BY AMARI SUKHDEO

Hyperlipidemia, more commonly known as high cholesterol, is a condition that affects almost half of Canadians aged 40 to 59 and more than a quarter of Canadians between the ages of 20 and 39.

However, the majority of the time the individual is not aware they have high cholesterol. I will be explaining what it is, why this is the case, and how it can be treated. High cholesterol is a condition where you have too many lipids (fats) in your blood. Our liver produces cholesterol, which is vital for the formation of: cell membranes, vitamin D, and certain hormones. However, our liver makes all the cholesterol we need, meaning that any food consumed that contains cholesterol is extra and unnecessary.

There is good cholesterol (HDL), and bad cholesterol (LDL). Bad cholesterol (LDL) is the most dangerous type because it causes hardened cholesterol deposits (plaque) to collect inside of your blood vessels. This makes it hard for blood to travel, and when the deposits suddenly break it can form a clot leading to heart attack, or stroke. Heart attack, stroke, heart disease, and death, are the common outcomes of untreated high cholesterol. It is important to go for blood tests to check your cholesterol levels because there are no symptoms, or short-term impacts.

Look for symptoms of heart attack, or stroke such as: nausea, numbness, slurred speech, and chest pain. Common causes of high cholesterol are directly related to lifestyle and food intake. Lifestyle factors that hinder this illness are; smoking, which lowers HDL and raises LDL, stress triggers hormonal changes that cause more production of cholesterol, alcohol use raises total cholesterol, inactivity causes the body to produce enough HDL while sitting, and poor diet with foods containing saturated and trans fats. Overconsumption of saturated fat and trans fats is the leading cause of high cholesterol. This is because they cause arteries to be blocked over time and increase the LDL in your blood while lowering the HDL.

Foods that are high in saturated and trans fats that should be avoided are: processed meat, red meat, full-fat dairy products, fast food, fried food, and baked goods. Other causes can be medications, or other medical problems, which can create an unbalanced cholesterol level. This can include medications like beta-blockers, birth control steroids, and HIV medication. Medical problems that can cause unbalanced cholesterol levels are liver disease, pancreas disease, diabetes, HIV, and lupus.

Fortunately, there are multiple ways to avoid high cholesterol and improve the lifestyle of a person who is affected. Exercising regularly is the biggest lifestyle factor that you can change to reduce your risk. Exercising raises HDL levels and reduces LDL. Other lifestyle changes include quitting smoking, losing weight if needed, and eating at home. Home-cooked meals can improve cholesterol levels because the amounts of sodium, fats, and sugar can be controlled. Soluble fiber is a superfood when it comes to overall health, but especially high cholesterol because it binds to LDL and rides it out of your system before it enters circulation as well as foods that contain polyunsaturated fats, which directly lower LDL. Some foods are whole grains, seafood and fish, legumes, vegetables, and oats.

BY KAHA G.

In the world of seafood, a revealing spotlight shines on the truth behind salmon farming practices and trust me it’s not pretty.

Over 70 environmental, animal welfare, and community groups from 18 countries have jointly criticized the Global Seafood Alliance, a leading industry trade association, for its greenwashing of industrial salmon farming. The Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification, issued by the alliance, has been under fire for its latest version, BAP Salmon Farm Standard issue 3.0.

In an open letter submitted on the final day of the public consultation, the groups listed evidence of numerous BAP-certified farms and facilities associated with environmental damage, illegal activity, and negative impacts on endangered species, found in all major salmon farming regions, including the: US, Norway, Chile, Canada, Scotland, and Australia.

The groups criticized the new standard for failing to limit critical environmental impacts such as: sea lice, disease, chemicals, and water quality. Instead, the standard relies on farms meeting their minimal legal obligations and following business as usual practices. Earlier exposés by the Outlaw Ocean Project and Corporate Accountability Lab uncovered allegations of forced labor, child labor, and worker exploitation, as well as environmental damage associated with BAP-certified facilities in the Indian shrimp supply chain.

Major supermarkets such as: Amazon, Walmart, and ALDI; Loblaws and Target in North America; Tesco and Sainsbury’s in the UK; and Woolworths and Coles in Australia rely on the BAP certification as part of their responsible seafood sourcing policies. The groups have urged these supermarkets to stop relying on the flawed certification, stop the greenwashing, and conduct their own environmental and human rights due diligence on their seafood supply chains.

