Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer that does not have receptors for the hormones estrogen or progesterone or for a protein called HER2. As such, TNBC does not respond to certain treatments for other types of breast cancer.

Although there are currently no set dietary recommendations for people with TNBC, studies show that diet may influence the development and progression of cancer. Moreover, a nutritious diet can help a person maintain their strength, energy levels, and overall health while undergoing cancer treatment.

This article outlines the nutrition needs of people living with TNBC. It also lists foods to eat and avoid, meal-planning tips, and recipe ideas for people living with cancer and those undergoing cancer treatment.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) advises that good nutrition is important before, during, and after cancer treatment.

A registered dietitian or nutritionist can help a person with cancer make dietary changes that may assist with the following:

A doctor or dietitian can advise a person on how to consume enough calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals to support their overall health. They may suggest the following:

Certain foods contain compounds that can influence gene expression and cancer progression. However, cancer is a complex disease, and compounds that are beneficial in some cancers and for some people may not be beneficial in others.

A diet rich in nutrient-dense foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, helps provide the vitamins and minerals a person needs for their overall health.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) advises that people consume the below foods to promote overall health and reduce the risk of certain diseases, including some cancers.

A 2019 meta-analysis concluded that a dietary pattern of consuming fruit, vegetables, and whole grains has a stronger link to a reduced risk of breast cancer than a dietary pattern of eating red and processed meats and animal fats. However, certain factors can influence these results, including whether a person is pre- or post-menopausal and whether their breast cancer is hormone-dependent.

Many studies have found a link between a Western dietary pattern high in ultra-processed foods and added sugars and an increased risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer.

Western dietary patterns also tend to be very high in calories, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. Females with excess weight or obesity are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Additionally, a 2021 study found that obesity had correlations with shorter, disease-free survival and overall survival among TNBC patients.

Phytochemicals are chemical compounds that derive from plants. Research shows many phytochemical compounds have anticancer properties.

Epigenetics is the study of how external factors switch genes on or off. A 2020 review investigating epigenetic regulation and dietary control of TNBC indicated that the following phytochemicals could help manage the disease:

However, the authors acknowledge that the body may not absorb the active molecules in these compounds effectively. Additionally, scientists do not fully understand how these phytochemicals interact with one another.

Soy contains compounds called isoflavones that can act similarly to the hormone estrogen. But research into the effects of soy on breast cancer has yielded conflicting results. Since TNBC is not a hormone-responsive breast cancer, soy is unlikely to have any effect on its progression.

However, a 2017 study looked at gene expression in women with TNBC. The researchers found that those with high soy intake pre-diagnosis had more tumor suppressor genes and fewer cell growth-related genes. This suggests soy consumption may have some protective effects.

However, it is worth noting that this study only involved participants in China. Soy is much more prevalent in the diets of Chinese and Japanese populations than those of Western populations. As a result, these findings may not apply to people in different parts of the world.

The ACS advises people to limit or avoid the following foods and beverages:

A smaller 2016 study investigating TNBC in women with dense breasts found that people who ate the following foods had a higher risk of developing this type of cancer:

The ketogenic or keto diet is a high fat, very low carbohydrate, and moderate protein diet. This dietary approach induces a process called ketosis, a metabolic state where the body burns fats for fuel.

The NCI advises that although a keto diet is difficult to follow, it is generally safe. The organization explains that the purpose of the diet is to decrease the amount of glucose the tumor cells need in order to grow and reproduce.

A 2019 review of ketogenic diets in treating cancer suggests such diets may enhance the efficacy of treatments and increase patients quality of life. However, further studies are necessary to confirm these effects. Additionally, there is currently no research on the keto diet specifically for people with TNBC.

If a person with TNBC is interested in trying a ketogenic diet, they should discuss it with their medical team to check whether or not it is safe and appropriate for their specific health needs.

Following specific dietary patterns may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. They may also help support overall health and improve treatment outcomes in those undergoing treatment for TNBC.

The following meal-planning tips derive from the research and recommendations above:

Although these tips help promote overall health and can help ensure a person is getting the nutrients they need, it is not always possible for an individual with cancer to eat in a specific way. Often, cancer treatments take their toll on appetite and energy and could lead to symptoms such as nausea and taste changes.

Getting enough calories and protein and maintaining body weight and muscle mass are most important for people with cancer. If someone can only tolerate specific foods and textures, that is perfectly fine. The focus should be on eating whatever foods are tolerable, whether health experts consider them healthy or not.

