Health Alert: Short Sleep Worsens Effect of Hypertension on the Brain. Using data from the Framingham
Heart Study, researchers report that for individuals with high blood pressure, sleeping fewer than seven hours a
night is associated with a higher presence of white matter hyperintensities and worse performance on cognitive
assessments. The findings suggest that individuals under treatment for hypertension should be screened for poor
sleep as well. Journal of the American Heart Association, November 2024
Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements for Heart Health? While omega-3 fatty acids are thought to benefit
heart health, studies have had mixed results. In a recent study, researchers did not observe that a daily fish oil
supplement reduced overall cardiovascular disease risk; however, such supplementation did significantly reduce
the risk for heart attack, especially in individuals with low fish intake or multiple heart disease risk factors.
New England Journal of Medicine, October 2024
Exercise: Physical Activity and its Effect on Diabetes Risk Factors. In a recent experiment, researchers
observed that a single 30-minute light jog can provide notable short-term improvements in glucose metabolism,
leading to reduced fasting glucose and insulin levels. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, April 2024
Chiropractic: The Effect of Low Back Pain on the Hips and Lower Extremities. A systematic review that
included 54 studies found that individuals with non-specific low back pain often exhibit significant reductions
in hip range of motion, particularly in internal rotation; weakness in the hip abductor and extensor muscles; and
greater involvement of the hamstrings and gluteus maximus during functional activities.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, May 2024
Mental Attitude: Bilingualism Changes the Brain. A comparison of brain imaging of individuals who are
either monolingual or bilingual found that those who know two languages have increased connectivity between
brain regions, especially those who learned a second language at a young age. It’s believed greater connectivity
in the brain may support healthier brain aging and recovery from brain injury.
Communications Biology, October 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Some Women May Need Mammograms Before Age 40. Rutgers Cancer Institute
notes that while most guidelines recommend regular mammograms after age 40, women with the following risk
factors may be advised to commence screening at a young age: a family history of breast cancer; genetic
mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2; dense breast tissue; or early radiation exposure.
Rutgers Cancer Institute, October 2024
Quote: “To live without Hope is to cease to live.” ~ Fyodor Dostoevsky

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