Health Alert: Menopause Linked to Sleep Apnea and Painful Joints. Researchers report that
postmenopausal women are 4.5 times more likely than premenopausal women to report sleep apnea, and they
are also at increased risk for joint pain. Menopause, March 2022
Diet: Plant-Based Diet May Protect the Brain. An analysis of diet and cognitive performance data concerning
over 4,700 adults found that consuming a plant-based diet may slow cognitive decline.
American Heart Association, March 2022
Exercise: Exercise May Protect the Aging Brain. In a study that included 51 older adults, researchers
observed that spending more time engaged in physical activities of any intensity improved function in areas of
the brain important for executive function skills, which can help seniors remain independent. Lead author Dr.
Marissa Gogniat notes, “We’ve always been told it’s good to exercise, but I think this is some evidence that
exercise can actually change your brain… And that impacts the way you’re able to function in your daily life.”
Sport Sciences for Health, January 2022
Chiropractic: Sleep Quality and Low Back Pain. Among a group of 215 patients with low back pain,
researchers observed an association between poor sleep quality and higher pain intensity six months later. On
the other hand, participants with higher pain intensity at the start of the study were more likely to have poor
sleep 24 weeks later. The findings support the concept that back pain and poor sleep have a bi-directional
relationship, and concurrent treatment to address both sleep and back pain may be necessary for some patients
to achieve lasting relief. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, December 2021
Mental Attitude: Steps to Prevent Dementia. Stanford Medicine reports that the following lifestyle behaviors
may reduce one’s risk for dementia: not smoking; staying at a healthy weight; getting plenty of exercise, eating
healthy food; managing health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol; staying
mentally alert by learning new hobbies, reading, or solving crossword puzzles; and staying involved socially by
attending community activities, church, or support groups. Stanford Medicine, March 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Get Your Eyes Checked. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends
seeing an eye doctor promptly if you are suffering from the following: difficulty seeing properly, redness of
your eye(s), draining or eye pain, double vision, small specks that seem to “float” in front of your eyes, halos
that appear to surround lights, and visions that appear to resemble flashes of light.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 2022
Quote: “Problems are cured by facing their cause.” ~ Vernon Howard

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

Health Alert: Irregular Periods Linked to Greater Risk for Liver Disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD) is a condition that occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol
consumption, and it is associated with a number of poor health outcomes. An analysis of data concerning
72,092 women under the age of 40 found that those with long or irregular periods were 49% more likely to
develop NAFLD over the following four to five years.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, March 2022
Diet: Sulfur Amino Acids Are Bad for the Heart. The American Heart Association reports that a high intake
of sulfur amino acids—most commonly found in beef, chicken, and milk—may be associated with a 12%
increased risk of cardiovascular disease over a three-decade time period.
American Heart Association, March 2022
Exercise: Exercise Decreases Clot Risk in Patients with NAFLD. Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD) are at risk for several poor health outcomes, including blood clots. A recent study that
included 24 NAFLD patients found that participating in a 20-week aerobic exercise training program
significantly reduced the presence of a protein called plasminogen activator inhibitor, which helps clots remain
intact. Hepatology, December 2021
Chiropractic: Mobilization Decreases Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients. For patients with moderate-tosevere knee osteoarthritis, a new study found that mobilization therapy—a form of treatment provided by
doctors of chiropractic—is effective for improving function, reducing pain, and lowering pain sensitivity.
European Journal of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine, January 2022
Mental Attitude: Childhood Troubles Can Have Lifelong Consequences. Following a review of data from
the ESPRIT study, researchers report that experiencing five or more adverse childhood events—such as
emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and emotional and physical neglect—is associated with a 52% increased
risk for dementia. Journal of Affective Disorders, May 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Healthy Mouth, Healthy Heart. Past studies have linked oral and cardiovascular
health. A new study that looked at saliva samples from 1,200 women identified 15 types of mouth bacteria that
were linked to either an elevated or reduced risk for hypertension. Senior author Dr. Michael LaMonte adds,
“This is an interesting finding… and it tells us there may be more to blood pressure control than we understand.
We need to keep an open mind.” Journal of the American Heart Association, March 2022
Quote: “I will go anywhere, provided it is forward.” ~ David Livingstone

