Mental Attitude: Air Pollution and Parkinson’s Disease. Taiwanese researchers reviewed data concerning over a
million patients and found a link between regular exposure to particulate matter pollution and an increased risk for
Parkinson’s disease. PLOS ONE, August 2017
Health Alert: Alcohol Use and Abuse Increasing in the US. Rates of drinking and alcohol abuse are on the rise in
the United States (US). An analysis of data has found that the rate of alcohol use in the US increased from 65% in
2001-2002 to nearly 73% by 2012-2013. Furthermore, the prevalence of alcoholism rose from 8.5% to 13% in the
same time frame. The findings highlight the urgency to educate the public, policymakers, and healthcare
professionals about high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorders so that prevention and treatment strategies can be
implemented. JAMA Psychiatry, August 2017
Diet: Protein at All Meals Preserves Seniors’ Strength. Consuming protein at all three daily meals may help
seniors preserve their physical strength. Researchers tracked more than 1,700 seniors for three years and found that
those who included protein in every meal experienced fewer declines in hand, arm, and leg strength than participants
who ate protein less often. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2017
Exercise: High-Intensity Interval Training May Reverse Frailty Among Seniors. Investigators studied the effect
of a ten-minute exercise program that included several high-intensity intervals on older, frail mice over the course of
sixteen weeks and found that these mice experienced dramatic improvements in grip strength, treadmill endurance,
gait speed, and muscle mass compared with mice in a control group. If these findings apply to human subjects, then
introducing seniors to this form of exercise may help them remain active and independent for longer.
Journal of Gerontology A, June 2017
Chiropractic: Can Reducing Pelvic Tilt Angle Reduce Back Pain? In this case study, a 56-year-old woman with
severe lower back pain and excessive lumbar lordosis performed an exercise three times a day aimed at reducing the
angle of her pelvis in relation to her spine. After two weeks, her anterior pelvic tilt angle had decreased, resulting in
a 50% reduction in her lower back pain. When examining a patient, doctors of chiropractic look at the whole patient,
as many times factors outside the immediate area of complaint—like their pelvic tilt angle—may contribute to the
patient’s pain and disability. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, July 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Kids Need Supervision While They Are Near Cars. Unsupervised children playing on or
near a road or driveway is a recipe for injury. To prevent a tragedy, Safe Kids Worldwide suggests the following:
walk around your car before you leave to make sure there are no children nearby; check for toys, bikes, or pets near
your car, which could attract children; and hold the hands of small children when you’re in a driveway, crossing the
road, or in a parking lot. Safe Kids Worldwide, August 2017
Quote: “We remember the past, live in the present, and write the future.” ~ Shaun David Hutchinson

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

Mental Attitude: Does a Higher IQ Equal a Longer Life? Scottish researchers analyzed data on nearly 66,000 people who
were born in 1936 and discovered that those with a higher IQ test score in childhood had a 28% reduced risk of death from
respiratory disease, a 25% lower risk of death from heart disease, and a 24% reduced risk of death from stroke. The study also
showed that a higher IQ in childhood was significantly associated with a lower risk of death from injury, smoking-related
cancers, digestive disease, and dementia. Senior study author Dr. Ian Deary writes, “We don’t know yet why intelligence from
childhood and longevity are related, and we are keeping an open mind. Lifestyles, education, deprivation, and genetics may all
play a part.” BMJ, June 2017
Health Alert: Some Prostate Drugs May Cause Harm. A popular hormone-based medication for the treatment of an enlarged
prostate may increase men’s risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and/or stroke. A review of records of 460 men treated for
enlarged prostate at a single urologist’s office in Germany revealed that men taking the drug dutasteride for three years
developed higher blood sugar and cholesterol levels than men taking a prostate drug that does not affect male hormones.
Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation, June 2017
Diet: Key Elements of Mediterranean Diet Important for Colorectal Health. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a
high consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil, and a moderate consumption of lean meats. In a new study, researchers
examined 808 patients undergoing screening or diagnostic colonoscopies and found that the diets of the patients with advanced
polyps contained fewer elements of the Mediterranean diet. When the research team adjusted for other risk factors associated
with colorectal cancer, they found that increased fish and fruit consumption and a low intake of soft drinks may reduce the risk
of advanced polyps. ESMO 19th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, June 2017
Exercise: Exercise May Be the Key to Becoming More Successful. Exercise is known to protect against several diseases,
such as diabetes and stroke. Now, a new study suggests that exercise helps people socialize and accomplish more. Researchers
recruited 179 college students and asked them to record each time they exercised during a 21-day span. The investigators found
that students tended to participate in more social and achievement-oriented activities on days they exercised than on days when
they did not engage in physical activity. Personality and Individual Differences, March 2017
Chiropractic: Scoliosis Associated with Neck Pain. Knowledge is sparse regarding neck problems in patients with idiopathic
scoliosis. A recent observational study set out to investigate the prevalence of neck problems among individuals with or without
idiopathic scoliosis and found that 42% of the participants with scoliosis had neck pain compared with only 20% of those
without the spinal condition. Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders, June 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Limit Allergens in Your Bedroom. Allergy symptoms, such as sneezing and sniffling, can prevent you
from having a good night’s sleep. To rid your bedroom of allergens, the National Sleep Foundation suggests the following: if
you’re allergic to pets, keep them out of the bedroom and bathe them weekly; cover your mattress and pillows with dust mite
covers; wash sheets regularly in hot water; use blankets made of synthetic materials, not wool; limit mold by keeping windows
open in the bathroom, fix leaks and clean up water promptly; skip candles, scented laundry detergent, air fresheners, and other
heavy fragrances in your bedroom; and clean furnace, air conditioner, and vacuum filters regularly.
National Sleep Foundation, July 2017
Quote: “Decisions are made by those who show up.” ~ Aaron Sorkin

