Health Alert: Sleep Apnea Linked to Heart Disease. Following an analysis of data concerning more than
500,000 adults, researchers report that individuals with a history of sleep apnea have a 35% increased risk for
coronary artery disease. MedRxiv, November 2023
Diet: Can Broccoli Sprouts Protect Against IBD? In a recent experiment, researchers found that mice with
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) given a supplement of broccoli sprouts along with their normal diet
experienced more mild disease symptoms and developed a healthier gut bacteria population.
mSystems, November 2023
Exercise: Fitness Can Help Mitigate Anxiety-Related Low Back Pain Risk. Past research has identified
anxiety as a risk factor for low back pain. According to a recent study that included more than 13,000 adults,
researchers observed that those with self-reported anxiety and high cardiorespiratory fitness levels are nearly
four times less likely to develop low back pain in the following five years than those with anxiety and low
fitness. Journal of Sports Science, June 2023
Chiropractic: Hamstring Tightness Linked to Neck and Low Back Pain. Examinations of 104 adults under
40 years of age revealed that nearly three-quarters of those with either chronic neck or low back pain reported
tight hamstrings in one or both legs. The authors note that hamstring tightness can affect the biomechanics of
the spine, increasing the risk for disorders such as low back pain and neck pain.
Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, August 2023
Mental Attitude: Biological Age May Affect Risk and Dementia. Using data from the UK Biobank study,
researchers report that individuals whose blood lipid levels, blood pressure, and pulmonary function resemble
those of someone more than five years older than them are 40% more likely to develop vascular dementia or
stroke than their peers with a biological age closer to their actual age.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, November 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Pill-Sized Device Can Track Breathing and Heart Rate. Scientists from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a “technopill” that when swallowed, can monitor an
individual’s breathing and cardiac function with high accuracy until it’s excreted a few days later. It’s hoped
such a device can provide doctors with a non-invasive tool for collecting real-time information on patient
health. Cell Press, November 2023
Quote: “The only durable sense of success is if you’ve followed your calling.” ~ Jim Harrison

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

Health Alert: Most Americans Unaware of Harmful PFAS. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS) are chemicals used to imbue heat-, oil-, stain-, grease-, and water-resistant properties to products such
as food containers, clothes, and furniture that can persist in the environment and body for an extended period of
time. Past research suggests that higher PFAS exposure is linked to several poor outcomes including fertilities
issues, developmental challenges, and some cancers. A survey of 1,100 American adults revealed that 45% had
never heard of PFAS, 32% had heard the term but didn’t know what they are, and 97% did not believe their
drinking water contains any. PLOS One, November 2023
Diet: Parents Less Likely to Buy Children Sugary Drinks If… The Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health
reports that if the contents of beverages marketed for kids are clearly noted on the front of the package, then
parents will be less likely to purchase sugary drinks for their children. Public Health Nutrition, November 2023
Exercise: Weekend Workouts Are a Viable Option. According to a recent study, achieving 150 minutes of
moderate-intensity (or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity) physical activity during the weekend is as effective at
reducing the risk for early death and cardiovascular events as spreading the same amount of exercise over the
full week. Mayo Clinic, November 2023
Chiropractic: Poor Ergonomics Linked to More than 100 Million Low Back Pain Cases Annually. An
analysis of global datasets suggests that poor work ergonomics may contribute to more than 126 million cases
of low back pain each year, leading to $216.1 billion in productivity losses and $47 billion in healthcare costs.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, October 2023
Mental Attitude: Cognitive Impairments and Osteoporosis. A meta-analysis that pooled data from ten
studies found that patients with cognitive impairment—Alzheimer’s disease especially—have a 50% increased
risk for developing osteoporosis. BMC Geriatrics, December 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Special Toothpaste May Help Curb Peanut Allergy. Researchers are currently testing
a new toothpaste that contains peanut proteins intended to desensitize patients with a peanut allergy, without
triggering systemic reactions in the process. The toothpaste is current undergoing testing for approval by the
Food and Drug Administration in the United States.
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, November 2023
Quote: “Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.” ~ James Thurber

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

Health Alert: Syphilis Cases in Newborns Have Jumped Dramatically in Recent Years. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 3,700 babies in the United States were born with
syphilis in 2022, a ten-fold increase from 2012. The CDC notes that timely testing and treatment during
pregnancy can prevent 90% of congenital syphilis cases, underscoring the need for improved public outreach
and screening. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 2023
Diet: Cutting Glutamate May Reduce Odds for Post-Brain Injury Mood Disorders. For patients recovering
from traumatic brain injury (TBI), a recent study found that reducing glutamate intake may reduce the risk for
post-TBI depression and other mood disorders. Some common dietary sources of glutamate include soy
products and processed food products and additives, including MSG. Nutrients, November 2023
Exercise: Adding Brain Games along with Tai Chi May Provide Greater Benefits to Seniors. Past research
has shown that tai chi interventions can lead to better cognitive and physical health outcomes among older
adults, and now a new study has demonstrated that combining tai chi with cognitive challenges may lead to
even greater benefits. It’s hoped this new hybrid intervention can reduce the risk for falls among seniors, which
can help them remain independent longer into old age. Annals of Internal Medicine, October 2023
Chiropractic: Nearly a Third of Adults Have Shoulder Pain. Among a group of 1,128 middle-aged adults,
31.4% reported experiencing shoulder pain within the previous month. Further analysis revealed that those
whose work activities included physical or heavy manual labor were 66% more likely to have shoulder pain.
Doctors of chiropractic frequently treat patients with shoulder pain using a multimodal approach that combines
manual therapies and specific exercises. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, November 2023
Mental Attitude: Brain Injury Linked to Later Heart Risks. Using the Taiwan’s National Health Insurance
Research Database, researchers report that men with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) have a 14%
increased risk for heart failure. Additionally, women under age 50 with a history of TBI have a 32% elevated
risk for coronary heart disease. PLoS One, December 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Shark Healing Ability May Help Humans. Researchers from the Karolinska Institute
in Stockholm and the Marine Biological Laboratory note that shark skin has exceptional wound healing
abilities, which may lead to the creation of novel wound-healing treatments inspired by shark skin properties.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, November 2023
Quote: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” ~ Walt Disney

