Health Alert: Low Vitamin D Linked to Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Young Adults. Among a group of 177
young adults aged 18-25 years, researchers observed that those with lower vitamin D serum concentrations were
more likely to exhibit risk factors linked to an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. The findings suggest that
assessing vitamin D status in young adults could signal healthcare providers as to which patients may benefit from
additional testing and interventions to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease in the future.
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, January 2024
Diet: Prunes May Benefit Postmenopausal Women. Consuming 50-100 grams of prunes a day can slow bone loss
in postmenopausal women by altering proinflammatory cytokine secretion and monocyte activation.
Journal of Nutrition, November 2023
Exercise: Combined Exercise Intervention Reduces Risk for Serious Events in Liver Cirrhosis Patients. An
analysis of data from 11 randomized controlled trials revealed that patients with liver cirrhosis who engage in a
fitness program that combines resistance and aerobic training are four times less likely to experience serious events
such as portal hypertension, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal
syndrome, liver cancer, jaundice, gastrointestinal bleeding, and coagulopathy.
Journal of Gastroenterology, December 2023
Chiropractic: Chronic Neck Pain and Forward Head Posture. A systematic review that included 16 studies
found that corrective postural exercises and manual therapies are effective interventions for improving pain and
disability in patients with chronic neck pain associated with forward head posture. Doctors of chiropractic often use
a combination of manual therapies and specific exercises when managing patients with chronic neck pain.
HealthCare (Basil), December 2023
Mental Attitude: Twin Dementia Diagnosis May Be Risk Factor for Early Death for Sibling. Using data from
the Swedish Twin Registry, researchers report that among fraternal twins, if one received a dementia diagnosis, the
other twin had a slightly lessened life expectancy compared with fraternal twins in which neither developed
dementia. The research team suspects this may be due to unhealthy habits acquired during childhood by both
siblings, which may elevate the risk for dementia in one and conditions like heart disease in the other.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia, December 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Toothbrushing Could Be a Life Saver in the Hospital. New research suggests that
brushing your teeth at least once a day during a stay in the intensive care unit can reduce the risk for pneumonia
infection, leading to a lower mortality risk, shorter stay, and less time spent on a mechanical ventilator.
JAMA Internal Medicine, December 2023
Quote: “Well-arranged time is the surest mark of a well-arranged mind.” ~ Isaac Pitman

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

Health Alert: One-in-Ten Home Colon Cancer Tests Are Unusable. Due to factors including inadequate stool
specimens, incomplete labeling, old specimens, and leaking or broken containers, researchers estimate that about
10% of at-home colon cancer tests sent to a lab are unusable. The study highlights the need for improved patient
education, test-tracking procedures, and timely follow-up to address breakdowns in the screening process and
enhance the effectiveness of at-home screening tests for colon cancer.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, December 2023
Diet: New Salt Substitute Formula Can Help Reduce High Blood Pressure. The National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute reports that a new salt formulation that is 75% sodium chloride and 25% potassium chloride can relax
the walls of the arteries, lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk for hypertension.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, December 2023
Exercise: How Exercise Inhibits Fat Infiltration in Muscles… Myosteatosis is a term used to describe the
accumulation of fat in skeletal muscles, which can negatively affect physical function and health-related quality of
life. In a recent study, researchers observed that exercise increases the expression of the PGC-1alpha gene, which
improves mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, inhibiting the fibro-adipogenic progenitors that drive fat accumulation
in muscles. Journal of Physiology, December 2023
Chiropractic: Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy. A systematic review that included eight studies concluded
that neural mobilization is an effective treatment option for mobility, pain, disability, and functional activity in
patients with cervical radiculopathy. Doctors of chiropractic frequently use neural mobilization as part of a
multimodal approach when managing cervical radiculopathy cases.
Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, September 2023
Mental Attitude: Fear of Serious Illness Can Shorten Life. Illness anxiety disorder is a chronic mental health
condition in which a person excessively worries about having a serious, undiagnosed medical illness, despite having
little or no medical evidence to support it. According to a recent study that looked at long-term data concerning more
than 45,000 adults found that individuals with illness anxiety disorder were not only more likely to die from
circulatory or respiratory diseases during the 24-year study, but they died at younger ages (up to five years) than
participants without the mental health condition. JAMA Psychiatry, December 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Steps for Healthy Brain Ageing. To reduce the risk for dementia, The University of
Connecticut offers the following tips: exercise regularly, eat a heart-healthy diet, manage your blood pressure,
protect against head injuries, don’t smoke, avoid excessive alcohol intake, address hearing loss, and keep an active
social life. University of Connecticut, December 2023
Quote: “Successful people are simply those with successful habits.” ~ Brian Tracy

