WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MARCH 2018

A couple interesting articles ...

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-43308729
How exercise in old age prevents the immune system from declining
Doing lots of exercise in older age can prevent the immune system from declining and protect people against infections, scientists say.
They followed 125 long-distance cyclists, some now in their 80s, and found they had the immune systems of 20-year-olds.
(Read article for more ...)

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/08/cycling-keeps-your-immune-system-young-study-finds
Cycling keeps your immune system young, study finds
Cycling can hold back the effects of ageing and rejuvenate the immune system, a study has found.
Scientists carried out tests on 125 amateur cyclists aged 55 to 79 and compared them with healthy adults from a wide age group who did not exercise regularly.
The findings, outlined in two papers in the journal Aging Cell, showed that the cyclists preserved muscle mass and strength with age while maintaining stable levels of body fat and cholesterol. In men, testosterone levels remained high.
More surprisingly, the anti-ageing effects of cycling appeared to extend to the immune system.
(Read article for more ...)


https://www.newscientist.com/article/2161873-cycling-in-later-life-makes-you-less-likely-to-have-a-bad-fall/?utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=SOC&utm_campaign=hoot&cmpid=SOC|NSNS|2016-GLOBAL-hoot
Cycling in later life makes you less likely to have a bad fall

This is a "subscriber" article, but they've also got a video on Facebook which basically indicates that cycling helps people with their balance.


Machka in Oz

Lanette: I have had issues with scotch broom since childhood and so have many people I know. We got rid of some on our property and I've noticed less when we travel to the coast than I used to notice. I found this online:

Scotch broom is beautiful, but noxious

July 31, 2009
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Although admired for its yellow blooms, the Scotch broom shrub has become an invasive species throughout the Pacific Northwest, where it competes with native plants and forms dense stands that are difficult to manage and remove.
Scotch broom was introduced from Europe as a garden ornamental by early settlers of the Pacific Coast. Later it was used to prevent erosion and stabilize banks and sand dunes. The woody shrub establishes quickly in disturbed areas, according to Andy Hulting, a weed specialist for the Oregon State University Extension Service.
"Its invasive habit and economic costs have landed Scotch broom on the State Weed Board's list of noxious weeds, along with its relatives French, Portuguese and Spanish brooms and gorse," Hulting said. Scotch broom costs Oregonians an estimated $40 million per year in lost timber revenue and control efforts.
What can you do to control this noxious weed? Prevention is the best method, especially in areas where the ground and other plants have been disturbed by overgrazing or development, Hulting said. Care should be taken not to transport soil that is contaminated with Scotch broom seeds.
"Quickly re-vegetate disturbed sites with fast-growing, competitive native plants to limit Scotch broom spread," he said. "Native trees (such as Douglas-fir or red alder), shrubs (such as woods rose, currants and snowberry) and native grass mixes can help prevent and slow Scotch broom infestations."
OSU Extension recommends that you learn to identify Scotch broom and the other non-native broom species in the Pacific Northwest that have the potential to become weedy. The publication, Scotch Broom (PNW 103), which has color photos, identification information and control measures, is available online.
If you find Scotch broom on your property, Hulting recommends:
• Dig it up, including the crown.
• Cut it back to the ground each year before it sets seed.
• Keep an eye out for seedlings each spring and pull them up, roots and all, while they are small.

Since Scotch broom seed lasts for years in the soil, vigilance is necessary to prevent reinvasion by new seedlings.
Several broad-spectrum herbicides, including glyphosate and imazapyr, can be effective in controlling Scotch broom infestations. Avoid spraying when plants are blooming; the flowers can prevent thorough coverage to plant tissues.
"Be careful when using herbicides to minimize drift and injury to non-targeted plants," Hulting warned. If you are unsure about the use of herbicides, contact your county Extension educator.
Remember to wear protective clothing, read the label and follow instructions, and be cautious. You can be liable for injury or damage from herbicide use.
Scientists continue to investigate biological control possibilities for Scotch broom and other noxious weeds. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has released a species of seed weevil whose larvae feed on the developing Scotch broom seedpods. They can destroy up to about 80 percent of the broom seed inside the pods.
You can pop open a mature, brown Scotch broom seedpod to see if seed weevils are working. Look for tiny white larvae. Do not spray plants with seed weevils.
Author: Judy Scott
Source: AndY Hulting
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Machka: I love the links about the benefits of cycling. I am so glad you shared. DH & I used to cycle, & even bought terra trikes when his balance started to be problematic. It was beneficial, but eventually the MS was too much for him to continue. :sad: I regularly ride a stationary bike in the gym and take yoga classes. Both use big muscles & sustained effort. They are very beneficial for me. I think "horse therapy" is beneficial, too, since riding also requires a lot of big muscle effort and balance control. I support any active recreation that is fun and gets us to move more.

I encourage everyone to find something active that is fun for them—dance, yoga, ride bikes or horses, use exercise machines, roller skate, swim--
Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around . . . Thats what its all about. :bigsmile:

Katla in beautiful NW Oregon

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." - Arthur Ashe

Bab
baby Floyd

run from work to train station was 17mph winds, then riding from the train station to home, 20mph winds and that was uphill!!!! did I tell you how much I love the wind?

For anyone who has not had their taxes done yet and live in the states AARP has reps that will do them for free if it’s a simple filing. I don’t think they do them if you own a business. We go to the local library and have them done. We sit right there while they do them. They do them on the computer so they can send them off and we can have any refund deposited into our bank account. Only took a week to get out refund. I asked the guy who does ours and he said they are in every state. You don’t have to belong to AARP either.

Haven’t heard anything from my cousin about his wife’s cancer. I know she is sensitive about people knowing so I haven’t called. He’ll email me when he’s ready. Hope I hear soon about what the dr said. Doesn’t sound good.

I decided to take tomorrow and next Monday off. I needed a break from work and I still have over 3 weeks to use this fiscal yr. In July I’ll get another 5 weeks so I have plenty of time to use.

Well that’s about it for me. Think of you gals all the time.

Terry in VT