Mental Attitude: Living Near Major Roads May Boost Dementia Risk. Living near a major roadway may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Researchers followed 6.6 million Canadians for a decade and found those living within 160 feet of a major highway had a 7% greater risk for developing dementia. Study author Dr. Hong Chen adds, “Our study suggests that busy roads could be a source of environmental stressors that could give rise to the onset of dementia.”
The Lancet, January 2017
Health Alert: Immune System Reboots During a Good Night’s Rest. T-cells are a type of lymphocyte (a subtype of white blood cell) that play a central role in cell-mediated immunity. In this study, researchers took blood samples from fourteen healthy men and found the levels of all types of T-cells fell when they had a full night’s sleep. However, their T-cell levels stayed high when they stayed awake all night. Study author Dr. Luciana Besedovsky notes the rapid fall in T-cell levels during sleep shows “that even one night without sleep affects the adaptive immune system… This might be one reason why regular sleep is so important for general health.” American Journal of Physiology, January 2017
Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Give Your Boost Brain a Boost. The Mediterranean diet may preserve brain health among older adults. Investigators collected dietary information and performed brain scans on almost 1,000 people around the age of 70. They found that those who followed the dietary habits common in Mediterranean countries—such as eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and beans—retained more brain volume into old age than those who did not. The researchers suspect that the combination of foods may protect against factors such as inflammation and vascular disease, which can cause brain shrinkage. Study leader Dr. Michelle Luciano notes, “Research is accumulating to show protective effects of the Mediterranean diet on normal cognitive [mental] decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.” Neurology, January 2017
Exercise: Cycling While in Bed Good for ICU Patients. In this study that included 33 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, researchers found patients who used special in-bed cycling equipment for 30 minutes a day had better physical function at discharge, which they believe may promote a faster recovery. PLOS ONE, January 2017
Chiropractic: Myofascial Pain Syndrome Common Among Neck Pain Sufferers. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a regional pain syndrome described as myofascial trigger points in skeletal muscle that can refer pain to nearby regions. A recent study discovered the presence of MPS in a group 224 patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. The investigators found the most common location for myofascial trigger points among participants was in the trapezius muscles, followed by the levator scapulae, multifidii, and splenius cervicis muscles in the neck region. Based on the findings, MPS should be considered a common source of pain among individuals presenting chronic non-specific neck pain. Chiropractic care includes myofascial release techniques of many varieties in addition to spinal manipulation and other modalities that reduce the pain and disability associated with MPS. Pain Medicine, December 2016
Wellness/Prevention: In-Car Breathalyzers Prevent Drunk-Driving Deaths. After examining trends in alcohol-related fatal car accidents from 1982 to 2013, researchers estimate ignition interlock laws have prevented about 1,250 deaths. Study leader Dr. Emma McGinty notes, “Our study suggests that [ignition interlocks] are effective, and it’s encouraging to see more and more states moving towards this evidence-based policy change.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine, January 2017
Quote: “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” ~ Socrates

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

Mental Attitude: Is Vitamin D Deficiency a Risk Factor for Dementia? Vitamin D is created in the body by way of exposure to sunlight, though it can also be acquired by diet or supplementation. A review of data from six cohort studies indicates that men and women with serious vitamin D deficiency have a 54% greater risk for developing dementia than those with adequate vitamin D levels. BMC Geriatrics, January 2017
Health Alert: Flameless Candle Batteries Pose Dangers to Kids. The tiny button batteries that light up flameless “tea candles” pose a significant risk to children when swallowed. These lithium batteries, which are commonly used in these candles, account for 14% of all the button batteries swallowed by children during the last two years. Button batteries have higher voltage than other batteries, and they can cause severe burns in the esophagus if they become lodged there. Experts recommend that parents make sure battery compartments are shut on all devices that use batteries. They also recommend choosing devices that have screws to secure the battery compartment or using strong tape to make batteries difficult to access.
National Capital Poison Center, January 2017
Diet: Eating Rare Meat Safely. If you prefer your meat cooked rare versus well done, it is important that it is prepared safely. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests: use a food thermometer to make sure rare meat is hot enough to destroy any germs; avoid using the color of meat, the color of juices, or the firmness of meat to determine if it’s sufficiently cooked; cook ground lamb, pork, veal, or beef to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71.11 degrees Celsius) at its center; and cook steak to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (62.77 degrees Celsius) at its center. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, January 2017
Exercise: Set a Health Goal That Lasts. Did you make a New Year’s resolution to become healthier? The American Council on Exercise offers the following tips to help one continue to strive towards their goal as the year progresses: set a small, specific, actionable goal, such as going for a walk every other day; view your goal as a positive change that you want to see in yourself; don’t make your goal so challenging that you are likely to get frustrated; reward yourself for meeting the goal; and ask for support from family, friends, and loved ones. American Council on Exercise, January 2017
Chiropractic: Surgery No More Effective Than Conservative Care for Disk Herniations in the Long-Term. A recent study sought to compare the effectiveness of surgical and conservative treatment for patients with a lumbar disk herniation in regards to sciatica symptom severity and quality of life. Researchers followed 370 lumbar disk herniation patients for 104 weeks and found that surgical treatment did not show a benefit over conservative treatment during long-term follow-up. The findings suggest that conservative care has the same long-term effects as surgery for lumbar disk herniation but with less cost and associated risk. BMJ Open, December 2016
Wellness/Prevention: How to Avoid Feeling Tired. If you’re not getting enough sleep and feel groggy when you wake up, you don’t need to turn to caffeine to stay awake. The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following to feel more alert: avoid alcohol before bed; set a sleep schedule, waking and going to sleep at the same time every day—even on weekends; set your alarm for the time you truly need to wake up; open the curtains to let in natural sunlight as soon as you wake; exercise daily; and eat a nutritious and balanced breakfast. National Sleep Foundation, January 2017
Quote: “You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.” ~ Charlie Chaplin

