Health Alert: Hypertensive Pregnancy Complications Carry Lasting Health Risks. It is estimated that up to 10% of pregnancies are complicated by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia—all of which can increase the risk of adverse outcomes for both mother and child. Despite evidence linking these conditions to a higher risk of future cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic syndrome, postpartum monitoring is often limited and adherence to interventions aimed at reducing long-term cardiometabolic risk remains low. Addressing these gaps could help improve long-term outcomes for women affected by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Cureus, December 2025 Diet: Nutrients Linked to Healthier Brain Aging. Cognitive assessments of 72 older adults revealed that a diet high in fiber, unsaturated fats, and micronutrients—including vitamins A and E, magnesium, potassium, and carotenoids—was associated with better cognitive performance and memory. Conversely, a diet low in essential nutrients and high in refined grains was linked to poorer cognitive performance. Nutrients, August 2025 Exercise: Move More, Sit Less! Researchers from the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences report that adding just five minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day and reducing sedentary time by 30 minutes could prevent a meaningful proportion of early deaths at the population level—potentially up to about 10% and 7%, respectively. The Lancet, January 2026 Chiropractic: Upper Crossed Syndrome and Neck and Shoulder Pain… Upper crossed syndrome is a postural imbalance characterized by tightness in the chest and upper neck muscles and weakness in the upper back and deep neck flexors, leading to forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and associated neck and shoulder pain. A recent narrative review reported that upper crossed syndrome may contribute to roughly two-thirds of neck pain cases and up to half of shoulder pain complaints among individuals who regularly use computers. If left unaddressed through ergonomic changes, lifestyle interventions, and conservative treatment approaches (such as chiropractic care), more serious conditions may develop, including nerve impingement, thoracic outlet syndrome, and cervicogenic headaches. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, January 2026 Mental Attitude: Moderate Social Media Use Linked to Better Teen Well-Being. Assessments completed by more than 100,000 Australian youths found that excessive social media use (more than two hours a day) and total avoidance of social media are both associated with poorer wellbeing. Meanwhile, teens with moderate use (less than two hours a day), reported higher scores with respect to happiness, life satisfaction, and emotional regulation. JAMA Pediatrics, January 2026 Wellness/Prevention: Intravenous Iron May Be More Effective for Some Women with Anemia. New research suggests that women with iron deficiency anemia related to heavy menstrual bleeding who receive a single dose of intravenous (IV) iron have a lower risk of anemia recurrence over the following three years than those taking every-otherday oral iron supplements, and without the gastrointestinal side effects commonly associated with oral therapy. Blood Advances, January 2026 Quote: “If you’re not growing, you’re dying, and I’m not ready for that.” ~ Mary Steenburgen

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

Health Alert: Smog Linked to Higher Blood Pressure in Children. Smog is a type of air pollution formed when sunlight reacts with emissions from vehicles and industry, creating a harmful mixture of gases and fine particles that can impair visibility and damage human health. An analysis of data from more than 4,800 children found that greater prenatal and early-life exposure to smog—especially during the first trimester of pregnancy—was associated with higher systolic blood pressure and an increased risk of childhood hypertension. Environmental Research, March 2026 Diet: How a Ketogenic Diet Can Prevent Drug-Resistant Seizures. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very lowcarbohydrate eating plan that shifts the body’s metabolism into a state of ketosis, causing it to burn fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. This dietary approach has long been associated with reduced seizure frequency in individuals with drugresistant epilepsy, and a recent study may help explain why. Researchers at the University of Virginia report that increased levels of the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate, triggered by ketosis, may help calm overactive brain cells by activating the HCAR2 receptor, which is present on seizure-related neurons and brain immune cells. Annals of Neurology, November 2025 Exercise: Yoga May Have Role in Managing Common Musculoskeletal Disorders. To support recovery and reduce the risk of recurrence, chiropractors often recommend that patients with musculoskeletal disorders engage in regular physical activity. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 52 clinical trials found that yoga is an effective exercise intervention for improving mobility and quality of life in individuals with musculoskeletal disorders, suggesting that regular practice may have a place in a multimodal treatment plan for back pain, neck pain, and other common musculoskeletal conditions. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health, November 2025 Chiropractic: Workplace Environmental Exposures and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers found that workers who routinely perform nontraditional shift work or are regularly exposed to toxic substances, secondhand smoke, extreme temperatures, or loud noise had a 1.54-fold higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. BMJ Public Health, January 2026 Mental Attitude: Strong Body Clock Linked to Lower Dementia Risk. Circadian rhythm is the body’s internal 24hour biological clock that regulates sleep–wake cycles and other physiological processes, including hormone release, metabolism, and body temperature, in response to light and darkness. In a study of more than 2,000 older adults, researchers found that a more regular circadian rhythm was associated with a 50% lower risk of dementia diagnosis over the following three years. Risk factors for circadian disruption include poor sleep, physical inactivity, cardiovascular disease, and chronic stress. The Conversation, January 2026 Wellness/Prevention: Chronic Pain Severity Linked to Falls and Frailty in Older Adults. A study involving 143 older adults found that chronic pain was associated with an increased risk of falls, frailty, sarcopenia, poorer physical performance, and worse perceived health. The findings suggest that effective strategies to manage chronic pain— including conservative approaches such as chiropractic care for certain musculoskeletal conditions—may help older adults maintain function, independence, and quality of life. European Journal of Medical Research, October 2025 Quote: “Nothing is improbable until it moves into past tense.” ~ George Ade

