Mental Attitude: Sense of Purpose Protects the Brain. A review of data from the Health and Retirement Study
indicates that seniors who feel their life has purpose have a 30% reduced risk for developing dementia.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, January 2018
Health Alert: Hearing Loss May Lead to Other Problems. After reviewing health data concerning 3,777 older adults
for 25 years, a team of French scientists reports that that seniors with self-reported hearing loss have an increased risk for
disability, depression, and dementia. However, the investigators did not observe these associations among those who wore
a hearing aid. The researchers conclude, “These results highlight the importance of assessing the consequences of treating
hearing loss in elders in further studies.” The Journals of Gerontology, January 2018
Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Keep Older Adults from Becoming Frail. A systematic review and meta-analysis of
past studies examining associations between adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and the development of frailty
revealed that people who consumed a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts were less than half as likely to
become frail over a four-decade period than seniors who consumed a more high-fat Western-style diet. Researcher Dr.
Gotaro Kojima adds, “Our study supports the growing body of evidence on the potential health benefits of a
Mediterranean diet, in our case for potentially helping older people to stay well as they age.”
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, January 2018
Exercise: Set Goals When Using Activity Monitors. In a new study, researchers followed 400 healthy adults for six
months and found that when people used activity monitors without a specific goal in mind, their activity declined and
their heart health failed to improve. Researcher Dr. Luke Burchill notes, “When paired with activity goals—such as 7,000
to 10,000 steps a day or 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week—these trackers can be powerful tools for
increasing physical activity.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, December 2017
Chiropractic: Do Lower Extremity Injuries Increase Low Back Pain Risk? Each year, about one in twelve soldiers
will experience an episode of acute lower back pain (LBP). A recent study found that a previous injury to the lower
extremities increases a soldier’s risk for developing LBP by about 70%. They authors of the study conclude, “These
findings suggest that a potential second order effect of [lower extremity injury] is an increased short-term risk for
developing LBP, which should be considered during rehabilitation planning.”
Medicine and Science in Sports Exercise, December 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Improved Screening and Treatment Reduces Breast Cancer Deaths. Due to improvements in
screening and treatment, researchers report that the survival rate of breast cancer patients rose about 32% between 2000
and 2012. Lead researcher Dr. Sylvia Plevritis explains, “Mammography is an important contributor to the reduction in
breast cancer mortality… But the overall benefit is greater largely because of the advances in treatment.”
Journal of the American Medical Association, January 2018
Quote: “Can anything be sadder than work left unfinished? Yes, work never begun.” ~ Christina Rossetti

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

Mental Attitude: Can You Identify Signs of Stress? Chronic stress can have a negative effect on one’s mental and
physical wellbeing. According to the Department of Health & Human Services, common signs of excessive exposure to
stress include: not eating enough or overeating; feeling you have lost control of your life; forgetfulness; headaches; lack of
energy and focus; trouble completing tasks; poor self-esteem; short temper; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; and aches
and pains. Department of Health & Human Services, January 2018
Health Alert: A Widely-Used Painkiller May Reduce Male Fertility. In a new study involving 31 men, researchers
found that those who took 1,200 mg of ibuprofen each day for 14 days experienced a short-term drop in their testosterone
levels, which has been associated with lower fertility. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, January 2018
Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Reduce Risk for Prostate Cancer. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by the
consumption of vegetables, fruit, fish, lean meats, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil. An analysis of data that involved 733
men with prostate cancer and 1,229 healthy men revealed that those who most closely followed the Mediterranean diet
had a lower risk for being diagnosed with prostate cancer with aggressive and extensive tumors. Lead investigator Dr.
Beatriz Pérez-Gómez notes, “This study adds important evidence to the scarce information regarding the association of
diet with [prostate cancer], and highlights the relevance of focusing on global dietary patterns.”
Journal of Urology, August 2017
Exercise: Can the Effects of a Sedentary Lifestyle on the Heart Be Reversed? Living a mostly sedentary lifestyle can
result in stiffening of the heart muscles and a less efficient cardiovascular system. In this study, researchers found that
exercising four to five times per week for about 30-minutes, plus warm-up and cool-down, can lead to an 18%
improvement in maximum oxygen intake during exercise and a more than 25% improvement in the elasticity of the left
ventricular muscle of the heart. Circulation, January 2018
Chiropractic: Is Poor Pelvic Posture Common in Teens? Using 3D digital technology to evaluate the pelvic posture of
32 adolescents, researchers found that the majority of teens exhibited abnormal pelvic and total body posture. This is
concerning as postural changes, especially in the pelvis, can place added stress on the lower back, which can result in
lower back pain. Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, December 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Choose a Nursing Home Wisely. When choosing a nursing home for a loved one, it is important
to find the right fit both personally and financially. The National Institute of Aging recommends the following: determine
what’s most important for your loved one, such as nursing care, meals, physical therapy, hospice care, or special-care
services; ask for recommendations from friends, relatives, healthcare providers, social workers, and religious groups;
inquire about the cost of each facility and how many people live there; and meet with the facility director and nursing
director of each facility on your list. National Institute of Aging, January 2018
Quote: “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” ~ Joseph Campbell

