Health Alert: Tips for Safe Sauna Use for Seniors. Before using a sauna, experts recommend that older
adults consult their healthcare provider, as certain health conditions and medications can increase sensitivity to
heat and raise the risk of heat stroke. It’s also important to stay properly hydrated and avoid prolonged use
(more than 15 minutes) or extreme temperatures. BMJ Case Reports, January 2025
Diet: An Easier Approach for Long-Term Weight Loss? Dietary changes that involve drastic calorie
reduction can result in hormonal adaptations that can make it difficult to lose weight and keep it off. To give
yourself a better chance, experts recommend reducing daily calorie intake by just 100-200 calories, which can
lead to gradual and sustainable weight loss. The Conversation, January 2025
Exercise: Exercisers Are Less Likely to Die from Cancer. According to a study that looked at the outcomes
of more than 28,000 stage 1 cancer patients, a history of regular physical activity, even just an hour a week, can
reduce the risk of progression by 16% and death from cancer by 33%, while engaging in higher levels of
exercise can reduce the risk for progression and cancer mortality by 27% and 47%, respectively.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, January 2025
Chiropractic: Insufficient Sleep Linked to Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Using data from the National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers report that short sleepers (less than seven hours a night)
have a 61.1% increased risk for chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Frontiers in Medicine (Lausanne), September 2024
Mental Attitude: Peer Pressure Influences Older Adult Alcohol Consumption. Following an analysis of
data from the Framingham Heart Study, researchers have found that older adults’ alcohol consumption mirrors
the drinking habits of their social connections over time. The findings suggest that seniors looking to reduce
their alcohol intake could benefit from spending more time with friends who don’t drink alcohol.
Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, January 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Breathing Training Help Intensive Care Patients Recover. Intensive care unitacquired
weakness syndrome is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by widespread muscle weakness and
functional impairment that develops in critically ill patients due to prolonged immobilization, systemic
inflammation, and critical illness-related neuropathy or myopathy. A recent study found that adding inspiratory
muscle training to traditional physical therapy led to better functional outcomes for patients with intensive care
unit-acquired weakness syndrome. Irish Journal of Medical Science, February 2025
Quote: “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” ~ James A. Michener
Joseph T. Megna, D.C.
(707) 226-5200
DRJOEMEGNA

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

Health Alert: Air Travel Noise May Affect the Heart. According to a recent study that looked at the
cardiovascular health of residents throughout the United Kingdom, those living near airports were more likely
to have thicker and stiffer heart muscles, which can quadruple the risk for heart attack, stroke, and irregular
heart rhythms. The authors believe the primary driver of increased cardiovascular risks for individuals living
near airports is prolonged exposure to noise from aircraft as they take off, land, and pass overhead.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, January 2025
Diet: Best Time to Intermittent Fast for Weight Loss? Intermittent fasting is a dietary strategy that alternates
between periods of eating and fasting, typically within a structured time frame each day or week. A recent study
found that not eating between 9am and 5pm led to greater reductions in total weight loss, fat loss around the
mid-section, and glucose regulation than other eight-hour fasting windows. Nature Medicine, January 2025
Exercise: Teens Who Move More Have Better Body Composition. An assessment of 309 adolescents found
that higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each week were associated with a lower body mass
index, reduced central obesity, and less visceral fat—factors that contribute to a healthier adulthood.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, February 2025
Chiropractic: Lower Limb Malalignment Linked to Low Back Pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis
that included thirteen studies concluded that lower extremity misalignments such as foot pronation, hip internal
rotation, and knee internal rotation are associated with an elevated risk for low back pain. Doctors of
chiropractic often assess the alignment of the lower extremities when examining a patient with low back pain as
addressing these issues may be necessary to effectively reduce the patient’s low back pain and disability.
PLoS One, October 2024
Mental Attitude: Volunteer Work Can Reduce Depression Risk in Seniors. New research suggests that
older adults who regularly engage in volunteer activities are 43% less likely to report depression, especially
those who are newly retired and experiencing difficulties adjusting to their new lifestyle.
Journal of American Geriatrics Society, January 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Loneliness and Social Isolation Can Lead to Poor Health. An analysis of blood
samples collected from more than 42,000 adults revealed an association between social isolation/loneliness and
proteins that have been linked to stress regulation, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and
cancer progression. Nature Human Behavior, January 2025
Quote: “Life is something that happens to you while you’re making other plans.” ~ Margaret Millar

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

Health Alert: Significant Decrease in Rate of Heart Attack Deaths Among Cancer Patients. While acute
myocardial infarction remains a concern for adult cancer patients, new research indicates that the risk of heart
attack-related death for patients with cancer fell roughly three-fold from 1999 to 2020. The authors of the study
credit the drop to improvements in diagnostics and treatment, as well as increased coordination of care between
oncologists and cardiologists.
International Journal of Cardiology. Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention, January 2025
Diet: Food Choices Affect Gut Bacteria Composition. Examinations of samples collected from 21,561
individuals from the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy revealed that the foods you eat influence the
types of bacteria that inhabit your gut microbiome. For instance, individuals with a diet rich in fruit and
vegetables are more likely to have gut bacteria involved in fiber fermentation, which can provide antiinflammatory
effects. On the other hand, a high intake of red and processed meat may cater to bacteria linked to
an increased incidence of inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. Nature Microbiology, January 2025
Exercise: Pilates Is Okay During Pregnancy. A systematic review that included 25 studies concluded that
Pilates is a safe form of physical activity that can be performed during all three trimesters, unless
contraindicated. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, October 2024
Chiropractic: Try Chiropractic First! An analysis of data concerning 372,471 sciatica patients revealed that
those who initially received spinal manipulative therapy—the primary form of treatment provided by doctors of
chiropractic—were three times less likely to be prescribed an opioid in the following year than individuals who
first consulted with a medical physician. PLoS One, January 2025
Mental Attitude: Brain Activity Changes with Age. A recent animal study found that as mice age, some
regions of the brain associated with learning and memory exhibit reduced function; however, the research team
observed increased activity in areas of the brain linked to immune and inflammatory functions.
Nature, January 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Nasal Swab Can Help Diagnose Asthma Type. Asthma is a complex disease with a
variety of subtypes that may require different treatment approaches. Currently, accurate diagnosis requires
invasive procedures such as collecting lung tissue samples. Now, researchers have developed a nasal swab test
that looks for specific immune cells that are associated with different asthma subtypes, which can speed
diagnosis and lead to more targeted treatments. Journal of the American Medical Association, January 2025
Quote: “Common sense is very uncommon.” ~ Horace Greeley

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