WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Rio Vista Chiropractor, 10-2-2023

Health Alert: Gastrointestinal Tumors Are Increasing Among Young Americans. Researchers report that
the incidence of gastrointestinal cancers—which includes cancers of the colon, appendix, bile ducts, and
pancreas—are the fastest growing group of cancers among adults under age 50. The authors of the study add
that screening strategies for gastrointestinal cancers may need reconsideration in addition to new strategies for
reducing the prevalence of risk factors such as obesity, heavy alcohol consumption, and smoking.
JAMA Network Open, August 2023
Diet: Antioxidants May Protect Against Alzheimer’s. According to a recent study, the brains of patients with
Alzheimer’s disease contain lower levels of antioxidants like lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and vitamin E, which
help reduce the oxidative damage that can impair brain function. The findings suggest that eating an
antioxidant-rich diet may be essential for maintaining good cognitive health.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, June 2023
Exercise: Cardiorespiratory Fitness Linked to Lower Cancer Risk. Following an analysis of Swedish health
registry data, researchers report that individuals with good cardiorespiratory fitness at age 18 have a lower risk
for head and neck, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, bowel, kidney, and lung cancers later in life.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, August 2023
Chiropractic: Poor Mid-Back Posture Linked to Neck Pain. Examinations of 148 adults, half with neck
pain, revealed an association between higher thoracic kyphosis (rounding of the mid back) and neck pain.
Doctors of chiropractic routinely assess posture and employ passive and active strategies for addressing postural
faults that may contribute to the patient’s chief complaint.
Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, April 2023
Mental Attitude: Could Adult Education Classes Buffer Against Dementia? Past research has shown that
educational attainment early in life is associated with a reduced risk for dementia. According to a new study,
taking classes in middle age and later in life can lower the risk for dementia diagnosis by up to 19% in the
following five years. The finding falls in line with previous studies demonstrating that mental stimulation has a
protective effect on cognitive health. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, August 2023
Wellness/Prevention: AI Model Detects Diabetes Through Chest X-Rays. Scientists have developed an
artificial intelligence (AI) model that can evaluate routine chest x-ray images to identify visceral fat build-up
associated with a diagnosis for diabetes as far as a decade into the future. Nature Communications, July 2023
Quote: “There is nothing stronger in the world than gentleness.” ~ Han Suyin

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Rio Vista Chiropractor, 9-25-2023

Health Alert: Reducing Inflammation Helps the Heart. Chronic inflammation has been linked with
several poor health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease. A systematic review that included 27
randomized clinical trials found that treatment to reduce inflammation resulted in a lower risk for heart
attack and stroke in participants. The findings suggest that reducing inflammation should be a goal for
individuals seeking to lower their risk for cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis, July 2023
Diet: Sugary Drinks May Raise Alzheimer’s Risk. An analysis of data concerning more than 200,000
middle-aged and older adults revealed that consuming two or more servings of sugary beverages a day is
associated with an elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis during a ten-year period.
GeroScience, August 2023
Exercise: Low-Intensity Exercise and Brain Health. According to a recent study, engaging in lowintensity aerobic exercise three times a week for three months can improve executive function skills in
middle-aged and older adults. GeroScience, June 2023
Chiropractic: Try Chiropractic First! A recent study found that patients with acute non-specific low
back pain who initially seek chiropractic care to manage the condition have lower overall healthcare
utilization costs over the following year than those who first visit the emergency room.
Physical Therapy, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Nearly 1 in 10 Children Have a Developmental Disability. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention reports that nearly 9% of children in the United States have a developmental
disability, which can include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders,
Down syndrome, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Half of People with Glaucoma Don’t Know They Have It! Glaucoma is a group
of eye disorders that can damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss, though symptoms may not be
apparent until irreversible vision loss occurs. It’s estimated that three million Americans have glaucoma,
but only half are aware they have the condition. Health experts remind adults over age 50 or those with a
family history of glaucoma to attend regular eye exams because while there’s no known cure, treatment can
help control the disease and slow its progression if caught early. Penn State Health, July 2023
Quote: “Wisdom denotes the pursuing of the best ends by the best means.” ~ Francis Hutcheson

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Rio Vista Chiropractor, 9-18-2023

