Mental Attitude: Dementia and Veterans. A review of data from six published studies involving military veterans has
found that those with a previous diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive disorder have a
significantly higher risk for developing dementia. Psychological Medicine, March 2018
Health Alert: Child Obesity Levels Not Improving As Once Thought. Data from an ongoing health and nutrition study
indicates that almost 14% of preschool children were mildly obese in 2015-2016, up 5% from 2013-2014. Additionally,
researchers found no evidence of any sustained improvements in childhood obesity rates at any age. Instead, their longrange
view suggests a continued upward trend. The findings confirm the need for continued education and funding for
programs that teach healthy diet and lifestyle habits for children and parents. Pediatrics, February 2018
Diet: Carotenoid-Rich Foods Can Reduce Inflammation. New research shows that increasing the amount of
carotenoid-rich foods in the diet can help reduce inflammation in the body within six weeks. Foods rich in carotenoids
include carrots, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, and tomatoes. Nutrition Research, February 2018
Exercise: Fitness Trackers May Help Patient Keep Fit After Cardiac Rehab. Heart patients typically do well when
enrolled in a cardiac rehab program, but they usually revert to unhealthy lifestyles once they are discharged from care. A
new study suggests that virtual coaches and fitness trackers could keep these patients active, even after cardiac rehab ends.
In the study, investigators found that a twelve-week mobile health program that consisted of a wearable activity tracker, a
personalized prescription to walk a certain number of steps per day, and personalized virtual sessions with a health coach
over the phone or computer not only kept cardiac rehab patients from losing ground, but it actually helped them maintain
and even gain fitness compared with those who received usual care after cardiac rehab. Researcher Dr. Brian Duscha
adds, “This has important public health implications, because maintenance of physical activity and physical fitness are
inversely associated with cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke.” American Heart Journal, March 2018
Chiropractic: Neck Pain Common with Migraines. According to a new study that monitored the status of 391 migraine
patients for 18 months, 42.5% of participants experienced neck pain in conjunction with migraine episodes. In a third of
these patients, neck pain triggered their migraine and the rest reported that neck pain manifested once their headache was
underway. The authors of the study caution, “Careful history taking is required to diagnose neck pain as a feature of
migraine and to differentiate it from secondary headache due to a cervical pathology for avoiding unnecessary imaging or
other investigations.” Neurology India, March 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Keep Cholesterol in Check. Because blood sugar and blood pressure can influence cholesterol
levels, the American Diabetes Association recommends the following: if you smoke, quit; lose excess weight; exercise
daily; and eat a low-fat diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
American Diabetes Association, March 2018
Quote: “Only two things can reveal life’s great secrets: suffering and love.” ~ Paulo Coelho

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