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

Mental Attitude: Slower Walking Speed May Be Harbinger of Mental Decline… In this study, researchers followed 175
seniors with normal brain function for 14 years and found that those whose walking speed slowed during the course of the study
also experienced shrinkage of the right hippocampus. This area of the brain not only affects spatial orientation, which may
explain the slowed walking speed, but it also plays a role in forming long-term memories. The findings suggest that doctors
should check older patients’ walking speed and watch for changes over time, since it may be an early indication of mental
decline that warrants testing or preventative measures. Neurology, June 2017
Health Alert: These Heartburn Meds May Shorten Your Life… Proton pump inhibitor medications used to treat heartburn
may increase the risk of early death when taken for extended periods of time. Investigators compared the medical records of
nearly 276,000 users of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) against those of about 73,000 people who took another class of heartburn
medication called H2 blockers. They found that patients taking PPIs for a year or more had a 51% increased risk of premature
death, compared with 31% for people on PPIs for six months to a year, and 17% for three- to six-month users. The researchers
add that short-term use of PPIs of up to 90 days did not appear to affect mortality risk. Senior researcher Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly
comments, “If people find themselves taking proton pump inhibitors for an extended period of time with no valid need for doing
so, or for symptoms that can be managed in other ways, that’s when there’s far more risk than any potential benefit.”
BMJ Open, June 2017
Diet: High Fruit Juice Intake May Increase Thyroid Cancer Risk. Several studies have shown that consuming fruits and
vegetables can reduce one’s risk for many types of cancer. While a recent study did not find this to be the case for thyroid
cancer, the authors of the study did observe that higher fruit juice consumption may slightly increase the risk (23%) for that
form of cancer. International Journal of Cancer, July 2017
Exercise: Benefits of Intense Exercise. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is characterized by brief bouts of intense
exercise followed by less intense activity. According to the American Council on Exercise, HIIT benefits include: improved
anaerobic and aerobic fitness; increased sensitivity to insulin; decreased fasting insulin; reductions in belly fat and fat deposits
just beneath the skin; and improvements in fitness with less time commitment. American Council on Exercise, July 2017
Chiropractic: Job Strain, Sleep Disturbances, and Back Pain. Using data from the Stockholm Public Health Cohort surveys
from 2006 and 2010, researchers have determined that a physically active job, high job strain, and sleep disturbances increase
the risk for developing troublesome low back pain. The findings may suggest that a reduction in job demands and improvement
in sleep quality could help prevent or reduce one’s lower back pain risk. Journal of Rehabilitation of Medicine, June 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Biking Safely. To help reduce your risk of a serious biking injury, the United States National Safety
Council recommends the following: obey traffic laws; understand the limits of your bike; bike in a single-file line in the same
direction as traffic; watch for dangers such as open car doors; use hand signals when you turn; look left, right, left again, and
over your shoulder before biking into traffic; ride only during daylight hours; wear bright clothing; if you must ride at night,
make sure your clothing is reflective and your bike has reflectors on the spokes, front, rear, and pedals; and equip your bike
with a bright headlight, a rear-view mirror, and a horn. National Safety Council, July 2017
Quote: “A generation which ignores history has no past—and no future.” ~ Robert A. Heinlein