Health Alert: Large Waist May Be Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor for Diabetics. Using data from
the UK Biobank study, researchers report that central obesity (as defined by a waist circumference
exceeding 94 cm in men and 80 cm in women) is associated with elevated risks for early death, heart
attack, heart failure, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic retinopathy, even for individuals who do not meet
the criteria for being overweight or obese based on their body mass index.
Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, July 2023
Diet: Cancer Patients Need More Fiber. For patients battling cancer, the current data suggests the chance
for survival rises by 13% for every ten-gram increase in fiber intake. Mayo Clinic, July 2023
Exercise: Intense Exercise May Help Keep Parkinson’s Disease at Bay. According to a recent animal
study, engaging in high-intensity aerobic exercise for four weeks may reduce the spread of pathological
alpha-synuclein aggregates with resulting improvements in motor control and visuospatial learning.
Science Advances, July 2023
Chiropractic: Migraines and Neck Pain. Questionnaires completed by 295 migraine headache patients
revealed that 51.9% experience neck pain, which is associated with increased headache frequency. Past
research has shown that using chiropractic care to address musculoskeletal disorders of the neck can reduce
the frequency, intensity, and duration of many forms of headache, including migraines.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Benefits of Laughter. A good laugh releases endorphins, which are natural feel-good
chemicals that enhance mood and reduce stress; increases oxygen intake; stimulates the heart, lungs, and
muscles; and strengthens social connections. Nature Mental Health, July 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D and Juvenile Rheumatic Diseases. Past research has shown vitamin D
to have anti-inflammatory properties, and patients with juvenile rheumatic diseases often have lower serum
levels of vitamin D. These data suggest that individuals with idiopathic arthritis, juvenile systemic lupus
erythematosus, juvenile systemic scleroderma, and Behcet disease may benefit by improving their vitamin
D levels via diet, supplementation, and/or increased time in the sun.
Rheumatology International, August 2023
Quote: “The more credit you give away, the more will come back to you. The more you help others, the
more they will want to help you.” ~ Brian Tracy

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Rio Vista Chiropractor, 9-11-2023

Health Alert: Postpartum Check-Up Offers a Great Opportunity to Talk Heart Health. Researchers report
that only 60% of women at elevated risk for heart disease receive counseling about healthy eating, exercise, and
weight loss during their postpartum “fourth trimester” check-up appointment. Study author Dr. Sadiya Khan
adds, “We need to find ways to take advantage of this prime opportunity when we have a captive audience of
people who are already in the doctor’s office, talking about their health at a critical juncture in life. It is hard to
create new opportunities. The fourth-trimester visit is an already-ready moment to prioritize maternal heart
health.” Journal of the American Medical Association, July 2023
Diet: Backyard Cookouts Don’t Have to Be Unhealthy. To help make summer backyard get-together fare
healthier, UT Southwestern Medical Center offers the following tips: swap out fried shells for corn tortillas;
remove the skin and bake or grill wings; use vinegar-base sauces; add a salad to your plate; and opt for leaner
cuts of meat. UT Southwestern Medical Center, July 2023
Exercise: Kidney Patients Benefit from Workouts. Technical University of Munich report that among a
group of 1,000 kidney dialysis patients, those who participated in a one-year combined aerobic and strength
training fitness program experienced significant improvements in health, quality of life, and autonomy, along
with less frequent and shorter hospital stays. NEJM Evidence, June 2023
Chiropractic: Whiplash-Associated Headaches Are Common. A literature review that included 26 studies
found that headaches are a common complaint after whiplash injury and are associated with higher levels of
disability. Doctors of chiropractic are trained in the evaluation and management of patients with whiplash
injuries, including whiplash-associated headaches. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Pets May Not Help Patients with Severe Mental Illness. While pets are often considered
beneficial for their owner’s mental health, a recent study found that pet ownership may not enhance wellbeing
or improve depression, anxiety, or loneliness in individuals with bipolar disorder or psychosis.
Human-Animal Interactions, July 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Good Diabetes Management Can Reduce Heart Attack Risks. Using Taiwan’s
Longitudinal Cohort of Diabetes Patient Database, researchers found that type 2 diabetics who do a better job at
managing the disease—getting regular check-ups and maintain healthy blood glucose, blood pressure, and
blood lipid levels—were up to 63% less likely to suffer a heart attack in the next decade.
World Journal of Diabetes, July 2023
Quote: “Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” ~ Izaak Walton

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