ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS
The club has changed the schedule for our community grants awards this year. We are currently planning to post the on line application in mid -July.
The debunking of the president is rescheduled for Thursday August 29th at Santa Cruz Yacht Club at 5:30. We will be dark for the regular meeting that day.
We will be having our fundraiser at Aptos Park on the 4th of July beginning after the parade. See Al to sign up to help in the booth with set up or clean up, or by taking cash and checking ID’s.
Saturday June 29th will be Rotary Day at Derby Girls. if you buy your tickets online, still sign up and let us know you will be attending. Tickets and information at Santacruzderbygirls.org
June 27th is the RYLA barbecue at Mission Springs. All are welcome.
Dr. Beth Finch, a neuroscientist and experienced researcher, spoke to us today about Lifestyle Factors in Healthy Brain Aging. She is from Durham, North Carolina and received her PhD from Harvard.
Dr. Finch began by speaking about health effects of exercise on the brain. In a partial spinal cord injury or stroke or PTSD you can exercise and perhaps reverse the effects. She spoke about how the brain continues to grow throughout the lifespan. Exercise and physical activity can improve brain function. Even small amounts add up. Many types of movement are good… do whatever you like! What’s good for the heart is good for the brain! Most important the effects are cumulative.
The brain is more like plant than a machine it can grow and wither. You brain has the same fueling mechanisms as your body. Synaptic connections between neurons can change even in the adult years (Its called synaptic plasticity). Exercise promote neurogenesis or new neurons being born in the brain New blood vessels can be formed also. Current guidelines recommend 150 minutes a week if possible, but even ten minutes a day will help. Either aerobic or strength training or both count. When you exercise your skeletal muscles, it releases factors that affect your entire body, including your brain.
She quoted an article from IOM that specified the top three things to improve brain health. They are: Cognitive training, blood pressure management and increased physical activity are the top three things.
Exercise has broad effects on physiology. It increases hippocampus neurogenesis, influences muscle and improves memory. It also improves mood, including lowering anxiety and depression. It can curtail the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise can improve function even in brain cancer.