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

Health Alert: Phthalates May Lower Fertility. Phthalates are a class of chemicals used to increase the durability
of many materials, including some cosmetics and plastics. These chemicals are known as endocrine disruptors,
which can influence hormone levels in the body. In a recent study that included more than 1,200 women attempting
to conceive, researchers observed that those with higher levels of phthalates in their blood were up to 18% less likely
to become pregnant. Environmental Health Perspectives, December 2023
Diet: Whey Protein May Lower Diabetes Risk. For adults at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, a recent umbrella
review that included 13 systematic reviews concluded that taking a daily whey protein supplement “may improve
multiple clinical indicators of glucose control, along with triglycerides and blood pressure…”
Current Developments in Nutrition, October 2023
Exercise: Postpartum Physical Activity Benefits. A review of guidelines from 22 countries found that increased
physical activity and/or less sedentary behavior in the postpartum period is associated with the following benefits:
weight control/management, a reduced risk for depression, and improved well-being.
Journal of Sport and Health Science, December 2023
Chiropractic: The Importance of Proper Diagnosis and Treatment. This case study described a patient with
anteromedial leg pain that had been diagnosed as shin splints for ten years. Following a review of the patient’s
history and chiropractic examination focused on anatomy, biomechanics, and the peripheral nervous system, the
patient received a diagnosis of dynamic stenosis of the left L4-5 intervertebral foramen leading to mixed partial
mononeuropathy of the L4 spinal nerve, causing pain and hypersensitivity in the anteromedial shin. A treatment plan
that included manual therapy targeting the intervertebral foramen resulted in resolution of the patient’s pain and
sensory symptoms. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, August 2023
Mental Attitude: Doctors Are Both Excited and Concerned About AI’s Role in Medicine. The American
Medical Association reports that a survey of their membership revealed about 70% of medical physicians believe
artificial intelligence (AI) could enhance workflow efficiency and aid in better patient diagnosis, and roughly half
thought it can aid in documentation and reduce red tape associated with prior authorization for insurance coverage.
However, about 40% of respondents voiced concern about the impact of AI on patient-doctor interactions and patient
privacy. American Medical Association, December 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Prospective Dads Should Avoid Alcohol. Texas A&M University researchers note that
alcohol can affect sperm quality, reducing the risk for conception and increasing the risk for potential birth defects if
pregnancy is achieved. Because these effects can persist during withdrawal, the research team recommends men
wishing to become fathers abstain from alcohol for at least three months. Andrology, December 2023
Quote: “Nothing happens unless first we dream.” ~ Carl Sandburg

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

Health Alert: One-in-Fifty Young Kids Is Severely Obese. After falling from 2.1% in 2010 to 1.8% in 2016, the
rate of severe obesity among young children in the United States has risen to 2%. The finding is alarming as being
overweight early in life often leads to poor lifestyle choices in adolescence and young adulthood that not only
increase the risk for chronic disease but also diagnosis at younger ages. Pediatrics, December 2023
Diet: Is an Inflammatory Diet Linked to Stroke? Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey, researchers report that a pro-inflammatory diet—an eating pattern characterized by a high intake of sugar,
polysaturated vegetable oils, trans fats, dairy products, feed lot-raised meat, red meat, processed meat, alcohol,
refined grains, and artificial food additives—is associated with up to an 87% elevated risk for stroke.
BMC Public Health, January 2024
Exercise: Is Exercise Linked to Better Math Scores? Northeastern University researchers note that among 218
grade-school students, those with higher physical fitness scores were more likely to also perform better on arithmetic
assessments. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, January 2024
Chiropractic: Non-Invasive Interventions for Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Myofascial pain syndrome is a
chronic condition characterized by pain and tenderness in specific areas of muscles and the connective tissue
surrounding muscles. A systematic review that included 40 studies found that manual therapy, laser therapy, shock
wave therapy, and ultrasound therapy are effective, non-invasive treatment options for reducing pain intensity,
pressure pain threshold, and pain-related disability in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. These therapies are
often utilized by doctors of chiropractic when managing myofascial pain syndrome and other musculoskeletal
disorders. International Journal of Surgery, November 2023
Mental Attitude: Mood Disorders Common Among Caregivers of Stroke Survivors. Questionnaires completed
by 301 caregivers of stroke patients revealed that between 17% and 28% of such individuals experienced high levels
of psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The findings highlight
the necessity for strong support systems for family members caring for stroke survivors. Neurology, December 2023
Wellness/Prevention: How to Tackle Dandruff. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that dandruff isn’t
a sign of poor hygiene and can have myriad causes such as oily skin, improper hair care habits, and certain medical
conditions. Before consulting a professional, the Academy recommends the following for mild cases: use a specially
formulated shampoo for persistent dandruff that contains ingredients such as zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, sulfur,
selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or coal tar; if one shampoo proves ineffective, alternate between shampoos with
different active ingredients; and try changing the frequency in which you wash your hair.
American Academy of Dermatology, December 2023
Quote: “Good things happen to those who hustle.” ~ Chuck Noll

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