Health Alert: Maternal Obesity May Affect Liver Health of Offspring. According to a new study, children
born to women who were obese during early pregnancy appear to have up to a three-times increased risk for
fatty liver disease, which is associated with several poor health outcomes. Lead author Dr. Hannes Hagström
writes, “The findings are important because obesity is becoming more common at a young age, and fatty liver
due to being overweight, is increasing in the world. If a tendency towards obesity and fatty liver disease can be
‘inherited,’ it can have consequences for public health.” Journal of Hepatology, July 2021
Diet: Omega-3s May Help Fight Asthma. New research suggests that a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids
may help to reduce the inflammation in the lungs that is commonly observed in patients with asthma.
Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, July 2021
Exercise: Exercise Improves Survival Rates for Those with Defibrillators. An implantable cardioverter
defibrillator (ICD) is a medical device that is placed under the skin to correct cardiac arrhythmias. A review of
data concerning nearly 42,000 ICD patients showed that those who participated in a cardiac rehabilitation
program were 24% less likely to die in the three years following the implantation of their device.
Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, July 2021
Chiropractic: Mobilization for Knee Osteoarthritis. A small study that included 15 patients with
osteoarthritis of the knee found that adding mobilization to a conservative therapy treatment plan resulted in
greater improvements with respect to pain, range of motion, hamstring peak muscle force, and walking ability.
Doctors of chiropractic are well versed in the conservative care of knee osteoarthritis, which may include the
application of mobilization therapies. In Vivo, June 2021
Mental Attitude: Living Near Woodlands Promotes Mental Health. The result of a recent study that
included over 3,500 children and teens found that participants who lived near woodlands were 16% less likely
to develop behavioral or emotional problems over the following two years. The findings add to a growing body
of research that regular exposure to nature can provide a number of physical and mental health benefits.
Nature Sustainability, July 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Diet and Ulcerative Colitis Risk. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel
disease that can cause abdominal cramps and pain and even bloody diarrhea. A study that compared the diet of
384 UC patients and 665 age-matched adults without a history of UC found that a higher intake of vegetables
and vitamins A and C is associated with about a 50% reduced risk for the disease. Nutrition, June 2021
Quote: “For success, attitude is equally as important as ability.” ~ Walter Scott

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

Health Alert: Beware of Breathing Issues in Children During Sleep. Interviews with over 1,600 parents revealed
that nearly all considered symptoms of apnea (snoring and/or gasping) among their children to be a problem, but
most failed to share these concerns with their child’s healthcare provider. Researcher Dr. Kurt Lushington writes,
“While there does need to be more education for parents on symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing—particularly
around snoring or heavy breathing being a potential cause for concern—there are clearly other barriers to parents
bringing up sleep problems in medical consultations… To address this, we suggest medical practitioners need to
purposely include questions about sleep at consultations to prompt parents to discuss any symptoms they may have
observed in their children at night.” University of South Australia, July 2021
Diet: Lack of Fiber May Increase Risk of Gut Infection. During an experiment on the effect of different diets and
obesity on mice, researchers observed that a low fiber intake—regardless of other diet qualities—was associated
with a greater risk for developing adherent–invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) infection in the intestinal tract.
American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, July 2021
Exercise: Exercise Can Alter Expression of Some Disease-Related Genes. Epigenetic marks are chemical
modifications that serve as on/off switches for many genes. In a recent study, researchers observed that participating
in a six-week endurance exercise program stimulated epigenetic changes to genes normally associated with increased
risk for disease. Molecular Metabolism, July 2021
Chiropractic: Neck Linked to Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms. Several recent studies have suggested that
injury to the neck may be associated with prolonged recovery from concussion. In this study, researchers observed
that the addition of conservative care to improve cervical function to the treatment plan of post-concussion syndrome
patients improved outcomes. Doctors of chiropractic are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the
cervical spine that commonly accompany concussion. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, July 2021
Mental Attitude: Acne Can Affect Mental Wellbeing. A survey of 50 adults suffering from acne revealed that the
skin condition can have a negative effect on one’s emotional wellbeing. Study author Dr. John Barbieri explains,
“Some felt that their acne made them appear less professional or qualified at work, and many described that having
fewer peers with acne in adulthood magnified the impact of acne on their mental health, leading to feelings of social
isolation.” JAMA Dermatology, July 2021
Wellness/Prevention: How to Avoid Being a Victim of Crime. Columbia University offers these tips to reduce
one’s risk for being a victim of crime: pay attention to your surroundings; limit time spent on phone calls in public
places; if you suspect someone is following you, find an open store or public space and call the police; and keep
electronic devices in an inside pocket. Columbia University, July 2021
Quote: “The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

