Mental Attitude: Body Acceptance Improving Among Women. Women in the United States today seem more satisfied with their weight than American females from 30 years ago. A review of more than 250 studies found that women’s dissatisfaction with body weight declined significantly between 1981 and 2012. Study author Dr. Bryan Karazsia adds, “In the past few years, we’ve seen more and more of the idea of body acceptance . . . and more media awareness [of this issue] growing from societal influences.”
American Psychological Association, August 2016
Health Alert: Injuries Increase as Trampoline Parks Expand. As indoor trampoline parks have grown in popularity, so have trampoline-related injuries to kids. According to the International Association of Trampoline Parks, the number of such parks increased in the United States from 35 to 280 between 2011 and 2014. Investigators found that emergency rooms saw an increase in the number of patients injured at trampoline parks from 581 in 2010 to nearly 7,000 in 2014. Children and teenagers accounted for most ER trips—with broken bones and sprains being the most common injuries. Lead researcher Dr. Kathryn Kasmire notes, “It’s important for parents to be aware of the risks at these parks… Supervise your kids the whole time, forbid flipping or any other ‘stunts,’ and be wary if the trampoline area is crowded.” Pediatrics, August 2016
Diet: Nut Consumption Associated with Reduced Signs of Inflammation. A new study that involved over 5,000 participants has revealed an association between greater nut intake and reduced levels of inflammation. Investigators found that those who consumed five or more servings of nuts per week had lower levels of biomarkers related to inflammation than those who seldom or never ate nuts. In addition, individuals who substituted three servings of red meat, processed meat, eggs, or refined grains per week with nuts had significantly lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers. Study author Dr. Ying Bao writes, “Population studies have consistently supported a protective role of nuts against cardiometabolic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and we know that inflammation is a key process in the development of these diseases… Our new work suggests that nuts may exert their beneficial effects in part by reducing systemic inflammation.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2016
Exercise: Benefits of HIIT. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) consists of short bursts of vigorous exercise with periods of rest. The American Council on Exercise says HIIT offers the following benefits: a major boost to anaerobic and aerobic fitness, increases sensitivity to insulin and lowers levels of fasting insulin, helps decrease percent body fat, and it can help exercisers achieve significant results in less time. American Council on Exercise, August 2016
Chiropractic: Women with Chronic Migraines Have Altered Neck Muscle Activity. A recent study investigated neck muscle activity in women with chronic migraines. Researchers used surface electromyography to monitor the neck muscles of 31 subjects with episodic migraines, 21 with chronic migraines, and 31 healthy individuals. The results revealed that women with chronic migraines exhibited greater activity in their superficial neck extensor muscles during neck flexion than the non-headache subjects. The findings demonstrate that cervical dysfunction may play some role in the migraine headache process. Additionally, previous studies have shown treatments that improve cervical function, like chiropractic care, can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines in some patients. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, June 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Keep Kids Safe During Summer. Most kids relish outside summertime activities, but parents need to take steps to help ensure the safety of their kids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following: protect kids when they’re near water, make sure kids know how to swim, and encourage adults to learn CPR; protect children from heat-related illness, avoid letting children overheat, encourage drinking lots of fluids; protect against sunburn; use insect repellent on children when they play outside; and make sure that playground equipment is safe before use.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2016
Quote: “Diligence is the mother of good fortune.” ~ Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

