Mental Attitude: Loneliness & Depression Associated with TV Binge-Watching. A recent study has found that the more lonely and depressed a person is, the more likely he or she will binge-watch TV. Researchers say that depressed individuals use this activity to move away from negative feelings and those who lack the ability to control themselves are more likely to binge-watch. This is of concern as past research has shown that obesity and other health problems are related to excessive television viewing, suggesting that binge-watching may be more than a harmless addiction.
65th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association, February 2015
Health Alert: Prescription Combo Can Be Fatal for Seniors. Combining commonly prescribed antibiotics with a widely used heart medication appears to more than double the risk of sudden death in seniors, finds a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a common diuretic widely used in the treatment of heart failure. However, investigators have found that when trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Septra, Bactrim) is prescribed to someone on Spironolactone, it can cause blood potassium to rise to potentially life-threatening levels. Over a 17-year period, almost 12,000 people died suddenly after taking this combination of medicines and most of the patients who died were over the age of 85. The authors conclude that pharmacists and physicians must be made aware of this interaction, as it does not appear widely known at present time.
Canadian Medical Association Journal, February 2015
Diet: Toddler Snacks & Meals Have Plenty of Salt & Sugar. Many prepackaged meals for toddlers contain high levels of salt, and many snacks, desserts, and juices for infants and toddlers contain added sugar. Researcher Dr. Mary Cogswell writes, “It was surprising that more than seven of ten packaged toddler meals contained too much sodium (salt)… Some parents might be surprised that a majority of infant and toddler snacks and sides, such as flavored crackers and rice cakes, contained added sugar. About half the analyzed ready-to-serve mixed grains and fruits products, such as oatmeal and fruit in a jar, contained added sugar.” She recommends preparing food for infants and toddlers as a healthier choice over prepackaged foods. Pediatrics, February 2015
Exercise: You May Want to Take it Easy When Jogging. After following 1,000 healthy joggers and 4,000 healthy non-joggers for a decade, researchers claim that those who jog 1-2.4 hours per week were 71% less likely to die during the study period than non-joggers. However, they found no mortality benefits when comparing more strenuous joggers to the non-joggers in the study. Study researcher Dr. Jacob Marott adds, “We believe that long-term strenuous endurance exercise may induce pathological structural remodeling of the heart and large arteries.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology, February 2015
Chiropractic: Improvement in Chronic Hypertension Following Cervical Adjustment. A 55-year-old male with a history of chronic hypertension that did not respond to medical management presented for a trial of chiropractic care. After receiving an upper cervical adjustment using a specific chiropractic protocol, his blood pressure progressively lowered. The findings support the possible use of chiropractic care in the management of unresolved chronic hypertension.
Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, January 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Probiotic Pill May Help Diabetics. Researchers claim that a study involving rats demonstrates that a modified strain of “friendly” human gut bacteria called Lactobacillus appears to have instigated a process that converted cells in the intestinal lining to behave like pancreatic beta cells and release insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. In the study, the rats that received the modified probiotic had blood glucose levels up to 30% lower than rats that did not receive the probiotic. The researchers hope to one day develop a probiotic pill for human use that diabetic patients could take each morning to help manage and possibly cure their condition. Diabetes, February 2015
Quote: “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” ~ Stephen King

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Schizophrenia May Be More Than One Disease. New research suggests that schizophrenia may really be an umbrella term for a number of genetically different diseases as opposed to one unique illness. In this recent study, scientists uncovered 42 groups of genes that appear to influence schizophrenia risk. They believe that identifying these gene networks and how they correlate with symptoms will make it possible to develop localized treatments for the specific paths implicated in an individual’s schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry, January 2014
Health Alert: Good News for Blood Donors. Maintaining optimal iron levels in blood donors is important, especially when 25-35 percent of regular donors develop an iron deficiency that can lead to fatigue and anemia. In a study of blood donors, researchers discovered that individuals who received a low-dose iron supplement returned to their pre-donation iron levels between 7 and 18 weeks earlier than those who did not receive a supplement. Surprisingly, two-thirds of those who did not receive iron supplements failed to regain their pre-donation iron levels by week 24. National Institutes of Health, February 2015
