine to your diet to how you exercise, read on for eco-friendly suggestions for managing your health. 

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a mix of homeopathic and naturopathic medicine. It provides natural alternatives to conventional medical practices. The idea is that low-tech remedies are more sustainable and often more effective at treating symptoms than high-tech expensive solutions that are offered by conventional Western medicine. Many CAM treatments are rooted in ancient Indian Ayurvedic practices and traditional Chinese medicine, which focus on the interconnectedness between mind, body and spirit. This ideal of interconnectedness provides the foundation for alternative medicine, which treats the entire system versus just one component. CAM aims to stimulate the body’s own natural healing capacity through avenues such as meditation and natural remedies that are based on plants, animals, and is often used in conjunction with massage, chiropractics and acupressure. 

Conventional forms of Western medicine are quite unsustainable and produce significant amounts of waste. A recent survey by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that in developed countries such as the United States, 6kg or more of medical waste is produced per person annually. Furthermore, the WHO considers 20 per cent of medical waste to be hazardous (either infectious, toxic or radioactive), and this undoubtedly puts a strain on our land. 

Alternatively, naturopathy puts an emphasis on preventative strategies to eliminate the need to enter the healthcare system, and uses natural treatments that are non-toxic and sustainable. Naturopathic remedies are regulated and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. 

Conditions that are suited to being treated via naturopathic medicine are typically mild or chronic conditions including stress, insomnia, skin disorders, allergies, fatigue, digestive problems and chronic pain. Serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and bone fractures should be treated by the conventional healthcare system, as they require immediate and precise care, and CAM can be used to complement the healing process. 

Modifying the food you consume is another positive change you can commit to when it comes to eco-friendly health decisions. The farming of livestock requires a significant input of energy, as it is estimated that it takes 15kg of grain and 30kg of forage just to produce 1kg of beef. Cows, in particular, are the more environmentally-unfriendly livestock to raise, since they also release large amounts of methane (a greenhouse gas) through flatulence and decaying manure. The New Scientist estimates that if the global population shifted to a meat-reduced diet (defined as 70 grams of beef and 325 grams of chicken and eggs per week), a 10 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would be seen by 2050. Furthermore, approximately 15 million km of livestock farmland would become available, which could be utilized as green spaces or to cultivate bioenergy crops. 

Eating organic is yet another diet-related decision you can make. Organic fruits and vegetables are produced without using synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, and organic meat is produced without confined livestock operations (typically free-range). As a consequence, there is a lower risk of pesticides and antibiotics affecting the soil, groundwater, lakes and atmosphere. Since organic farming doesn’t use synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizer (which requires energy to manufacture), it is estimated that organic farms use 30 per cent less fossil fuels than conventional farming systems, while also retaining more carbon in the soil. Furthermore, in the past it was unclear whether or not eating organic food had any health benefits, but recently, evidence is building which supports the claim that eating organic is healthier. 

Eating local food that is produced within a 100-mile radius is also an option to consider—your food travels a shorter distance to get to you, which means less energy is expended in the process. 

Yet another green health choice you can make is the decision to drink tap water over bottled water. It is recommended that we drink six to eight glasses of water each day in order to keep our bodies running healthily and efficiently. In all major Canadian cities, the water that comes out of our taps is of high-quality and well-managed. Even if it may look cloudy, just let it settle and it is perfectly fine to drink. 

Not only does it take approximately a quarter of the water bottle’s volume in oil to produce the plastic, the one-time-use nature of water bottles contributes to landfill waste, since only 50 per cent of bottles are recovered via recycling. Drinking tap water from a re-usable water bottle not only reduces plastic waste, but it is also free! Purchasing six to eight bottles of water daily adds up: it might cost you anywhere from four to 14 dollars to hydrate yourself on a daily basis. 

Finally, do your best to engage in eco-friendly exercise options. Although it is tough to get active in the outdoors during the cold months, make a commitment to walk, bike or take public transit. If it’s too cold for you to exercise outside, go for a run on the indoor track instead of running on a treadmill (which runs on electricity). And when the air warms up, get off that treadmill and get outside. Hamilton has great trails and waterfront paths, which are great for jogging, biking and roller-blading.

We must begin to take personal responsibility for our lifestyle choices and the impacts that they have on our planet. This can be accomplished by making modifications to how we approach our health and well-being. By considering alternative medicine, exploring meat-reduced/free and organic diets and being conscious of our exercise choices, we can make a positive, individualistic and healthy contribution to the environment.

Tags: eco-friendly, green health, lifestyle