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Wednesday, April 5, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Fit For
Sisters
Andrew Luscutoff
Columnist
Using cardio to
beat Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer ’s disease
hits close to home. It is
an immensely challeng-
ing experience to watch a
loved one suffer from cog-
nitive decline. Alzheimer’s
currently affects more than
five million people in the
United States, and with the
growth of the demographic
over the age 65, that figure
is expected to double within
20 years.
Alzheimer’s is a condi-
tion in which gradual men-
tal impairment progres-
sively destroys the function
of the brain. The mecha-
nism of this degeneration
is the cells’ connections or
the cells themselves dying
in key areas of the brain.
It mainly affects memory,
and the victim becomes
confused. As time passes,
severity increases. When the
condition becomes extreme,
people lose themselves
psychologically and behav-
iorally and can become a
whole new person.
While Alzheimer’s was
once regarded as an aspect
of the aging brain, contem-
porary science has found
there are behaviors that can
shield you from develop-
ing the disease or slow the
decline.
Exercise is critical.
There is no longer any
argument about exercise
promoting brain function.
From mitigating depres-
sion to enhancing scholarly
performance, exercise is
undoubtedly a way to get
an easy brain boost. This
is especially true in older
adults who exercise regu-
larly. Research has found
larger volumes in the hippo-
campus of those who exer-
cise. The hippocampus is an
area of the brain linked to
memory and cognition.
It is now understood that
degenerative conditions can
also be slowed — if not pre-
vented — with exercise.
This finding was illus-
trated in a University of
Kansas study where they
pinned two groups of peo-
ple diagnosed in the early
stages of Alzheimer’s. They
then had each group do
one of either exercise pro-
gram: a walking program of
150 minutes per week or a
stretching and “toning” class
a few times per week. They
stayed with the program for
six months.
The results were encour-
aging for aerobic exercise
as a means of treatment for
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this condition. Many of the
walkers improved their cog-
nition and showed increased
volumes in the hippocampi.
It must be noted, however,
that the improvements were
not all-inclusive and some
people didn’t show much
improvement. This could
be due to the disease having
varying degrees of severity.
Interestingly, the toning
and stretching group showed
no improvement at all. In
fact many followed the pat-
tern of decline. This is a tes-
tament to the modality of
exercise being important for
the treatment.
Aerobic exercise is abso-
lutely a recipe for better
brain health — powerful
enough that it may even help
treat degenerative disorders.
The current recommenda-
tion for aerobic exercise is a
moderate pace for 150 min-
utes per week. Depending
on where someone is start-
ing, this would be a brisk
walk, bike ride, or hike
for 30 minutes five days a
week. The benefits don’t
stop at the brain; nearly
every bodily function can be
improved with a moderate
aerobic exercise. Boost the
brain, the body, and the soul
and go for a walk today.
MORE THAN
DENTURES,
IT’S YOUR
SMILE!
Feed the Outlaws to
raise funds for school
The Sisters Elementary
S c h o o l P a r e n t - Te a c h e r
Community (SPTC) is invit-
ing parents, friends, and com-
munity members to pick a
date, pick a restaurant, and
help raise funds for Sisters
Elementary School.
From lunchtime Monday,
April 10 through dinner
Wednesday, April 12, diners
can pick a different restaurant
in town and a portion of their
sales will be donated to the
SPTC in support of various
Family Nights and Teacher
Grants at Sisters Elementary
School.
Each Feed the Outlaws
participating restaurant has
a dedicated time and meal
of which 5 percent will be
donated to the SPTC. Diners
are encouraged to tell res-
taurant staff they are there
to “Feed the Outlaws!” The
schedule is as follows:
Monday, April 10 from 2
to 5 p.m. diners can enjoy Hop
N’ Brew’s Happy Hour Menu;
and from 5 to 8 p.m. stop in
at Sisters Saloon for dinner.
Dinner Specials
Cork
Cellars
SISTERS
DENTURE
Free consultations!
Tuesday, April 11 from
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. patrons can
enjoy The Depot Café’s lunch
menu; and from 5 to 8 p.m.
have dinner at Three Creeks
Brewing Company.
Wednesday, April 12 from
3 to 7 p.m. stop in at Sisters’
newest restaurant, The
Rainwater Café, for take-n-
bake pizza and then from 5 to
8 p.m. enjoy dinner at Rancho
Viejo.
“This is a new event for
our community and school,”
said Erin Borla a volun-
teer with the Sisters Parent-
Teacher Community. “What
a great way to enjoy a family
meal out at a local restaurant
and support our school in
the process! A special thanks
to the many restaurants in
the Sisters community who
offered to help out with this
new event.”
For more information
on Feed the Outlaws or
the Sisters Parent-Teacher
Community at Sisters
Elementary School contact
Borla at 541-480-5994.
Friday & Saturday
Greek Meatballs in
Tomato Sauce
“Tappy Hour”
Wine & Bistro
Tues.-Thurs., 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Live Music
Sat., Apr. 8th, 7-9 pm
Doc Ryan & Whychus Creek Band
Open Tuesday-Saturday 12-8 pm
391 W. Cascade Ave. | 541-549-2675
corkcellarswinebistro.com
541-549-0929
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Hop on Over!
Easter B
Brunch
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Sunday, April 16, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
— $35 per person; $17 children 12 and under —
Colored Deviled Eggs • Honey Glazed Ham
Cream Cheese and Spinach Salmon Roulade
Chicken Apple Sliders • Roasted Red Potatoes & Bell
Peppers • Mini Quiches with Cheddar, Bacon and Broccoli
Vegetable Platter • Fruit Skewers • Sweet Rolls
Mozzarella and Tomato Crostini • Garden Salad
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Call 1.800.797.6331 to reserve
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April 10 • 1 p.m. & 6 p.m.
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