Mental Attitude: Vitamin D Levels May Affect Progress of Parkinson’s. In this study, researchers in the United Kingdom
followed 145 newly-diagnosed Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients for 36 months and found that those with poorer vitamin D
levels at baseline experienced more severe motor difficulties by the end of the study.
Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, October 2017
Health Alert: Working the Night Shift May Increase Your Waistline. An in-depth review of 28 studies revealed that, on
average, routinely working a night shift increases the risk of being overweight or obese by 29%. Connie Diekman, the director
of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis, believes that sleep disruption is to blame because it affects eating
habits and metabolism. She explains, “When people are awake when they should be sleeping, the hormones related to hunger
and satiety appear to be thrown off, resulting in changes in eating, changes in metabolism, and a tendency to eat more than we
need.” The findings should raise concerns, as 20% of the global workforce currently works at night.
Obesity Reviews, October 2017
Diet: Does Black Tea Boost Weight Loss? A new study involving mice has revealed that compounds found in black tea
increase the population of gut bacteria associated with lean body mass while reducing the presence of gut bacteria associated
with obesity. European Journal of Nutrition, October 2017
Exercise: How to Keep Running During Colder Months. When cold weather approaches, you don’t have to give up jogging
or head indoors to run on a treadmill. To keep your outdoor running on track in the chillier months, the American Podiatric
Medical Association recommends the following: wear warm, light-weight, moisture-wicking clothing to keep yourself warm
and dry, including a hat and gloves; shorten your running stride to increase stability and help prevent slipping on icy roads or
sidewalks; stretch before and after each run to make sure your muscles are warmed up; and wear warmer appropriate running
shoes that fit properly. American Podiatric Medical Association, October 2017
Chiropractic: Trigger Point Pain Linked to Childhood Migraines. Past research has demonstrated that dysfunction in the
neck may play a role in the migraine headache process. In this study, researchers applied manual pressure to trigger points and
non-trigger points in the trapezius muscle of 26 early adolescents with a history of migraines. Half of the subjects experienced a
migraine headache when pressure was applied to a trigger point and none reported a migraine when researchers targeted a nontrigger
point on the same muscle. The findings indicate that treatment aimed at resolving trigger points in the neck and upper
back may reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches. Doctors of chiropractic commonly treat trigger points with
manual therapy techniques. European Journal of Pain, September 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Risk Factors for Sepsis. Bloodstream infections, known as sepsis, claim the lives of six million people
worldwide each year. To determine risk factors for this condition, Norwegian researchers reviewed records of nearly 2,000
sepsis patients and found that smoking, obesity, and an inactive lifestyle are a significant threat for blood poisoning. When these
factors are combined, individuals face nearly a five-times greater risk of sepsis than their non-smoking, normal-weight, and
active peers. International Journal of Epidemiology, October 2017
Quote: “Make the most of what you have and keep your standards high. Never settle for anything less than you deserve or are
capable of achieving.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

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

Mental Attitude: Is Divorce in Our Genes? Past studies have shown that children of divorced parents are usually more likely
to become divorced in adulthood, but why is that? Experts have speculated that this association is due to psychological and
social factors, but a new study that included nearly 20,000 adoptees found that these individuals had a similar divorce rate as
their biological parents but not their adoptive parents. Study author Dr. Jessica Salvatore notes her team’s findings suggest that
“[the] reason that the offspring of divorced parents are more likely to get divorced has to do with the genes that parents and
children share, rather than the experience of seeing [their] parents split up.” Psychological Science, October 2017
Health Alert: Cardiac Arrest Linked to Low Calcium. Sudden cardiac arrest is described as the abrupt, unexpected loss of
heart function, breathing, and consciousness, which usually results from an electrical disturbance in the heart that disrupts
normal pumping action and blood flow to the rest of the body. An analysis of data from the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death
Study indicates that the risk of sudden cardiac arrest was 2.3 times greater for the individuals in the study who had the lowest
blood calcium levels compared to those with the highest calcium levels. The research team says its findings should be
interpreted with caution, and future research is needed to determine the relationship and to determine if controlling calcium
levels can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, October 2017
Diet: Too Much Sugar Raises Risk for Heart Disease. In a new study, researchers found that healthy participants who
consumed a high-sugar diet for just three months developed a fatty liver similar to that of individuals with non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease (NAFLD)—a condition associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Researcher Dr. Bruce Griffin
writes, “Our findings provide new evidence that consuming high amounts of sugar can alter your fat metabolism in ways that
could increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.” Clinical Science, October 2017
Exercise: Benefits of Aerobic Exercise. The Mayo Clinic lists the following benefits of aerobic exercise: reduces excess
weight; increases stamina; wards off illness; reduces the risk of heart disease and certain cancers; helps manage chronic
conditions such as high blood pressure; strengthens the heart; boosts mood; and helps you stay active and independent as you
age. Mayo Clinic, October 2017
Chiropractic: Jaw Pain and Sleep Trouble. Evaluations of 187 temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients and 99 healthy
controls revealed that TMD patients generally score lower on sleep quality assessments. However, further analysis showed that
TMD patients with a history of whiplash tend to experience even greater sleep disturbances, which highlights the importance of
seeking appropriate care following a car accident, slip and fall, or sports collision when a whiplash injury may have been
sustained. Doctors of chiropractic frequently treat patients suffering from whiplash and TMD with a high degree of patient
satisfaction. Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache, October 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Lung Cancer Prevention. Lung cancer screenings are important because lung cancer often lacks
symptoms in its earlies stages. The American Lung Association notes that low dose CT scans can help detect lung cancer in its
early stages when it’s easier to treat and though screening is not suitable for everyone, it is recommended for those at a greater
risk for developing the disease, such as smokers or those exposed to secondhand smoke or radon.
American Lung Association, October 2017
Quote: “Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Pre-Stroke Depression May Affect Recovery. Among a sample of 364 ischemic stroke survivors,
researchers found that those with a history of depression experienced worse function and cognitive outcomes.
Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, November 2017
Health Alert: Childhood Obesity Increasing Worldwide. According to a new study, the rate of childhood obesity has
massively increased around the world since 1975. Overall, researchers found that childhood obesity rates jumped from just
under 1% in the 1970s to nearly 6% for girls and almost 8% for boys in the present day, with rates at 20% or greater in the
United States, Egypt, and some Polynesian islands. This means that 50 million girls and 74 million boys around the world are
currently obese, which places them at risk for serious health problems both now and during adulthood. Study author Dr. Leanne
Riley writes, “The trends show that without serious, concerted action to address obesity… the health of millions of people will
be needlessly placed in great jeopardy, leading to immense human and economic costs to communities.”
The Lancet, October 2017
Diet: Lack of Vitamin K Could Harm Young Hearts. Not eating enough leafy green vegetables may take a toll on the heart
health of teens. In this study, researchers monitored the physical activity, diet, and heart health of 766 teens and found that those
who seldom ate vitamin k-rich foods, such as spinach and lettuce, had a three-times greater risk for an enlarged left ventricle (a
pumping chamber in the heart) than adolescents who regularly consumed leafy greens. An enlarged left ventricle increases the
risk for hypertension in adulthood and can lead to impaired heart function. Journal of Nutrition, October 2017
Exercise: A Little Bit of Exercise May Curb Risk of Depression… Norwegian researchers reviewed the exercise habits and
depression risk of 34,000 men and women and found that those who engaged in just an hour of exercise per week, of any
intensity, had a 44% lower risk for developing depression than did not exercise at all.
American Journal of Psychiatry, October 2017
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Pain Common Among Office Workers. The results of a questionnaire completed by 528
office workers indicate that such individuals frequently complain of neck pain (52.5%) and back pain (53%). Furthermore, the
researchers found that work environment variables that significantly affected musculoskeletal pain include sitting at the desk for
a long time, sitting on a chair that only supported the lumbar area and arms, having the computer mouse positioned a distance
from the keyboard, continuously looking down while working, holding the arms above the level of the desk, not exercising
daily, and having a stressful work environment. The study shows that improving ergonomics and reducing stress could
potentially lower the risk of musculoskeletal pain in the office environment.
International Journal of Occupational Medicine Environmental Health, October 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Symptoms of Prostate Cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men.
Symptoms include the following: difficulty initiating urination; weak or interrupted urine flow; and frequent urination,
especially at night. Men who experience these symptoms should see their primary care provider as soon as possible.
Food and Drug Administration, October 2017
Quote: “Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but
through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” ~ Helen Keller