Diet: Vegetarian Diets Boost Weight Loss. According to a new meta-analysis, a vegetarian diet causes weight loss, even without exercise or calorie counting. Researchers found that individuals who switched to a vegetarian diet lost an average of about 10 pounds (~4.5 kg) over 44 weeks. People who were heavier to begin with lost more weight, and men and older participants reported the greatest weight loss. The authors of the study hope that healthcare providers will prescribe this dietary approach to patients who need help managing their weight and health. Study author Dr. Susan Levin adds, “If you’re overweight, losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can slash the risk of both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic, January 2015
Exercise: “Walking Seminars” Could Replace Sitting in Class. What began as a physical activity challenge for a computer science faculty has become a study in how education and fitness can be combined to improve both physical well-being and classroom discussions. University lecturer Dr. Olle Balter started a “walking seminar” in response to a competition in which staff recorded how many hours they and their students spent sitting vs. being active. The majority of students surveyed said that they felt better after the walking workshops than after typical, sedentary seminars. None of the students felt worse and most believed that communication was better during the walking seminar. KTH The Royal Institute of Technology, January 2015
Chiropractic: Claudication Responds to Conservative Care. Neurogenic claudication is the medical term used to describe the symptom of pain induced by walking, and it is caused by damage to the neurological system as a result of spinal stenosis. A small study assessing the effectiveness of a six-week, nonsurgical program to address neurogenic claudication revealed improved short-term outcomes among patients who received multimodal care that included soft tissue and neural mobilization, chiropractic spinal manipulation, lumbar flexion-distraction, muscle stretching, home-based exercises, and instruction on self-management strategies. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of this combination of nonsurgical treatment options for neurogenic claudication patients. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, January 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Prevent Urinary Tract Infections Among Children. To assist parents in preventing urinary tract infections in their children, the National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse recommends the following: encourage kids to use the bathroom regularly, offer more fluids if children are not urinating frequently, teach proper wiping technique after using the bathroom, and dress them in cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes.
National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearing House, January 2015
Quote: “Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn’t exist and never shall. There is only now.”
~ Christopher Paolini

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Does Alzheimer’s Disease Affect Diabetics Differently? In an eighteen-month study, researchers explored whether or not Alzheimer’s disease affected patients with diabetes differently than non-diabetics. While they did not detect much difference in cognitive decline between the groups, functional decline was more pronounced in patients with both diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical Therapeutics, February 2015
Health Alert: Lyme Disease More Widespread Than Believed. According to a new report, prolonged illness in Americans with Lyme disease is more prevalent, serious, and costly than previously thought. Investigators found Lyme disease patients are nearly five times more likely to have post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome-related symptoms such as fatigue, nerve pain, joint pain, and memory and thinking problems. They also found that Lyme disease costs up to $1.3 billion dollars per year to treat. Researcher Dr. Emily Adrion explains, “Regardless of what you call it, our data show that many people who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease are in fact going back to the doctor complaining of persistent symptoms, getting multiple tests and being retreated… it is clear that we need effective, cost-effective, and compassionate management of these patients to improve their outcomes, even if we don’t know what to call the disease.” PLOS ONE, February 2015
Diet: Corn Oil Lowers Cholesterol. A new study claims that corn oil significantly lowers cholesterol more than extra virgin olive oil. In the study, participants consumed four tablespoons of corn oil or extra virgin olive oil in addition to their normal diet. The results revealed that total cholesterol decreased by 8.2% in the group that consumed corn oil and just 1.8% for extra virgin olive oil group. Corn oil lowered bad cholesterol (LDL) by 10.9% while extra virgin olive oil only lowered LDL by 3.5%. Lead researcher Dr. Kevin C. Maki adds, “These findings add to those from prior research supporting corn oil’s positive heart health benefits, and align with recommendations to replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats, such as those found in corn oil.”
