Adult Programs Are Cranking Back Up
LIVING WELL IN
YALOBUSHA COUNTY
By Pamela Redwine
County Coordinator
MSU Extension Agent III
We are so glad to finally be able to add a few activities back at the Extension Office as our adult programs are starting back up this month. The Create Mississippi Homemaker Volunteer (MHV) club will meet on Wednesday, October 14, at 9 a.m. to paint a cute fall canvas which includes an old truck, pumpkins and fall leaves. If you are interested in participating please contact the Extension office at 675-2730 and register to attend.
The Looped with Love Crochet MHV Club will meet on Thursday, October 15 at 9 a.m. Bring whatever crochet or knitting project you are working on and join us. All program participants will need to wear masks and practice social distancing during activities.
Our second session of Virtual Walk A Weigh started on Monday, October 5. Even if you didn’t join our program make it a priority to get up and move every day. The physical activity recommendation for adults is at least 30 minutes at least five days a week. If you want to join our program it is not too late – contact me at the Extension office and I’ll help you get registered.
The great thing about this program is you don’t have to leave your house – you get the lessons from your smartphone or computer, along with lots of great tips, interaction with others across northeast Mississippi with the similar goals and encouragement from Extension agents and other participants.
Go Nuts!
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, approximately 0.5-1.0% of the population suffers from a tree nut allergy. Roughly 30% of those allergic to peanuts are also allergic to tree nuts. Despite the risk for food allergy, the latest recommendations from the US Dietary Guideline Advisory Committee suggests increasing intake of nuts.
Nuts, like other plant-based foods, have a variety of nutrients for good health, including protein, fiber, mono-unsaturated fat, zinc and magnesium. They’re also high in antioxidants and other phytochemicals known to fight disease.
Nuts and Heart Disease:
A recent review of literature published in Progress in Cardiovascular Disease found that research from both observational and intervention studies suggest significant and strong links between nut consumption and reduced risk of fatal and non-fatal coronary heart disease, heart attack and sudden death with a weaker link to strokes. The authors believe that nuts provide protection against CVD as they improve lipid and apolipoprotein profiles. In addition, data suggests that nut intake offers protection from CVD by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation while fostering endothelial function improvement.
Unsaturated fats, L-arginine, minerals, phytosterols, and phenols in nuts further provide several health benefits. A 2018 meta-analysis of prospective studies also suggests that regular nut intake is associated with reduced all-cause mortality, incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality, coronary heart disease incidence and mortality, and incidence of stroke and mortality.
Nuts and Brain Health:
Preventing dementia is on everyone’s mind, so to speak. Researchers are investigating preventive agents in three different types of nuts that are used in traditional Persian medicine. A pharmacological review of almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts suggests they contain bioactive compounds that may aid in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers believe these tree nuts provide micronutrients, macronutrients, and phytochemicals that impact various pathways in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease such as oxidative stress, amyloidogenesis, and cholinergic activity. They may also play a role in cholesterol reduction and have anti-inflammatory properties
Persian medical scholars suggest that people increase their consumption of these three tree nuts for their brain-protective activity and potential to reverse brain atrophy, particularly with hazelnuts. These recommendations are based on clinical observations.
Extension Office Notes:
Our two new 4-H clubs are up and running!
The Water Valley Ground Breakers 4-H Club will meet on Saturday, October 10, at 10 a.m. The location is still to be determined – based on weather. The meeting will be a natural dye workshop.
The Gold Cloverbuds Club will meet on Thursday, October 15, at 4:30 p.m. That location is also still to be determined. And they too will be having a Natural Dye workshop. Please remember to wear your mask. To sign up for this meeting, email Natalie Turner, 4-H volunteer leader at gnatibryant@gmail.com or contact the Extension Office.
The Yalobusha Bots Robotics 4-H Club will meet on Tuesday, October 20. This meeting will be a face-to-face meeting at the Extension office. However, if you would rather participate virtually, we will have a zoom link available. The meeting link will be mailed out closer to the date.
The FCS 4-H Club will not meet in October but will continue doing the 4-H cooking kits. The activity is open for all youth, ages five to 18. The last day to reserve your kit is October 16 and you can pick it up on October 22 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The cost of the kit is $5 or you can reserve a kit for three months (October – December) for $15. All 4-H Clubs are open to the public. If you have questions please contact the Extension office at p.redwine@msstate.edu or 675-2730.
