Health Alert: Shoveling Snow Can Trigger Heart Issues. The American Heart Association notes that the
exertion, cold air exposure, and breath-holding that often accompanies shoveling snow can result in potentially
dangerous increases in heart rate and blood pressure, especially for those with existing heart risks or low fitness.
If you must shovel snow, it’s recommended to start at a gradual pace and low-intensity, and to stop immediately
if any symptoms develop such as lightheadedness or chest pain. American Heart Association, January 2024
Diet: Less Omega-6 Fatty Acids, More Omega-3 Fatty Acids. In a recent animal study, researchers observed
that mice fed a diet with a lower ratio of omega-6 (from vegetable oils, for example) to omega-3 fatty acids
(from fish oils, for example) consumed fewer total calories, had better insulin tolerance, and gained less weight
than mice on a diet with a higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. The mice on the higher ratio diet also
exhibited higher levels of anxiety symptoms and inflammation in the brain.
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, February 2024
Exercise: Exercise May Reduce Pregnancy-Related Lumbopelvic Pain. Lumbopelvic pain is a common
complaint during pregnancy. However, a systematic review that included 16 studies found that women who are
physically active during pregnancy are less likely to experience lumbopelvic pain, and those who develop
lumbopelvic pain report lower pain intensity and disability levels than their sedentary peers.
Journal of Personalized Medicine, December 2023
Chiropractic: Commuting Time and Low Back Pain. Using data from the Korean Working Conditions
Survey, researchers found that workers whose typical commute exceeds 40 minutes are at elevated risk for low
back pain. However, among those who regularly exercise or participate in sports, the risk for low back pain did
not increase until the one-hour commute threshold. Industrial Health, November 2023
Mental Attitude: Overcoming a Phobia May Ease Other Fears. In a recent experiment that included 50
individuals with both a fear of spiders and a fear of heights, researchers observed that those who underwent
exposure therapy for arachnophobia also experienced a measurable improvement in their acrophobia.
Translational Psychiatry, January 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Be a Good Neighbor When the Ground is Icy. Icy conditions can increase the risk for
slip and fall injuries, which can be quite serious, even deadly, for older adults. In such times, the American
College of Surgeons recommends helping your older neighbors by offering to salt their pathways, shovel snow,
or escort them from their front door to their vehicle when they need to leave the home.
American College of Surgeons, January 2024
Quote: “Movement is life.” ~ Jules Verne

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