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

Health Alert: Vaping May Increase Risk of Diabetes. An analysis of data concerning over 600,000 adults
found that e-cigarette use may be associated with a 54% increased risk for prediabetes—a term used to describe
elevated blood sugar levels that have not yet reached the threshold for diabetes diagnosis. Senior researcher Dr.
Shyam Biswal adds, “There is a real concern that there’s a perception among the younger population that ecigarettes are a safer alternative [to smoking]… But more and more evidence is piling up that e-cigarettes are
not safe.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine, March 2022
Diet: Nordic Diet Helps Lower Cholesterol & Blood Sugar. Among a group of 200 overweight, middle-aged
adults, researchers observed that those who adopted the Nordic diet—an eating pattern rich in berries, veggies,
fish, whole grains, and rapeseed oil—experienced greater improvements in their cholesterol levels and glucose
regulation than participants who maintained their usual diet. Clinical Nutrition, December 2021
Exercise: How Many Steps Per Day? A systematic review that included 15 studies found that for adults over
the age of 60, an average of 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day is associated with a reduced risk of premature death.
Meanwhile, for adults under age 60, the optimal number of steps appears to fall in the 8,000 to 10,000 stepsper-day range. The Lancet Public Health, March 2022
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Complaints Common in Nurses. Questionnaires completed by 550 nurses
revealed that 88.1% experienced work-related musculoskeletal pain in the previous twelve months, with the low
back, shoulders, and neck as the most affected areas.
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, February 2022
Mental Attitude: Biggest Risk Factors for Dementia. The American Heart Association reports that 42% of
dementia cases in the United States can be attributed to these twelve factors: lower educational attainment,
hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, high blood pressure, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, smoking,
depression, social isolation, not getting the recommended amount of physical activity, diabetes, and air
pollution. American Heart Association, March 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Steps to Prevent Colon Cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer
in the United States, but steps can be taken to reduce one’s risk for this deadly condition, such as: attend
screenings starting at age 45 or sooner if you have a family history; eat a healthy diet full of fruit, vegetables,
and whole grains, while limiting beef, pork, lamb, and processed meats; get physically active; maintain a
healthy weight; avoid or limit alcohol; and don’t smoke. Cedars-Sinai, March 2022
Quote: “The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.” ~ Henrik Ibsen

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

Health Alert: Potential Long-Term Effects of High School Football. Compared with middle-aged
individuals who did not play contact sports or any sport in high school, those who played high school football
were more likely to have sleep problems and to take medication for either chronic pain or headaches during the
last year. However, the study did not find that former high school football players had an increased risk for
depression, anxiety, anger, concentration problems, or memory problems.
Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, March 2022
Diet: Stay Hydrated. Healthline reports the following benefits for remaining hydrated: helps maximize
physical performance, significantly affects energy levels and brain function, may prevent headaches, may help
relieve constipation, may help treat kidney stones, helps prevent hangovers, and can aid weight loss.
Healthline, February 2022
Exercise: Lift Weights for About an Hour a Week. A meta-analysis of 16 studies found that strength training
for between 40-60 minutes a week is the optimal dose for reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease.
BMJ, February 2022
Chiropractic: Is Standing Better for Guitar Players? Examinations of 25 guitar players revealed that
compared with standing, playing while sitting results in greater tilt of the torso, increased abduction of the right
shoulder, higher flexion of the left shoulder, and a higher radial deviation of the left wrist, which may increase
the risk for musculoskeletal pain in these areas. PLOS ONE, January 2022
Mental Attitude: Early Menopause May Increase Dementia Risk. According to a study that looked at the
long-term health histories of over 153,000 women, entering menopause before the age of 40 is associated with a
35% increased risk for dementia later in life when compared with women who begin menopause around age 50.
Researcher Dr. Wenting Hao notes that estrogen can activate antioxidants in the brain that clear out proteins
known to play a role in the development of dementia. American Heart Association, March 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Signs of a Stroke. The American Stroke Association notes the following are signs and
symptoms of a stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the
body); sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden vision issues in one or both eyes;
sudden difficulty walking or dizziness; loss of balance or problems with coordination; and severe headache with
no known cause. If you notice any of these sudden and severe signs of stroke, summon emergency services
immediately. American Stroke Association, March 2022
Quote: “Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; an argument an exchange of ignorance.” ~ Robert Quillen

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