Health Alert: Blue Light-Filtering Glasses May Not Help. Blue light-filtering glasses have been marketed to
heavy screen users to protect their eyes, but a systematic review that included 17 trials found the use of such
glasses does not reduce eye strain, enhance eye health, or improve sleep quality in the short term.
Cochrane Reviews, August 2023
Diet: Caffeine Intake May Not Raise Sleep Apnea Risk. While it’s widely accepted that caffeine can
contribute to sleep-disordered breathing, a recent meta-analysis found no association between caffeine or coffee
intake and an increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea. European Journal of Nutrition, September 2023
Exercise: Aerobic Exercise Helps Manage Non-Specific Neck. Non-specific neck pain a term used to
describe neck pain that occurs in the absence of an underlying disease or pathology, like an infection or
osteoporotic fracture. A recent systematic review found that engaging in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise—
such as cycling, brisk walking, aerobics, stationary bike, treadmill running, circuit training, and/or swimming—
three times a week can improve both pain and function in patients with non-specific neck pain. Doctors of
chiropractic frequently recommend aerobic exercise in addition to patient-specific exercises as part of
management for musculoskeletal conditions, including non-specific neck pain. Healthcare, January 2024
Chiropractic: Neck Pain and Range of Motion Improved with Manual Scapular Repositioning. Among a
group of 69 patients with both neck pain and scapular dyskinesis, researchers observed that correcting scapular
position resulted in both improvements in neck pain and cervical range of motion. The findings demonstrate
how dysfunction in one area can contribute to or even cause pain and disability in an adjacent region.
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, July 2023
Mental Attitude: Mindfulness Yoga May Help Manage Depression. For patients with major depressive
disorder, a systematic review that included nine studies found that the combination of yoga and mindfulness can
have a positive effect on depressive symptoms and may have a role as part of a multimodal approach for
managing the mental health condition. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, September 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Take Vitamin D Daily or Weekly? Following a review of data from 116 clinical trials,
researchers report that ingesting a week’s worth of vitamin D supplements all at once may be more effective for
improving vitamin D levels than taking a daily dose. Of course, before taking any supplements, consult with a
doctor who is familiar with your health history. Frontiers in Nutrition, August 2023
Quote: “Life is ours to be spent, not to be saved.” ~ D. H. Lawrence

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

Health Alert: Aircraft Noise Raises Risk for Second Heart Attack. Among a group of 737 myocardial
infarction survivors living in the same geographic area, those exposed to higher levels of aircraft noise from
the flight paths of a nearby airport had a 24% higher risk for a second heart attack in the next five years for
every 10-decibel increase in aircraft noise exposure. The findings add to a growing body of research linking
higher levels of transportation noise pollution to worse health outcomes.
Environmental Research, September 2023
Diet: Low-Cal vs. Fasting Diets: How Does Each Affect the Microbiome? Past research has
demonstrated that a diverse microbiome is associated with better health, including a stronger immune
system and less inflammation in the body. A study that included 47 healthy adults found that participants
who switched to either a calorie-restricted or intermittent fasting diet for three months experienced
improvements in gut microbiome diversity. Nutrients, August 2023
Exercise: Sedentary Childhood Can Have Lifelong Effect on Heart. Using data from the Children of
the 90s research project, which monitored 766 participants from age 11 to 24, researchers found that
excessive sedentary time in childhood is linked to more mass in the left ventricle of the heart, which is
associated with an elevated risk for heart disease and stroke later in life.
European Society of Cardiology Congress, August 2023
Chiropractic: Ankylosing Spondylitis and Fall Risk. Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory
disease that can cause spinal vertebrae to fuse, making the spine less flexible. A recent study found that
patients with ankylosing spondylitis have a greater risk for fear of falling, falls, and repeated falls.
Frontiers in Medicine, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Heavy Metal Exposure Linked to Anxiety. An analysis of data from the 2007-2012
National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys revealed that higher urine levels of cadmium and
antimony are associated with an increased risk for anxiety disorder. Chemosphere, September 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Too Few Kids Getting Eye Tests. University of Michigan and Duke University
researchers report that more than two-thirds of children are not receiving regular vision tests during checkups, which can be essential for the early identification of vision disorders when they may be easiest to treat.
JAMA Ophthalmology, August 2023
Quote: “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” ~ Neil Peart

