Mental Attitude: Risk Factors for Depression in Old Age. Researchers monitored 11,553 seniors for four
years and observed that 22.3% developed depressive symptoms during this time. Further analysis identified the
following late-life risk factors for depression: inadequate sleep, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, arthritis, and
chronic digestive disorders. The risk for depression was also slightly higher among women and those living in
rural areas. BMJ Open, September 2019
Health Alert: Don’t Let Children Wander Alone in Parking Lots. Observations of 125 young children and
their parents as they navigated a parking lot revealed that half of kids got out of the vehicle before an adult, 67%
of children lacked proper supervision at some point during the walk, and nearly 90% walked beyond an arm’s
reach of an adult. Researcher Dr. David Schwebel writes, “The safety risks in parking lots are already
dangerous. We observed that parents pay less attention to their children in these parking lots, even further
elevating the risk.” Journal of Safety Research, August 2019
Diet: Added Sugars Linked to Hypertension. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is common among
seniors and is linked to a number of negative health outcomes. In a study that looked at the dietary intake of 128
older adults, researchers identified an association between higher added-sugar intake and elevated blood
pressure readings. Nutrients, September 2019
Exercise: Sedentary Lifestyle Doubles Early Mortality Risk. Following a two-decade study involving a
group of 23,146 men and women, researchers concluded that participants who led a sedentary lifestyle were
2.7-times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease and twice more likely to die from any cause than those
who regularly exercised. World Congress of Cardiology, August 2019
Chiropractic: Neck Angles, Muscles, Pain and Smartphone Use. According to a new study in which
researchers monitored neck muscle activity at various neck flexion angles while participants used their
smartphone, bending the neck forward more than 15 degrees is associated with increased muscle activity in the
neck. The findings suggest that individuals, especially those with neck pain, should limit neck flexion while
using electronic devices. Ergonomics, August 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Prevent Painful Kidney Stones. The National Kidney Foundation reports that about
10% of people will develop a kidney stone during their lifetime. To help prevent kidney stones, the foundation
recommends the following: drink enough water, especially when exercising; pair oxalate-rich foods with
calcium-rich foods; and cut back on dietary salt. National Kidney Foundation, September 2019
Quote: “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” ~ Jim Rohn

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