Muscle Matters at Brunel

A very important day of learning and sharing at Brunel University yesterday. My 81yr old  friend & neighbour went along with me as we are both members of B.O.R.G. We are always impressed with staff, researchers and students care for the ageing process. It gives such hope for improving our vulnerable years. We learnt about loss of muscle mass termed as Sarcopenia..  It was lovely as we got off the bus at uni one of Brunel researchers was arriving too on the bus. She asked us if we were going to the Sarcopenia day. We said yes and glad she had now helped us pronounce it too by saying it .. hhhh .. was lovely bonding and we discussed a lot on the way to the venue on campus. 

I have shared some photos from the booklet we were given and when I get the link to the pdf will add this. 

Research Drs Donny & Stephen from Australia helped us understand muscle physiology, why muscle losses mass in ageing, how that loss of muscle mass can contribute to further vulnerability problems. With exercise and nutrition we can improve our muscles. 

I wondered if there was a significant global difference in the incidence of Sarcopenia between countries such as Australia that are more outdoor sports & activities. 

I also as I write this blog wonder if a difference in countries Pension provision in the incidence..as we in the UK have a low State Pension to other European countries for example..this affects cost of living expenditure on food and gym .. however our London Borough of Hillingdon does offer free access to swim and gym that are council managed. There are walking clubs too! 

I wondered if long covid had significantly affected muscle mass at cellular level. 

There was a strong nutritional emphasis on the need for a high protein breakfast to start the day activities. Then that made me wonder at the present child poverty in the UK where children not having breakfast before school.. does this have a long term effect on muscle mass? 

Important to note muscle cells have more mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells that maximise the production of energy from one molecule of glucose with oxygen. 

So more muscle mass means more energy. In the nutritional needs are iron for red blood cells to carry oxygen to all cells. Vit C for absorption of iron through gut. 

You can see our body has complex needs to keep maximum function.

Scroll down to see some of the learning & references. 

 

Some useful google searches I have just done: 

Four Types of Exercise

NHS older people live well exercise

Anthropologists and Asian Menu

Brunel University had an evening at exploring South Asian food that we can now experience in our local restaurants. We had a tasting session too after the lecture presentation and podcast introduction. The QR code will take you to the podcasts.

Brave Children Rainbow Knit

I finished a batch of Rainbow knitted garments & blankets for our local Hillingdon Hospital Rainbow Children's day unit and delivered to Sister. The staff highly delighted. It is entirely the decision of Sister to sell, raffle to raise funds for the unit or give to the children as she wishes. All with my love for the brave children especially those on chemo to win over cancer. 

I shared with the staff the story of my Palestinian nurse that I have mentored through his BSc Nursing.. he has MSc in Public health and nursed in oncology. He has work published in the European Journal of Oncology Nursing. I shared how he is with Medicin sans Frontiere and his wife had a baby daughter in March. I would if possible be knitting for their baby but impossible to get any personal parcels to them in Gaza. I wanted to dedicate my gift in a knowledgement of my nurse, wife and his daughter Zainah in their need for survival.  Staff were touched as there is always kindred spirit bonds with nurses around the world. They, as we all do wish safety & survival in horrendous situations. We as health professionals value life, we see disease and accidents threaten & take life, so hurts us all when there are conflicts that take life on mass scale. With this destroy homes and families. It is frustrating not to get this madness to stop and unable to get to help care for injured. 

 

With Rainbows there is always a feeling of hope & upliftment 

as dark storms subside!

Syrian Bridges - Jusoor

Jusoor Rewriting the Future

Aya Project

Talent Beyond Boundaries

Brilliant evening with my Syrian friends Tuesday evening 11th June  .... Jusoor is Arabic for bridges .. they have developed an organisation that builds bridges to rebuild lives love the slogan

 "ensuring no talent goes unnoticed and no dream unfulfilled..." 

 wonderful that those that have succeeded are reaching to help others succeed too...

"Lady Marjorie" gets everywhere and always a voice for others ..In Question and comment time ...  I shared my experience of visiting Eleonas Camp Athens and Piraeus camp being introduced to Syrian refugees that were Vets, doctors, teachers, administrators, IT technicians. As I worked alone with my Family Link Up project I would write reports to the UNHCR legal team London and copy to John McDonnell my  MP .. I suggested we make a database of peoples CVs, skills and expertise to show host countries what talent was among the refugees to help their economy and rebuild lives. All that was needed was language skills of host countries.  

Well in the Jusoor meeting was so in awe that the founder of Talent Beyond Boundaries مواهب بلا حدود had set up an project to do just that.. Talent beyond Boundaries this is amazing. Technology today means also they can work for companies & organisations remotely ... Jusoor is indeed building bridges and the networking in this meeting was so powerful. 

I have sent details to Baroness Lister House of Lords that chaired our combined meeting APPG Poverty & APPG Migration ... I hope Jusoor - جسور can be invited to present their work in parliament. Baroness  has replied and notes not only new government to be formed after General Election but there will be a summer recess ..so parliament will open in Autumn and schedules made ..🤲🙏inshallah lets hope all inspirational voices heard with awesome power.. When we get John back as our strong experienced MP for Hayes & Harlington, maybe John could invite Jusoor to his popular well attended parliamentary open to all seminars. A parliamentary conference would also be awesome too.. there is such good floor space in the Palace of Westminster for exhibition stands ..we always must remember parliament is a people's parliament and a major hub to share ideas & projects that can be recognised by governments & help fashion policies to enhance lives .. 

 

The Syrian food for the evening supper was so good too ..you can order through 

Mouna's Kitchen

Here is the archive link to the first time I was introduced to Jusoor 

Innovative Conference Kings College