Health Alert: Thyroid Dysfunction Linked to Diabetes. New research that looked at the health histories of nearly
3 million patients with either an under- or over-active thyroid found that thyroid dysfunction is associated with a 66-
77% elevated risk for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes for individuals younger than 65 years old. However, those
under treatment to normalize their thyroid levels have a much lower risk (26-32%). Medicina Clinica, April 2023
Diet: Healthier Eating Tips. To improve the chances of sticking to a healthier eating pattern, the American Heart
Association offers the following tips: don’t cut out your favorite foods, just reduce portion sizes; make sure to eat
plenty of servings of fiber-rich foods such as legumes, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables; opt for healthy snacks
instead of junk food; and limit your intake of sugary drinks and products with added sugars.
American Heart Association, March 2023
Exercise: Exercise Can Reduce Effects of Poor Sleep Habits. While previous research has shown that sleeping
less than seven and more than nine hours a night are both detrimental to longevity, a recent study that included more
than 90,000 adults found that meeting physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise a
week appears to negate some of the negative long-term effects of chronic short and long sleep. Study Dr. Jihui
Zhang adds, “[Our] study indicates that getting sufficient exercise may partially offset the detrimental impact of
missing a good night’s sleep.” European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, March 2023
Chiropractic: Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Alters Hand Proprioception. Proprioception is the body’s
ability to sense where its various parts are in relation to one another for purposes of movement and balance.
Examinations of 60 hands affected by carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and 25 non-CTS hands revealed that
proprioception is worse when CTS is present. Doctors of chiropractic often utilize a multimodal approach when
managing CTS patients, which may include exercises and therapies to restore normal hand movement and function.
Joint Diseases and Related Surgery, January 2023
Mental Attitude: Mental Health Issues Increase Cervical Cancer Risk for Women. Following an analysis of
data concerning 4 million women born between 1940 and 1995, researchers report that a history of mental illness is
associated with a two-times increased risk for cervical cancer. The research team points out that women with mental
illness, neuropsychiatric disability, or substance abuse are less likely to attend cervical cancer screenings.
The Lancet Public Health, March 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Lost Weight and Regained Some? Don’t Fret. A literature review that included 124 studies
found that individuals who participate in a weight loss program that includes education on exercise and other healthy
lifestyle choices have a lower risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes that may persists for up to five
years, even if they regain some of the lost weight. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, March 2023
Quote: “We see things as we are, not as they are.” ~ Leo Rosten

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

Health Alert: Fully Legalizing Marijuana May Result in More Automobile Collision Deaths. Since the
legalization of recreational marijuana in Alaska, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and
Washington, researchers note there has been a 14-22% increase in car crash-related deaths. Lead author Dr.
Samantha Marinello writes, “Overall, this study provides evidence of the potential harms and benefits of legalizing
recreational markets… Therefore, there is a need for policies and public health initiatives to reduce driving under the
influence.” Social Science & Medicine, January 2023
Diet: High-Salt Diet Linked to Hardened Arteries. According to an analysis of data concerning more than 10,000
middle-aged adults, each 1,000 mg rise in sodium excretion is associated with a 3-4% increased likelihood for worse
results on assessments of arterial health. Study author Dr. Jonas Wuopio adds, “The results show that the more salt
people eat, the higher the burden of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries of the heart and neck. The increase in
blood pressure due to a high salt intake seems to be an important underlying mechanism for these findings.”
European Heart Journal Open, March 2023
Exercise: Physical Activity Helps Preserve Cognitive Function. Following a review of data from the Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System, researchers report that engaging in physical activity for at least 240 minutes a week
can reduce the risk for subjective cognitive decline by 48%. Journal of Affective Disorders, May 2023
Chiropractic: Jaw Pain, Neck Pain, and Headaches. A retrospective study that included 300 patients with neck
pain and/or temporomandibular joint pain identified an association between higher levels of neck pain and a risk for
tension-type headache, while higher levels of both neck and jaw pain are more closely linked to migraines.
Chiropractic care has been demonstrated to be an effective intervention for these various conditions.
Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, March 2023
Mental Attitude: Harsh Discipline May Cause Mental Health Issues Later in Life. New research that looked at
long-term outcomes of 7,500 children revealed that those regularly shouted at, isolated, physically punished, or
treated unpredictably based on the parent’s mood at age three were 50% more likely at age nine to have mental
health challenges considered to be high risk. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, March 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Experiencing Hearing Loss? The Mayo Clinic notes that signs of hearing loss include
muffled speech/sounds; trouble understanding words, particularly in a crowd or noisy environment; difficulty
hearing consonants; frequently asking a speaker to repeat what they said; needing to listen to the TV/radio at ever
higher volumes; social isolation; and tinnitus. If you regularly experience these symptoms, contact your healthcare
provider to arrange for a hearing test. Mayo Clinic, April 2023
Quote: “Learning never exhausts the mind.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

