Health Alert: Fatty Liver Disease May Increase Risk for Heart Failure. 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. Following an analysis of national
health survey data from 2005-2018, researchers report that NAFLD patients are 3.5 times more likely to
develop heart failure than individuals with healthy liver function. American Heart Association, November 2022
Diet: A Low-Carb Diet Might Raise Type 2 Diabetes Risk. Past research has shown that a low-carbohydrate
diet can lower the risk for type 2 diabetes, but a recent study suggests this may not always be the case.
Researchers analyzed data concerning over 200,000 adults and found that individuals on a low-carb diet
featuring protein and fat that is primarily from animal-based sources had a 35% increased risk for type 2
diabetes. American Heart Association, November 2022
Exercise: When Is Exercise Too Intense for the Heart? When exercising, it’s important to elevate your heart
rate enough to get a good workout, while not too high as to place unnecessary stress on the heart. The American
College of Sports Medicine recommends keeping your heart rate below 85% of your maximum heart rate,
which is calculated by subtracting your age from the number 220. For example, a 50-year-old man should keep
their heart rate under 144.5 beats per minute. WebMD, November 2022
Chiropractic: Managing Non-Specific Chronic Neck Pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis of data
from 119 studies concluded that a combination of active and/or passive non-pharmacological interventions—
such as those provided by a doctor of chiropractic—is an effective approach for the management of non-specific
chronic neck pain. Journal of Physical Therapy, October 2022
Mental Attitude: Why Children May Learn Quicker Than Grownups. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
is responsible for inhibiting the excitability of brain cells and balancing the neuronal activity required for
healthy brain function. With the aid of state-of-the-art neuroimaging, researchers observed that GABA levels
are lower in children, which may help to explain why kids can learn new concepts faster than adults.
Current Biology, November 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Six Dangerous Habits Young Drivers Should Avoid. To improve road safety, Safe
Kids Worldwide recommends that teen drivers avoid the following dangerous driving habits: not wearing seat
belts, texting while driving, riding with two or more teenage passengers, drinking and driving, driving at night,
and speeding. Safe Kids Worldwide, November 2022
Quote: “A decision made in anger is never sound.” ~ Ford Frick

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

Health Alert: Depression Is a Risk Factor for Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity. Cardiometabolic
multimorbidity is characterized as having two of the following three conditions: hypertension, diabetes, and
cardiovascular disease. Past research has shown that individuals who meet these criteria have a 12-15 reduced
life expectancy. A recent study found that depression is associated with up to a 68% increased risk for
developing cardiometabolic multimorbidity during a twelve-year timeframe.
Journal of Affective Disorders, December 2022
Diet: High Sugar Intake Associated with Premature Aging in Childhood Cancer Survivors. In a cohort
study that monitored childhood cancer survivors throughout adulthood, researchers found that the risk for
premature aging—the visible signs of aging appearing earlier in life—increased by as much as 30% for every
25 grams of sugar participants consumed per day, on average. Senior author Dr. Yikyung Park adds, “We need
to find a way to help cancer survivors maintain healthier dietary habits to support their overall health.”
American Association for Cancer Research, November 2022
Exercise: Moms Don’t Get Enough Exercise. Among a group of 848 women, researchers found that less than
50% achieved at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week, and the percentage was even
lower in mothers with a young child or multiple children. PLOS One, November 2022
Chiropractic: Neck Pain Common After Sports Collisions. A recent study found that a third of high school
athletes who experience a sport-related collision report acute neck pain, and these individuals tend to experience
more concussion-related symptoms. The authors conclude that concussed athletes with neck pain should be
screened for injury to the neck. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to assess patients with neck pain following
whiplash-related trauma from sports collision, slip and falls, and motor vehicle collisions.
Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, November 2022
Mental Attitude: Trouble Falling Asleep May Be Risk Factors for Mood Disorders. Questionnaires
completed over the course of one year by 779 adults revealed that difficulty falling asleep is linked to an
increased risk for both depression and anxiety over time. Journal of Affective Disorders, February 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Standard Time Should Be Permanent. Due to the adverse effects on health—
especially those related to sleep disruption—caused by time changes, the American Medical Association
recommends eliminating daylight savings time and making standard time permanent in the United States.
American Medical Association, November 2022
Quote: “Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.” ~ Winston S. Churchill

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

Health Alert: Premature Births Are at 15-Year High. The March of Dimes reports that 10.5% of all babies
born in 2021 were delivered before full term, a level not seen in nearly 15 years. The organization attributes the
increase to reduced access to prenatal care and an increased incidence of gestational diabetes and hypertension.
March of Dimes, November 2022
Diet: Eating Processed Food May Make the Flu Worse. In a laboratory experiment, researchers observed
that mice fed a diet consisting of high amounts of processed food had higher risk of death from influenza
infection and a more difficult time recovering if they survived than mice on a standard diet. The findings
suggest that a diet high in processed food can compromise immune function. Cell Reports, November 2022
Exercise: Exercise Helps Reduce Breast Cancer Treatment-Related Fatigue. Researchers recruited 89
women undergoing treatment for breast cancer to complete a home-based twelve-week resistance training
exercise program. The participants reported both lower fatigue levels as well as improved quality of life.
Breast Cancer, November 2022
Chiropractic: Managing Low Back Pain. According to a study the included 32 patients with low back pain, a
treatment plan that includes stabilization exercises, patient education, and manual therapies—an approach
commonly used by doctors of chiropractic—is effective for improving range of motion in lumbar spine and
reducing low back-related pain, pain sensitivity, and disability.
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, September 2022
Mental Attitude: Link Between Life Stressors, Insomnia, and Mood Disorders in Teens. A multi-year
study that included 6,995 teenagers found that life stress, insomnia, and mood disorders have an interconnected
relationship in that the presence of one increases the risk for the other two. The findings suggest that
adolescents under treatment for one condition should be assessed for all three.
Journal of Affective Disorders, February 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Safe Contact Lens Care. To reduce the risk of infection when using contact lenses, the
American Optometric Association recommends the following: don’t wash your hands with a creamy soap that
can leave a film on lenses; never make your own saline solution, which can damage lenses; don’t put lenses in
your mouth to moisten them; don’t store or wash lenses in tap water; don’t let anyone else wear your lenses; and
don’t wear contact lenses to sleep if you’ve been in a hot tub, pool, lake, or ocean.
American Optometric Association, November 2022
Quote: “Forever is composed of nows.” ~ Emily Dickinson