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

Health Alert: Is Bottled Water Safe to Drink? The process of disinfecting water to prevent illnesses such as cholera and typhoid can leave behind disinfection byproducts (DBPs) when disinfectants react with organic matter. Some DBPs have been associated in research with long-term health risks, including cancer and reproductive complications. Testing of samples from ten popular bottled water brands revealed detectable DBPs in all samples but at levels well below current safety limits and generally lower than those typically found in tap water—especially in bottled water sourced from springs. Overall, the findings suggest bottled water is likely comparable in safety to tap water. However, experts note that municipal tap water is tested frequently—often multiple times per day—while bottled water products are monitored less consistently. Water Research, March 2026 Diet: Eat More Whole Foods! In a recent clinical trial, University of Bristol researchers observed that participants instructed to eat a diet that contains only unprocessed whole foods reduced their daily caloric intake by 330 calories, even though the total weight of food consumer per day increased more than 50%. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 2025 Exercise: Pilates May Be a Good Exercise Choice for Chronic Low Back Pain Management. Patients receiving treatment for chronic low back pain are often advised to perform core-strengthening exercises as part of the rehabilitation process. A recent study involving 21 middle-aged women with chronic low back pain found that Pilates provided similar functional improvements compared with traditional core-strengthening programs. The findings suggest Pilates is a viable exercise option for addressing functional deficits associated with chronic low back pain. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, November 2025 Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Disorder Burden Will Continue to Rise Another Decade. Disability-adjusted lifeyears (DALYs) are a measure of total health burden that combines years lived with disability and years of life lost to premature death from a specific disease or condition. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease study, researchers report that DALYs attributable to musculoskeletal disorders—including neck and back pain—have increased by roughly 95% since 1990 and are projected to rise another 30% by 2035. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, November 2025 Mental Attitude: Why the Brain Drifts After a Bad Night’s Sleep. During sleep, waves of cerebrospinal fluid move through the brain to help clear metabolic waste. A recent study suggests similar activity can occur during waking hours following insufficient sleep, which may lead to slowed reaction times, missed signals, and changes in heart rate, breathing, and pupil size that can interfere with the ability to maintain attention. Nature Neuroscience, January 2026 Wellness/Prevention: Sleeping Posture May Elevate Risk for Glaucoma Complications. A recent experiment involving 144 patients with glaucoma found that certain sleeping positions that elevate or flex the neck may compress the jugular vein and impair drainage of aqueous humor from the eye. This can lead to higher intraocular pressure, a key risk factor for optic nerve damage and vision loss. The findings suggest that sleep positioning strategies that reduce neck flexion may benefit some individuals with glaucoma. British Journal of Ophthalmology, January 2026 Quote: “We forge the chains we wear in life.” ~ Charles Dickens

