Health Alert: About One-in-Nine Seniors Suffer a Fall Each Year. Among a group of nearly 3,000 older adults,
researchers observed that 12% had experienced at least one fall during the previous year, and one-in-seven fall
episodes resulted in a fracture, most often the wrist, knee, or hip. A review of mortality data revealed falls are
associated with a 65% increased risk of death within the following five years.
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, June 2025
Diet: Tea and Dark Chocolate May Help Lower Blood Pressure. Flavanols are natural compounds found in fruit,
tea, and chocolate that help plants defend against pests, fungal infections, and ultraviolet radiation. A meta-analysis
of data from 145 randomized clinical trials revealed that a high intake of flavanols is associated with enhanced
endothelial function, benefiting blood pressure and cardiovascular health.
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, May 2025
Exercise: Women’s Physical Activity is More Consistent Than Men’s. An analysis of six months of data
collected from nearly 600 adults revealed that women have less variability in their physical activity levels than men.
Interestingly, the data also show that menstrual cycles do not significantly affect a woman’s physical activity levels,
contrary to long-standing assumptions. Journal of Medical Internet Research, May 2025
Chiropractic: Hunched Posture Raises Neck Pain Risk in Low Back Pain Patients. Compared with a normal
seated posture, working at a desk in a hunched posture for just 30 minutes significantly increased fatigue in the
sternocleidomastoid neck muscle among individuals with chronic low back pain, potentially raising their risk of
developing co-occurring neck pain. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, February 2025
Mental Attitude: Early-Life Risk Factors for Dementia. Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers
report that several early-life factors are associated with an increased risk of dementia, including maternal smoking
during the perinatal period, below-average height at age ten, low or high birth weight, and childhood physical
neglect. Journal of Affective Disorders, June 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Affordable Blood Test May Detect Alzheimer’s Early. Researchers at the University of
Southern California have developed a low-cost blood test that detects five proteins associated with Alzheimer’s
disease. In a study involving 63 participants, the test accurately distinguished individuals with Alzheimer’s from
those without the condition. With further refinement and validation, the test could improve early screening—
potentially identifying the disease before symptoms appear—allowing for earlier intervention and preventative
strategies. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, May 2025
Quote: “As long as you don’t forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy rent-free space in your mind.”
~ Isabelle Holland
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: Broken Heart Syndrome More Common in Women, More Fatal to Men. Takotsubo
cardiomyopathy, also known as stress-induced or “broken heart” syndrome, is a temporary heart condition
characterized by sudden weakening of the left ventricle, often triggered by intense emotional or physical stress. It’s
estimated that between 6,000 and 7,000 people are diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy each year. While 83%
of broken heart syndrome cases occur in female patients, the risk of death from the condition is more than doubled in
men (11% vs 5%). American Heart Association, May 2025
Diet: Try Matcha? Matcha is a powdered green tea that contains less caffeine than coffee but is rich in antioxidants
and L-theanine—a compound that may reduce caffeine-related jitters and promote relaxation. Because it offers
similar cardiovascular benefits to coffee but with a gentler stimulant effect, matcha may be a preferred choice for
individuals sensitive to caffeine. The Conversation, May 2025
Exercise: Lifting Weights Benefits Future Moms. A systematic review of nine clinical trials found that strength
training during pregnancy may help mitigate excessive weight gain, alleviate low back and sciatic pain, and improve
both mental and physical health in expectant mothers. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, July 2025
Chiropractic: Low Back Pain Trends Attributable to High Body Mass Index. Past research has established high
body mass index (BMI) as a significant risk factor for low back pain. Drawing on data from the Global Burden of
Disease study, researchers reported a 171% increase in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs)—a metric that reflects
years lost to illness, disability, or premature death—attributable to obesity-related low back pain between 1990 and
2021. This substantial rise highlights the growing public health burden of obesity and its contribution to chronic
musculoskeletal conditions. Frontiers in Nutrition, January 2025
Mental Attitude: Hearing Loss May Contribute to Dementia. Following an analysis of data from 49 studies,
researchers report that even mild hearing loss in both ears raises the risk of dementia by 32%, and the risk rises to
66% in more severe cases. It’s suspected the risk may be a combination of pathological processes common to
hearing loss and dementia, as well as factors like social withdrawal. Aging & Mental Health, June 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Are Half of Dementia Cases Preventable? Nearly half of dementia cases may be
preventable by addressing modifiable risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking. Yet, most
research and interventions tend to focus on midlife, despite the fact that many of these risk factors emerge much
earlier. Experts emphasize that promoting healthier lifestyle habits across the entire lifespan—not just in middle
age—could significantly enhance brain health and reduce the overall incidence of cognitive decline and dementia.
The Conversation, May 2025
Quote: “Doubt is the origin of wisdom.” ~ René Descartes