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

Health Alert: Severe Sleep Apnea May Double Risk for Hospitalization for Pneumonia. An analysis of data
from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study revealed that older adults with severe obstructive sleep apnea
(OSA) were nearly two times more likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia during the 20-year study. The authors of
the analysis conclude, “OSA patients may benefit from more aggressive efforts to prevent pneumonia and other
infectious conditions.” Chest, April 2023
Diet: Modified Mediterranean Ketogenic Diet May Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA) is responsible for inhibiting the excitability of brain cells and balancing the neuronal activity required for
healthy brain function. Past research has associated GABA dysfunction with neuropsychiatric conditions such as
Alzheimer’s disease. In a recent study, researchers observed that patients with mild-cognitive impairment
experienced an increase in GABA-producing microbes in the gut after switching to a modified Mediterraneanketogenic diet (low carb emphasizing healthy fats and proteins), which researchers suspect may lower the risk for
progression to Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, March 2023
Exercise: Exercise Cuts Depression Risk Nearly in Half. Following an analysis of data from the Brazilian
Longitudinal Health Study, researchers report that engaging in 150-300 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical
activity each week can reduce the risk for clinical depression by 45%. Journal of Affective Disorders, May 2023
Chiropractic: Postural Faults Common in Office Workers with Neck and Back Pain. Examinations of 99 office
workers with neck and mid-back pain—a common combination in this population—revealed that 90 exhibited
scapular dyskinesis (abnormal movement of the shoulder blade) on one of both sides. Additionally, the majority had
postural deviations that include rounded shoulders, forward head posture, and thoracic hyperkyphosis (slumped
upper back). Doctors of chiropractic frequently treat office workers with neck and mid-back pain using a multimodal
approach that includes manual therapies, posture correction exercises, and ergonomic assessments.
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, March 2023
Mental Attitude: Short Sleepers More Likely to Have ADHD? Assessments of 381 preschoolers revealed that
small children who do not get sufficient sleep each night (10-13 hours) are nearly two times more likely to exhibit
symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Anales de Pediatría, April 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Pets May Help Prevent Food Allergies in Children. Past research suggests that owning a
pet is linked to a reduced risk for respiratory allergies in kids. Now, a new study notes this protection may extend to
food allergies as well, particularly allergies related to eggs, milk, and nuts. First study author Dr. Hisao Okabe notes,
“In terms of food allergies, pet exposure during fetal and early infancy may be good in some cases… We hope that
this message will help alleviate some of the concerns about pet ownership.” PLOS ONE, March 2023
Quote: “We think too much and feel too little.” ~ Charlie Chaplin

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

Health Alert: Asthma and Eczema Increase Arthritis Risk. Following a review of data concerning nearly 1.4
million adults, researchers report that individuals with either asthma or eczema are up to 58% more likely to develop
osteoarthritis, and the risk is even greater for those with both conditions.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, March 2023
Diet: Pregnancy and Proper Nutrition. Dietary assessments of 2,450 women during pregnancy revealed that 90%
did not consume adequate nutrients via diet alone. Furthermore, researchers note that nearly all affordable dietary
supplements do not contain the appropriate doses of key nutrients to make up for these deficiencies. Lead author Dr.
Katherine Sauder writes, “This research will inform pregnant patients and their doctors about key nutrients they may
be missing in their diet and help them choose prenatal vitamins that can provide the nutrients they need… Dietary
supplement manufacturers can also use these results to inform better dosing in their products.”
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, April 2023
Exercise: Strength Training Can Reduce Blood Pressure. A recent literature review concluded that just eight-toten weeks of strength training is sufficient to reduce systolic blood pressure by 10 mmHg and diastolic blood
pressure by 4.79 mmHg. Researcher Dr. Giovana Rampazzo Teixeira explains, “In clinical practice and gyms or
fitness centers, strength training can be a treatment option for people with high blood pressure as a nonpharmacological intervention as long as you know enough about the key variables and take the subject’s goals into
account.” Scientific Reports, March 2023
Chiropractic: Back Surgery Is Not for Everyone. In a recent paper published in the Medical Journal of Australia,
the authors noted that while spinal surgeries have increased over time, the current data does not support surgical
intervention for low back pain outside of cases of lumbar radiculopathy that doesn’t respond to non-surgical care and
when low back pain is associated with cancer, infection, or gross spinal instability. Otherwise, treatment guidelines
strongly emphasize utilizing conservative, non-surgical approaches to manage low back pain, of which chiropractic
care is an excellent choice. Medical Journal of Australia, January 2023
Mental Attitude: Serious Pediatric Mental Health Issues in Kids Has Increase in the Last Decade. Between
2009 and 2019, the number of children hospitalized for mental health-related issues in the United States increased
26%. During the same time frame, the rate of attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, and self-injury among American
kids and teens rose between 31-64%. Journal of the American Medical Association, March 2023
Wellness/Prevention: A Good Walk Even Once a Week Has Longevity Benefits. Using data from the United
States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers report that logging 8,000 steps just one day a
week can lower the risk for early death by 15%. Neurology, March 2023
Quote: “The beginning is always today.” ~ Mary Wollstonecraft

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