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

Mental Attitude: Concussions May Accelerate Alzheimer’s. A new study suggests concussions may speed up mental decline among individuals already at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, researchers examined 160 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and found that concussions seemed to accelerate Alzheimer’s disease-related brain deterioration and mental decline in the veterans at genetic risk for the disease. Dr. Jasmeet Hayes, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine writes, “Our results suggest that when combined with genetic factors, concussions may be associated with accelerated cortical thickness and memory decline in Alzheimer’s disease-relevant areas.” Brain, January 2017
Health Alert: Rural Americans at Higher Risk of Preventable Causes of Death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2014, Americans living in more rural areas had a greater risk of death from mostly preventable causes such as heart disease, cancer, accidental injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke. CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden notes, “This new study shows there is a striking gap in health between rural and urban Americans. To close this gap, we are working to better understand and address the health threats that put rural Americans at increased risk of early death.”
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, January 2017
Diet: The DASH Diet Wins Again. The US News & World Report has named the DASH diet as the best overall diet choice for the seventh year in a row, followed by the Mediterranean and MIND diets. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, but experts say the benefits go beyond preventing high blood pressure as it is also effective for weight loss, lowering cholesterol, and managing or preventing diabetes. The diet focuses on eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, low- or no-fat dairy, lean meats, poultry, and fish. US News & World Report, January 2017
Exercise: Routine Checkup Should Include Fitness Tests. A medical checkup usually includes height, weight, blood pressure, and a cholesterol screen, but one expert says healthcare providers should also collect data on cardiorespiratory fitness—a measure of how much work your body can do during exercise. Dr. Benjamin Levine from UT Southwestern Medical Center explains, “This measurement is so important because it shows how the heart, lungs, and muscles all work together, and it should be an element of assessment of heart disease risk along with factors like smoking history, diabetes, and [high blood pressure].” UT Southwestern Medical Center, December 2016
Chiropractic: Stabilization Exercises Help Reduce Pain. Core stabilization has long been recommended to aid in the management of low back pain. A recent study set out to examine the effects of lumbopelvic stabilization training on pain threshold and pain intensity in comparison to passive automated cycling and a control intervention among a sample of 25 patients suffering from chronic nonspecific low back pain. The findings revealed that the patients reported significant improvements in their pain threshold and pain intensity following stabilization training that they did not experience with the other interventions. Pain Practice, January 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Staying Trim Can Help Grades. Researchers followed 281 university students for two academic years and found a correlation between maintaining a healthy body weight and better academic performance.
Preventive Medicine Reports, December 2016
Quote: “The greatest ideas are the simplest.” ~ William Golding

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

Mental Attitude: Over-Planning Can Spoil Leisure Time. Too much planning makes leisure time seem like work. A review of thirteen studies found that people enjoyed their leisure activities less when they over-scheduled. Study co-author Dr. Selin Malkoc adds, “People associate schedules with work. We want our leisure time to be free-flowing… Anything that limits and constrains our leisure chips away at the enjoyment.” Journal of Marketing Research, December 2016
Health Alert: Alcohol Abuse Elevates Heart Risks. Alcohol abuse is defined as the consumption of alcoholic beverages to excess, either on individual occasions or as a regular practice. An analysis of medical records on close to 15 million Californians revealed that alcohol abusers are twice as likely to have atrial fibrillation, 1.4 times more likely to have a heart attack, and 2.3 times more likely to have congestive heart failure than individuals without history of alcohol abuse. Lead researcher Dr. Gregory Marcus notes, “We were somewhat surprised to find those diagnosed with some form of alcohol abuse were at significantly higher risk of a heart attack… We hope this data will temper the enthusiasm for drinking in excess and will avoid any justification for excessive drinking because people think it will be good for their heart. These data pretty clearly prove the opposite.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology, January 2017
Diet: Common Antioxidant May Protect Against Liver Disease. An antioxidant found in breast milk and foods like kiwi, soy, and celery may protect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in one’s offspring. Researchers found that when researchers gave pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) to obese mice during and shortly after pregnancy, it protected their offspring from developing the symptoms of liver fat and damage that lead to NAFLD—a condition that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver cancer in early adulthood. NAFLD is the most common form of liver disease in the world, affecting 20-30% of all adults in the United States and over 60% of those who are obese. Lead author Dr. Karen Jonscher adds, “Perhaps supplementing the diet of obese pregnant mothers with PQQ, which has proven safe in several human studies, will be a therapeutic target worthy of more study in the battle to reduce the risk of NAFLD in babies.”
The FASEB Journal, December 2016
Exercise: Exercise Protects the Brain. After following 6,104 seniors for over a decade, researchers report that participants who performed the best on an initial treadmill test were 8% less likely to develop dementia than the other participants.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings, January 2017
Chiropractic: Obesity Increases Risk of Chronic Pain. In the United States, 25 million adults experience daily chronic pain. In this study, researchers analyzed a sample of 6,079 middle-aged women and found that obese individuals were 2.06 times more likely to experienced chronic pain than those who fell within the normal weight range.
Gynecological Endocrinology, January 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Sleep Soundly When Traveling. It can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep while traveling due noise, activity, or a bright room. To improve your sleep while traveling, the National Sleep Foundation recommends: using an eye mask to help block out light, bringing a travel-sized pillow and your own blanket; using a pair of ear plugs; and using some lavender-scented hand cream to help you sleep. National Sleep Foundation, January 2017
Quote: “Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.” ~ Bruce Lee

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