Mental Attitude: “Heading” a Soccer Ball May Be More Dangerous for Women. Several studies have linked heading
soccer balls with an increased risk for brain injury and new research suggests that the danger is even greater for female
athletes. In the study, researchers compared brain scans of 49 female and 49 male amateur soccer players who reported a
similar number of headings over the previous year (about 470 to 490) and observed far more extensive damage in the
brains of the female participants. Study leader Dr. Michael Lipton explains, “Researchers and clinicians have long noticed
that women fare worse following head injury than men, but some have said that’s only because women are more willing to
report symptoms… Based on our study, which measured objective changes in brain tissue rather than self-reported
symptoms, women do seem more likely than men to suffer brain trauma from heading soccer balls.” Radiology, July 2018
Health Alert: Smoking and Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is described as a serious mental health condition that can
involve hallucinations or delusions and symptoms of a mood disorder, such as mania and depression. A review of data
from twelve published studies indicates that smokers are twice as likely to develop the condition as nonsmokers.
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, August 2018
Diet: Healthy Diet Linked to Lower Cancer Risk. An analysis of dietary and health data concerning over 40,000 adults
suggests that greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet—which focuses on fruits, vegetables, grains, olive oil, fish, lean
meats, and nuts/seeds—is associated with up to a 12% lower overall cancer risk. Cancer Research, August 2018
Exercise: Muscle “Switch” May Determine Benefits of Exercise. Scientists have discovered a molecular “switch” that
may explain why some people benefit from aerobic exercise and strength training, while others do not. Using both animal
and human subjects, researchers discovered that a protein called C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) helps to determine our
response to exercise. If JNK is activated during exercise, it stimulates skeletal muscle growth. If it’s not activated,
muscles will improve their adaptation for endurance and aerobic capacity. Further research is needed to determine JNK’s
implications in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and its possible role in building muscle to fight muscle-wasting
diseases. Nature Communications, August 2018
Chiropractic: Most Women Have Back Pain During Pregnancy. Questionnaires completed by 287 expectant mothers
revealed that 76% experienced back pain during their pregnancy. Additionally, the researchers found that nearly a third of
the participants in the study reported both back pain and pelvic girdle pain, with the risk for each increasing over the
course of the pregnancy. The research team adds that women with a previous history of back pain or pelvic girdle pain
have an elevated risk for experiencing such pain while pregnant.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada, August 2018
Wellness/Prevention: How to Prevent Foot Blisters. Friction against the skin can lead to blisters on the feet, especially
when wearing ill-fitting shoes. To prevent foot blisters, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends the
following: wear socks that wick away moisture, make sure to wear shoes that fit properly, apply soft bandages to protect
problem areas, apply powder or petroleum jelly to reduce friction, and stop the current activity immediately if you have
foot pain or discomfort. American Academy of Dermatology, August 2018
Quote: “To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.” ~ Anatole France

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