Journal of Clinical Lipidology, February 2015
Exercise: Exercise During Dialysis Improves Energy in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients. Fatigue is a common complaint by chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis. A small study involving 66 CKD patients found that those who participated in a physical and mental exercise program twice a week for two months experienced significant decreases in fatigue when compared with those who did not participate in such a program. The authors of the study conclude, “With respect to the findings of the study, this method of treatment is recommended due to being cost efficient, easy, applicable, and flexible for alleviating the effect of fatigue on the personal, psychological, and social aspects of life quality in patients on hemodialysis.” Nephro-Urology Monthly, July 2014
Chiropractic: Resolution of Motor Tics & ADHD. A recent case study involved a 10-year-old boy with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who also suffered from involuntary motor tics. A thorough examination revealed cervical dysfunction dating back to at least when the boy was four months old. Chiropractic care focused on adjustments of the first cervical vertebra and mechanical traction. Following the first treatment, the patient exhibited improvements in both behavior and focus and no longer required pharmaceutical management for his ADHD symptoms after two months of care. After ten months of care, the boy experienced a complete resolution of his motor tics. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, November 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Prevent Breast Cancer. In a cumulative examination of research done on environmental factors associated with breast cancer, experts recommend the following actions to minimize an individual’s risk: engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity, avoid a high-fat diet, reduce alcohol intake, and be cognizant when taking estrogen and synthetic progestagen hormonal therapy. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, January 2015
Quote: “Don’t write so that you can be understood, write so that you can’t be misunderstood.” ~ William Howard Taft

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Student Loans = Stress for Young Adults. A new study finds that student loan debt is a significant cause of stress among young adults. Researchers conducted a survey across the United States and found that those with greater student loan debt reported higher levels of depressive symptoms. Study author Dr. Katrina Walsemann writes, “We are speculating that part of the reason that these types of loans are so stressful is the fact that you cannot defer them, they follow you for the rest of your life until you pay them off.” Further research is needed to determine how student loan debt affects other areas of health and life, such as job choices, marriage, and children. University of South Carolina, January 2015
Health Alert: Lung Cancer Now the #1 Cancer Killer of Women in Wealthy Nations. According to a new report, lung cancer has overtaken breast cancer as the leading killer of women in developed countries. Experts explain that an increase in female smokers in the 1970s is the likely explanation for the upsurge in lung cancer-related deaths among women in present day. On the other hand, early detection and improved treatments have led to a decline in breast cancer-related deaths in recent decades.
CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, February 2015
Diet: Healthy Diet & Nutrition Critical for Mental Health. A new collaborative study adds to a growing body of evidence showing a relationship between both diet quality and potential nutritional deficiencies and mental health. Studies have shown that many nutrients have a clear influence on brain health including omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins (particularly folate and B12), choline, iron, zinc, magnesium, S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe), vitamin D, and amino acids. Lead author Dr. Jerome Sarris writes, “While the determinants of mental health are complex, the emerging and compelling evidence for nutrition as a key factor in the high prevalence and incidence of mental disorders suggests that nutrition is as important to psychiatry as it is to cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology.” The Lancet Psychiatry, January 2014
Exercise: Get Fit at Home. You don’t need to invest in a gym membership to get fitter, stronger, and healthier. The American College of Sports Medicine reports that you can get a great home-based workout with the following inexpensive essentials: an uncluttered space of about 100 square feet, light dumbbells, a stability ball, and resistance bands. They recommend a training routine featuring 8 to 10 different exercises that works all muscle groups. American College of Sports Medicine, February 2015
Chiropractic: GERD Improves with Adjustments. A recent case study involved a 27-year-old woman who presented at a chiropractic clinic with a history of upper and mid-back pain as well as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). She received a two-month course of chiropractic care that included adjustments, traction, and exercises to improve posture. She reported improvement of her GERD symptoms and x-rays revealed improvement in spinal alignment at the conclusion of care. The findings support the use of chiropractic care for gastro-intestinal symptoms in addition to musculoskeletal pain.
