Mental Attitude: Antioxidants May Reduce Parkinson’s Risk. A fifteen-year study that followed over 80,000 adults found
that those with a diet high in the antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin E had a 9-13% reduced risk for developing Parkinson’s
disease during that time. Movement Disorders, September 2017
Health Alert: Are Young Adults Ignoring Their High Blood Pressure? A survey of more than 41,000 Americans suggests
that only half of the 6.7 million young adults with high blood pressure received treatment for it in 2013 and 2014. Senior study
author Dr. Andrew Moran writes, “While hypertension awareness, treatment, and control have improved overall since the early
2000s, all three remain worse in young adults—those aged 18-39.” Hypertension, August 2017
Diet: Breakfast Tips for Parents. Studies show that children who eat breakfast tend to be healthier and perform better in
school than those who skip what’s considered to be the most important meal of the day. The United States Food and Drug
Administration offers these suggestions for choosing a good breakfast for your child: offer healthy foods that your child enjoys;
include peanut butter or almond butter for an excellent source of protein; if your child prefers sugary cereals, mix the sugary
offering with a more nutritious option; if your child is especially active or is going through a growth spurt, they may require
more calories, notably at breakfast; offer healthy choices, even when everyone’s on the run, such as fresh fruit or a bag of trail
mix; always read nutritional labels; and opt for unprocessed foods as much as possible.
Food and Drug Administration, September 2017
Exercise: Impact Sports Improve Bone Health. Teenagers who engage in impact sports—basketball, baseball, football, and
soccer, for example—appear to have greater bone density than adolescents who participate in non-impact sports, like
swimming, or who refrain from athletics. Additionally, impact sport athletes also have a reduced risk for sustaining a stress
fracture compared with non-athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences, December 2017
Chiropractic: Are Diabetes and High Cholesterol Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Pain? Using data from the Stockholm
Public Health Cohort, researchers reviewed the health data of 10,044 men and women who were pain free in 2006 to see if
diabetes and/or high cholesterol were linked with an elevated risk for back, neck, and/or shoulder pain (BNSP) in 2010. After
adjusting for age, body mass index, physical activity, high blood pressure, and socioeconomic status, the research team found
that diabetic men had a 64% increased risk for BNSP while high cholesterol levels led to a 19-23% elevated risk for BNSP in
both men and women. The findings suggest that metabolic diseases may have an impact on the pathophysiology of
musculoskeletal pain. Scandinavian Journal of Pain, August 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Calcium in Arteries May Predict Risk of Heart Attack. Individuals without calcium buildup in their
arteries appear to have a significantly lower risk for heart attack and stroke. Researchers looked at CT scans of nearly 6,200
people and found that those whose arteries were free of calcium deposits had a less than a 3% chance for a heart attack or stroke
over the next ten years. The findings held true even among those who had other cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as
diabetes, high blood pressure, or high levels of bad cholesterol. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, August 2017
Quote: “My only regrets are the moments when I doubted myself and took the safe route. Life is too short to waste time being
unhappy.” ~ Dan Howell

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

Mental Attitude: Dementia Linked to Osteoporosis? French researchers reviewed the health records of 2,041 older women
who had been treated for a peripheral fragility fracture and found these patients were three to four time more likely to have a
diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia than women of similar age in the general population.
Joint, Bone, Spine, October 2017
Health Alert: Smoking Bans Help Protect Children’s Lungs. A research review of 41 studies that included data concerning
more than 57 million births and 2.7 million hospital admissions found that anti-smoking measures are associated with a more
than 18% decrease in childhood lung infections requiring hospital care, a nearly 10% decline in severe asthma attacks, and
about a 4% decrease in preterm births. Researcher Dr. Jasper Been writes, “Our study demonstrates that children’s health
benefits substantially from smoke-free laws and raising tobacco prices.” The Lancet Public Health, September 2017
Diet: Cocoa Compound May Delay or Even Prevent Diabetes. A new animal study suggests that cocoa powder antioxidants
may help slow diabetes progression. In the study, researchers found that when rats ate a high-fat diet that included a cocoa
flavanol called catechin, their bodies were better able to control their blood sugar levels. It’s believed that the beta cells which
produce insulin are particularly sensitive to oxidative stress and the consumption of catechin helps to protect such cells. Study
co-author Dr. Andrew Neilson writes, “These results will help us get closer to using these compounds more effectively in foods
or supplements to maintain normal blood glucose control and potentially even delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.”
Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, August 2017
Exercise: Exercise Can Improve Children’s Brain Power. In this study, children aged 7-13 years engaged in short bursts of
high-intensity training (HIT) for just ten minutes a day for six weeks. Compared with students in a control group who
maintained their usual routine, those in the HIT group demonstrated greater improvements in tasks involving memory,
information processing, and behavior, including the ability to focus on task completion without getting distracted.
eLife, August 2017
Chiropractic: Vitamin D levels May Be Associated with Low Back Pain. Blood samples taken from 600 participants with
either chronic low back pain, sub-acute low back pain, or no history of back pain showed no significant difference in the
prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among the three groups. However, the researchers did observe that the men and women in
both of the back pain groups were more likely to have greater levels of vitamin D deficiency, which suggests that severe vitamin
D deficiency may play a role in the development of low back pain. As a result, future guidelines for the management of back
pain may include vitamin D testing and treatment. Clinical Rheumatology, August 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Check Your Car for Recalls. The National Safety Council reports that drivers of cars manufactured
before 2012 are about half as likely to bring their automobile in for service in the event of a recall (44% compliance rate vs.
83% for newer cars). Experts from the council add that there are about 53 million vehicles on the road with unresolved recall
issues. You can visit checktoprotect.org or recalls.gov to find out if any components on your car have been recalled.
National Safety Council, September 2017
Quote: “One lives in the hope of becoming a memory.” ~ Antonio Porchia

