Mental Attitude: Depression and Anxiety Are Common in Adults with Autism. Using data from 35 studies published
between 2000 and 2017, researchers estimate that nearly one in four (23.7%) adults with autism spectrum disorder
currently have depression while 27% suffer from an anxiety disorder. Psychological Medicine, September 2018
Health Alert: Superbug Spreading in Hospitals. Three variants of the multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis
bacteria have been discovered in samples from 78 hospitals in ten countries. It is suspected that the superbug is spreading
rapidly due to the high use of antibiotics in intensive care units, where patients are routinely prescribed strong drugs.
Researcher Dr. Ben Howden adds, “This highlights that the use of more and more antibiotics is driving more drugresistant
bacteria… With all bacteria in a hospital environment we are driving more resistant strains and there’s no doubt
that antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest dangers to hospital care worldwide.” Nature Microbiology, September 2018
Diet: Amazonian Fruit May Help Prevent Obesity. In this study, researchers found that consuming camu camu—a fruit
native to the Amazon— improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity and reduced blood endotoxins and metabolic
inflammation in mice that were fed a high-sugar, high-fat diet. The findings suggest that camu camu phytochemicals may
play a role in the fight against obesity and metabolic disease, but further studies are needed to determine if such benefits
would extend to humans. Gut, July 2018
Exercise: Nearly 1.5 Billion Adults Worldwide Face Disease Because of Inactivity. Living a sedentary lifestyle has
put more than one-quarter of adults worldwide at risk for serious disease. Current guidelines call for at least 150 minutes
of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. Based on an
analysis of survey data, researchers report that nearly one-third of women and one-quarter of men worldwide failed to
meet these levels in 2016, placing them at a higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and certain types of cancer.
The Lancet Global Health, September 2018
Chiropractic: Does Spinal Manipulation Improve Pulmonary Function? Thoracic spinal manipulation may improve
pulmonary function in stroke patients. In this study, researchers tested the pulmonary function of 36 stroke patients before
and after they received either a thoracic spinal adjustment or a sham treatment. The participants in the thoracic
manipulation group experienced significant improvements in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume at one
second. Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics, August 2018
Wellness/Prevention: What Causes Urinary Incontinence? Loss of bladder control is called urinary incontinence (UI).
It is a common condition that becomes more prominent with age. Common causes include weakened and stretched pelvic
muscles in women following childbirth; certain medications; being overweight or obese, which increases pressure on the
bladder and related muscles; urinary tract infection; vascular disease; and diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and
multiple sclerosis. In many instances, UI can be treated with simple exercises and bladder training, though serious cases
may require more invasive approaches. HealthDay, September 2018
Quote: “To different minds, the same world is a hell, and a heaven.” ~ J. B.
Priestley
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Extra Fat Around the Middle Linked to Cognitive Impairment. Researchers have uncovered an
association between a greater hip-to-waist ratio and worse performance on cognitive assessments after age 60. Given the
high incidence of obesity in the aging population and the economic and social burden of cognitive dysfunction, the
findings suggest that reducing obesity could offer a cost-effective public health strategy for the prevention of cognitive
decline. British Journal of Nutrition, August 2018
Health Alert: Eat More Types of Vegetables. Among a sample of 1,429 Australian women over the age of 70,
researchers observed a relationship between the diversity of vegetables one eats and their risk for suffering a serious fall.
In particular, the research team found that for every serving of a different vegetable consumed per day, the risk for
experiencing a serious fall drops by 8%. Nutrients, August 2018
Diet: Folic Acid Supplementation in Pregnancy Helps Children of Women with Epilepsy. Common medications
taken during pregnancy to prevent epileptic seizures can increase the risk of language delays in children, but a new study
that included data from over 100,000 participants suggests that taking a folic acid supplement can cut that risk by up to
66%. Researcher Dr. Elisabeth Synnove Nilsen Husebye writes, “These results are important for women with epilepsy all
over the world because many epilepsy drugs interact with the way folate is metabolized by the body, so we are still
learning how much folic acid is needed for women with epilepsy and how it benefits their children.”
Neurology, August 2018
Exercise: Benefits of Swimming. Here are fifteen reasons to consider taking up swimming a form of exercise: it’s a
whole-body workout, it builds cardiovascular strength, it’s suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, it’s a great
skill to have, it’s beneficial for people with injuries, it’s good for people with disabilities, it can help those with asthma, it
helps improve symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS); it’s safe to do during pregnancy; it helps burn calories; it adds variety
and fun to your exercise program; it helps improve sleep; it boosts mood; it can help manage stress; and it’s accessible and
affordable. WebMD, July 2018
Chiropractic: Office Workers with Neck Pain Have Poor Posture. Work-related neck disorders are common among
office workers. In a new study, researchers assessed the relationship between moderate work-related neck disorders and
head posture, stiffness, and pain thresholds of the neck muscles in 16 office workers with work-related neck pain and 16
asymptomatic office workers. They discovered that female office workers with work-related neck pain were more likely
to exhibit forward head posture and experience more stiffness in the upper trapezius muscles. The findings suggest that
employers could reduce work-related neck pain by improving ergonomics and promoting proper neck posture among their
staff. PM&R, July 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Diabetics who maintain healthy vitamin D
levels have a reduced risk for painful peripheral neuropathy. This suggests that strategies to improve vitamin D levels
(getting more sun exposure, eating more vitamin D-rich foods, taking a supplement) should be incorporated into the
diabetes management process. Diabetes Medicine, August 2018
Quote: “We all can be only who we are, no more, no less.” ~ Terry Goodkind

