WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Rio Vista Chiropractor, 10-27-2025

Health Alert: Forever Chemicals May Contribute to Central Obesity in Teens. Perfluoroalkyl and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals used to make products such as food containers, clothing, and
furniture resistant to heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Because they persist in the environment and the human
body for long periods, they can accumulate over time. In a study of 186 adolescents, those with higher blood
levels of PFAS showed greater central weight gain than peers with lower exposure—an indicator of
compromised metabolic health. Obesity, August 2025
Diet: Shift Work Linked to Poor Diet Habits. Past studies have linked shift work with unhealthy habits that
raise risk for poor health outcomes. In an analysis of data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, shift workers were more likely to skip breakfast and consume fewer fresh fruits, nonpickled
vegetables, and protein-rich foods than day workers. These findings suggest that interventions targeting
these dietary behaviors could help protect shift workers’ cardiometabolic health.
Journal of Occupational Health, September 2025
Exercise: Daily Steps to Help Control Asthma. While exercise is known to benefit people with asthma, it has
been unclear how much physical activity is needed for meaningful clinical improvement. In a study of 55
physically inactive asthma patients, researchers observed that an additional 1,400 steps per day—roughly eight
minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity—is the minimum increase needed to achieve measurable
improvements in symptoms and quality of life. ERJ Open Research, September 2025
Chiropractic: Headaches Are a Common Reason Patients Seek Chiropractic Care. An analysis of 20 days
of visit data from 695 Danish chiropractors found that 12% of all new patient consultations involved headaches,
with half of those cases presenting headache as the primary reason for seeking care. Previous studies suggest
that chiropractic treatment can reduce the intensity, frequency, and duration of several headache types,
including cervicogenic, tension-type, and migraine headaches. Cephalalgia, August 2025
Mental Attitude: Acute and Chronic Stress Affect Mood Differently. A recent animal study found that acute
stress triggers anxiety-like behaviors in rats, while chronic stress is associated with depressive symptoms. The
findings suggest that future research may need to distinguish between acute and chronic stress when
investigating the effects of stress on mood disorders. Behavioural Brain Research, August 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Even Light Drinking Linked to Liver Damage. Using data from the National Health
and Nutrition Examination Surveys, researchers found that even low levels of regular alcohol consumption are
linked to an increased risk of alcohol-related liver death compared with abstinence. A healthy diet and exercise
mitigate much of this excess risk, but do not appear to fully eliminate it. Journal of Hepatology, August 2025
Quote: “A man is as old as his arteries.” ~ Thomas Sydenham

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Rio Vista Chiropractor, 10-20-2025

Health Alert: Combustion Pollution Raises Cardiovascular Hospitalization Risks. Fine-particulate matter
is a mixture of microscopic particles and liquid droplets in the air, primarily produced by combustion processes
such as vehicle emissions and the burning of wood and coal. An analysis of Medicare data over a 16-year period
revealed that living in areas with higher exposure to fine-particulate matter is associated with an elevated risk of
hospitalization for myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.
Environmental Research, September 2025
Diet: Carotenoid Intake May Protect Against Colorectal Cancer. Carotenoids are compounds with
antioxidant properties that give yellow, orange, and red fruit and vegetables their color. A study that looked at
diet quality of 1,953 colorectal cancer patients and 4,154 adults without a history of colon cancer found that a
higher carotenoid intake is associated with up to a 41% lower risk of colorectal cancer.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, September 2025
Exercise: Weightlift for Stronger Bones. Lifting heavy weights places mechanical stress on bones,
stimulating bone formation and increasing bone density. For stronger, healthier bones, experts recommend
resistance training at least twice a week, particularly with compound movements such as squats and deadlifts.
The Conversation, August 2025
Chiropractic: Upper Cervical Spine Dysfunction Can Affect Neck and Should
er Movement. New research suggests that mobility restrictions in the joint connecting the base of the skull to
the first cervical vertebra (the atlas) may cause persistent motor control deficits affecting both the neck and
upper limbs. Restoring normal motion at this atlanto-occipital joint—through interventions such as chiropractic
care—could help improve neck and shoulder mobility. Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, July 2025
Mental Attitude: Early Lead Exposure May Cause Memory Issues Later in Life. Using data from the
Health and Retirement Study, researchers found that people exposed to higher levels of leaded gasoline
emissions in childhood were more likely to experience memory difficulties in middle and old age. The findings
highlight how environmental toxins can have lasting effects on the body.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, July 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Deficiency Too Common During Pregnancy. An analysis of data from 116
studies revealed that between 68% and 81% of expectant mothers have deficient vitamin D levels during
pregnancy, which is associated an elevated risk for several adverse outcomes including gestational diabetes,
preeclampsia, Cesarean delivery, infection and immune complications, mood disorders, preterm birth, low
birthweight, neonatal infections, and neonatal hypocalcemia. Nutrition Reviews, September 2025
Quote: “Growth begins when we begin to accept our own weakness.” ~ Jean Vanier

