Mental Attitude: Why Do We Get Tongue Tied? Do you have problems getting out the right words from time to time?
An analysis of thousands of voice recordings from around the world revealed that there is a tendency to slow-down before
saying nouns. In other words, you’re more likely to pause a little bit or use “uh” or “uhm” when using a noun. Researchers
say this finding suggests the brain has more difficulty planning for some words than others and they recommend further
study to investigate how the brain reacts to the information value of different words.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, May 2018
Health Alert: Mosquitoes Bite More During Droughts. Typically, about 5-10% of female mosquitoes feed at any time
during normal weather situations. However, a new study found that lab-induced dehydration led to a 30% feeding rate,
suggesting that mosquitoes try to hydrate on blood when water is not available. Study co-author Dr. Elise Didion writes,
“It makes sense… We find the highest transmission rates of West Nile virus during droughts because mosquitoes may use
blood meals to replace the water they lose.” Scientific Reports, May 2018
Diet: Regular Egg Consumption May Decrease Cardiovascular Risk. An analysis of data concerning nearly half a
million people in China showed that daily egg consumers had a 26% lower risk of hemorrhagic stroke, a 28% lower risk
of death from hemorrhagic stroke, a 12% lower risk of ischemic heart disease, and an 18% lower risk of cardiovascular
death. Though the study was only observational, the findings suggest that there is an association between moderate egg
consumption and a lower rate of cardiac events. Heart, May 2018
Exercise: Promoting Better Health at Work Can Help the Bottom Line. In a study that involved 1,120 employees
from ten businesses, researchers found that participants who received customized information to promote physical activity
and reduce sitting time not only experienced improved health but they also reported greater job satisfaction and increased
productivity. Ergonomics, June 2018
Chiropractic: Sleep Quality Predicts Low Back Pain. Want to reduce your risk for back pain? Work on getting
sufficient, quality sleep. A new study involving 405 working adults found that those with sleep problems had an elevated
risk for one or more episodes of low back pain during the following two years. Based on this finding, the study authors
suggest that difficulty getting sufficient quality sleep may be an early indicator for lower back pain.
Psychology, Health & Medicine, May 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Are You at Risk for an Ectopic Pregnancy? When a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus,
usually in the fallopian tube, it is referred to as an ectopic pregnancy. This type of pregnancy causes the fallopian tube to
eventually burst, leading to life-threatening bleeding. According to the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, risk factors for such a pregnancy include the following: previous ectopic pregnancy, prior fallopian tube
surgery, previous pelvic or abdominal surgery, certain STDs, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, smoking,
becoming pregnant at 35 or older, infertility history, and the use of assisted reproductive technology.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, May 2018
Quote: “We are what we believe we are!” ~ C.S. Lewis

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

Mental Attitude: Diabetes and Parkinson’s Risk. Following a review of patient data concerning over eight million
individuals, researchers report that type 2 diabetics have a 32% increased risk for developing Parkinson’s disease. The
researchers note their “findings may reflect shared genetic predisposition and/or disrupted shared pathogenic pathways
with potential clinical and therapeutic implications.” Neurology, June 2018
Health Alert: There’s No Such Thing As “Healthy Obesity”. An analysis of thirty years of data concerning over
90,000 American women showed that obese women who were metabolically healthy (normal blood pressure, cholesterol,
and blood sugar) for over twenty years still had a 57% elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. Lead researcher Dr.
Matthias Schulze explains, “If you are obese, but free of disease like diabetes or hypertension, it does not mean you are
free of the risk for cardiovascular disease… You are still at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to normalweight
healthy women.” The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, May 2018
Diet: Cutting Down on Meat and Dairy May Reduce Heart Failure Risk. Middle-aged men who eat a lot of meat,
dairy, and other high-protein foods may be increasing their risk for heart failure. A review of 22 years of data concerning
2,400 Finnish men found that those with a high-protein diet had a 33% increased risk for heart failure, and the risk
increased if their primary sources of protein were animal meat or dairy. Researcher Dr. Jyrki Virtanen notes, “Our
findings indicate the high protein intake may have some adverse effects on health, especially if the protein is coming from
animal sources.” Circulation: Heart Failure, May 2018
Exercise: Exercise Reduces Fall Risk in Kidney Patients. Falls are a leading cause of death and injury among seniors,
especially those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An analysis of data concerning 157,753 adults age 65 and over found
that CKD patients who regularly exercised had a 32% reduced risk for experiencing a fall.
Preventing Chronic Disease, June 2018
Chiropractic: Manipulative Treatment Beneficial for Low Back Pain. In a recent study, researchers randomly
assigned 68 patients suffering from non-specific chronic low back pain to receive either five manipulative therapy
treatments or five sham treatments over a one-month period. Following the conclusion of care, the investigators reported
that the patients in the manipulative treatment group experienced significant improvements in pain and disability that were
not observed in the sham treatment group. The findings reveal the beneficial role that manipulative therapy treatments,
such as those provided by doctors of chiropractic, can have in the management of non-specific chronic low back pain.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, May 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Sleeping in on the Weekends May Help You Live Longer? New research suggests that too little
sleep during the work week can be counteracted by sleeping in on the weekends. A study involving nearly 44,000 people
showed that the risk of early death among individuals who got less sleep during the week and more sleep on the weekends
differed very little from those who averaged seven hours per night on both weekdays and weekends. The findings suggest
we shouldn’t feel guilty about sleeping in on the weekends. Journal of Sleep Research, May 2018
Quote: “Saying nothing… sometimes says the most.” ~ Emily Dickinson

