WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Napa Chiropractor, 7-27-2020

Health Alert: As a Nation’s Wealth Grows, So Do Men’s Waistlines. Using four decades of data
concerning nearly 150 countries, researchers report that for every 1% increase in a nation’s per capita
income, the obesity rate among men in the country rises 1.23%. PLOS ONE, May 2020
Diet: Can Too Much Coffee Be Bad for Your Health? Researchers examined connections between
genetics, habitual coffee consumption, and health conditions from a dataset that included over 300,000
adults in the UK Biobank and found that drinking six or more cups of coffee a day is associated with an
elevated risk of osteoarthritis, arthropathy, and obesity. Clinical Nutrition, March 2020
Exercise: Exercise Cleans Muscles. According to a new study, an intense ten-minute bout of exercise
increases the activity of the “death marker protein” called ubiquitin, which helps remove worn-out
proteins from muscle tissue. Researcher Dr. Jørgen Wojtaszewski writes, “Basically, it explains part of
the reason why physical activity is healthy. The beauty is that muscle use, in and of itself, is what
initiates the processes that keep muscles up to date, healthy, and functional.”
FASEB Journal, May 2020
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies for CTS. Among a group of 30 patients with carpal tunnel
syndrome (CTS), researchers observed that mechanical interface mobilization and nerve mobilization
techniques are both effective treatments for improving nerve function and reducing pain and disability.
Doctors of chiropractic often utilize these manual therapy techniques along with other conservative
treatment options for patients with CTS. Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine, April 2020
Mental Attitude: Creative Art, Storytelling, and Mild Cognitive Impairment. A review of findings
from 64 published studies found that participating in creative art or storytelling programs can improve
brain function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Ageing Research Reviews, June 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Surprising Contributors to Heart Disease. WebMD notes that in addition to
lack of exercise and a poor diet, the following are also associated with an elevated risk for heart
disease: belly fat, dental problems, loneliness, long work hours, a history of migraines, shift work, and
snoring. WebMD, June 2020
Quote: “We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.” ~ Calvin Coolidge

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Napa Chiropractor, 7-20-2020

Health Alert: Singing and Snoring. A review of findings from six published studies noted that people
who frequently sing have a reduced risk for obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, June 2020
Diet: Almonds Good for Vascular Health. During a six-week study, researchers observed that
participants who replaced unhealthy snack foods with almonds experienced improvements in both
endothelial function (the functionality of the thin membrane that lines the heart and blood vessels) and
their cholesterol readings. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2020
Exercise: Aerobic Exercise May Benefit Asthmatics. An analysis of data from eleven published
studies concluded that aerobic exercise training can lead to improvements in both asthma control and
lung function. European Respiratory Journal, April 2020
Chiropractic: Myofascial Therapy for Neck Pain. Among a group of 54 patients with mechanical
neck pain, researchers observed that five sessions of myofascial release therapy were more effective at
reducing pain and improving pain sensitivity than ten sessions of massage, ultrasound therapy, and
transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation. Doctors of chiropractic commonly use myofascial techniques
in the treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, April 2020
Mental Attitude: Mindfulness Improves Mood of MS Patients. Mindfulness is described as the
ability to be fully present, aware of where you are, and calm about what’s going on around you. In a
recent study involving 61 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, researchers observed that those who
received mindfulness training experienced improvements in cognitive function and mood regulation.
Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology, May 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Ways to Stay Healthy As You Age. WebMD offers five tips to remain healthy
when getting older: eat more vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains while eating less butter, fatty
meats, sugar, and salt; exercise for at least thirty minutes a day; go to bed and wake up at the same time
every day; start a new hobby; and stay in contact with loved ones. WebMD, June 2020
Quote: “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” ~ Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Napa Chiropractor, 7-13-2020

Health Alert: Oil & Gas Wells Linked to Low Infant Birth Weight. An analysis of nearly 3 million
pregnancy outcomes from women living within six miles of an oil or gas well revealed that living within
less than a mile of these types of wells is associated with a 40% increased risk for low birth weight.
Environmental Health Perspectives, June 2020
Diet: Warning Labels Could Reduce Soda Consumption. A review of findings from 23 published
studies suggests that adding health warning labels to soft drink packaging could reduce sugary drink intake.
Study leader Dr. Anna Grummon writes, “Our findings suggest that sugary drink warnings help consumers
better understand products’ healthfulness and encourage consumers to make healthier choices about what
drinks to buy… These results highlight the potential usefulness of sugary drink warning policies in both
informing consumers and reducing consumption of unhealthy beverages like sodas, energy drinks and fruitflavored drinks.” American Society for Nutrition, May 2020
Exercise: Exercise Helps College Students Be More Resilient. University students who regularly
exercise are less likely to be affected by depression, anxiety, or stress than their less active peers.
Frontiers in Psychology, May 2020
Chiropractic: Car Accidents and Back Pain. A systematic research review discovered that individuals
involved in a motor vehicle collision may be more likely to develop back pain in the future than those who
have not been in a car accident. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to evaluate and effectively treat
musculoskeletal injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents. Accident Analysis & Prevention, May 2020
Mental Attitude: Noise, Air Pollution, and Alzheimer’s. New research suggests that frequent exposure
to elevated noise and carbon monoxide levels may lead to increased oxidative stress in the body, which
may raise the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Medical Gas Research, June 2020
Wellness/Prevention: How to Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk. The American Cancer Society offers the
following tips to reduce colorectal cancer risk: eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains; limit intake of
red and processed meats; get the recommended levels of calcium and vitamin D; avoid obesity and weight
gain around the midsection; don’t smoke; and limit alcohol consumption.
American Cancer Society, June 2020
Quote: “Life is about timing.” ~ Carl Lewis

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Napa Chiropractor, 7-6-2020

Health Alert: Inherited High Cholesterol May Signal Heart Trouble Earlier in Adulthood.
Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited disorder that causes high cholesterol. Researchers report
that individuals with this condition are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease before middle
age; however, less than 10% of adults with familial hypercholesterolemia know they have it.
American Heart Association, June 2020
Diet: Calories Listed on Menus Offer Health Benefits. Because posting calories on menus leads
consumers to make healthier food choices, researchers estimate that this practice may prevent nearly
15,000 cases of cardiovascular disease in the United States within five years. Circulation, June 2020
Exercise: Another Way Exercise Helps the Brain. According to a new study, engaging in a twelveweek aerobic exercise program can increase cortical excitability, which can improve one’s ability to
create mental imagery. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, June 2020
Chiropractic: Neck Problems May Contribute to Migraines/TMD in Teens. Among a group of 314
teenagers with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), researchers observed that those with comorbid
migraines were more likely to have abnormal cervical posture, trigger points in the trapezius muscles,
and neck pain. The findings suggest that treatment to address cervical dysfunction may benefit
adolescents with co-occurring migraines and TMD. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, June 2020
Mental Attitude: Gum Disease Linked to Dementia? Researchers reviewed data from twelve studies
and concluded that individuals with a history of periodontal disease have a 38% increased risk for
dementia. European Journal of Epidemiology, June 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Poor Vitamin D Status and Pre-Eclampsia. Approximately 2-8% of pregnant
women develop pre-eclampsia, a condition marked by high blood pressure and other signs that a
woman’s organs, such as the kidneys and liver, are not functioning properly. In a study that looked at
vitamin D status of 370 new mothers, 201 of whom had pre-eclampsia, researchers observed that
vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy was associated with an elevated risk for both early- and latestage pre-eclampsia. Clinical Laboratory, June 2020
Quote: “There’s no one to stop you but yourself.” ~ Dave Thomas

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