If anyone has specific questions about diet and TNBC, or breast cancer in general, they can speak with their healthcare team. A healthcare team, including a registered dietitian specializing in cancer nutrition, can help people develop a plan to help them maintain their energy and support their overall health.

Research has not yet identified an ideal diet for people with TNBC. However, evidence suggests that a whole food diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes is beneficial to help prevent cancer and support health during cancer treatment.

Additionally, people living with cancer may benefit from avoiding or limiting their consumption of processed, high fat, and high sugar foods. Some may also consider increasing their intake of certain plant compounds. However, anyone who has a cancer diagnosis or is undergoing treatment for the disease should speak with their oncologist before making significant dietary changes.

See more here:
Triple negative breast cancer and diet: Foods to eat and avoid - Medical News Today

Maybe you already know this, but just in case you don't, Red Notice star Dwayne Johnson didnt rise to fame as an actor.

In 1996, Johnson joined the cast of WWE (then WWF), and for eight years he was simply known as The Rock, a charismatic, trash-talking professional wrestler with a major physique to boot.

His big screen star turn happened five years later, when he played the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns. The movie was such a hit that Johnson later starred in his own spin-off movie in 2002, The Scorpion King, and also set the Guinness World Record for highest salary for a first-time leading man: $5.5 million dollars.

Since then, The Rock has continued to be a jack-of-all-trades while maintaining the hulking size he's known for.

He left WWE in 2004, but continued to make appearances until announcing his official retirement in 2019. In 2016, was named the worlds highest-paid actor.

He's starred in a slew of action movies, including The Fast and The Furious franchise, GI Joe: Retaliation, and Hercules. But hes also a bona fide comedic actor, as evidenced by the most recent Jumanji movies and his co-starring role in Central Intelligence alongside Kevin Hart. And of course, kids love him as the voice of Maui, the demigod of South Pacific legend, in Moana.

The Rock is also a serious businessman as co-owner of the Extreme Football League (XFL), Teremana tequila and the energy drink Zoa. His Under Armour line, Project Rock, is a hit. And, he co-owns the production company Seven Bucks Productions behind Red Notice, Jumanji and several other blockbusters.

Lets also not forget: As of November 2021, The Rock has the fifth-largest following on Instagram (after Instagram itself, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylie Jenner, and Lionel Messi), where he's famous for sharing his heavy workout routines and even heavier meals.

But despite The Rocks many accomplishmentswe should also mention that he played football at the University of Miami on a full scholarshiphes definitely famous for his extraordinary diet and grueling workout routine.

This is what he eats to keep The Rock "rock" solid.

Muscle and Fitness documented that The Rock once ate 52 ounces of cod per day for years to build his incredibly muscular physique.

Cod was included in six of his seven daily meals, alongside huge portions of various starches, including sweet potatoes (12 ounces), white rice (2 cups), and oatmeal (2 cups). Each meal was rounded out with a cup of vegetables, and various add-ins like casein protein, a 10-egg-white-omelet, and a tablespoon of omega-3 fish oil.

In 2016, he recounted a similar daily diet to People Magazine, although he reported swapping out cod for proteins like beef, chicken, and bison.

In a recent interview with Delish, he addressed rumors about his diet: I can confirm it to a certain degree that I was eating many pounds of food per day including a lot of cod, he said. And as a matter of fact, I just recently transitioned my cod meals of the day to salmon. He also said that for years, he was eating between 6,000 and 8,000 calories per day.

Now, he says as of November 2021, his diet is pretty much the same as its always been. Hes eating between five and six meals per day, sometimes seven.

He wakes up to a bowl of cream of rice or oatmeal alongside some buffalo and some eggs. On his Instagram, you can find him starting the day with a rich bowl of oatmeal topped with nuts, strawberries, and apples.

After a workout, he eats a bowl or rice (or another fast-acting carb" he describes to Delish, which means that it digests quickly), and chicken.

For his third meal, hell eat rice again alongside chicken or buffalo, and add some greens alongside.

He has two or three more similar meals, and then before bed, he has some kind of protein (like casein powder), carbs, and greens.

To keep hydrated, The Rock also drinks a ton of water; anywhere from 2.5 to 3 gallons per day. And while he doesnt drink coffee, he does take in caffeine from Zoa, his own brand of energy drink.

But theres room for fun in The Rocks diet. Hes practically famous for once-per-week cheat days.

