Health Alert: Fewer People Are Having a Second Heart Attack. New research shows that a heart attack
sufferer’s risk for a recurrent heart attack within the following year declined by approximately 20% between
2008 and 2017. Study author Dr. Sanne Peters notes, “Improvements in the emergency treatment of heart
attacks and better treatment options for people who survive a heart attack may explain the overall decline.”
Circulation, September 2020
Diet: Is There a Way to Prevent Celiac Disease in Children? The results of the Enquiring About Tolerance
(EAT) Study suggest that introducing gluten into a child’s diet at four months of age may mitigate their risk for
celiac disease. Lead author Dr. Gideon Lack writes, “This is the first study that provides evidence that early
introduction of significant amounts of wheat into a baby’s diet before six months of age may prevent the
development of celiac disease. This strategy may also have implications for other autoimmune diseases such as
Type 1 diabetes.” JAMA Pediatrics, September 2020
Exercise: Sports Good for the Brain. In a recent experiment, researchers observed that engaging in physical
activity resulted in improved performance on memory assessments. Scientific Reports, September 2020
Chiropractic: TMD Linked to Migraine Risk. Researchers reviewed data on 514,866 participants from a
national health screening cohort and identified an association between migraines and temporomandibular
disorder (TMD). The finding adds to a growing body of research suggesting that musculoskeletal disorders may
be either a cause or contributing factor for migraines and addressing such issues—with chiropractic care, for
example—may be necessary to achieve a successful treatment outcome. Diagnostics, September 2020
Mental Attitude: Low Vitamin D Status and Delirium. Delirium, or sudden onset of severe confusion, is
common among older adults following hospitalization. A study involving 351,320 seniors identified an
association between vitamin D deficiency and at least one episode of delirium over the following 14 years. The
researchers conclude, “Because low vitamin D levels are simple to detect and inexpensive and safe to correct,
an intervention trial to confirm these results is urgently needed.”
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, October 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Belly Fat Poses a Health Danger. A review of 72 studies that included more than 2.5
million patients from around the world found that for every four inches (about ten centimeters) of additional
waist circumference, an individual’s risk for early death rose by 11%. BMJ, September 2020
Quote: “Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get.” ~ Ray Kroc

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

Health Alert: Sleep Apnea and Cognitive Impairment. Cognitive assessments completed by 218
individuals—roughly half with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea—revealed an association between more
severe sleep apnea symptoms and worse cognitive function.
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine, October 2020
Diet: Sugar Consumption While Breastfeeding May Affect Cognitive Development of Child. New research
that looked at data concerning 88 mother-child pairs revealed that a high maternal intake of sugary beverages
during the first month of breastfeeding was associated with poorer cognitive development in her offspring at age
two. Researcher Dr. Michael I. Goran writes, “Breastfeeding can have so many benefits… but we’re seeing that
breast milk is influenced by what moms eat and drink even more than we realized.”
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, October 2020
Exercise: Early Sports Helps Girls Reduce ADHD Symptoms Later. A study that included nearly 1,500
children revealed that girls who consistently participated in organized sports were less likely to develop
attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) symptoms than their peers. No such link was noted in boys.
Preventative Medicine, October 2020
Chiropractic: Daily Musculoskeletal Pain Common Among Seniors. Questionnaires completed by 14,155
older men and women revealed that about half experience moderate-to-intense musculoskeletal pain on most
days, often in the lower back, knees, and upper back. Nearly a third reported that their pain regularly interfered
with their sleep, walking, and daily activities. Journal of Aging and Health, September 2020
Mental Attitude: Money Worries Increase Risk of Suicide Among Those with ADHD. According to a new
study, adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to develop financial
difficulties, which places them at an elevated risk for suicide. Study co-author Dr. Theodore Beauchine notes,
“The impulsivity found in ADHD is predisposing to suicide. And if you have a lifetime of financial problems
that can lead to a sense of hopelessness… Hopelessness combined with impulsivity is a really bad combination
and may increase the risk of suicide.” Science Advances, September 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Strict Rules About Tobacco Products Reduces Teens Likelihood to Use Them. A
study that included over 23,000 teenagers revealed that adolescents are up to 26% less likely to use tobacco
products when parents had set strict rules on the matter. Pediatrics, October 2020
Quote: “The groundwork of all happiness is health.” ~ Leigh Hunt
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Glass-Topped Tables Pose Risks. Between 2009 and 2015, more than 3,200 individuals
required trauma care for injuries associated with glass-topped tables, with the majority involving young
adults and children under the age of seven. Experts note that at least half of these injuries were linked to
faulty design or construction, suggesting that improved safety standards could substantially reduce the risk
of injury associated with glass-topped tables. American Journal of Surgery, September 2020
Diet: Can a Healthy Diet Reduce Heart Risks in Obese Adults? New research that looked at long-term
health and dietary data concerning over 79,000 adults found that adopting a Mediterranean-style diet can
mitigate some, but not all, of the cardiovascular risks associated with obesity.
PLOS Medicine, September 2020
Exercise: Exercise Can Help Diabetics Live Longer. A survey of 4,859 adults found that diabetics who
met exercise guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week had a 32% lower risk
for early death than those classified as physically inactive.