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

Mental Attitude: You’re Only as Full as You Think. In this experiment, participants consumed what they believed to be
either a two-egg or four-egg omelet on separate mornings; however, they were actually fed a three-egg omelet on both days.
Interestingly, when participants ate what they believed to be the smaller omelet, they felt hungrier and consumed more calories
throughout the day than on the day when they thought they had eaten the bigger omelet. The results confirm that an individual’s
expectations can have an impact on their subsequent feelings of hunger and fullness, as well as their later calorie consumption.
British Psychological Society, September 2017
Health Alert: Taller People Appear More Susceptible to Blood Clots. A large-scale study involving more than two-million
siblings suggests that taller people have a greater risk for developing blood clots. Specifically, men shorter than 5 foot 3 inches
(1.62 m) appear to have a 65% lower risk of blood clot than men 6 foot 2 inches (1.89 m) or taller. Among women, those
shorter than 5 foot 1 inch (1.55 m) may have up to a 69% lower risk of developing blood clots than women who are 6 feet (1.83
m) or taller. Lead researcher Dr. Bengt Zöller writes, “It could just be that because taller individuals have longer leg veins there
is more surface area where problems can occur. There is also more gravitational pressure in [the] leg veins of taller persons that
can increase the risk of blood flow slowing or temporarily stopping.” The findings suggest that assessments for the risk of blood
clots should include a patient’s height. Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics, September 2017
Diet: Whole Grains May Help Prevent Colorectal Cancer. Investigators looked at 99 studies that included data on 29 million
adults from all over the world and found that eating three servings of whole grains daily can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer
by 17%. American Institute for Cancer Research, September 2017
Exercise: Fitness May Lower Risk for Breast Cancer. Aerobic fitness appears to substantially lower the risk of breast cancer.
In a new animal study, researchers observed that rats with low natural fitness were about four times more likely to develop
breast cancer than rats with high fitness levels. Furthermore, less-fit rats developed the disease earlier than the highly fit rats,
and once the disease began, it also progressed more rapidly. Carcinogenesis, July 2017
Chiropractic: Back Pain Patients May Also Benefit from Hip Treatments. In a recent study, researchers split 84 patients
with mechanical back pain into two treatment groups: usual back pain care and usual back pain care plus exercises and
mobilization treatment focused on improving hip function. Following two weeks of care, the patients in the back plus hip
treatment group reported greater improvements in pain, disability, and overall satisfaction with care. Chiropractic evaluations
typically include whole body assessments and therapies to address issues that may have played a role in the development of a
patient’s chief complaint. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, August 2017
Wellness/Prevention: New Value in Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing. For many years, experts have debated the value of
prostate cancer screening. A recent analysis of data from two major trials involving prostate-specific antigen testing revealed
that early tumor detection lowers a man’s risk of prostate cancer death by 25% to 32%. The American Cancer Society’s Dr. Otis
Brawley reports that the review provides some much-needed “clarity in an area where there was at one time a great deal of
confusion.” Annals of Internal Medicine, September 2017
Quote: “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” ~ Winston S. Churchill