Recently, he posted a plate of fries and two bacon-cheeseburgers alongside a glass of tequila. In October, he showed a delicious looking stack of coconut-lemon pancakes. And hes getting into the holiday spirit, too, with the latest ice cream flavors to come out of his Dwanta Claus (Johnsons alter ego) collaboration with Salt and Straw. All five of them including PB&J Coconut Banana Pancakes and Chocolate Gooey Brownie, among others sound delicious. And hes no teetotaler; the same Instagram post revealed a freezer shelf full of Teremana Tequila, his own label.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Continued here:
The Rock Diet - What Dwayne Johnson Eats in a Day - menshealth.com

With 2022 rearing its hopefully not so ugly head around the corner, many started thinking about possible new year's resolutions. What's it going to be this year? Same as always, of course! My new year's resolution for 2022 will be to start eating like the "Liver King".

The man behind the Liver King phenomenon is Brian Johnson, an American bodybuilder who promotes "ancestral living", a sort-of paleo lifestyle that includes hunting-gathering and eating as little processed food as possible.

Brian wasn't always used to living the way he does now. After his sons developed severe allergy, he and his wife tried removing processed food from their diets as a last resort to make them feel better. "Two decades later, I eat a pound of liver every single day", the Liver King explains on his website, "I walk barefoot down to the lake and subject my body to cold temperatures. I sleep on the floor. I lift heavy things. I fight, I hunt. I struggle. I overcome."

Brian is not the first person to promote a different approach to bodybuilding, albeit he's slightly different from the plant-based athletes who you see very often parading their shredded physique around on Instagram. Naturally, the Liver King also has an Instagram account, but instead of chowing down on pea protein and tofu, he opts in to have raw liver and scooped out bone marrow for tea:

Now, I tend to cook my own food (chicken, rice and broccoli, baby!), and I'm not a vegan either, but my diet is a far cry from the Liver King's feasts. He's a big guy a true burly man but even if I scaled down his diet to better match my calorific needs, I don't think I could stomach quite so many raw ingredients without throwing up in the process, at least a couple of times.

I can only assume Brian started by eating less intense stuff at first, but nowadays, he squeezes eggs out of a fish straight into his mouth and eats raw testicles for dinner (needless to say, these posts might be NSFW for some people). Not to everyone's taste, so to speak, although even he admits his lifestyle might be controversial in one of his Instagram posts.

If you find his way of eating like a cave dweller admirable like I do, it's important to bear in mind that there is a reason why we cook food: to remove bacteria, or at least to reduce the chance of getting ill from consuming heap loads of them. Raw meat from a supermarket is generally safe to consume when used as intended (as in, cooked), but I'm not sure if I want to gobble up breast portions from chicken raised in a cage.

As well as eating meat au naturel, the Liver King also works out like a beast. In one of his IG posts (linked above), he goes on a 1-mile walk while wearing 20 Lb. ankle weights, pulling a 195 Lb. sled, carrying a 100 Lb. backpack and holding 97 Lb. kettlebells in each hand. Sure thing! The best full-body workout for troglodytes.

He does other stuff, too, such as standard dumbbell floor press and resistance band pecs flys, exercises we can all do at home. Of course, Brian also likes to do overhead presses with massive tree branches, but I guess it's something we would expect from a guy who promotes ancestral living, right?

Would I recommend the Liver King's diet as a good example? Not necessarily. I agree that eating less processed food is better for you in general but chowing down on raw animal meat is not a sustainable way of existing, both from a diet and the planet's point of view.

Health concerns aside, sticking to a restricted diet such as the Liver King's takes a significant psychological toll on the mind. Our bodies are infinitely adaptable, but going on a raw meat diet is not feasible for most people living in an urban environment. It's not like you can take a plastic container full of chopped liver to the office and have it at your desk.

Nevertheless, I think I'll try to cut down on processed food next year and see where it takes me. I will probably still occasionally have protein powder and weight gainers, but I will have more nuts and fewer Mars bars in between meals. No testicles, thank you.

As for the workouts, even the Liver King uses adjustable dumbbells and kettlebells, so I just carry on lifting as usual. Maybe I start wearing my weighted vest when I go for runs more often.

Today's best Dumbbells deals

Today's best Kettlebell deals

Today's best Sports Nutrition And Supplements deals

Read more from the original source:
The diet of bodybuilder "Liver King" excites and horrifies me at the same time - T3

Credit: Instagam/@theturnertwiins 

The debate over whether a meat-based or vegan diet is healthy or not has been going on for years and is likely to linger on for decades.