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

Health Alert: Common Pain Relievers May Make Arthritic Knees Worse. An analysis of data from a longterm study on knee arthritis found that regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is
associated with worse knee inflammation and cartilage deterioration. Lead researcher Dr. Johanna Luitjens
writes, “The use of NSAIDs for their anti-inflammatory function has been frequently propagated in patients
with osteoarthritis in recent years and should be revisited, since a positive impact on joint inflammation could
not be demonstrated.” Radiological Society of North America, November 2022
Diet: Almonds May Help You Eat Fewer Calories. Almond consumption is linked to a decreased C-peptide
response, as well as increased levels of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon, and pancreatic
polypeptides—which are associated with improved insulin sensitivity and improved satiety.
European Journal of Nutrition, October 2022
Exercise: Morning May Be the Best Time for Exercise. Researchers analyzed the activity level and heart
health data of nearly 87,000 participants and found the risk for heart disease and stroke was lowest among those
who exercised in the morning. European Society of Cardiology, November 2022
Chiropractic: Managing Cervicogenic Dizziness. A systematic review and meta-analysis that included 13
studies concluded that the combination of exercise therapy and manual therapy—an approach commonly used
by doctors of chiropractic—is effective for managing dizziness that originates from dysfunction in the cervical
spine. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, October 2022
Mental Attitude: Babies Have a Greater Imagination Than Previously Known. In a recent experiment,
researchers observed that pupil diameter increased in the eyes of infants when they were shown an object that
was not clearly recognizable. The research team suggests this is an indication of increased mental effort and that
that babies have the ability to use their imagination even before they gain the ability to speak.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, November 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Bedtime Tips When Children Share a Bedroom. To help ensure siblings who share a
room get a restful night’s sleep, the National Sleep Foundation recommends the following: structure each
child’s bedtime routine so that it does not disrupt the other; if an older child will share a room with a baby, wait
until the infant is a few months old to bring them together; explain to the older child that a younger child may
wake during the night; and play white noise in the bedroom to dull distracting sounds.
National Sleep Foundation, November 2022
Quote: “You always have two choices: your commitment versus your fear.” ~ Sammy Davis, Jr.

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

Health Alert: Bacteria Cause 1 in 8 Deaths Worldwide. In 2019, about 7.7 million people died from
infection from one of 33 common types of bacteria, with over 75% of bacteria-related deaths resulting from
infection in either the lungs, bloodstream, or abdomen. Co-researcher Dr. Christopher Murray notes, “These
new data for the first time reveal the full extent of the global public health challenge posed by bacterial
infections… It is of utmost importance to put these results on the radar of global health initiatives so that a
deeper dive into these deadly pathogens can be conducted and proper investments are made to slash the number
of deaths and infections.” The Lancet, November 2022
Diet: Polyphenol Intake Linked to Lower ADHD Risk. Polyphenols are micronutrients with antioxidant
properties found abundantly in many fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. In a recent study that included 400
children under the age of twelve, researchers observed an association between a higher dietary polyphenol
intake and a reduced risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). BMC Pediatrics, December 2022
Exercise: Can Exercise Help Fight Colon Cancer? Examinations of 179 patients under treatment for colon
cancer revealed an association between higher physical activity levels and less inflammation in the colon, which
may aid in the management of the disease. American Journal of Cancer Research, November 2022
Chiropractic: Ankle Joint Mobilization Improves Motion and Balance. A systematic review and metaanalysis that included nine studies concluded that ankle joint mobilization—a treatment provided by doctors of
chiropractic—is an effective intervention for improving dorsiflexion range of motion and dynamic balance in
patients with chronic ankle instability. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, September 2022
Mental Attitude: Mood Disorders Common in Parents of Preterm Babies. A systematic review of 79
studies found that depression and anxiety are common in the parents of preterm infants with depression
affecting 29.2% of mothers and 17.4% of fathers and anxiety affecting 37.7% of moms and 18.3% of dads.
Journal of Affective Disorders, February 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Travel Safely on the Highway. The American Red Cross offers the following tips to
stay safe on the road: be particularly cautious in construction zones; take frequent breaks and/or switch drivers
on longer drives; wear your seat belt; drive at a reasonable speed; don’t use a cell phone while driving; be
respectful of other drivers; never follow another vehicle too closely; keep your headlights, windows, and
windshield clean; and turn on your headlights at dusk or any time you need to use your windshield wipers.
American Red Cross, November 2022
Quote: “In order to achieve anything you must be brave enough to fail.” ~ Kirk Douglas

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