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

Mental Attitude: Mediterranean Diet May Protect the Brain! The Mediterranean diet focuses on fruits, vegetables,
whole grains, legumes, nuts, healthy fats (such as olive oil), and lean sources of protein such as fish and poultry. In
addition to improved heart health, studies show that the Mediterranean diet may also protect against cognitive decline and
neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. Current Nutrition Reports, May 2018
Health Alert: Breast Cancer Survivors Often Not Getting Needed Mammograms. Researchers followed the status of
more than 27,000 women after their breast cancer surgery and found that 13% failed to have a mammogram within one
year of their procedure. At the five-year mark, the percentage of women who had not had a mammogram in the last year
rose to 19% and only 50% had undergone annual mammograms in the preceding half-decade. Lead researcher Dr.
Kathryn Ruddy writes, “The use of regular mammograms to detect a return of breast cancer before any symptoms appear
is associated with better overall survival… Therefore, clinicians need to make sure that their patients are fully aware of
the role these annual mammograms play in screening for new breast cancers as well as for local recurrences.”
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, May 2018
Diet: Green Tea May Protect the Heart. In atherosclerosis, a protein called apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1) sticks to
plaques and makes them larger, which further restricts blood flow. In a new study, researchers discovered that a
compound found in green tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) can break down apoA-1, potentially improving
blood flow. Journal of Biological Chemistry, May 2018
Exercise: Brisk Walking May Lead to a Longer Life. After reviewing survey data and death records from individuals
in both England and Scotland, researchers report that walking speed may predict one’s risk for an early death. In
particular, the research team observed that slow walkers are 20-24% more likely to suffer an early death from any cause
than those who walk at either an average or swift pace. Researcher Dr. Emmanuel Stamatakis adds, “These analyses
suggest that increasing walking pace may be a straightforward way for people to improve heart health and risk for
premature mortality.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, June 2018
Chiropractic: Spinal Manipulation Benefits Common Low Back Conditions. A recent study investigated the effects
of spinal manipulation of the lumbar and sacroiliac joints in twenty patients with lumbar disk herniation combined with
lack of sacroiliac motion (hypomobility). The patients received five spinal manipulations over a two-week period, which
led to significant improvements in back and leg pain that persisted up to one month following their final treatment. The
results show that spinal manipulation can be beneficial in the management of pain and functional disability in patients
with lumbar disk herniation and concomitant SIJ hypomobility. Chiropractic Manual Therapies, May 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D May Reduce Risk of Miscarriage. An examination of the vitamin D levels of 1,200
women with a history of miscarriage showed that those who had vitamin D levels of 30 ng/mL or more were 10% more
likely to become pregnant within the next six months and 15% more likely to have a live birth than women with lower
vitamin D levels. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, May 2018
Quote: “Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.” ~ William Butler Yeats