The discourse has now evolved to on-ground and social media campaigns as each group tries to boast the benefits of their eating in innovative and sometimes scientific ways.

As the opinions, observations, and recommendations about vegan and meat-based food are highly subjective, it's not possible to come to one conclusion.

But now, a set of identical twins have come up with a more pragmatic approach in deciding what is best or 'healthieast'.

Hugo and Ross Turner participated in a study that involved one of them going on a plant-based diet while the other ate meat.

Hugo stopped eating meat and dairy for 12 weeks and Ross decided to stick to a diet that had meat, fish, and dairy.

The experiment, which was actually part of a study by Kings College London, saw the two consume the same amount of calories each day and carry out the same gym exercises.

I was on the vegan diet and it really does take a hit on your body," Hugo told BBC, admitting the switch to a plant-based diet wasn't easy.

He said he was eating a lot more fruits and nuts than he used to. This meant his sugar levels were satiated during the day and he had more energy. On the other hand, his meat-eating twin brother said he felt 'very energetic' on some days and low on other days. In other words, his energy levels werent consistent.

But Hugo's energy levels were pretty much the same throughout his diet.

Another notable difference was the change in their gut bacteria. Hugo said the diversity of his gut bacteria dropped but his brother's remained the same.

By the end of 12-weeks, Hugo saw drops in his total body weight and cholesterol level. But the two said there wasn't 'a huge difference if any'. Hugo dropped from 185 pounds to 181. His brother gained fat and his weight increased to 189 pounds.

Here is the original post:
Identical twins go on vegan and meat-based diets for 12 weeks to see what's 'healthiest'- here's what they found - Times Now

A new study is underway examining the examining how diet can emulate the impact of medications on treating common chronic conditions. Senior author Professor Stephen Simpson said that we can reduce our dependency on medication by better controlling our diets. He said: Diet is a powerful medicine. However, presently drugs are administered without consideration of whether and how they might interact with our diet composition even when these drugs are designed to act in the same way. The study found that dietary composition had a stronger effect on these pathways than drugs.

The study found that these drugs could interfere with the positive impact of diet.

Both rapamycin and metformin reduced the cellular response to protein, while resveratrol dulled the effect of carbohydrates and fat.

Future research will be needed to see how much of this research will carry over to humans, although many of the pathways are unaltered.

The study focused largely on the interaction of the different nutrients at the cellular level, rather than constructing a diet that can be translated into human portions.

DONT MISS:

Lead author Professor David Le Couteur believes the research can further out understand of what causes aging at the cellular level.

He said: We all know what we eat influences our health, but this study showed how food can dramatically influence many of the processes operating in our cells.

This gives us insights into how diet impacts health and ageing.

The research was published in Cell Metabolism, laying out findings about how diet and the different drugs influenced the liver.

Other lifestyle changes that can combat the effects of aging include mental and physical exercise.

Some behaviours can worsen the effects of aging.

These include drinking, lack of sleep, smoking and stress.

One study conducted by Yale also found that people with a positive perception of aging lived seven years longer.

View original post here:
How to live longer: The most 'powerful' way to protect yourself against ageing - Daily Express

Not being able to fall asleep at night is one of the most common issues. Insomnia can occur due to stress at the workplace and various other factors as well. However, insomnia can take place due to nutritional deficiency. It is important that you consume a well-balanced meal that also includes portions of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbs, and everything.Also Read - Skincare: 5 Vitamin Deficiency Signs That Should Not Go Unnoticed

A well-balanced diet keeps body weight intact, provides longevity, and keeps chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic disorders at bay. However, vitamin deficiency can also be the reason for sleeplessness. Heres the list of vitamin deficiencies: Also Read - 5 Food That Can Help You Sleep Better and Avoid Insomnia

Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits. It is a powerhouse of antioxidants known for removing inflammation, strengthening the immune system, bone, and teeth. By including oranges, berries, peppers, broccoli, lemon, you can improve your sleep cycle. Also Read - Sleep Deprivation: How Lack of Sleep Affects Your Health?

When the body does not receive enough vitamin B6, the body tends to stop producing sleep-inducing cells and thus, leading to insomnia. Therefore, to fall asleep peacefully, include bananas, peanuts, oats, pork, chicken, fish, and turkey.

Vitamin E helps in preventing sleep deprivation that often leads to memory loss and cognitive decline in the long run. You should include vitamin E food like almonds, sunflower oil and seeds, pumpkin, spinach, and red bell peppers.

