Mental Attitude: Obesity May Shrink the Brain. Based on MRI scans of the brains of over 12,000 middle
age and older adults, researchers have identified an association between higher amounts of body fat and reduced
volume of gray matter in certain areas of the brain. Though researchers are unsure of the nature of this
relationship, they say it’s possible that unhealthy nutrition and physical inactivity could be partly responsible.
Radiology, April 2019
Health Alert: Too Much Sitting Is Bad for the Heart. An analysis of data from the Women from the
Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health concerning 5,638 older women found that sitting for
eleven or more hours during the day can elevate the risk for cardiovascular disease over the next five years by
up to 34%. Circulation, February 2019
Diet: Veggies, Fruits, and Grains Good for the Heart. Among a group of more than 16,000 middle age and
older adults, those with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains had up to a 41% lower risk for heart
failure than participants who consumed a diet low in such foods.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, April 2019
Exercise: Exercise Improves Memory. In a recent study, researchers overserved that engaging in a single
session of moderate-intensity exercise resulted in greater activity in several areas of the brain associated with
memory formation and retention. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, April 2019
Chiropractic: Backpack Use Can Lead to Neck and Shoulder Pain. Examinations of 160 students revealed
that the average student’s backpack weighs the equivalent of 18% of their body weight, which is above the 10-
15% recommended by experts to reduce the risk for backpack-related musculoskeletal pain. Additionally,
researchers observed that while wearing a backpack, students adopted a more forward head posture, which can
increase the risk for both neck and shoulder pain. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, March 2019
Wellness/Prevention: What Is Sepsis? Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s response to
infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that without early treatment, sepsis can lead to
tissue damage, organ failure, and death. To protect yourself from sepsis, the agency recommends the following:
talk to your doctor about what you can do to prevent infections, take care of chronic health conditions, practice
good hygiene, know the symptoms of sepsis, and act quickly if you suspect sepsis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 2019
Quote: “Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability.” ~ Edsger Dijkstra
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Americans Are Stressed. A worldwide poll conducted last year revealed that about 55% of
Americans said they felt stressed the day before, compared to just 35% in other countries, and nearly 45% of
Americans felt worry the day before, compared to 39% worldwide. Gallup, April 2019
Health Alert: Warning for Those Who Use Sleep Aids. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
slapped a tough new warning label on prescription medications such as Zolpidem, Eszopiclone, and Zaleplon.
The move was in response to 66 cases of patients engaging in dangerous behaviors due to daytime drowsiness
the day after use, of which a third resulted in fatalities related to carbon monoxide poisoning, drowning, falls,
hypothermia, or motor vehicle accidents. FDA Acting Commissioner Dr. Ned Sharpless adds, “We recognize
that millions of Americans suffer from insomnia and rely on these drugs to help them sleep better at night…
while these incidents are rare, they are serious and it’s important that patients and healthcare professionals are
aware of the risk.” Food and Drug Administration, April 2019
Diet: Skipping Breakfast May Not Be Good for the Heart. Researchers tracked the health of over 6,500
Americans for about 20 years and found that people who said they never had breakfast had an 87% higher risk
of death from heart-related causes than those who always ate breakfast.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, April 2019
Exercise: Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy… Following their analysis of data from 76 published
studies, researchers report that women who exercise during pregnancy have a reduced risk for excessive
gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, and symptoms of postpartum depression.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, June 2019
Chiropractic: Thoracic Manipulation for Cervical Radiculopathy? Among a group of 43 patients with
cervical radiculopathy, those treated with thoracic spinal manipulation experienced improvements in pain,
function, cervical range of motion, and deep neck flexor endurance that were not experienced by participants
who received a sham treatment. Doctors of chiropractic often utilize spinal manipulation in the management of
patients with cervical radiculopathy. Journal of Orthopedics and Sports Physical Therapy, May 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Older Adults in Pain Are More Likely to Be Lonely. Questionnaires completed by
9,299 seniors revealed that those with musculoskeletal (MSK) pain were more likely to be socially isolated than
their peers without MSK pain. British Journal of Pain, May 2019
Quote: “Life is 10 percent what you make it, and 90 percent how you take it.” ~ Irving Berlin
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Exercise: You Can Combine Resistance Exercise and Running. New research suggests it can be done safely if one engages in endurance training first and allows at least half a day for recovery before lifting weights.
Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Megna Call 707-226-5200 #chiropractor

Mental Attitude: Saturated Fat Linked to Dementia? Using data from nine published studies involving
23,402 older adults, researchers have identified an association between dietary intake of saturated fat and an
elevated risk for dementia. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, June 2019
Health Alert: Psoriasis Patients Have Increased Risk for Sleep Apnea. Psoriasis is a common skin condition
characterized by raised, reddish, often scaly patches that can negatively affect one’s quality of life. A recent
study found that psoriasis patients have an elevated risk for obstructive sleep apnea, especially in more severe
and long-term cases. AIM, March 2019
Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Deter Overeating. The Mediterranean diet focuses on eating fruits,
vegetables, nuts, fish, olive oil, and whole grains, while avoiding red and processed meats, dairy, saturated fats,
and refined sugars. In a recent study, researchers observed that participants on a Mediterranean-style diet ate
fewer calories, had lower body weight, and had less body fat than those who consumed a Western-style diet.
Obesity, April 2019
Exercise: You Can Combine Resistance Exercise and Running on the Same Day. Previous studies have
suggested that weightlifting can harm endurance training performance when both are performed on the same
day; however, new research suggests it can be done safely if one engages in endurance training first and allows
at least half a day for recovery before lifting weights. Sports Medicine, April 2019
Chiropractic: Cervical Spine Impairments Common in Youngsters Post-Concussion. Examinations of 73
children and adolescents with a history of concussion found that 90% had impairments in at least three of five
assessment categories: posture, myofascial impairment, joint mobility, muscle strength, and joint
proprioception. The study findings reveal a high prevalence of cervical spine impairments in children and teens
with a history of mild-traumatic brain injury. Doctors of chiropractic are educated and skilled in the treatment of
musculoskeletal conditions associated with concussions.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, April 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Treating Bleeding Gums. Bleeding gums can be a sign of many conditions, from
plaque buildup to gum disease. To treat bleeding gums, MedlinePlus recommends the following: visit your
dentist every six months; follow your dentist’s homecare instructions; brush and floss your teeth twice daily;
avoid using mouthwashes that contain alcohol; and follow a balanced, healthy diet. MedlinePlus, April 2019
Quote: “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.” ~ Stevie Wonder
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Teens with ADHD May Be Higher-Risk Drivers… After reviewing the health records and
driving history of 14,936 men and women born between 1987 and 1997, researchers report that as teenagers,
individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were more likely to be cited for moving
violations or be in a car accident. Additionally, the adolescents in the study with ADHD were also more likely
to be in a motor vehicle collision that involved alcohol use. Pediatrics, May 2019
Health Alert: Vitamin D Associated with Statin-Related Musculoskeletal Pain? Musculoskeletal (MSK)
pain is a common side effect associated with statin use. In a recent study that compared patients on statins with
and without MSK pain, researchers observed that those with MSK pain were nearly four times more likely to
have deficient vitamin D levels. The results suggest that improving the vitamin D levels of patients on statin
therapy may reduce their risk for statin-related MSK pain. Disease Markers, March 2019
Diet: Eat Walnuts? The results of a recent study that involved 45 overweight/obese adults suggest that adding
walnuts to one’s diet can result in lower central blood pressure, which may reduce the risk for cardiovascular
disease. Journal of the American Heart Association, April 2019
Exercise: Walking Helps Your Gut Bacteria! Past research has associated a healthy gut bacteria population
with greater immune function, better nervous system function, and a reduced risk for several chronic diseases
and cancers. In this study, researchers observed that normally sedentary seniors who participated in a brisk
walking program for twelve weeks experienced an improvement in their intestinal microbiota.
Nutrients, April 2019
Chiropractic: Neck Pain May Lead to Mid-Back Pain. In this study, researchers observed that after inducing
neck pain, participants experienced a reduction in mid-back stability. The findings suggest that pain in one area
of the spine can affect stability in other spinal regions, which may increase the risk for the development of pain
in those areas as well. This underscores the importance of examining the whole patient to identify causes of
pain that may exist outside of the affected area; otherwise, the patient may not experience a successful treatment
outcome. Journal of Biomechanics, April 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Smoking Linked to Pancreatic Cancer. An analysis of data concerning over 350,000
adults over a 13-year time period revealed that current smokers are up to 81% more likely to develop pancreatic
cancer than never smokers. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, May 2019
Quote: “The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.” ~ Hubert H. Humphrey
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.