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

Mental Attitude: Do Wood Burning Stoves Increase Dementia Risk? Swedish researchers monitored the health status
of 1,806 individuals for nearly twenty years and found that participants who lived in areas with a higher utilization of
wood burning stoves had an elevated risk for dementia. Though further research is necessary, the results suggest that
exposure to air pollution from wood burning stoves may be an independent risk factor for dementia.
PLOS ONE, June 2018
Health Alert: Lack of Quality Care Leads to Millions of Deaths Worldwide. An analysis of diseases in 130 low- and
middle-income countries that lack quality healthcare showed that 8 million people die needlessly each year, costing those
countries a total of about $6 trillion economically. Experts say it’s important to attach a monetary cost to the loss of
human life, because those numbers can provide economic incentives that spur changes in policy and healthcare investment
aimed at saving lives. Health Affairs, June 2018
Diet: Soda Consumption and Sleep… Regular soda intake by kids may affect sleep duration. An analysis of data
concerning 5,873 children from around the world found that kids who consume at least one soft drink per day sleep about
twelve fewer minutes per night. Public Health Nutrition, April 2018
Exercise: Get More Active at Work. Prolonged sitting at work can cause poor posture, low back pain, and increased risk
for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. To combat the negative effects of long periods of sitting, the American Council
on Exercise recommends the following: standing for a few minutes every hour; sitting on a gym ball for half an hour per
day to activate your core muscles; participating in walking meetings; doing some wall push-ups, squats, and calf raises
throughout the day; working out or taking a walk during your lunch hour; biking or walking to work; and practicing yoga
or meditation to help reduce stress. American Council on Exercise, May 2018
Chiropractic: Looking Down May Increase the Risk for Neck Pain… Among a group of 38 young adults with no
history of neck, shoulder, or back pain, researchers found that engaging in just ten minutes of static neck flexion (looking
downward at a smartphone, for example) resulted in potentially harmful changes in cervical sensory motor control. More
specifically, the research team observed that prolonged neck flexion led to impairments in both the participants’s ability to
return their head to a neutral position and to quickly make adjustments to compensate for movement elsewhere in the
body. The research team concludes, “These changes in sensory-motor control may be a risk factor for neck pain and
injury.” Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, April 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Sunscreen Tips. The American Academy of Dermatology offers the following information about
sunscreen: broad spectrum sunscreen means it can protect you from both UVA and UVB sun rays, which helps prevent
skin cancer, early skin aging, and sunburn; sunburn protection factor (SPF) defines how protective the sunscreen is, the
higher the number, the greater the level of protection; no sunscreen is waterproof, but some are water-resistant for 40 to
80 minutes; sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours; and a chemical sunscreen absorbs the sun’s rays, while a
physical sunscreen protects you by deflecting the sun’s rays. American Academy of Dermatology, June 2018
Quote: “It’s easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

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

Mental Attitude: Many Concussion Patients Are Left Wondering… Researchers surveyed 831 patients who suffered a
concussion or mild-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and found that only 47% received educational materials about TBI from
their doctor following their diagnosis. About a third of the patients in the study experienced three or more moderate-tosevere
concussion symptoms within the proceeding three months but only half had a follow-up visit with a healthcare
provider. JAMA Network Open, May 2018
Health Alert: Second-Hand Smoke Exposure Increases Miscarriage Risk. An analysis of data concerning 5.7 million
Chinese women found that non-smokers in households with one or more smokers have a 17% greater risk of miscarriage
than women in smoke-free homes. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, June 2018
Diet: Eat More Plant-Based Foods to Help Stay Thin. Among a group of over 9,600 older adults, those with a diet rich
in plant-based foods had a significantly lower average BMI and fat mass index scores than participants with a more
traditional Western-style diet. Lead author Dr. Zhangling Chen adds, “Our study suggests that a more plant-based and less
animal-based diet beyond strict adherence to vegan or vegetarian diets may be beneficial for preventing
overweight/obesity in middle-aged and elderly populations.” European Congress on Obesity, May 2018
Exercise: HIIT is As Enjoyable As Traditional Exercise. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) involves multiple short
bursts of intense exercise and is known to offer many health benefits. In this study, researchers recruited 30 inactive men
and women who had never tried HIIT before. Participants then completed both high-intensity and traditional moderateintensity
exercise programs and then rated each on a multi-point pleasure-displeasure scale. Despite reporting higher
levels of displeasure during the HIIT sessions, participants subsequently rated both forms of exercise as equally enjoyable
and 79% later went on to perform HIIT on their own. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, May 2018
Chiropractic: Common Characteristics for Back Pain and Sciatica. Back pain is highly prevalent and associated with
significant disability and work absenteeism worldwide. Investigators recently performed a systematic review and
identified the following risk factors for both low back pain and sciatica: advancing age, poor general health, physical
stress on spine, and psychological stress. With the exception of age, the other characteristics are potentially modifiable
and should be addressed to help reduce the risk of future episodes of low back pain and/or sciatica.
Spine Journal, May 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Protect Your Eye Health. Vision problems tend to increase as one ages, but there are things you
can do to help protect your eye sight: have a medical eye exam by age 40, when early signs of disease may begin without
any symptoms; find out what your family history is for inherited eye diseases; eat a healthy diet that’s low in fat and high
in fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains; don’t smoke, as it increases the risk of eye diseases, such as cataracts and agerelated
macular degeneration; and remember to wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV damage while
outside. American Academy of Opthalmology, May 2018
Quote: “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” ~ Maya Angelou
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.