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

Mental Attitude: Using Smartphones to Improve Mood. An international study has found that smartphone-based psychotherapeutic exercises can improve one’s mood. In the study, participants were able to choose from different psychotherapeutic exercises lasting five minutes each. For example, some subjects recalled emotional experiences, while others repeated short sentences or number sequences in a contemplative manner, or played with their facial gestures. The researcher observed participants felt more alert, calmer, and uplifted after each session. Lead researcher Dr. Marion Tegethoff adds, “These findings demonstrate the viability of smartphone-based micro-interventions for improving mood in concrete, everyday situations.” Frontiers in Psychology, July 2016
Health Alert: Breastfeeding on the Rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 81.1% of new mothers are now breastfeeding their children, up from 79% in 2011. However, almost half abandon the practice by the time their child is six months old. Additionally, less than a third continue to breastfeed through their offspring’s first birthday. Studies show that not only does longer duration breastfeeding benefit the baby (a lower risk of ear infections, for example), but it also confers long-term benefits to the mother (such as a lower risk of heart disease and circulatory diseases).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2016
Diet: Get More Essential Fatty Acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to improve heart health and help ward off heart disease. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests these sources to ensure you’re getting these essential fatty acids: oils from soybeans, flaxseed, and canola; walnuts or walnut oil; fatty fish, including salmon, mackerel, lake trout, sardines, and albacore tuna; and eggs labeled as containing omega-3 fatty acids. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, August 2016
Exercise: Don’t Let Kids Be Lazy When School Is Out. Physical education experts recommend parents keep their kids active when they’re not in school. Martin Wurmlinger, a physical education teacher at a Los Angeles middle school recommends structured activities, such as creating a circuit program that covers all five areas of fitness: cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, muscle endurance, body composition, and flexibility. Examples include pushups, abdominal crunches, jumping jacks, squats, and stretching. He adds, “I encourage students to do physical fitness activities with friends or family. That’s usually more fun and a great motivator.” University of California, Los Angeles, July 2016
Chiropractic: Dizziness May Be Caused By Dysfunction in the Neck… Proprioception is the body’s ability to sense where its various parts are in relation to one another for purposes of movement and balance. Cervicogenic dizziness is a musculoskeletal disorder in which neck pain is associated with disequilibrium; however, according to researchers, “The pathophysiology is unclear and the neurophysiological basis remains to be ascertained.” In this study, researchers examined 20 cervicogenic dizziness patients and 22 healthy controls and found the dizziness patients exhibited impaired proprioception. Previous research has demonstrated chiropractic care can improve proprioception, which may offer a viable treatment option for the cervicogenic dizziness patient.
Neurologia, July 2016
Wellness/Prevention: First Comprehensive Cancer Blood Test Within Reach. A research review of thousands of studies has allowed researchers to identify 788 biomarkers in blood that could be used to develop an early stage cancer screening test. The scientists hope that once clinical studies are completed, they will have a suite of about 50 biomarkers that can go into a clinical trial. Lead researcher, Dr. Lesley Uttley comments, “Our vision is that the screen will pick up even the small amounts of these biomarkers that might be in the blood at an early stage of the cancer, without necessarily identifying which cancer they relate to. Patients would then be referred for more specific tests that could narrow down the tumor type.” The researchers add that validation and trials will take six to eight years, but tests could be ready within three years for use in high risk groups. EBioMedicine, July 2016
Quote: “Remake the world, a little at a time, each in your own corner of the world.” ~ Rick Riordan

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

Mental Attitude: The Brains of Preterm Babies Benefit from Breast Milk. Premature infants who are fed breast milk within their first 28 days of life have better brain development than those without access to breast milk. Investigators followed 180 preterm infants from birth to seven years old and found a link between increased breast milk consumption during NICU hospitalization and larger deep nuclear gray matter volume at full term and better IQs, academic achievements, memory, and motor function by age seven. Lead author Dr. Mandy Brown Belfort adds, “Our data support current recommendations for using mother’s milk to feed preterm babies during their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization.” Brigham and Women’s Hospital, July 2016
Health Alert: Many Women Weigh Too Much Before Pregnancy. United States health officials say that more women are starting their pregnancies heavier than ever before. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 50% of women who became pregnant in 2014 were either overweight or obese when they conceived. The findings are concerning as two complications of being overweight or obese before and during pregnancy are high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. Dr. Siobhan Dolan, a medical adviser to the March of Dimes advises all women to see a doctor before becoming pregnant to help “become as healthy as you can prior to pregnancy. A lot of being healthy before pregnancy is prevention, and a healthy weight is part of prevention.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2016
Diet: Looking for More Energy? Making nutritious and healthy food choices can help you power through the busiest days. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests the following to improve your diet: eat every three to four hours to boost metabolism and to keep from becoming too hungry; watch portion sizes and avoid overeating; eat a balanced diet that includes lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, fruit, low-fat or fat-free dairy, and healthy fats; avoid foods such as sodas, energy drinks, and coffee loaded with sugar that can make energy levels sag; and drink plenty of fluids, such water or tea without sugar.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, August 2016
Exercise: Exercise Therapy for Hip Arthritis. A recent study investigated the effectiveness and safety of Tübingen exercise therapy for improving hip muscle strength among 120 hip osteoarthritis sufferers. This type of exercise focuses on movements to strengthen muscles and improve body awareness, balance, and flexibility. After a twelve-week program that included both group sessions and home exercise, participants experienced a significant positive effect on hip muscle strength. Overall, the researchers report they found the program to be feasible and safe with no reports of therapy-related adverse events. Modern Rheumatology, August 2016
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies Help Seniors with Cervicogenic Headaches. In this study, researchers compared the effects of manual therapies, such as those delivered in a chiropractic setting, with usual care in the treatment of older adults whose headaches are the result of cervical dysfunction. Participants in the manual therapy group reported significant reductions in headache frequency following their eleven session treatment plan, which did not occur in patients in the usual care group. Additionally, these benefits persisted up to nine months later when the study’s final follow-up occurred. Those in the manual therapy group also experienced reductions in headache intensity and duration, as well as improved cervical range of motion and quality of life scores.
Spine Journal, August 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Use Your Neti Pot Safely. A Neti pot can be extremely helpful for clearing clogged sinuses as well as offering relief from uncomfortable nasal congestion. The Food and Drug Administration offers these guidelines for proper use: wash and dry your hands before use, thoroughly clean the Neti pot and dry before each use, use clean water (distilled, filtered, or boiled) to create the saline rinse solution, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Food and Drug Administration, August 2016
Quote: “No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.” ~ Mary Shelley