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

Health Alert: Added Sugar and Breast Cancer Risk. Using data from the Nurses’ Health Study I and II,
researchers report that a high intake of added sugar is associated with an increased risk for breast cancer, and a
diet characterized by less added sugar and more servings of fruit and vegetables is linked to a lower risk for the
disease. European Journal of Nutrition, June 2021
Diet: Mediterranean Diet Benefits the Brain. The Mediterranean diet is an eating pattern focused on eating
fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, olive oil, and whole grains while avoiding red and processed meats, dairy,
saturated fats, and refined sugars. The current research notes that greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet
may reduce the risk for both depression and neurodegenerative disease. Nutrients, June 2021
Exercise: Engage in More Types of Exercise. Past research has shown that exercise can protect against
depression. An analysis of data from the 2014, 2016, and 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition
Examination Surveys showed that including two or more types of exercise into one’s physical fitness routine
can offer even more protection from depressive symptoms. Scientific Reports, August 2021
Chiropractic: Exercise and Manual Therapy Benefits a Common Shoulder Problem. For patients with
shoulder impingement syndrome, new research shows that adding manual therapy to exercise therapy can lead
to greater improvements in muscle function and self-reported disability. This treatment approach is often
utilized by doctors of chiropractic in the management of shoulder impingement syndrome.
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, April 2021
Mental Attitude: Stressful Experiences During Childhood Can Affect the Gut. A review of past studies
suggests that stress associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can negatively affect the gut
microbiota, which may explain one pathway by which ACEs can affect one’s long-term health. Examples of
ACEs include abuse (physical, sexual, emotional); neglect (physical, emotional); witnessing domestic violence,
substance abuse, or mental illness in the household; and the loss of a parent (separation, divorce, incarceration,
death). Behavioral Brain Research, July 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Avoiding Eczema Flare-ups. Eczema is a group of skin conditions that causes red,
itchy rashes that affects up to 20% of infants and about 3% of adults and children. To help prevent an eczema
flare-up, WebMD recommends the following: moisturize your skin frequently, avoid sudden changes in
temperature and humidity, avoid sweating or getting too hot, manage stress, avoid scratchy materials, identify
and avoid foods that trigger symptoms, and use a humidifier in your house. WebMD, July 2021
Quote: “A closed mind is a dying mind.” ~ Edna Ferber

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

Health Alert: Sleep and Diet Can Increase Longevity. An analysis of data concerning over 13,000 older
adults revealed that eating several servings of vegetables a day and sleeping 7-8 hours a night can reduce one’s
risk for early death in the following six years by up to 34%. BMC Geriatrics, June 2021
Diet: Breastfeeding Promotes Healthier Blood Pressure for Children. Examinations of nearly 2,400 threeyear-old children showed that those who were breastfed for any duration—even in just the first days of life—
had lower blood pressure than the kids who had never breastfed.
Journal of the American Heart Association, July 2021
Exercise: Neighborhood Characteristics Can Affect Hypertension Risk. Using data from two ongoing
studies, researchers report that individuals living in neighborhoods that are more conducive to pedestrian traffic
and have greater access to parks are less likely to have high blood pressure than those residing in areas with less
greenspace and reduced walkability. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, August 2021
Chiropractic: Manual Therapy Techniques for Migraines. Among a group of 50 migraine patients, those
treated with manual therapy once a week for four weeks experienced greater improvements in pain intensity,
migraine disability, and quality of life than participants provided with a placebo/sham treatment. Doctors of
chiropractic employ a variety of manual therapy techniques to treat patients with migraines and other types of
headache. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, August 2021
Mental Attitude: Dementia Can Happen at Younger Ages. New research suggests that 5% of dementia cases
occur in individuals under age 65 with 119 cases of early-onset dementia occurring for every 100,000 people
globally. Researcher Dr. Stevie Hendriks adds, “We see that the first symptoms in young people are usually not
the symptoms you would expect when you think of dementia… Instead of memory impairment, young people
more often present with changes in behavior or emotions, or sometimes language problems.”
JAMA Neurology, July 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Prevent Jock Itch. Tinea cruris, otherwise known as jock itch, is a fungal infection that
can cause a red and itchy rash in warm and moist areas of the body, such as the groin. To prevent jock itch, the
Mayo Clinic recommends the following: keep your groin area dry after exercise or showering; wear clean
clothes that don’t chafe skin in the groin area; don’t share personal items (clothes or towels); and treat or
prevent athlete’s foot because it can spread to the groin. Mayo Clinic, July 2021
Quote: “Wherever we are, it is our friends that make our world.” ~ Henry Drummond

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