HEALTH CARE
The initiative brings together more than 50 faculty members across schools and colleges to examine the mechanisms of dementia . The big idea is to tackle it from two fronts : How can we improve lives now for people who have aged or are aging ? How can we actually change the trajectory to promote health for the next generation ?
Right now , the initiative is studying immune molecules in the brain and coming up with what they call rescue plans . These treatments will target people with Alzheimer ’ s and other dementias and those just starting to exhibit symptoms . The teams want to understand what makes some brains resilient and others susceptible to cognitive decline . How can science determine when brain health diverges from a healthy trajectory ? Historically , brain health has been studied mostly in white men , but brain aging is different for women and is negatively impacted by stress , malnutrition and exposure to toxins , McAllister says . Given the reality of health disparities , scientists at UC Davis are including many races and ethnicities in their research , “ making sure what we discover will help the lives of everyone ,” she says .
The name of the game
Whether you ’ re trying to feel better or keep your mind in top shape as you age , there is no denying the importance of good , old-fashioned exercise . According to Kaleen Canevari , founder and CEO of Sacramento-based Flexia , certain issues linked to aging have little to do with actually getting older .
“ As we get older , we tend to start losing balance , flexibility and feeling pain ,” she says . “ A lot of things we associate with aging aren ’ t due to aging but not moving our bodies enough .”
The body adapts to the things you do every day . If you put yourself in the same hunched-over postures for hours on end , for example , the body will adapt .
Suddenly , it won ’ t be ready to stand up straight and move the way it used to . Canevari created Flexia to help people build strength , flexibility and mindfulness at home using the Reformer , a smart Pilates machine .
Her understanding of physical fitness comes from personal experience unrelated to aging . She grew up playing competitive soccer and suffered her first ACL tear at 15 . “ During the soccer game ,” she says , “ I felt something pop and it was the worst pain in my life .”
After going through physical therapy , she started playing again . But almost a year later , she suffered another tear in the same ACL . She tried everything to get back on the field : CrossFit , personal training , group fitness , yoga . But after MRI tests , surgeons couldn ’ t tell her why she couldn ’ t move like she used to .
Eight years later , in 2013 , she was resigned to living in pain . At that time , she was working as a mechanical engineer for a Pilates equipment manufacturer .
February 2 , 2022 • Jazz Concert and Workshop
TITLE SPONSOR :
MEDIA SPONSORS :
Adam Imada , Carlin and Jim Naify , Brenda Washington Davis , Griff Field , Heidi Sanborn , Jeremy J . Wakamiya , Vince Andrade-Sales Social Practice Fund , Susanne Zito , Rory Armanino , Fred and Nancy Teichert , Debra Waltman , Doni Blumenstock , Christopher Leet , Sacramento Ballet
Special Thanks to the Rio Americano High School Jazz Band and Violinist Amaryn Olmeda
In Appreciation to the Friends of Sacramento Board of Directors : Monique Anderson , Melanie Dahl , Brenda Washington Davis , Cole Finup , Robin Fisher , Gerry Kamilos , Mollie Morrison , Carlin Naify , Vince A . Sales , Brian Vargas , Jeremy J . Wakamiya , Debra Waltman
68 comstocksmag . com | March 2022