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

Mental Attitude: Entitled Individuals Think Differently. People who have a strong sense of entitlement think rules
don’t apply to them. Researcher Dr. Emily Zitek explains, “[These individuals] don’t think it’s fair for other people to tell
them what to do… Instructions are essentially an unfair imposition. They want to do their own thing. They feel like they
deserve good things and special treatment… The fundamental problem here is that entitled individuals think they deserve
more than other people think they do.” Social Psychological and Personality Science, December 2017
Health Alert: Asthma in America Costs Billions. Based on an analysis of medical expenses and costs associated with
work and school absences and deaths between 2008 and 2013, federal health officials say that the economic cost of
asthma in the United States is almost $82 billion per year. However, the actual cost of asthma is most likely
underestimated because the study did not include individuals with untreated asthma. Lead author Dr. Tursynbek
Nurmagambetov writes, “Cost studies can influence health policy decisions and help decision makers understand the
scale, seriousness and implications of asthma so that resources can be identified to improve disease management and
reduce the burden of asthma. [The findings show] the critical need to support and further strengthen asthma control
strategies.” Annals of the American Thoracic Society, January 2018
Diet: Eat More Fruits & Veggies! Adults who consume at least seven servings of fruits and vegetables per day are less
likely to be overweight or obese than men and women who eat six or fewer servings of produce each day.
Obesity Science & Practice, December 2017
Exercise: Get the Family Involved to Get Active. With today’s busy schedules, it can be difficult for family members to
meet physically activity recommendations. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute suggests the following to get
more active: schedule family exercise after dinner, on weekends, or during other blocks of free time; stay motivated by
joining an exercise group or by having your kids participate in community sports; and engage in activities that don’t
depend on good weather, such as indoor cycling, indoor swimming, stair climbing, rope skipping, and dancing.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, January 2018
Chiropractic: Smoking Increases Risk for Chronic Back Pain. Based on surveys completed by 213 men and women
over the age of 50, researchers found that smokers are 2.59 times more likely to suffer from chronic low back pain
(CLBP) than nonsmokers. Asian Spine Journal, December 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Talking To Children About Divorce. When it comes to divorce, it’s important to be open and
honest with children. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following suggestions for divorcing parents: keep
communication clear and simple; do not promote the idea that the divorce is the child’s fault or that the child can help
rectify the situation; reassure the child that they will be safe; mention that mom and dad will both be happier; and
emphasize that there will be two homes in which the child will be loved. American Academy of Pediatrics, January 2018
Quote: “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” ~ e. e. cummings

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

Mental Attitude: Smell Your Partner’s Shirt to Reduce Stress. In this study, investigators observed that women who
smelled their partner’s shirt had a reduced response to stress in comparison with those who smelled a stranger’s scent.
Senior author Dr. Frances Chen comments, “Our research suggests that something as simple as taking an article of
clothing that was worn by your loved one could help lower stress.”
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, January 2018
Health Alert: Common Drug May Lead to Reduced Fertility of Offspring. Paracetamol, also known as
acetaminophen, is commonly taken by pregnant women to help relieve pain, but a new study suggests that this medication
may lead to reduced fertility among female offspring. Investigators found that rodents given paracetamol during
pregnancy, at doses equivalent to what pregnant woman usually take for pain relief, produced female offspring with fewer
eggs. Lead investigator Dr. David Kristensen writes, “Although this may not be a severe impairment to fertility, it is still
of real concern since data from three different labs all independently found that paracetamol may disrupt female
reproductive development in this way, which indicates further investigation is needed to establish how this affects human
fertility.” Endocrine Connections, January 2018
Diet: Many Babies in the US Start Solid Foods Too Soon. Researchers analyzed the food intake of nearly 1,500 babies
in the United States and found that about 16% of parents fed their child complementary foods before the age of four
months, and about 38% provided their son or daughter solids or other drinks by five months of age. Lead investigator Dr.
Chloe Barrera warns, “Introducing babies to complementary foods too early can cause them to miss out on important
nutrients that come from breast milk and infant formula.” Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, January 2018
Exercise: Can Exercise Help Slow Cognitive Decline? Seniors with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have an elevated
risk for developing dementia. However, a review of data from eleven published studies indicates that adults with MCI can
improve their cognitive function by engaging in an aerobic exercise routine.
International Journal of Nursing Studies, January 2018
Chiropractic: Walking is Good for Chronic Back Pain. For patients with chronic low back pain, a daily walk may be
just what the doctor ordered. A review of findings from nine published studies indicates that daily walks can help reduce
both pain and disability in patients with chronic back pain. Since walking is easy to perform and highly accessible, the
authors recommend that walking be included in treatment recommendations for patients with chronic low back pain.
Musculoskeletal Science and & Practice, December 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Get Healthy. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recommends the
following to achieve a healthier lifestyle: don’t smoke or abuse drugs; limit alcohol intake; make healthy food choices;
exercise regularly; maintain a healthy weight; manage your blood pressure; get enough sleep; and maintain a strong
relationship with your healthcare provider and ask your them about any health concerns.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, January 2018
Quote: “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” ~ Stephen Hawking

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