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

Health Alert: Remnant Cholesterol Linked to Cardiovascular Disease. Using data from the Shanghai Suburban
Adult Cohort and Biobank study, researchers report that high levels of remnant cholesterol—the cholesterol found in
leftover blood particles after fat is processed—are associated with a 32% increased risk of cardiovascular disease
over a five-year period, independent of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad” cholesterol) levels. Elevated remnant
cholesterol is commonly linked to high triglycerides, insulin resistance, obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet.
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, June 2025
Diet: Ultra-Processed Foods and Diabetes. Ultra-processed foods are food products that include added sugars, fats,
and salt to enhance flavor and prolong shelf life. An analysis of data from the 2001-2018 National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that ultra-processed foods account for more than 50% of total caloric intake
in individuals with either pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, and for one-in-five such individuals, ultra-processed foods
account for 75% of their daily calories. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, July 2025
Exercise: What Is Grip Strength? Grip strength is commonly used in scientific studies as a proxy for overall
muscular fitness, much like body mass index (BMI) utilizes height and weight to provide a general indication of
body fat. While grip strength doesn’t capture the full picture of an individual’s health, it has been associated with a
lower risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
The Conversation, May 2025
Chiropractic: Low Back Pain and Hip Asymmetries. Examinations of 93 middle-aged and older adults revealed
that those with low back pain were more likely to exhibit asymmetries between their hips, suggesting altered
biomechanics. Prior research has shown that hip and low back dysfunction often co-occur, with impairment in one
region potentially increasing the risk of issues in the other. North American Spine Society Journal, March 2025
Mental Attitude: Quieter Classrooms May Help Calm Kids. According to a recent study, installing soundabsorbing
ceilings in preschool classrooms reduces noise and helps calm children, which may support early language
development and emotional regulation. Acoustical Society of America, May 2025
Wellness/Prevention: A Less Invasive Option for Prostate Cancer Treatment? Researchers from the University
of California, Los Angeles report that combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with focal therapy—such as
ultrasound, cryotherapy, or laser ablation—to identify and target only the cancerous portion of the prostate can
reduce the need for more invasive treatments like surgery or radiation, while significantly lowering the risk of side
effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and bowel problems. Journal of Urology, May 2025
Quote: “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” ~ Blaise Pascal

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

Health Alert: City Living Raises Asthma Risk. A meta-analysis of data from 14 studies featuring a total of nearly
350,000 participants across seven European countries found that about 12% of asthma cases are linked to urban
environmental factors such as air pollution, high-density development, and lack of greenery.
Karolinska Institute, May 2025
Diet: Daily Tea Drinkers May Have Lower Risk for Type 2 Diabetes. Using data from the UK Biobank study,
researchers observed that drinking two or more cups of tea a day may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to
14%. Journal of American Nutrition Association, April 2025
Exercise: Exercise Characteristics of Fit Seniors. Among a group of nearly 800 older adults who wore activity
trackers for a week, researchers observed that those who exercised daily, especially at higher intensity levels and
earlier in the day, exhibited better cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency than participants who exercised
less often, at lower intensity, and/or later in the day. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, April 2025
Chiropractic: Do MDs Follow the Guidelines on Acute Non-Specific Low Back Pain? A survey that included
1,253 Swiss medical doctors (MDs) revealed that only 61% were aware of the current clinical guidelines on the
management of acute non-specific low back pain. When presented with two hypothetical and routine cases of acute
non-specific low back pain, respondents recommended several inappropriate treatment approaches including x-rays
and MRI in the absence of red flags, muscle relaxants, oral steroids, strong opioids, spinal injections, and activity
restrictions, including bed rest. Swiss Medical Weekly, January 2025
Mental Attitude: Curiosity May Protect Brain Health. According to a recent study, trait curiosity—the consistent
tendency to seek new information—tends to decline with age. However, state curiosity, which refers to the
momentary desire to learn triggered by novel, ambiguous, or surprising events, appears to increase after midlife.
Researchers suggest that this distinction could help inform strategies to promote healthy brain aging.
PLOS One, May 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Might Fend Off Biological Aging. Telomeres are protective DNA sequences at
the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division, serving as a biological clock that contributes to
cellular aging and the overall aging process. In a recent study that included more than 25,000 participants,
researchers observed that taking a daily 2,000 IU vitamin D3 supplement resulted in less telomere shortening over a
four-year period, suggesting that improved vitamin D status may slow biological aging.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2025
Quote: “Advice is one of those things it is far more blessed to give than to receive.” ~ Carolyn Wells
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.