Mental Attitude: Poor Mental Skills Associated with Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk. People with poor thinking skills related to planning, problem-solving, and reasoning may be at a greater risk for either a heart attack or stroke. Researchers analyzed data concerning 3,926 individuals with an average age of 75 who had no history of heart attack, stroke, or dementia. They found that individuals with low scores on tests measuring executive function were 85% more likely to have a heart attack and 51% more likely to suffer a stroke than their peers with high executive function scores during the following three years. Lead researcher Dr. Benham Sabayan adds, “These results show that heart and brain function are more closely related than appearances would suggest… While these results might not have immediate clinical translation, they emphasize that assessment of cognitive function should be part of the evaluation of future cardiovascular risk.” Neurology, August 2015
Health Alert: Traffic Air Pollution Increases Lung Cancer Risk. Regular exposure to automobile air pollution can increase an individual’s risk for lung cancer. Researchers examined data collected from 36 studies regarding professional drivers and found that occupational exposure to air pollution can increase lung cancer risk by 27% and the risk of dying from the disease by 14%.
Thoracic Cancer, May 2015
Diet: Spicy Foods May Extend Lifespan. Consuming spicy foods on a regular basis may lower an individual’s risk for premature death from cancer, ischemic heart disease, and respiratory disease. Researchers found that participants who ate spicy foods three to seven days a week were 14% less likely to have died during the seven-year study than participants who ate spicy foods less than once a week. British Medical Journal, August 2015
Exercise: Exercise Helps Patients with Vascular Dementia. University of British Columbia researchers report that patients with vascular dementia can improve their memory by simply going for walks on a regular basis. In the study, patients with vascular dementia who walked three times a week at a moderately brisk pace performed better on memory and attention tests than those who did not exercise. Furthermore, those who walked also lost weight and lowered their blood pressure.
Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, July 2015
Chiropractic: Teen Athletes Get Fewer Musculoskeletal Injuries! Compared with non-athletic adolescents, teen athletes are less likely to experience neck and back pain. Researchers polled 1,865 participants at the 2012 Quebec summer games and 707 non-athletes from local schools. Not only are teen athletes significantly less likely to report neck pain, upper back pain, and lower back pain but when they do, they are also less likely to miss school because of it. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, August 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Online Program Can Improve Hand Washing. An online program that encourages people to wash their hands has been found to reduce the spread of cold and flu viruses within families. The free program, called PRIMIT, offers four weekly sessions that provide simple steps to help participants avoid catching and passing on viruses, monitor users’ hand washing habits, and provide feedback. The study included more than 20,000 people who were randomly assigned to use PRIMIT or to a control group that did not visit the website. During the sixteen-week program, 51% of people in the PRIMIT group had at least one respiratory infection, compared with 59% in the control group. Study author Dr. Paul Little notes, “A simple, cheap internet program to encourage hand washing can reduce the risk of infection by around 14 percent.” The Lancet, August 2015
Quote: “Knowledge, like air, is vital to life. Like air, no one should be denied it.” ~ Alan Moore