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, June 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Use of Media Devices Affect Teens’ Sleep Significantly. A Norwegian study has found that if it takes more than an hour for a teenager to fall asleep, there is an almost 50% likelihood that they are spending more than four hours per day outside of school using electronic devices such as computers, TVs, smartphones, and MP3 players. The findings are of concern since the majority of teens in the United States report having at least one electronic device in their bedroom, and poor sleep has implications on school performance. The authors add, “The current recommendation is not to have a TV in the bedroom. It seems, however, that there may be other electronic devices exerting the same negative influence on sleep, such as PCs and mobile phones. The results confirm recommendations for restricting media use in general.” Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, November 2014
Quote: “Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” ~ Will Rogers

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Are Girls Around the World Smarter Than Boys? After analyzing educational data collected during a ten-year period concerning 1.5 million 15-year-old boys and girls from around the world, an international team of researchers from the University of Missouri and the University of Glasgow claims that girls outperform boys in reading, math, and science in 70% of the countries they studied. This finding challenges the widely-held belief that boys generally perform better in these subjects. Study author Dr. David Geary adds, “Even in countries where women’s liberties are severely restricted, we found that girls are outperforming boys in reading, mathematics, and science literacy by age 15, regardless of political, economic, social, or gender equality issues and policies found in those countries.” Intelligence, January 2015
Health Alert: Colon Cancer Rates on the Rise Among Americans Under 50. An analysis of National Cancer Institute data reveals that overall colon cancer rates fell by roughly 1% every year between 1975 and 2010. However, the rate of colon cancer among people ages 20 to 34 actually rose 2% annually and individuals between ages 35 and 49 saw a half-percent yearly increase during the same time period. Study co-author Dr. Jason Zell writes, “Multiple research organizations have shown that colon cancer is rising in those under 50, and our study found the same, particularly among very young adults… Which means that the epidemiology of this disease is changing, even if the absolute risk among young adults is still very low.”
Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, December 2014
Diet: Green Tea Ingredient May Help Kill Oral Cancer Cells. Scientists have found that a compound in green tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) may trigger a cycle that kills oral cancer cells while leaving other cells alone, though the precise mechanism is unknown. Because this process appears to happen without causing any damage to the surrounding healthy tissue, this findings may lead to treatments for oral as well as other types of cancer in the future.
Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, January 2015
Exercise: Talk Yourself Up! Cyclists who underwent motivational self-talk training experienced enhancements in their power output and breathing capacity that led to improvements on time trials that were not achieved by cyclists in a control group that received no such training. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, March 2015
Chiropractic: New Study Demonstrates Positive Changes Following Chiropractic Care. Using a special x-ray process called video fluoroscopy, researchers were able to produce real-time video images that demonstrate the benefits of spinal manipulation performed by chiropractors. In the study, they identified spinal joint fixations and then observed the joint’s behavior after a chiropractic physician adjusted that region of the spine. The video showed a significant improvement in motion on the treated vertebrae, supporting the use of chiropractic care to restore joint motion.
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, February 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Good Bedtime Habits Result in Better Sleep for Kids. Sleep researchers say that children obtain better sleep in the presence of household rules and regular sleep-wake routines. Researchers evaluated 1,103 American households with children ages 6 to 17 years old and found that within the family dynamic, a consistent bedtime routine improved sleep, whereas television use in the bedroom generally was associated with reduced sleep. Researcher Dr. Orfeu Buxton adds, “Good quality and sufficient sleep are vital for children. Just like a healthy diet and exercise, sleep is critical for children to stay healthy, grow, learn, do well in school, and function at their best.” Sleep Health, January 2015
Quote: “Don’t follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you.” ~ Margaret Thatcher

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.