According to Kelly Roebuck, SeaChoice representative from Living Oceans Society, “There is mounting evidence that environmental harms and human rights abuses are occurring despite the ‘responsible seafood’ claims of BAP and other certifications. The new BAP Standard is no exception. Farms in Chile’s marine protected areas will be eligible for certification; so, will farms in: Canada, Scotland and Norway with sea lice loads that are lethal to juvenile wild salmon; as well as Australian farms that are driving the endangered Maugean skate towards extinction.”

Canadian signatories have also criticized the alliance, with Karen Wristen, Executive Director, Living Oceans Society, stating that “It is utterly irresponsible that all British Columbia salmon farms are BAP certified and sold to unsuspecting shoppers as ‘environmentally responsible.’ Claiming ‘best practice’ doesn’t cut it when the practices allowed by certifications are simply farms obeying the law and industry norms that continue to threaten wild salmon populations.”

In simple terms, the seafood products carrying the BAP certification may not be as environmentally sustainable, or responsible as they claim to be. Considering that major supermarkets worldwide rely on the BAP certification as part of their responsible seafood sourcing policies, we could be doing more harm than good to the environment depending on who we purchase from.

If the certification system is flawed, it could mean that we are being misled and may unknowingly purchase seafood products that have negative environmental or social impacts. This is why we should research these things, and not let ourselves be deceived by Greenwashing. After all this, the once “Best” Aquaculture Practices now seem more like the worst.

BY KAHA G.

As the sun rises over the horizon, a new day begins, full of endless possibilities and opportunities. With the world at our fingertips and technology advancing quickly, it’s no wonder that we’re constantly bombarded with information and distractions. Amidst all the noise and chaos, finding the right balance between education and technology and minimizing distractions is crucial for creating a good learning environment. Today, let’s explore the recent cell phone regulations in Ontario schools and their impact on students. As well as my opinion as a student on it and how technology is affecting our youth.

According to thestar.com, Ontario’s Education Minister Stephen Lecce recently announced new cell phone regulations in schools that have sparked mixed feelings among students. From September, every public school in Ontario will be required to enforce uniform rules regarding cell phone usage. For kindergarten through grade six students, this means keeping phones on silent and out of sight throughout the school day. While older students in grades seven and above will have some freedom to use their devices during breaks; the ban will be in effect during class time.

Many students rely on their smartphones for various purposes, from research to communication with others. While the goal of enhancing focus and concentration is important, students worry about the potential impact on their ability to engage with technology as a learning tool. I think that the phone ban won’t be that bad, and it will give students who use their phones often when the teachers give a lesson no choice but to listen. However, I think we should be able to use our phones in classes teaching other languages like French. Or, at least during times when we are expected to write something down in French, we should be able to search for words and sentences we don’t know for these writing activities.

Furthermore, the government’s decision to involve parents in the enforcement of these regulations is both good and challenging. While parental support is essential for the success of these measures, it also means facing potential consequences at home if students fail to comply with the rules.

Despite these concerns, finding the right balance between education, and technology and minimizing distractions is crucial for creating a healthy learning environment. As Premier Doug Ford puts it, “While you’re in learning, you’ve got to learn.”

Before I end this article, I would like to discuss why it is necessary to mention students from kindergarten to grade four in this ban. First of all, they shouldn’t have phones, because they aren’t old enough. It is crazy for me to imagine little kids of these ages to be putting away their phones until the end of the day. As much as we want to deny it, I think it’s the parent’s fault. At this age, we shouldn’t be giving phones to children at that age at home let alone to take them to school. An iPad at home is fine but phones; ridiculous!

Why are people letting the internet take the role of the parents by teaching kids? Trust me, I know that my generation (Gen Z) is messed up, but if we’re this bad imagine the generations to come. If we increase the time kids spend on technology, when are they going to have time to go outside and play in the park and to be a kid? Children in grade two are asking for air pods and phones. Although having a set screen time for children like (1-2) hours is reasonable, we should normalize having a balance between tech and education.

Most of us have that impulse to reach for our phones, and it is because we’re addicted.  If we’re freaking out that we won’t have a phone during school, then it tells us how we have been doing as a society. Normalizing balance for students in pre-K and up is crucial for our success.

When enforcing regulations: educators, policymakers, and students need to consider different perspectives. This is by promoting discussion and collaboration between students, parents, and educators so that a well-balanced approach that prioritizes both focus and technological proficiency in the classroom can be achieved.