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

Mental Attitude: Childhood Trauma Can Worsen Bipolar Disorder Symptoms. Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City report the presence of childhood trauma – including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and emotional and physical neglect – has been associated with a more severe clinical presentation among patients with bipolar disease. Psychiatry Research, August 2015
Health Alert: Septic Tanks May Allow Human Waste into Nearby Waterways. A new study suggests that septic tanks don’t prevent fecal bacteria from seeping into nearby rivers and lakes. Researchers analyzed 64 river systems and found bacterial concentrations were highest where there were higher numbers of septic systems in the watershed area. Previously, experts thought soil worked as a natural treatment system that could filter human sewage. Dr. Joan Rose, an international expert in water microbiology, water quality, and public health safety adds that the study “has important implications on the understanding of relationships between land use, water quality, and human health as we go forward.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, August 2015
Diet: Spinach Extract May Help Curb Hunger. Men with above-average blood pressure may want to consider eating more spinach. A study involving thirty men revealed that consuming a spinach extract containing thylakoids reduced cravings for saltier foods over the following two hours. Co-author Dr. Frank L. Greenway summarizes, “The reduction in hunger and the desire for salty food that we saw in this study might make thylakoids particularly useful for [males] with high blood pressure and associated weight problems.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition, June 2015
Exercise: Could a New Molecule Mimic Exercise? Scientists have developed a molecule called “compound 14” that may one day help type 2 diabetics and obese patients reduce blood glucose levels and improve glucose tolerance. In a study on mice, researchers observed that compound 14 mimics the effect of exercise by causing cells to “think” they have run out of energy, thereby causing them to increase glucose uptake and metabolism. Obese mice that consumed the molecule for seven days lost weight and had more normal blood sugar readings than obese mice that just ate their normal diet. Chemistry & Biology, July 2015
Chiropractic: Specific Chiropractic Technique Helps Stenosis Pain and Disability. A study involving thirty patients with lumbar spinal stenosis found that flexion-distraction is an effective intervention for reducing both the pain and disability associated with this condition. In the study, half of the patients underwent a course of physical therapy while the other half received flexion-distraction treatments three times a week for six weeks. While both groups reported improvements in pain and disability, the results were more significant in the flexion-distraction group. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, June 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Urine Test Could Catch Pancreatic Cancer Sooner. Researchers have uncovered a biomarker for pancreatic cancer that can be detected in urine samples. The discovery may pave the way for a low-cost, noninvasive test that could detect the disease in its earlier stages. Currently, early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is uncommon, with approximately 80% of patients being diagnosed at later stages. Lead researcher Dr. Tatjana Crnogorac-Jurcevic explains, “We’ve always been keen to develop a diagnostic test in urine as it has several advantages over using blood. It’s an inert and far less complex fluid than blood and can be repeatedly and noninvasively tested… This is a biomarker panel with good specificity and sensitivity and we’re hopeful that a simple, inexpensive test can be developed and be in clinical use within the next few years.” Clinical Cancer Research, August 2015
Quote: “In the end you should always do the right thing even if it’s hard.” ~ Nicholas Sparks

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

Mental Attitude: Peers and Parents Influence Teen Alcohol and Tobacco Use. Among a sample of 2,490 German students, researchers found that peer smoking, peer drinking, and parental drinking were all associated with a 200% greater risk that a teen would experiment with and or regularly use cigarettes and alcohol. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, July 2015
Health Alert: Nicotine in E-Cigarettes Poses Danger to Kids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes has led to an increase in cases of nicotine poisoning by young children. Experts say that a nicotine overdose can cause anxiety, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, loss of consciousness, or even death. To keep all sources of nicotine out of children’s reach, the Food and Drug Administration proposes adding warning labels and child-resistant packaging to liquid nicotine products. Dr. Jonathan Foulds, a professor of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine adds, “Simply put, nicotine is a poison and consumers need to take responsibility for keeping it away from children, whether it is in a childproof container or not.” Penn State University, July 2015
Diet: Binge Eating Can Cause a Number of Health Problems. Eating large amounts of food very quickly and having no control over this behavior is known as binge eating. Potential risks of binge eating include depression, increased stress, increased suicidal thoughts, difficulty sleeping, headaches, joint problems, digestive problems, muscle pain, weight gain, and issues with menstruation. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney, August 2015
Exercise: Many Free Fitness Apps Don’t Meet Recommended Guidelines. If you are looking for a smartphone app to help improve your exercise regimen, it may be harder than you think. Researchers found that only one of thirty popular free fitness apps meets the majority of physical activity guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine. The top-rated app in the study was the Sworkit Lite Personal Workout Trainer App. The rating was based on evaluating adherence to specific medical guidelines regarding safety, warm-ups, cool–downs, stretching, intensity, frequency, and progression. Lead author Dr. François Modave writes, “While apps have great potential to give more people access to workouts that could help them achieve a healthy weight and fitness level, we found that the vast majority of apps are not as safe as they could be and do not give users the type of well-rounded workouts known to be most effective.” Journal of Medical Internet Research, July 2015
Chiropractic: Eye Surgeons Get Neck Pain Too! Musculoskeletal injuries can affect workers in many industries, even skilled surgeons. A new study published in the journal Current Opinion in Ophthalmology notes that ophthalmic plastic surgeons are at a high risk for cervical musculoskeletal disorders due to the amount of time they spend working in awkward, prolonged, static, and asymmetric postures. Additionally, wearing equipment on the head such as head lamps and magnifying devices can increase the weight of the head up to 40%, placing extra strain on the neck. Because 10% of cervical injuries in the profession will end a career, the authors of the study recommend that ophthalmic plastic surgeons take neck pain seriously and seek professional help when needed. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, July 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Self-Monitoring of Blood Sugar Good for Diabetics. A small study reveals that personalized blood sugar self-monitoring benefits individuals with type 2 diabetes, even if they’re not taking insulin. The study included eleven type 2 diabetics who were taught to react to their blood sugar level reading in a number of ways, such as eating a healthy snack or going for a walk. By testing their blood sugar levels twice a day and adapting their behavior accordingly, the participants were able to maintain healthier blood sugar levels. American Association of Diabetes Educators, August 2015
Quote: “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