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

Health Alert: Poor Sleep Raises Post-Concussion Depression Risk. Past studies have linked post-concussion
depression with worse outcomes for patients with mild-traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Evaluations of 249 mTBI
patients revealed a link between poor sleep quality and an elevated risk for post-concussion depression among
participants. The findings suggest that assessing and implementing strategies to address sleep quality in mTBI
patients may help to ameliorate post-concussion depression. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, November 2023
Diet: Flavonoids Can Help Manage Endometriosis Symptoms. Endometriosis is a potentially painful
condition that occurs when the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. In a recent study, researchers observed
that flavonoids—specifically quercetin and kaempferol—that are found in apples, broccoli, berries, tea, onions,
and red wine improve the function of receptors involved in regulating inflammation commonly associated with
endometriosis. The findings suggest improving flavonoid intake can benefit endometriosis patients.
Endocrinology, August 2023
Exercise: Try to Exercise at a Consistent Time Each Day. University of Manchester researchers report that
engaging in physical activity at a consistent time each day helps regulate the body’s clock, which can reduce the
risk for chronic disease. Nature Communications, November 2023
Chiropractic: Treatment for Kneecap Pain. Among a group of 25 people with patellofemoral pain syndrome,
those treated with soft tissue mobilization twice a week for four weeks experienced improvements in knee pain
and function that persisted after the conclusion of care. Doctors of chiropractic are trained in a variety of
manual therapy techniques, including soft tissue mobilization, in the management of patellofemoral pain
syndrome and other musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Medicine, November 2023
Mental Attitude: Keeping a Secret Can Bring Joy. In a recent experiment, researchers observed that
participants instructed to keep a positive secret experienced mental health benefits, even if they had no intention
to share the news at a later time. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, June 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Air Filters Probably Won’t Reduce Risk of Illness. Researchers from the University
of East Anglia report that following an analysis of data from 32 studies conducted in real-world settings, they
found no evidence that air treatment technologies, including filtration and germicidal lights, provide significant
protection against respiratory or gastrointestinal infections. Preventive Medicine, November 2023
Quote: “Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.” ~ William Plomer

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

Health Alert: Life Expectancy Is Back on the Rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
reports that after a brief decline, life expectancy increased 1.1 years from 2021 to 2022. The current life
expectancy for men in the United States is 74.8 years and 80.2 years for women.
Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2022, November 2023
Diet: Swapping Some Animal Protein for Plant-Based Protein Can Benefit the Heart. A systematic
review that included 24 cohort studies found that substituting 50 grams of daily processed meat, red meat,
or egg intake with nuts, legumes, and whole grains can reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease by 27%.
BMC Medicine, November 2023
Exercise: High Altitude Training May Be Helpful for Patients Before Surgery. In a recent experiment,
researchers observed that sedentary adults who spent two weeks in a hypoxic environment, similar to high
altitude, experienced a significant increase in hemoglobin levels. Because improved oxygen delivery can
aid healing, the findings suggest that so-called “altitude prehabilitation” could reduce the risk for postsurgical
complications and speed recovery. Anaesthesia, October 2023
Chiropractic: Manipulative Treatment for Pregnancy-Related Lumbopelvic Pain. Among a group of
46 women with lumbopelvic pain in the third trimester of pregnancy, those treated with manipulative
therapies—such as those provided by doctors of chiropractic—reported significant improvements in low
back and pelvic pain intensity, as well as their overall quality of life. Healthcare, September 2023
Mental Attitude: Eczema Can Take a Big Toll on Mental Health. The American College of Allergy,
Asthma & Immunology reports that nearly three quarters of individuals with eczema experience poor
mental health symptoms on ten or more days each month; however, the majority have not discussed their
concerns with their allergists. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, November 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Removal of All Lead Pipes by the 2030s. The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has unveiled a proposal to replace the remaining lead pipes that deliver water to homes in the United
States within the next decade. It’s currently estimated that drinking water to about nine million homes and
businesses flows through lead pipes, which can result in severe health consequences.
Environmental Protection Agency, November 2023
Quote: “A healthy outside starts from the inside.” ~ Robert Urich

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