Vitamin D helps in regulating mood and prevents inflammation. As per a study, vitamin D can lead to inducing sleep-regulating cells. You can include food like mushrooms, salmon, sardines, egg yolk, and other fortified foods.

The inability to fall asleep leads to insomnia. This also leads to feeling restlessness and irritability. Heres how sleeplessness can affect your overall health:

Here is the original post:
Unable to Fall Asleep at Night? Start Including Vitamins in Your Diet - India.com

You're probably already thinking about how your dietary choices affect your heart health and your blood pressure, but the impacts of the foods you eat on your overall health extend further than you may know. Your diet can impact your sleep schedule, your brain health, and even your sex drive. Now, new research finds that eating a diet high in fat and sugar over a long period of time can leave you at risk of developing gastrointestinal cancer.

In the study, published in the journal Nature Metabolism, researchers looked at 27,000 intestinal cells from mice, some of which were fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet meant to imitate the western diet, and others of which were fed a control diet. Using machine learning technology, researchers found that the stem cells in the intestines of the mice fed the high-fat, high-sugar diet divided more quickly, noting that this fast division can promote gastrointestinal (GI) cancer's development and growth. In short, the mice ate a typical western-style diet, the stem cells in their guts divided more quickly, which could put them in increased danger for certain cancers.

Related: Eating Habits to Avoid if You Want a Healthy Gut, Say Dietitians

For context, GI cancer, according to Yale Medicine, is a term that encompasses multiple cancers in the GI tract, including esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer, among others. While this study was conducted on mice, its results offer the hope that changing your diet might help fight off these dangerous conditions.

Plus, cancers are not the only risk to your gastrointestinal health, and switching from a high-fat, high-sugar diet to a more gut-friendly one can help you protect this vital system, lowering your risk for a range of other symptoms and diseases.

"When we eat, we're not just feeding ourselveswe're feeding the trillions of microbes living inside of our guts, known as the gut microbiota," Colleen D. Webb, MS, RDN, a nutritionist specializing in gastrointestinal health, told Eat This, Not That! In an interview. "This 'forgotten organ' strongly influences GI health and plays a key role in disease development and progression, with its effects extending well beyond the gut. The best diets for a healthy gut microbiota are ones that are full of whole or minimally processed plants, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds."

For more on eating your way to a healthy gut, consider getting familiar with these Popular Foods That Improve Your Gut Health, Says Science.

Read this article:
This Diet Can Increase Your Risk of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Says Science Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

5 mushroom varieties that you must add to your diet  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi:Mushrooms are popularly consumed foods that are neither fruit nor vegetable. These are a type of fungus that currently has over 10000 known varieties. Due to their fleshy texture and chewy consistency, mushrooms are also a popular meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans,

Mushrooms are rich in fibre, antioxidants, vitamin D, B vitamins, copper, phosphorous, potassium, and selenium. These bell-shaped foods are low in calories and come with various health benefits. From heart health to cognitive function, the consumption of mushrooms can help enhance health significantly. Furthermore, the presence of polysaccharides inculcates prebiotic properties in mushrooms making them good for gut health.

Here are some varieties of mushrooms that can be found in India:

Button mushrooms: This is the most commonly found variety of mushroom and also go by the names table mushroom, white mushroom, etc. Its botanical name is Agaricus bisporus. Some common health benefits of button mushrooms include improved cognitive health, improved heart health, and more. Button mushrooms are small with short stems and a smooth cap.

Shiitake mushrooms: With caps resembling an umbrella, Shiitake mushrooms are brown with short stems and are popularly consumed in parts of East Asia. Its botanical name is Lentinula edodes. These varieties have a cholesterol-lowering compound known as eritadenine. Apart from having anti-inflammatory properties, shiitake mushrooms can also boost immunity.

Maitake mushrooms: This variety is also known as the dancing mushroom or hen of the woods and the cluster of its caps resembles a flower. Its botanical name is Grifola frondosa. Maitake mushrooms are healthy due to their low calorie, fat, and cholesterol content.

Enoki mushrooms: Only a few mushroom varieties are safe to be eaten raw and enoki mushrooms are one of them. Enoki mushrooms are also known as velvet shank and have a small cap with a long, thin stem.Its botanical name is Flammulina velutipes. This delicious variety can be eaten cooked or raw and can help boost immunity, enhance heart and brain health.