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

Mental Attitude: Are You a Daydream Driver? According to a new study, you may not be as conscientious on the road as
you think. In the study, researchers asked nine adults to participate in a driving simulation task for twenty minutes twice a day
for five consecutive days intended to replicate a commute to and from work. They found that the brains of the participants
frequently wandered away from the task at hand, as evidenced by brain activity patterns indicating reduced receptiveness to
external stimuli. Study co-author Dr. Carryl Baldwin explains, “Mind wandering may be an essential part of human existence
and unavoidable. It may be a way to restore the mind after a long day at the office. What we are not sure about yet, is how
dangerous it is during driving. We need additional research to figure this out.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, August 2017
Health Alert: Bacteria in Throat May Help Identify Bone and Joint Infection. In a new study, researchers examined 77
kids, six months to four years of age, who had confirmed a bone or joint infection and found that throat swabs from the majority
of the children (70%) indicated the presence of a bacteria called Kingella kingae. This bacteria was uncommon in throat swabs
collected from 300 healthy children who served as a control group. The researchers hope their finding will help accelerate the
diagnosis process for bone and joint infections, which may improve treatment outcomes. CMAJ, September 2017
Diet: Fiber Intake Reduces COPD Risk. A review of data concerning 45,058 Swedish men suggests that current and former
smokers who consume more than 36 grams of fiber per day have a 38-46% reduced risk for developing chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) when compared with current/former smokers who consume less than 23 grams of fiber each day.
Epidemiology, September 2017
Exercise: Exercise During Pregnancy Good for Mom and Baby. A recent report confirms there is strong scientific evidence
for moderate exercise during pregnancy and that it is safe and beneficial for both mother and child. In the report, investigators
observed the following benefits associated with moderate exercise during pregnancy: the prevention of excessive weight gain; a
lower risk of fetal macrosomia; and a lower risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, caesarean section, lower back pain,
pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence. Furthermore, they found no risk of premature birth, low birth weight, or fetal distress,
provided that the mother had no medical or obstetric contraindication for physical exercise.
Journal of American Medicine Association, March 2017
Chiropractic: Back Pain and Falls Among Older Men. Surveys completed by 5,568 elderly men indicate that 67%
experienced back pain during the past year, 25% fell at least once, and 11% had recurrent falls. Further analysis showed that
participants with back pain had at least a 20% increased risk for falling, with an even higher risk for those with greater back
pain severity and frequency. The data suggests that reducing back pain among the elderly population could reduce their risk for
falls. The Journals of Gerontology, Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, September 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Food Safety Tips. The United States Department of Health & Human Services offers these suggestions
in hopes of thwarting food-borne illness: wash hands and surfaces often; use a meat thermometer to ensure that foods are
cooked at the correct temperature; and don’t leave food at room temperature for more than two hours.
Health & Human Services, September 2017
Quote: “Not only is the Universe stranger than we think, it is stranger than we can think.” ~ Werner Heisenberg

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

Mental Attitude: Dementia on the Decline Among Older Americans. An analysis of data from the Einstein Aging Study
indicates that today’s older adults are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia than those from the
previous generation. Experts suspect this decrease may be due to efforts aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease, which studies
show may play a role in the development of some neurodegenerative diseases. JAMA Neurology, September 2017
Health Alert: Obesity Rates Holding, But Still High. While obesity rates appear to be leveling off in the United States,
experts say that rates are still far too high. The data show adult obesity rates exceeded 30% over the last year in 25 states, and
rates topped 35% in five states. Overall, forty-six states had an obesity rate above 25%—a sharp contrast to the rates in 2000
when no state topped 25%. American Heart Association, August 2017
Diet: Removing Sugar from Diet Leads to Less Fatty Liver in Kids. Fatty liver disease among adolescents has more than
doubled over the past twenty years and is strongly linked to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
In a new study, researchers found that a nine-day diet that cut out fructose—a common form of sugar found in soft drinks, fruits
juices, and most processed foods—significantly reversed the buildup of liver fat in children and teens. Lead author Dr. Jean-
Marc Schwarz explains, “Our study clearly shows that sugar is turned into fat, which may explain the epidemic of fatty liver in
children consuming soda and food with added sugar. And we find that fatty liver is reversed by removing added fructose from
our diet.” Gastroenterology, August 2017
Exercise: Being Fit May Protect the Brain if a Stroke Occurs. Among a group of 84 stroke patients, those with higher
cardiorespiratory fitness scores performed better on cognitive assessments and had brain scans showing both greater grey matter
brain volume and greater white brain matter integrity. This suggests that physical fitness may protect the brain in the event of a
stroke. International Journal of Stroke, October 2017
Chiropractic: Office Chairs and Spinal Posture. Does your office chair include any features designed to improve your spinal
posture while sitting? Researchers X-rayed 28 volunteers while they stood up straight, bent forward, and sat in four chair
conditions: regular chair, a chair with lumbar support, a chair with seat pan tilt, and a chair with a backrest for scapular relief.
While the investigators didn’t find any one feature to be statistically superior with respect to minimizing spinal flexion (which
places stress on the back, potentially contributing to an injury during periods of prolonged sitting), they did report that the seat
pan tilt feature resulted in significantly improved pelvic posture, which may benefit the musculoskeletal system. A chiropractic
evaluation may include an assessment of a patient’s workstation, including a review of chair type and quality, as poor
ergonomics may contribute to his or her condition. Ergonomics, October 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Diet and Exercise Can Reduce Your Cancer Risk. Multiple studies have shown a link between diet
and physical activity on the risk of developing cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends the following lifestyle
changes to reduce your cancer risk: maintain a healthy body weight, exercise regularly, eat a lot of plant-based foods, limit
processed and red meats, limit daily alcohol to no more than one drink for women and two drinks for men per day, and stop
smoking if you’re a smoker. American Cancer Society, September 2017
Quote: “The life given us, by nature is short; but the memory of a well-spent life is eternal.” ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

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