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.