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

Mental Attitude: Radon Exposure May Increase Alzheimer’s Disease Risk. A new study that compared data concerning
radon exposure and deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) appears to indicate a correlation between ionizing radiation
exposure and the development of this neurodegenerative condition. The authors of the study conclude, “Our findings, like other
studies, suggest that ionizing radiation is a risk factor for AD. Intranasal inhalation of radon gas could subject the
rhinencephalon and hippocampus to damaging radiation that initiates AD. The damage would accumulate over time, causing
age to be a powerful risk factor.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, June 2017
Health Alert: Higher BMI Linked to Increased Risk Cardiometabolic Disease. In a study that included 119,859
participants, researchers examined the association between body mass index (BMI) and cardiometabolic disease traits and found
a link between a higher BMI and an increased risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. The researchers
note, “Body mass index represents an important modifiable risk factor for ameliorating the risk of cardiometabolic disease in
the general population.” JAMA Cardiology, July 2017
Diet: Maternal High-Fat Diet Raises Breast Cancer Risk Across Generations. A high-fat diet may increase the risk of
breast cancer across generations. Using mice, researchers observed that first- and third-generation female offspring that had
been exposed to a high-fat diet while in utero were at a greater risk of developing breast cancer. The findings suggest that a
high-fat diet should be added to known causes of lifestyle-related breast cancer, which currently include alcohol consumption,
lack of physical exercise, obesity, choice of contraceptives, hormone therapy, and not breast-feeding.
Breast Cancer Research, July 2017
Exercise: Elderly Adults Who Exercise More May Live Longer. Among a sample of 803 seniors participating in the
Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly, researchers found that those who increased their
physical activity levels over a ten-year period had a 43% lower risk of death during the course of the study than participants
whose activity levels declined or remained unchanged. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, July 2017
Chiropractic: Spondylolysis Associated with Degenerative Joints in the Spine. Spondylolysis is defined as a defect or stress
fracture in the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch. While the cause of spondylolysis is unknown, many factors are thought
to contribute to its development. A recent study set out to determine the effects of this condition on the facet joints in the lumbar
spine, which help make it possible to flex, twist, and bend. Researchers evaluated the radiographs of 107 patients with L5
spondylolysis and compared them with those of individuals without the condition and found that the patients with lumbar
spondylolysis had more severe degenerative changes of the facet joints than those without spondylolysis. The findings suggest
that individuals with spondylolysis are at a greater risk for developing degenerative joint issues in the lumbar spine.
Clinical Spine Surgery, July 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Food Safety When Packing for a Picnic. Picnicking can be a lot of fun, but nothing can ruin your
outdoor meal faster than a case of food poisoning. To reduce your risk, the United States Department of Health & Human
Services suggests: packing any meat, seafood, poultry, sandwiches, summer salads, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products in a
cold cooler; fill the cooler with ice to help it stay colder longer; and store it in a shady spot.
Department of Health & Human Services, June 2017
Quote: “Champions have the courage to keep turning the pages because they know a better chapter lies ahead.” ~ Paula White

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

Mental Attitude: Making Amends. Surveys completed by more than 200 adults reveal that when couples have a disagreement,
men and women want different things from their partner before they make up. The data show that women prefer heart-felt
apologies and quality time while men prefer a kind gesture. These findings may allow couples to better understand how to
effectively apologize to their partner. Evolutionary Psychological Science, July 2017
Health Alert: Big Men More Prone to Aggressive Prostate Cancer. A new study suggests that both taller and heavier men
have a greater risk of getting and dying from aggressive prostate cancer. An analysis of data concerning nearly 142,000 men
indicates that for every additional four inches of height (10.16 cm), a man’s risk of being diagnosed with high-risk prostate
cancer increases by 21%. Furthermore, for every four inch (10.16 cm) increase in waist circumference, his odds of developing
aggressive prostate cancer increase by 13% and the risk of dying from prostate cancer increases by 18%. Lead researcher Dr.
Aurora Perez-Cornago believes that results of the study will help persuade men to achieve a healthy weight, as well as
encourage public health policies to prevent obesity. BMC Medicine, July 2017
Diet: Mac & Cheese Products Contain High Levels of Harmful Chemicals. Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to
soften and increase the flexibility of plastic and vinyl, which can get into food from packaging and equipment used in
manufacturing. Past research has linked these chemicals to birth defects in boys and learning and behavior problems in older
children. According to a new report, investigators tested cheese products and found that all ten varieties of macaroni and cheese
they examined had high levels of phthalates, even those marketed as organic. The New York Times, July 2017
Exercise: Manage Knee Pain with Exercise. People who have knee pain are often tempted to rest instead of exercise;
however, regular exercise can help strengthen the knees and ease pain. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
recommends: start exercising slowly and increase repetitions or weights as you get stronger; some discomfort is normal, pain
isn’t, so stop if you feel pain; don’t push yourself so hard that you’re in pain the next day; and consult with a therapist or doctor
about how often to exercise and the types of exercise you should perform.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, July 2017
Chiropractic: Multisite Musculoskeletal Pain in Adolescence May Predict Medical and Social Issues. Norwegian
researchers report that teenagers with pain in multiple body sites have an elevated risk for life-affecting health problems during
young adulthood. In this study, researchers followed 3,987 teens for an average of eight years and found a positive relationship
between the number of pain sites the participants reported at age 15 or 16 and how much they utilized medical or social benefits
during their early 20s. The authors conclude, “Adolescents with multisite musculoskeletal pain are at substantially increased
risk of health and social difficulties into young adulthood. Identification and interventions for these adolescent problems could
alleviate this risk and be a sound socioeconomic investment.” European Journal of Pain, July 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Quit Smoking for Healthier Sinuses. Researchers assessed the severity of symptoms and medication
use of 103 former smokers with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and found that the severity of CRS decreased to the levels of
nonsmoking CRS patients over the course of about ten years. The former smokers also saw an improvement in the severity of
symptoms, medication usage, and quality-of-life over that time span. The findings may provide motivation for smokers to stop
smoking. Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, July 2017
Quote: “There is love enough in this world for everybody, if people will just look.” ~ Kurt Vonnegut

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