Health Alert: Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Linked to Cardiovascular Disease. According to a new
study, an individual’s risk for a cardiovascular event increases along with their intake of fast food, sweets, and
sugary beverages. More specifically, consuming 7.5 servings of ultra-processed foods a week is linked to an
8.1% elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, and the risk doubles at the 18 servings per week mark.
European Society of Cardiology, August 2021
Diet: Kids Eat More Fruit and Veggies if Dad Does Too. In line with past research that focused on motherchild pairs, a study that included nearly 10,000 father-child dyads found that children were more likely to
consume fruit and vegetables if they saw their father doing so as part of a regular diet.
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, September 2021
Exercise: Fitness May Not Counter Effects of Sedentary Behavior. Prolonged sitting has been shown to
impair vascular endothelial function. New research suggests that being aerobically fit does not protect an
individual from the adverse outcomes associated with prolonged bouts of sedentary behavior.
European Journal of Applied Physiology, August 2021
Chiropractic: Benefits of Manual Therapy for Myofascial Trigger Points. A myofascial trigger point is a
hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with chronic pain conditions. A review of 13 randomized
controlled trials concluded that manual therapies are effective at improving range of motion in patients with
myofascial trigger points. Doctors of chiropractic often utilize manual therapies to address trigger points in
patients with back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Pain Medicine, July 2021
Mental Attitude: ADHD Linked to Food Addiction? Questionnaires completed by nearly 400 adults revealed
an association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom severity and the risk for food
addiction. Appetite, December 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Gum Disease Tied to Heart Disease. A study that included nearly 1,600 participants
found that those with gum disease were 49% more likely to have a nonfatal heart attack, stroke, or severe heart
failure over the following six years. Researchers suspect that gum disease may allow germs to enter the
bloodstream and accelerate inflammation that is harmful to blood vessels.
European Society of Cardiology, August 2021
Quote: “It’s not what you say out of your mouth that determines your life, it’s what you whisper to yourself that
has the most power!” ~ Robert T. Kiyosaki
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Diabetes Worsens Outcomes for Stroke Survivors. Using data from Israel’s National Stroke
Registry, researchers report that ischemic stroke patients with diabetes are less likely to survive one year than
stroke survivors without a history of diabetes. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, October 2021
Diet: Cutting Sugar from Packaged Foods Could Prevent Disease in Millions. The United States National
Salt and Sugar Reduction Initiative estimates that reducing added sugars in packaged food products by 20% and
beverages by 40% could prevent 2.48 million cardiovascular disease events and 750,000 diabetes cases over the
lifetime of the current population of adults over age 35. Circulation, August 2021
Exercise: Pain Affects Athletes Differently. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of endurance athletes and
non-athletes revealed that athletes are less sensitive to painful stimuli, and the brains of the two groups respond
differently to heat stress. Human Brain Mapping, September 2021
Chiropractic: Posture is Important to Reduce Text Neck. The prolonged use of electronic handheld devices
causes adverse anatomical and biomechanical changes to the cervical and thoracic spine, muscular imbalances,
and postural compensations. These changes contribute to muscular overuse, fatigue, and eventually pain. To
safely use electronic devices, experts recommend holding the device close to eye level, using a larger screen,
and type with both hands. Work, August 2021
Mental Attitude: Substance Abuse Risk Higher in Adults with ADHD. New research suggests that adults
with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have an increased risk for substance abuse, from alcohol
to marijuana to more illicit drugs. The findings suggest that adults seeking treatment for substance abuse should
be screened for ADHD as co-managing both conditions may be necessary for a satisfactory outcome.
Alcohol and Alcoholism, August 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Health Tips for Women. The Guadalupe Regional Medical Center notes that women
often fall into the habit of taking care of others, but it’s also important they take care of themselves. The
following tips can improve a woman’s odds for a healthier life: stop smoking, stay on top of annual wellness
checks, don’t skimp on sleep, avoid sun between 10 AM and 2 PM, exercise, and eat a healthy diet.
Guadalupe Regional Medical Center, August 2021
Quote: “It is wise to direct your anger towards problems—not people; to focus your energies on answers—not
excuses.” ~ William Arthur Ward
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Higher Temperatures May Worsen COPD. Researchers analyzed data collected from almost
1,200 current and former smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and found that a 1
degree (Celsius) rise in ambient temperature increased the likelihood of an exacerbation of COPD symptoms by
2% over the following two days. European Respiratory Society, September 2021
Diet: Avocados Improve Belly Fat Distribution in Women. Overweight or obese women who added one
avocado a day to their diet experienced a decrease in deep visceral abdominal fat over the course of twelve
weeks. Journal of Nutrition, June 2021
Exercise: Benefits of Swimming. Swim England notes that swimming offers the following benefits: provides a
full-body workout, great for general wellbeing, helps de-stress and relax, helps burn calories, lowers the risk of
for several chronic diseases, helps increases energy levels, and it can be done without sweating.
Swim England, August 2021
Chiropractic: The Occipital Nerve’s Role in Neck Pain and Headaches. A recent experiment involving 22
patients with chronic headaches and/or neck pain showed that removing pressure on the greater occipital nerve
resulted in substantial improvement in the patients’ headache/neck pain symptoms. Doctors of chiropractic
often utilize manual therapy techniques to reduce pressure on nerves, such as the greater occipital nerve, when
treating headache and neck pain patients. Acta Neurochirurgica, September 2021
Mental Attitude: Risk Factors of Paternal Postpartum Depression. It’s estimated that postpartum
depression can affect up to one in four new dads. A systematic review of 37 studies identified the following
factors for paternal postpartum depression: unemployment, lack of support from friends and family, negative
life events, high perceived stress, financial strain, and a history of mental illness.
Journal of Affective Disorders, October 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Tips for Better Sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists the
following habits to improve one’s sleep hygiene: be consistent with bed times; make sure your bedroom is
quiet, dark, relaxing, and kept at a comfortable temperature; remove electronic devices from the bedroom; avoid
large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before going to bed; and get some exercise during the day.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2021
Quote: “The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.” ~ William James
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.