Mental Attitude: Marriage Tied to a Longer Life. It’s common knowledge that married people live longer than singles,
but new research suggests the longevity gap is growing. In a study that compared data from 2017 to 2010, researchers
found that the age-adjusted death rate for married individuals fell 7% during this time compared with only a 2% decline
among those who were never married and no change for divorcees. On the other hand, the age-adjusted death rate for
widows increased 6% during this time. National Center for Health Statistics, October 2019
Health Alert: Heart Patients Often Have Sleeping Problems. A review of the health histories of 202 patients at a
cardiology clinic revealed that 60% had at least one sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless
legs syndrome. This adds to a growing body of research that suggests that sleep disorders may play a role in several
negative health outcomes. Laryngoscope, September 2019
Diet: Home Cooked Meals Linked to Fewer Harmful Chemicals (PFAS). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
are a group of chemicals found in packaged foods, which past animal studies have been linked to reproductive and
developmental problems, liver and kidney disease, adverse effects on the immune system, and carcinogenic effects. In a
new study, researchers reviewed diet information and blood work concerning 10,106 adults and identified a correlation
between eating at home and having lower levels of PFAS in the blood. Furthermore, those who more frequently dined at
restaurants, consumed fast food, or ate microwave popcorn had more PFAS in their blood. Co-author Dr. Kathryn
Rodgers explains, “The general conclusion here is the less contact your food has with food packaging, the lower your
exposure to PFAS and other harmful chemicals… These latest findings will hopefully help consumers avoid these
exposures and spur manufacturers to develop safer food packaging materials.”
Environmental Health Perspectives, October 2019
Exercise: Pick Up the Pace for Better Cognitive and Overall Health. New research that looked at data concerning
nearly 1,000 individuals who participated in a 40-year study suggests that a faster walking pace is associated with higher
scores on cognitive assessments, a more robust immune system, and healthier teeth and lungs.
JAMA Network Open, October 2019
Chiropractic: Spondylolisthesis and Spinal Alignment. Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition that occurs when one
spinal vertebra slips over the one immediately underneath it. In a recent study, researchers reviewed lateral lumbar
radiographs of 104 patients with low back pain and found that high pelvic incidence and increased lumbar lordosis were
significant predictors for anterior slippage of the fourth lumbar vertebra. The findings suggest that maintaining proper
spinal and pelvic alignment could reduce the risk for spondylolisthesis. Doctors of chiropractic often treat
spondylolisthesis with spinal manipulation and exercise instruction. Journal of Orthopedic Science, October 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Easing Hot Flashes. The Cleveland Clinic reports that about two-thirds of menopausal women in
North America suffer from hot flashes. To relieve hot flashes, the clinic recommends identifying and avoiding triggers
such as heat, smoking, caffeine, sugar, spicy foods, alcohol, or stress. Cleveland Clinic, September 2019
Quote: “Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill.” ~ Shinichi Suzuki

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

Mental Attitude: Trouble with Your Teen? Maybe Change Your Tone. In a study involving over 1,000 mom/teen
pairs, researchers observed that children were more likely to successfully complete a task when their mothers gave
instructions using a supportive tone. The authors of the study write, “If parents want conversations with their teens to have
the most benefit, it’s important to remember to use supportive tones of voice. It’s easy for parents to forget, especially if
they are feeling stressed, tired, or pressured themselves… These results nicely illustrate how powerful our voice is and
that choosing the right tone to communicate is crucial in all of our conversations.”
Developmental Psychology, September 2019
Health Alert: Cancer Risk Increases for Those Overweight Before Age 40. An analysis of data from the Me-Can
study, which involved over 220,000 European adults, revealed that individuals who are overweight before age 40 have an
elevated risk for several cancers, including endometrial cancer (70%), male renal-cell cancer (58%), and male colon
cancer (29%). International Journal of Epidemiology, October 2019
Diet: High-Fiber Diet Linked to Lower Heart Risk Among Diabetes Patients. Past research has shown that type 2
diabetics with high blood pressure have an elevated risk for heart disease. A new study that involved 200 hypertensive
type 2 diabetics revealed that those who consumed a high-fiber diet for six months experienced improvements with
respect to their cholesterol and blood lipid levels, systolic blood pressure, and blood glucose readings.
American College of Cardiology, October 2019
Exercise: Health Benefits of Yoga. Yoga is generally a safe way to increase physical activity that is linked to several
health benefits. According to current research, yoga may reduce stress, relieve anxiety, help manage depression, improve
quality of life in those with chronic conditions or acute illnesses, stimulate brain function, and help prevent heart disease.
Medical News Today, September 2019
Chiropractic: Neuromuscular Technique for Chronic Neck Pain. During a ten-week clinical trial involving 40 patients
with mechanical neck pain, those treated with a combination of therapeutic exercise and a manual therapy technique to
reduce trigger points experienced greater improvements in neck muscle strength and endurance than participants in a
therapeutic exercise-only group. This finding is important as the deep neck muscles are typically deconditioned in patients
with mechanical neck pain and improving neck muscle strength and endurance is important for reducing pain, disability,
and the risk for future episodes of neck pain. Doctors of chiropractic often use a combination of manual therapy
techniques and exercise to treat patients with both acute and chronic neck pain.
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, July 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Healthy Lifestyle May Dramatically Cut Cancer Risk. The World Cancer Research Fund notes
that 30-50% of all cancer cases could be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, eating a
plant-based diet, not smoking, and limiting fast food, sugar-sweetened drink, red meat, and alcohol intake.
Visceral Medicine, August 2019
Quote: “Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.” ~ Art Buchwald