European Association for the Study of Diabetes, September 2020
Chiropractic: Spinal Manipulation for Lumbar Radiculopathy? For patients with subacute or chronic
lumbar radiculopathy, spinal manipulative therapy—a form of treatment provided by doctors of
chiropractic—may be an effective intervention for improving back and leg pain, perceived disability, spinal
range of motion, and performance on the straight leg raise test (a common diagnostic for radiculopathy).
American Journal of Medicine, September 2020
Mental Attitude: Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Has Mental Impact on Children. Using data from
the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study, researchers estimate that in utero exposure to
cannabis is associated with an elevated childhood risk for depression, anxiety, impulsivity, social problems,
and lower cognitive performance. JAMA Psychiatry, September 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Rest or Massage Helps Reduce Stress. According to a recent study, ten minutes of
either rest or massage are effective at psychological and physiological stress. Lead study author Dr. Maria
Meier writes, “We are very encouraged by the findings that short periods of dis-engagement are enough to
relax not just the mind but also the body.” Scientific Reports, September 2020
Quote: “Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
~ Bill Keane
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Many Women Are Unaware of Heart Attack Risk. The American Heart Association
reports that, between 2009 and 2017, the percentage of women who knew that heart disease was the top
killer of women fell from 65% to 44%. Circulation, September 2020
Diet: Vitamin E May Be Vital for Nervous System Development. The result of a recent animal study
showed that the offspring of zebrafish with vitamin E deficiency exhibited malformed brains and nervous
systems. Researcher Dr. Maret Traber writes, “This is totally amazing—the brain is absolutely physically
distorted by not having enough vitamin E.” Scientific Reports, September 2020
Exercise: HIIT Is a Good Idea for Type 2 Diabetics. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form of
exercise that involves short intervals of near-maximal effort such as sprinting or stair climbing, separated
by intervals of moderate-intensity exercise, such as jogging or fast walking. A recent study showed that
type 2 diabetics who participated in an eight-week HIIT program that included cycling and rowing
experienced significant improvements in insulin sensitivity, aerobic fitness, and body composition.
Diabetologia, September 2020
Chiropractic: Thoracic Mobilization for Shoulder Pain? For patients with subacromial impingement
syndrome, a recent study showed that the combination of specific exercises and joint mobilizations
targeting the mid-back resulted in greater improvements in thoracic kyphosis, upper trapezius muscle tone,
and shoulder range of motion than either treatment alone. The finding suggests that dysfunction in the
thoracic spine may play a role in subacromial impingement syndrome, and such issues may need to be
addressed to achieve a satisfactory treatment outcome. Healthcare, September 2020
Mental Attitude: Just the Right Amount of Sleep is Vital for Brain Health. Using data from the
English Longitudinal Study of Aging and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, researchers
report that sleeping fewer than four hours or more than ten hours a night is associated with a faster
progression of cognitive decline over time than sleeping seven hours a night.
JAMA Network Open, September 2020
Wellness/Prevention: The High Cost of Smoking. The current research suggests that individuals who are
smokers at age 45 can expect to live about five fewer years than their nonsmoker peers.
Urology of Virginia, September 2020
Quote: “Don’t hold on to the past; it won’t help in moving forward. Dare to dream big.” ~ Rajeev Suri
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Fatty Liver a Common Issue with Type 1 Diabetics. A review of data from 20 published
studies showed that approximately 20% of adult type 1 diabetics will develop non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease—a condition that occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol
consumption. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, December 2020
Diet: Whole Grains May Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk. Using data from the NIH-AARP Diet and
Health Study, researchers estimate that a diet rich in whole grains may reduce an individual’s risk for
colorectal cancer by up to 16%. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, September 2020
Exercise: Fitness May Reduce Risk for Hospital Readmission. According to a study that looked at the
health history of 580 hospitalized diabetic patients, those who lived a sedentary lifestyle were more likely
to be readmitted to the hospital within one month, six months, and one year than physically active patients.
BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, October 2020
Chiropractic: Manual Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritic Knee Pain. Among a group of 46 rheumatoid
arthritis patients with knee pain, those treated with ten sessions of manual therapy (joint mobilization and
post isometric relaxation) experienced a greater reduction in knee pain than participants who received a
standard exercise intervention. The research team recommends further studies to determine the role of
manual therapy techniques, such as those provided by doctors of chiropractic, in the management of
rheumatoid arthritis patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Evidence Based Complimentary Alternative Medicine, August 2020
Mental Attitude: Declining Physical and Mental Health Increases Fall Risk. Seniors with co-occurring
physical frailty and cognitive impairment are 3.5 times more likely to experience two or more falls over a
three-year period than their more physically and mentally robust peers.
European Journal of Neurology, October 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Early Bedtime Best for Diabetics? Questionnaires completed by 635 type 2
diabetics revealed that those who went to bed late and woke up later in the morning were more likely to
have an excessively sedentary lifestyle, which places them at an elevated risk for several poor health
outcomes. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, July 2020
Quote: “Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.”
~ William Penn
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.