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

Mental Attitude: Stressed Dads May Affect Their Kids’ Development. When fathers are stressed out about parenting, it may take a toll on their children’s development. In a study that included 730 families, researchers found that sons were more likely to have poorer language skills at age three when their fathers had high levels of stress associated with parenting. Furthermore, both boys and girls of stressed fathers usually scored lower on tests of cognition. Dr. Michael Yogman, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health adds, “This new study supports a wealth of research showing that fathers play an important role in their children’s cognitive and behavioral development.”
Infant and Child Development and Early Childhood Research Quarterly, July 2016
Health Alert: Americans Are Heavier Than 20 Years Ago. According to a new report, the average American has put on about fifteen pounds (~6.8 kg) since the late 1980s and early 1990s. The authors of the report speculate the reasons behind the increase in weight are most likely related to tendencies toward less exercise and more access to high calorie foods. Dr. Anthony Comuzzie, an obesity researcher and scientist with the department of genetics at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio, says that the study reveals that Americans are still gaining weight at “a fairly rapid rate, and such an increase does not bode well for the overall health of the nation. The findings suggest there will likely be an associated increase in chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease in the coming years.” National Center for Health Statistics Report, August 2016
Diet: Omega-3s Helpful After a Heart Attack. A heart attack can result in damage to the heart, which raises the risk of further heart-related problems. A new study suggests that this risk may be reduced with a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids. In the study, 360 heart attack patients either took four grams of omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo for six months following their heart attack. The researchers found that participants who took omega-3 fatty acids experienced a 5.6% reduction in scarring of non-damaged heart muscle, as well as a 5.8% reduction in the left ventricular end-systolic volume index, which is an indicator of a patient’s outcome following a heart attack. Senior author Dr. Raymond Y. Kwong explains, “Our findings show that omega-3 fatty acids are a safe and effective treatment in improving cardiac remodeling, so it may be promising in reducing the incidence of heart failure or death, which are still major healthcare burdens to patients who suffer a heart attack.” Circulation, July 2016
Exercise: Improves the Working Memory of Stroke Patients. In this study, researchers found that post-stroke patients who engaged in moderate exercise for just 15 minutes experienced enhanced activity in their brain’s prefrontal cortex, resulting in improved working memory performance. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, August 2016
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Pain Reduced By An Activity-Based Work Environment. A recent study investigated the effect of an activity-based work (ABW) office environment on physical activity and sedentary behavior, work ability, and musculoskeletal discomfort. ABW is based on the premise that employees do not have an assigned workstation; instead, they are provided with a variety of predetermined activity areas that allow them to learn, focus, collaborate, and socialize. In the study, 88 office workers trialed ABW for four weeks, and at the end of the study, the researchers reported the workers spent less time sitting and more time standing and walking. The participants also reported less back pain following the four-week trial than they had in their more traditional work environment. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, July 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Check Those Moles. If you have a lot of moles on your body, you need to check your skin often for changes and warning signs associated with skin cancer. To accomplish this, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following: regularly inspect your skin, evaluate all of your moles; look for changes or unusual looking moles; see a dermatologist if any moles bleed, itch, or change; avoid sunbathing or use of a tanning bed; apply sunscreen when outdoors to help prevent sunburn; and see a dermatologist if you have 100 or more moles. American Academy of Dermatology, August 2016
Quote: “Fortune crowns the bold before the worthy.” ~ Agona Apell

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