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

Health Alert: One Billion People Worldwide Will Have Osteoarthritis in 2050. Osteoarthritis is
characterized by the slow breakdown of the cartilage within joints, leading to swelling, stiffness, and pain
that tends to worsen with time. Due to the aging of the global population and the rise in sedentary lifestyles
and obesity, researchers estimate that as many as one billion people living in 2050 will have osteoarthritis.
The Lancet Rheumatology, August 2023
Diet: A Healthy Diet May Help Some Allergy Sufferers. The current research suggests that excessive
calorie intake and nutrient imbalances can contribute to allergies, and for some individuals, allergy
management may involve switching to a balanced diet rich in micronutrient and flavonoids to reduce
inflammation and improve the health of the gut microbiome. Nutrients, August 2023
Exercise: Tips for Returning to Exercise Postpartum. For new moms looking to resume their prepregnancy fitness routine, experts from Tufts University recommend first consulting with a doctor. Once
cleared to exercise, start slowly, set flexible goals, and pay attention to body cues to avoid injury.
Tufts University, July 2023
Chiropractic: Neck Pain Linked to Worse Migraines. According to a recent study, migraineurs with cooccurring neck pain are more likely to report that their headaches have a greater effect on their ability to
carry out their daily activities. Past research has shown that addressing neck disorders in migraine
patients—with chiropractic care, for example—can reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of
migraines. Journal of Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Too Much Screen Time May Slow Baby’s Development. New research suggests that
one-year-old children who spend more than four hours a day in front of screens develop skills in the
domains of fine-motor, communication, socialization, and problem-solving more slowly than their peers
with less exposure to televisions, tablets, and smartphones. JAMA Pediatrics, August 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Eye Scans Could Spot Parkinson’s Earlier. University College London and
Moorfields Eye Hospital researchers report that optical coherence tomography scans are capable of
detecting subtle changes in the eyes that develop very early in the course of Parkinson’s disease
progression, up to seven years before the condition may even be diagnosed. Neurology, August 2023
Quote: “Love is the power to see similarity in the dissimilar.” ~ Theodor W. Adorno

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

Health Alert: Mid-Life Hypertension Can Dramatically Increase Heart Risks. Among a group of 1,029
middle-aged adults whom researchers monitored for more than two decades, those with elevated blood pressure
readings—which accounted for more than half of participants—had up to an eleven-times greater risk for
developing cardiovascular disease. Hypertension, September 2023
Diet: Dietary Fat Can Affect Platelet Counts. In a recent animal study, researchers observed that adding
polyunsaturated fatty acids to the diet of mice led to increased platelet counts, while increasing their saturated
fat intake reduced platelet counts. The findings suggest that individuals with low platelet counts, such as those
undergoing chemotherapy, may benefit from switching from a high-saturated fat Western diet pattern to a
polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich diet, such as the Mediterranean diet. Nature Cardiovascular Research, July 2023
Exercise: Pilates an Option for Chronic Low Back Pain Patients. Doctors of chiropractic often advise
chronic low back pain patients to engage in at-home exercises to strengthen the core muscles to both aid in
recovery and reduce the risk for recurrence. An analysis of data from eight clinical trials found that Pilates is an
effective option for improving core muscle strength in chronic low back pain patients and can serve as a viable
alternative to other core strengthening exercises. Healthcare (Basel), May 2023
Chiropractic: Stressful Events and Low Back Pain. An analysis of data concerning 2,930 older men in the
Osteoporotic Fracture in Men Study revealed that 57% had experienced a stressful life event—such as the loss
of a pet or partner or financial problems—within the previous year. These individuals were 42% more likely to
have present low back pain and 56% more likely to develop back pain in the following year.
European Journal of Pain, August 2023
Mental Attitude: Negative Thoughts and Depression Relapse. New research suggests that patients with a
history of major depression can reduce their risk for a future episode by learning to reframe negative thought
patterns with the aid of cognitive behavioral therapy. Additional strategies for managing depression include
getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet.
Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, August 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Bystander CPR, Defib Use Saves Lives. If an individual experiences cardiac arrests in
a public setting, the use of an automated external defibrillator and CPR by bystanders until emergency medical
technicians arrive can more than double their chances for survival.
European Society of Cardiology, August 2023
Quote: “Today, you have 100% of your life left.” ~ Tom Landry

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