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

Mental Attitude: Deep-Voiced Politicians May Have an Advantage at the Polls. If they want to get more votes, both male and female politicians may want to practice speaking with a deeper voice. Researchers surveyed 800 adults regarding hypothetical candidates and found that deeper-voiced candidates garnered 60% to 76% of the votes. Study co-author Dr. Casey Klofstad writes, “We think of ourselves as rational beings, but our research shows that we also make thin impressionistic judgments based on very subtle signals that we may or may not be aware of.” PLOS ONE, August 2015
Health Alert: Bigger Families Mean More Sickness. Being part of a big family boosts the risk of passing on viral infections that cause colds, flu, and other respiratory infections. In a recent study, researchers found viral infections were present in childless households an average of three to four weeks a year. In homes with one child, viral infections were present for 18 weeks a year and the number jumped to 45 weeks a year in homes with six children. Study co-author Dr. Carrie Byington writes, “A lot families go through wave after wave of illness. In fact, some of the kids we monitored had symptoms for 20 to 25 weeks in a row… This study helps us to understand what is normal in young children, and can help us determine when illness should be a cause for concern.” Clinical Infectious Diseases, August 2015
Diet: Meat Intake May Influence a Man’s Fertility. A new study concerning couples undergoing vitro fertilization treatment has found that males who consume a lot of processed meats have lower fertilization rates than men whose diet contains few, if any, processed meats. Researcher Dr. Natan Bar-Chama writes, “Decreasing processed-meat consumption can now be added to the list of recommendations — such as to stop smoking, decrease alcohol consumption and lose weight — that we can offer to men prior to fertility treatments to optimize outcomes.” Fertility & Sterility, August 2015
Exercise: Even a Little Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Benefits Those Over 60. An analysis of published research suggests that just a little moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every week can curb the risk of early death among those over the age of 60. Though current recommendations call for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, the data suggests that performing as little as half of the recommended amount can provide health benefits for older adults. The authors conclude, “Based on these results, we believe that the target for physical activity in the current recommendations might be too high for older adults and may discourage some of them… The fact that any effort will be worthwhile may help convince those 60% of participants over 60 years of age, who do not practice any regular physical activity, to become active.” British Journal of Sports Medicine. August 2015
Chiropractic: Should You See a Chiropractor First? Swiss researchers contacted 719 patients who initially visited either a doctor of chiropractic (DC) or medical doctor (MD) for either spinal, hip, or shoulder pain. The patients who sought care from a DC first reported higher scores for both satisfaction with the care they received as well as the outcome of care. The researchers add that the total costs associated with patients who sought chiropractic care were four-times lower than those who sought medical care first. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, August 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Signs of Heat Stroke. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s heat-regulating system fails to work properly due to high temperature. Potential heat stroke symptoms include having a body temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) or higher, confusion, irritability, becoming red or flushed, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, headache, rapid heart rate, seizures, and becoming comatose. Mayo Clinic, August 2015
Quote: “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”
~ Lucille Ball

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