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

Mental Attitude: Heart Attack Raises Vascular Dementia Risk. Vascular dementia is characterized by a decline in thinking
skills due to reduced or impaired blood flow to the brain. Using 35 years of data concerning nearly 1.9 million adults,
researchers found that myocardial infarction survivors have an elevated risk for developing vascular dementia, and the risk rises
dramatically if they also sustain a stroke following their heart attack. Circulation, October 2017
Health Alert: Obesity Linked to Several Cancers. A report issued by the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention concludes that obesity plays a role in at least thirteen types of cancer, which accounts for about
40% of all cancer diagnoses in a given year. These cancers include brain cancer; multiple myeloma; esophageal cancer;
postmenopausal breast cancer; thyroid cancer; gallbladder cancer; stomach cancer; liver cancer; pancreatic cancer; renal cancer;
ovarian cancer; uterine cancer; and colon cancer. The specific mechanism for how being obese increases the risk of developing
these types of cancers is unknown, but it’s reasonable to suggest that weight management could be an important tool in reducing
one’s cancer risk. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, October 2017
Diet: Omega-6 Fatty Acids May Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. An analysis of data from twenty published studies involving
39,740 adults found that individuals who had the highest blood levels of an omega-6 fatty acid called linoleic acid—a fatty-acid
is found in bean and seed oils such as soybean and sunflower oils—were 35% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those
with the lowest linoleic acid levels. Lead author Dr. Jason Wu notes, “Our findings suggest that a simple change in diet might
protect people from developing type 2 diabetes which has reached alarming levels around the world.”
The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, October 2017
Exercise: How to Be More Active. Reaching daily physical activities goals can be difficult when life gets in the way. To help
you become more active, the National Library of Medicine recommends the following: use the stairs instead of the elevator;
walk to a co-worker’s desk or office instead of sending an email; park farther away in the parking lot to increase the distance
you have to walk; join an exercise group; listen to music or watch TV while working out to reduce boredom; and find activities
that you can perform indoors when the weather is bad. National Library of Medicine, October 2017
Chiropractic: Leisure Time Activity May Reduce Risk of Low Back Pain. A recent literature review concludes that
individuals who are more active during their free time are about 11-16% less likely to develop chronic lower back pain.
Examples of leisure time physical activity include planned exercise, hiking, sports, walking, cycling, dancing, gardening, yard
work, and household chores. British Journal of Sports Medicine, October 2017
Wellness/Prevention: “Sleep Positioners” Pose Dangers for Baby. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a
statement that newborns should only be put to sleep on their backs on a firm, empty surface and should never be placed on a
“sleep positioner”. The FDA claims that these products can actually prevent babies from breathing, increasing the risk of
accidental suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Experts from the FDA further advise that that babies should
never sleep with a pillow, blanket, sheet, comforter, or quilt, as all present suffocation risks. If parents have questions about
putting babies to sleep safely, they should consult their child’s doctor. Food and Drug Administration, October 2017
Quote: “If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything.”
~ Ernest Hemingway

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