Mental Attitude: Vitamin E and Alzheimer’s Disease. An evaluation of data from 17 published studies indicates an
association between low serum levels of vitamin E and an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, possibly due to the
vitamin’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, August 2017
Health Alert: Opioid-Linked Fatal Car Crashes on the Rise. The number of drivers killed in car crashes under the
influence of prescription painkillers has increased dramatically over the last two decades. In this study, researchers
focused on male drivers who died within one hour of a motor vehicle crash and found that the prevalence of prescription
narcotics increased from around 1% between 1995 and 1999 to about 6% between 2010 and 2015.
American Journal of Public Health, July 2017
Diet: Low-Calorie Diet May Slow Aging. A study involving mice suggests that a low-calorie diet can slow the natural
aging process. In the study, investigators discovered that as mice age, the biological clock in their stem cells shift its focus
onto other cell processes. Basically, the stem cells become less concerned with maintaining tissue and more focused on
dealing with activities like repairing damaged DNA. When the researchers placed the mice on a low-calorie diet, they
noticed a delay in this shift, resulting in delayed tissue aging. Cell, August 2017
Exercise: Resistance Training Benefits Those with MS. New research suggests that resistance training can slow the
progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In a new study, researchers followed 35 individuals with MS for six months. Half
of the participants engaged in resistance training twice a week, while the others continued to live their normal routine.
Using MR scans, researchers observed that participants who performed resistance training had less brain shrinkage during
the course of the study. Researcher Dr. Ulrik Dalgas writes, “Over the past six years, we have been pursuing the idea that
physical training has effects on more than just the symptoms, and this study provides the first indications that physical
exercise may protect the nervous system against the disease.” Multiple Sclerosis Journal, July 2017
Chiropractic: Does Osteoporosis Affect Spinal Alignment? Women with osteoporosis are more likely to have greater
curvature in their thoracic and lumbar spine than other females their age, suggesting they may have a greater risk for neck
and back pain. This study also found that individuals with osteoporosis tend to score lower on quality of life assessments
for physical activity, bodily pain, general health, and emotional wellbeing. Osteoporosis International, August 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Avoiding Animal Bites. The majority of animal bites are caused by a pet, either yours or someone
else’s. While wild animal bites are rare, they can happen if the animal feels threatened or sick. To prevent animal bites,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following: never pet or feed an animal that you don’t
know; watch your child closely if they are near an animal; spay or neuter your dog to make them less aggressive;
vaccinate your pets against rabies; and wear long pants and boots if walking in areas with poisonous snakes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2017
Quote: “One must always be prepared for riotous and endless waves of transformation.” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

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

Mental Attitude: Are Coma Patients Conscious? Sophisticated brain scans may allow doctors to detect consciousness
in brain-injured patients who appear unconscious. According to a new study that included 16 severe brain injury patients,
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) can help reveal a level of
consciousness that can’t be detected by a typical neurological examination. Study author Dr. Brian Edlow adds, “Early
detection of consciousness and brain function in the intensive care unit could allow families to make more informed
decisions about the care of loved ones… Also, since early recovery of consciousness is associated with better long-term
outcomes, these tests could help patients gain access to rehabilitative care once they are discharged from an ICU.”
Brain, July 2017
Health Alert: Opioid Overdoses and Deaths Rising in US Hospitals. A review of data concerning nearly 23 million
adult hospital admissions that occurred between 2009 and 2015 revealed a 34% increase in opioid overdose-related ICU
admissions during this time. Furthermore, the average cost of care per ICU overdose admission increased from just under
$59,000 in 2009 to more than $92,000 in 2015. Lead author Dr. Jennifer Stevens comments, “Those of us who work in
hospital intensive care units need to make sure we have the tools we need to help patients with opioid use disorders when
they are at their sickest, because there doesn’t appear to be any end to this epidemic in sight.”
Annals of the American Thoracic Society, August 2017
Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Colon Cancer Risk. Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancerrelated
death worldwide. Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids can inhibit the regulation of the genes associated
with the development of colon cancer. This suggests that a diet rich with healthy fats may play a role in reducing one’s
risk for the disease. Clinical Nutrition Research, July 2017
Exercise: Fit Kids Have Better Attendance. Not only do children who are more active and physically fit perform better
in school but a new study indicates that kids with greater cardiovascular fitness are also less likely to miss class due to
illness. Journal of School Health, September 2017
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Pain Is a Common Cause of Sick Leave During Pregnancy. An electronic survey of
6,686 new mothers from twelve European countries revealed that about 50% took sick leave during their pregnancy. Of
those who missed work, one in six did so because of pain in their neck, back, or pelvic girdle. The findings reveal the need
for musculoskeletal care during pregnancy to help reduce pain and sick leave. BMJ Open, August 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Cool That Heat Rash. During hot and humid weather, people can develop the bumpy, itchy skin
referred to as a heat rash. To combat this problem, the American Academy of Family Physicians advises the following:
stay indoors when it is hot and humid, run air conditioning or use fan to stay cool; apply a cold compress to the rash; keep
the affected skin dry; and wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid further irritation.
American Academy of Family Physicians, August 2017
Quote: “What helps you persevere is your resilience and commitment.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