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Rio Vista Chiropractor, 10-13-2025

Health Alert: Metabolic Syndrome Linked to Parkinson’s Disease. An analysis of data concerning more
than 467,000 adults found that metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions including excess abdominal fat,
high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol—may increase the risk of Parkinson’s
disease by up to 40%, especially for those with genetic risk factors for the condition. Neurology, August 2025
Diet: Red Meat Gut Byproduct Linked to More Severe Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. Researchers from
the Cleveland Clinic report that elevated serum levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)—a gut-derived
byproduct of digesting red meat and other animal products—are linked to faster progression and greater severity
of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The findings suggest that dietary strategies may play a role in vascular disease
management. JAMA Cardiology, August 2025
Exercise: Physical Inactivity Linked to Irregular Heartbeat Risk in Middle Age. A recent study found that
middle-aged adults with low cardiorespiratory fitness have a 52% higher risk of developing cardiac
arrhythmias—including supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia—than their
physically active peers. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining lifelong physical fitness as part of
a heart-healthy lifestyle. European Society of Cardiology, August 2025
Chiropractic: Neck-Focused Treatment Eases TMD Pain. A meta-analysis of fourteen randomized
controlled trials found that combining manipulative therapies with therapeutic exercises—an approach
commonly used by chiropractors—to address cervical dysfunction in patients with temporomandibular
disorders (TMD) can significantly reduce jaw pain and improve maximum mouth opening.
Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, August 2025
Mental Attitude: Sensitive People Are More Vulnerable to Mood Disorders. New research suggests that
people who are considered highly sensitive—meaning they react more strongly to environmental and emotional
stimuli—are at elevated risk for mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress
disorder, and agoraphobia. Clinical Psychological Science, August 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Prepare for Hurricane Season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
reminds residents of areas along the gulf and eastern seaboard that hurricane season runs through the end of
November. Experts recommend preparing ahead of time with an emergency kit stocked with water, nonperishable
food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents like identification, insurance
policies, medical records, and property deeds. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 2025
Quote: “Life is ours to be spent, not to be saved.” ~ D. H. Lawrence

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Rio Vista Chiropractor, 10-6-2025

Health Alert: Kidney Stones May Signal Elevated Heart Attack Risk. Using data from the National Health
and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers report that patients with a history of kidney stones had 88%
higher odds of reporting a prior myocardial infarction than adults without kidney stones. The finding suggests
the two conditions may share overlapping risk factors, and individuals with kidney stones may benefit from a
comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment. PLoS One, September 2025
Diet: The Brain May Be Responsible for Treatment-Resistant Hypertension. McGill University researchers
have observed that a high-salt diet may activate immune cells in the brain, triggering inflammation and the
release of vasopressin, a hormone linked to increased blood pressure. It’s hoped this finding could shed light on
why nearly a third of patients with high blood pressure do not respond to standard treatment approaches.
Neuron, August 2025
Exercise: Spreading Out Exercise May Benefit Blood Sugar Management. A literature review that included
27 systematic reviews found that breaking up physical activity into short sessions (less than 10 minutes)
multiple times a day may be more effective for acute glycemic control than a single continuous exercise session
each day. Journal of Sport and Health Science, September 2025
Chiropractic: Why Some Older Adults Respond More Slowly to Chiropractic Care. While chiropractic
care can effectively manage many musculoskeletal disorders—including low back pain—some older patients
recover more slowly than others. A recent study found that age itself is not a determining factor; rather, older
adults are more likely to present with characteristics linked to delayed recovery, such as higher baseline
disability, musculoskeletal comorbidities, poorer self-rated health, and depression.
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, July 2025
Mental Attitude: College Students with Autism at Greater Risk for Mood Disorders. The transition to
college life may take a greater mental toll on students with autism spectrum disorder. A recent study found that
autistic students are nearly seven times more likely to report anxiety and six times more likely to experience
depression than their neurotypical peers. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, August 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Key Strategies for Well-Being in Young Adults. A study that pooled datasets from the
United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand found that poor sleep quality may be the biggest predictor of
well-being among young adults, followed by adequate fruit and vegetable intake and regular exercise.
PLOS One, September 2025
Quote: “Attitude determines the altitude of life.” ~ Edwin Louis Cole

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