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

Health Alert: Can Being Overweight Change the Heart Structure of Young Adults? Being overweight may thicken
heart muscle tissue and increase blood pressure, elevating one’s risk for future heart disease. In this study, researchers
analyzed data on thousands of healthy young adults and found a link between a greater BMI and both higher blood
pressure and enlargement of left ventricle of the heart. Lead author Dr. Kaitlin H. Wade explains, “Thickening of vessel
walls is widely considered to be the first sign of atherosclerosis, a disease in which fatty plaques build up within the
arteries and lead to heart disease. However, our findings suggest that higher BMIs cause changes in the heart structure of
the young that may precede changes in blood vessels… Our results support efforts to reduce body mass index to within a
normal, healthy range from a young age to prevent later heart disease.” Circulation, July 2018
Diet: Caffeine Not Helpful to Dieters. Caffeine is often found in weight-loss aids, claiming to curb appetite and speed up
metabolism, but new research suggests otherwise. In a study involving 50 healthy adults, researchers observed that
participants ate 70 fewer calories in the morning after drinking a small amount of caffeine equivalent to 4 ounces of
coffee; however, the participants tended to eat more later in the day, suggesting that caffeine had no effect on total calorie
consumption. Study co-author Dr. Carol DeNysschen writes, “[This study] reinforces the importance of good eating habits
and not relying on unsupported weight-loss aids or unhealthy practices.”
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, July 2018
Exercise: Active Teenagers Are Healthier. Encouraging teens to be physically active can lead to a number of health
benefits. In a study that included 422 high school students, researchers found that teens who engaged in at least one hour
of physical activity at least five days a week had a greater overall sense of wellbeing and life satisfaction; a lower risk for
depression, including self-harm and suicide ideation; and a reduced risk for substance abuse, including tobacco, alcohol,
and illicit drugs. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, August 2018
Chiropractic: Neck Pain Can Affect Your Shoulder Movement… In this study, researchers found that among a group
of 60 adults under the age of 45, those with chronic neck pain exhibited reduced function and range of motion in the
shoulder. Additionally, the research team observed a relationship between greater neck pain intensity and worse shoulder
joint performance. Physiotherapy Research International, August 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Benefits of Whole Grains. Whole grains are an important part of a balanced diet, as they provide
a source of fiber, several B vitamins, and important minerals such as iron, magnesium, and selenium. The Department of
Agriculture notes that adding more whole grains to one’s diet can reduce constipation, improve heart health, aid in weight
loss, and prevent neural tube defects during fetal development. Department of Agriculture, August 2018
Quote: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” ~ Samuel Goldwyn

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

Mental Attitude: Amino Acid Deficiency Associated with Severe Depression. Individuals with severe depression may
have low blood levels of an amino acid involved in brain function called acetyl-L-carnitine (LAC). In this study,
researchers found that participants with depression have lower serum levels of LAC than those without a history of
depression and that patients with more severe depression had even lower LAC levels. The research team also observed a
link between lower LAC levels and both depression that starts earlier in life and depression that is treatment-resistant.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, July 2018
Health Alert: Reduce the Risk of Early Cardiovascular Death… In this study, researchers measured the fitness levels
of 2,014 apparently healthy men at age 50 and monitored their health status for the next three decades. The research team
found that participants in better shape at midlife had a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease before age 60.
European Journal of Preventative Cardiology, August 2018
Diet: Eating More Fish During Pregnancy May Reduce Premature Births. Expectant mothers may want to consume
more fish to help avoid delivering too early. In a new study, researchers monitored over 700 pregnancies and found that
the women who had the lowest omega-3 fatty acid serum levels during their first and second trimester were ten times
more likely to have a preterm delivery than those with the highest omega-3 fatty acid readings.
EBioMedicine, August 2018
Exercise: How Much Exercise Do We Need? If you do not have any medical restrictions, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention recommends engaging in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise, or 75
minutes of vigorous exercise, and at least two strength training sessions per week. Examples of moderate-intensity
exercises include brisk walking, water aerobics, cycling on mostly level ground, and doubles tennis. Vigorous-intensity
exercise examples include jogging or running, swimming laps, singles tennis, basketball, and cycling fast or on hills.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2018
Chiropractic: Risk Factors for Back Pain. According to an analysis of data from an eleven-year study involving over
3,000 Finnish adults, researchers observed the following with regards to low back pain (LBP) and radicular pain: the risk
of LBP declines slightly with age, while the risk of lumbar radicular pain increases over time; abdominal obesity increases
the risk of LBP, while general obesity raises the risk of both LBP and lumbar radicular pain; the use of vibratory tools
increases the risk of lumbar radicular pain; smoking and strenuous physical work both increase the risk for LBP and
lumbar radicular pain; and walking or cycling to work reduces the risk of LBP. Arthritis Care & Research, July 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Do You Have a Urinary Tract Infection? The urinary tract is a common site for an infection,
especially among women. The National Institutes of Health lists the following warning signs of a urinary tract infection
(UTI): pain or burning during urination; fever, tiredness, or shakiness; the urge to urinate often; pressure in the lower
belly; urine that smells bad or looks cloudy or reddish; and pain in the back or side below the ribs.
National Institutes of Health, July 2018
Quote: “He who laughs most, learns best.” ~ John Cleese

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