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

Mental Attitude: Does Internet Use Reduce Dementia Risk? Using data from the English Longitudinal Study of
Ageing, researchers observed that middle-aged adults who regularly used the Internet were 40% less likely to develop
dementia during a ten-year follow-up period. The authors of the analysis note that “additional studies are needed to better
understand the potential causal mechanisms underlying this association.” Aging & Mental Health, August 2017
Health Alert: Drug Prescriptions Have Doubled in the Last 20 Years. According to the research firm Quintile IMS,
about 55% of Americans regularly take a prescription medication. Additionally, the number of prescriptions filled by
Americans rose 85% between 1997 and 2016, from 2.4 billion to 4.5 billion a year. By contrast, the population of the
country only rose 21% during this time. Experts fear that many of these medications may be unnecessary and might do
more harm than good. Consumer Reports, August 2017
Diet: Artificial Sweeteners May Be Counterproductive for Dieters. Using artificial sweeteners to help lose weight may
backfire. In a new study, researchers offered fruit flies diets with different amounts of carbs and sweeteners and then
tracked their food intake. The research team found that artificial sweeteners combined with a low carbohydrate diet
significantly increased the quantity of calories consumed by the flies. This increase varied according to the dose of
sweeteners provided and was not observed among flies that consumed unsweetened foods.
Cell Metabolism, August 2017
Exercise: Yoga Eases Depression. The American Psychological Association reports that engaging in an eight-week yoga
program can significantly ease depressive symptoms while also improving quality of life, optimism, and mental and
physical function. American Psychological Association, August 2017
Chiropractic: Manipulative Therapy Helps Patients with Jaw Pain. A literature review on the effective management
of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) notes that, “[For] the reduction of pain and disability, non-thrust mobilization
and high-velocity, low amplitude thrust manipulation techniques to the TMJ [temporomandibular joints] and/or upper
cervical articulations that directly and indirectly target the TMJ joint capsule [are] generally supported in the literature.”
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, July 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Protecting Kids from Lead. Exposure to lead during childhood can cause lifelong learning
disabilities and behavioral problems. To protect your family, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the
following: if your home was built before 1978, have it tested for lead; if you’re doing repairs, make sure the work is done
properly to prevent the release of lead dust; prevent children from playing near old, peeling, or chipping paint; cover dirt
near an older home with grass or mulch; have children wash their hands regularly, especially before eating; dust and mop
frequently; remove shoes before you come inside; use only cold water for drinking, cooking, or mixing baby formula; and
feed kids a nutritious, balanced diet, which can help them absorb less lead. American Academy of Pediatrics, August 2017
Quote: “If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.”
~ Michael Crichton

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