Oyster mushrooms: Also known as hiratake mushrooms, these edible fungi have very short or no stem and caps shaped like an oyster. Its botanical name is Pleurotus ostreatus. The most common variety of oyster mushrooms is the pearl oyster and some other varieties may include golden oyster, pink oyster, and phoenix oyster. This variety can help regulate blood sugar levels, boost immunity, and improve gut health.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

View original post here:
Are you a mushroom lover? 5 varieties that you must add to your diet - Times Now

The phrase locavore has been around for almost two decades. It was invented to describe someone who eats locally originated food.

Some years ago, at Telluride Mountainfilm, those providing lunch proudly proclaimed all the ingredients had been sourced from within 100 miles. The spring salad was excellent, but the menu was shy of citrus and sparing of coffee and tea.

Now, in energy, we have a similar movement, a new emphasis and pride on locally originated renewable energy. But, like locally grown food in the San Juans, its hard to grow all of your own energy.

Consider Holy Cross Energy, which is seeking to blaze a trail toward 100% renewables by the decades end. How will they achieve this? Its as ambitious a goal as I know of in Colorado or beyond, devoid caveats or asterisks.

The portfolio being created by Holy Cross is a mix of local, mostly solar, and imports, mostly wind. Aside from a few blustery days, mountain valleys are not windy. For that, Holy Cross will secure electricity from turbines 120 miles southeast of Denver, near a town along Interstate 70 called Arriba.

Mountain valleys, though, do have strong solar. There, you see Holy Cross plunging ahead. A milestone will be celebrated on Dec. 8 with a snipping of ribbon at the 5-megawatt Pitkin County Solar Array. Another project is underway near Glenwood Springs, adjacent to the Colorado Mountain College campus. More such solar projects are likely.

A recently completed study by the Carbondale-based Clean Energy Economy for the Region found the solar potential of Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin counties was 25 times greater than what now exists. Much of this potential is in the Xcel Energy service territory downvalley from Glenwood Springs.

For much of the past century, the energy hopes of this area around Rifle were often focused on oil shale development. So far, it has defied success of commercial extraction at scale. The late Randy Udall used to say that pig manure (well, yes, he used a different word) had more energy than kerogen, the substance of oil shale. Anvil Points was long the central focus of oil shale extraction. Its a fetching image to now imagine solar panels lining the base of those cliffs.

This solar-generated electricity isnt necessarily the cheapest available. Electricity, like corn, can be produced most cheaply at scale and in the best places. The study about solar in the mountain valleys makes the argument that cost alone should not be the sole criterion. It points to future job generation as demand for fossil fuel declines. It also points to another benefit of local generation.

That local benefit is illustrated by the 2018 Lake Christine Fire. Centered in the El Jebel area, the fire nearly severed transmission into Aspen during the Fourth of July weekend. Local generation from the new solar farm in Pitkin County coupled with batteries can allow, at least temporarily, continued operation of home refrigerators and oxygen concentrators. The concept here is that of a microgrid, the ability to at least temporarily create self-sufficient islands in our electrical grid.

Colorado together has strong renewable resources. A solar developer of several mammoth projects near Pueblo says the solar resource there ranks eight or nine on a scale of 10. The elevation of the San Luis Valley may make the solar potential there even higher. Wind in southeastern Colorado, at the heart of the Dust Bowl-country ravaged landscape in the 1930s, may be as good as anywhere in the country.

Still, even greater geographic diversification will be needed to achieve the deep, deep integration of renewable generation. Think of Vail Resorts with its corporate strategy. A bad snow year in Colorado? Well, it has properties in New England, and then some in Europe and in Australia.

Most goals for 100% renewables including those of Holy Cross are similarly premised on sharing of electricity across broader geographic areas through wholesale market structures. A new Colorado law requires electrical utilities to figure out how to participate in such an organization, called a regional transmission organization, by 2030. It might be a cloudy day in Colorado, but not in Arizona. And the wind is always blowing somewhere.

Other Colorado power providers, including the Fort Collins-based Platte River Power Authority, and Durango-based La Plata Energy similarly hopes to a mix of local generation and access to broader markets.

Can local resources be knitted with large-scale resources from elsewhere to meet the 2030 carbon-free goals? Plenty of smart and hard-working people are trying.

Allen Best publishes Big Pivots, an e-journal devoted to energy and other transitions provoked by climate change. See more atBigPivots.com.

Go here to see the original:
Creating a low-carb diet of local and imported energy - Valley Courier