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

Mental Attitude: Earning Ability May Be Tied to Heart Risk. Researchers tracked the earnings and heart health of
nearly 9,000 adults in the United States for thirty years and found that those who experienced a drop in their income in the
first decade of the study had an elevated risk for heart attack, fatal coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke over the
following twenty years. Meanwhile, participants who saw their income increase by more than 50% during the initial phase
of the study had a 20% reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. JAMA Cardiology, October 2019
Health Alert: Smoking Linked to Prostate Cancer. A review of data concerning 73,668 male military veterans revealed
smoking is associated with a 15% increased risk for prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, October 2019
Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Protect Hearing. 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. An analysis
of data concerning 3,135 older women found that those who most closely followed a Mediterranean-style diet were less
likely to experience high-frequency hearing loss during the following six years.
American Journal of Epidemiology, October 2019
Exercise: Exercise Helps Cancer Patients Ward Off Heart Damage from Chemotherapy. An article recently
published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology notes that cancer treatment can impair heart function and
structure, which can cause or accelerate the development of cardiovascular disease. Because of this, the article
recommends that individuals under treatment for cancer should be given a tailored exercise prescription to protect their
heart based on their history, cancer treatment, response to exercise, and personal preferences. Author Dr. Flavio D’Ascenzi
adds, “Physical activity before, during, and after cancer treatment can counteract the negative effects of therapies on the
cardiovascular system. In addition, it can relieve symptoms such as nausea and fatigue and help prevent unwanted
changes in body weight.” European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, October 2019
Chiropractic: Deep Neck Muscles and Headaches. In this study, researchers used ultrasonography to measure activity
in the deep neck muscles of 22 cervicogenic headache patients and 22 healthy subjects. They observed that the deep neck
muscles in the healthy subject group were thicker than those of participants in the cervicogenic headache group. The
findings suggest that atrophy of deep neck muscles may play a role in cervicogenic headaches, and clinicians should keep
this in mind when developing a treatment plan for patients with this condition. Doctors of chiropractic commonly treat
patients with cervicogenic headaches using spinal manipulative therapy and therapeutic exercise. Cranio, October 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Sleep Tips for Kids. To help kids get a good night’s sleep, the National Sleep Foundation
recommends the following: remove TVs, computers, and gadgets from your kid’s bedroom; avoid large meals before
bedtime; develop a regular bedtime routine; set firm bedtimes and wake times; make sure the bedroom is quiet, dark,
relaxing, and temperate; help kids quiet down a few hours before bedtime; and finish heavy studying, texting, or video
games earlier in the evening. National Sleep Foundation, October 2019
Quote: “Don’t be seduced into thinking that that which does not make a profit is without value.” ~ Arthur Miller

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

Mental Attitude: Depression and Anxiety Can Affect Cardiac Rehabilitation. Among a group of 4,800 cardiac
rehabilitation patients, researchers observed that those with moderate depression or anxiety were significantly more likely
to quit cardiac rehabilitation than patients who experienced mild symptoms of the same disorders or those who didn’t
have any symptoms. The findings suggest that clinicians should screen for depression and anxiety at the beginning of
rehabilitation to identify patients who need extra help—such as stress management, cognitive behavioral therapies,
meditation, and mindfulness—to keep their recovery on track. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, October 2019
Health Alert: Vitamin D Supplement During Pregnancy May Reduce Gestational Diabetes Risk. Past research has
identified a relationship between deficient vitamin D levels and an increased risk for gestational diabetes. In a study
involving nearly 5,000 pregnant women, researchers observed that participants with below-average vitamin D status who
took a daily vitamin D supplement lowered their risk for gestational diabetes by 17%.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, October 2019
Diet: Vitamins C and E May Protect the Liver. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when fat
accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption, and it can increase the risk for cirrhosis,
chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Among a group of 789 adults in their
late 50s, researchers observed that those with a higher dietary intake of both vitamin C and vitamin E were significantly
less likely to develop NAFLD than participants with a diet low in vitamins C and E.
Digestive and Liver Disease, July 2019
Exercise: Chair Yoga Benefits Those with Advanced Dementia. For seniors with moderate to severe dementia who are
unable to participate in regular exercise due to cognitive impairment, problems with balance, or fear of falling, new
research suggests that engaging in a chair-based yoga program can improve both mental health and quality of life.
American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias, October 2019
Chiropractic: Manual Therapy Benefits Patients with Shoulder Pain. Subacromial impingement syndrome occurs
when the rotator cuff tendons become inflamed or irritated as they pass through the subacromial space, which can lead to
pain, weakness, and reduced range of motion in the shoulder. In a study involving 26 patients with acute subacromial
impingement syndrome, researchers observed that those treated with manual therapy for four weeks experienced
significant improvements with respect to pain, function, and range of motion. Doctors of chiropractic often utilize a
combination of manual therapy and exercise to treat patients with subacromial impingement syndrome and
musculoskeletal conditions of the shoulder. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, September 2019
Wellness/Prevention: How to Lower Your Resting Heart Rate. Harvard Medical School notes that the normal range
for a resting heart rate (RHR) is 60 to 90 beats per minute and an increase in RHR over time can be a sign of a future heart
issue. To help lower your RHR, the school recommends exercising every day; practicing stress-reducing techniques, such
as meditation; avoiding tobacco products; and losing any extra weight. Harvard Medical School, September 2019
Quote: “Contentment is the only real wealth.” ~ Alfred Nobel

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