Love and Kindness

By watching television, you will find yourself introduced to an array of brain boosting supplements – which, according to their sales pitches - “approximately 40% of people will struggle with age-related memory lapses, especially for those over 65 years old.” And by taking these supplements, you’ll have “noticeable improvements within 30 days.”

Too good to be true? The Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), an international team of doctors and professors, has warned that the tablets and capsules that claim to improve memory and cognitive ability and even fight off dementia are “too good to be true.”

To learn more about brain health, I reached out to our local/international expert on brain health. Dr. Paul Nussbaum is passionate about educating the general public on the basics of the human brain and how to keep the brain healthy over their entire lifespan.

On behalf of Our Daily Bread Food Pantry (ODBFP), Dr. Nussbaum will be speaking on brain health and how it impacts our life. “Brain Health Across the Lifespan” will be on May 4, 2023, at 3:00 PM at the Marco Lutheran Church. 

Dr. Paul Nussbaum has presented his views on brain health at the United Nations, National Press Club, Mensa, Sirius Radio, and CSPAN. His keynote presentations are both informative and fun, and he is often interviewed by local and national media. For over 35 years, Paul has studied, published, taught, and presented on the topic of successful aging and brain health.

Personally, I know Paul best as a senior softball player who is a member of the Marco Island Senior Softball League. Through his lens, Paul sees the Marco Senior Softball as more than a game; “It is living life to the fullest, building priceless relationships played by older men who believe they are still young boys.”

Being physically active is one of the secrets to brain health, according to Dr. Paul. He has a series of YouTube feel-good “Brain Health Moments.” One that caught my ear was his topic on physical activity. 

“Why is motion or movement so important to the body, particularly the brain?

Because every time your heart beats, 25% of the blood goes right to the brain. Sedentary behavior has been shown to be very detrimental to the health of our overall being, particularly the human brain. Think of getting moving; walk, swim, dance and even gardening have been shown to be good for the brain or as simple as working chores inside or outside the house.”

I also met up with Dr. Paul at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry’s (ODBFP) Winterberry location, where he is a Saturday morning volunteer. According to Dr. Paul, “The ability to be a small part of ODBFP provides me, and probably all the volunteers the ability to be selfless, humble, and to have our brains bathed in “feel good” hormones like oxytocin, vasopressin, and the neurochemical dopamine. It reminds us of the importance to love one another as we wish to be loved.”

Dr. Paul often encourages folks to “Lead with Love and Follow with Kindness.” This is true for all humans on the planet, regardless of situation or background, and is particularly true in our current times. ODBFP leads with love and follows with kindness, and these provide the hope and comfort to those with food insecurity needs.

Did you know that the brain loves to celebrate holidays such as Easter and Thanksgiving, where we gather with family and friends and give thanks? It fills the brain with all the good chemicals and keeps it in balance. 

Basics of Your Brain:

• Your brain weighs two to four pounds.

• Your brain is composed of 60% fat.

• 25% of blood from each heartbeat goes to the brain.