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

Health Alert: Heart Disease and Stroke Account for a Quarter of All US Deaths. While deaths from heart disease and stroke have declined in recent years, researchers report that these conditions still account for more than a quarter of all deaths in the United States (US)—exceeding deaths from cancer and accidents combined. Health experts note that up to 80% of heart disease and stroke cases may be preventable through lifestyle measures such as not smoking, getting adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining healthy blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure readings. Circulation, January 2026 Diet: How to Reduce Trans Fats Consumption. Trans fats are a type of fat commonly found in industrially produced packaged and convenience foods and are associated with elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad” cholesterol) levels and increased inflammation—both of which are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. To reduce transfat intake, experts recommend avoiding packaged foods that contain “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” oils and, when possible, cooking from scratch using stable fats that are less likely to form harmful compounds when heated, such as olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, ghee, and butter. The Conversation, January 2026 Exercise: Regular Exercise Can Protect the Body from Chronic Stress. Allostatic load refers to the cumulative physiological wear and tear on the body from chronic stress, typically measured using a combination of biomarkers—such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, inflammatory markers, and stress hormones—that reflect strain across multiple body systems. In a study that tracked more than 3,300 adults from age 31 to 46, researchers found that those who seldom or never exercised had higher allostatic load than participants who frequently met physical activity guidelines, suggesting regular exercise may help protect the body from the harmful effects of chronic stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology, February 2026 Chiropractic: Chronic Whiplash Patients May Have Concussion Symptoms. Examinations of 15 patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (cWAD) revealed that all tested positive for multiple post-concussive syndrome (PCS) symptoms, including abnormalities in eye movement. This finding aligns with a growing body of evidence suggesting there may be no clear boundary between cWAD and PCS, and that individuals diagnosed with one condition may benefit from evaluation for the other to help reduce the risk of chronic symptoms. Frontiers in Neurology, October 2025 Mental Attitude: Childhood ADHD Linked to Midlife Health Problems. An analysis of data concerning nearly 11,000 middle-aged adults revealed that those exhibiting attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits at age ten— especially female patients—were 14% more likely to have two or more physical health problems by age 45. JAMA Network Open, January 2026 Wellness/Prevention: Poor Fitness and Sleep Nearly Double Heart Risks in Seniors. Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers found that a low daily step count (fewer than 7,500 steps) combined with sleeping fewer than 6.5 hours per night at age 62 was associated with an 84% higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events—such as heart attack or stroke—during the following eight years. EClinicalMedicine, January 2026 Quote: “Take a simple idea and take it seriously.” ~ Charlie Munger

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

Health Alert: Diet Can Influence Prenatal Depression Risk. An analysis of data from the Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors cohort found that a diet high in solid fats, refined grains, and cheese was associated with 59% higher odds of depression during the third trimester, compared with an eating pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, and liquid oils. Nutrition, January 2026 Diet: Rare Gut Disorder Can Cause Alcohol Intoxication without Drinking. Auto-brewery syndrome is a rare condition in which a person may experience symptoms of intoxication despite not consuming alcohol. The disorder is thought to result from an imbalance in the gut microbiome—most often an overgrowth of certain yeasts—that can ferment carbohydrates into ethanol. Although fewer than 100 cases have been documented, the condition highlights the importance of maintaining gut health, as microbial imbalances can contribute to a range of health concerns, including rare disorders such as auto-brewery syndrome. Nature Microbiology, January 2026 Exercise: When Can Kids Safely Start Running with Mom and Dad? Running is a popular form of exercise among adults, leaving many parents wondering when their children can safely join them. Current guidelines recommend that children under age seven avoid structured running and instead engage in free play and short, play-based running activities. From ages seven to nine, running should generally be limited to less than 30 minutes a few times per week. During preadolescence, runs of up to 40 minutes as many as five times per week may be reasonable, though children should also participate in a variety of other sports. Once adolescence begins, teens can gradually increase running time and distance based on interest, comfort, and physical readiness. The Conversation, January 2026 Chiropractic: Lifestyle Risk Factors for Chronic Low Back Pain. Using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers report the following lifestyle factors are associated with an elevated risk of chronic low back pain: prolonged sitting for more than six hours a day; physical inactivity; elevated stress; smoking; and unhealthy diet, especially low protein intake. Nursing & Health Sciences, December 2025 Mental Attitude: New Concussion Guidance Urges “If in Doubt, Sit Them Out.” Because early recognition and immediate removal from play can significantly shorten recovery time for young athletes with a mild traumatic brain injury, coaches and parents are advised to be cautious and sit a young athlete if a concussion is suspected. Health experts also remind parents that concussions are not limited to football and can occur in a wide range of sports—including soccer, hockey, cheerleading, and volleyball—with female athletes at greater risk than males. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, January 2026 Wellness/Prevention: Steps to Help Slow or Halt Chronic Kidney Disease. It is estimated that about one-in-seven adults have chronic kidney disease, though the condition often has no obvious symptoms until its later stages. Routine blood tests can frequently detect early-stage kidney disease, highlighting the importance of annual wellness visits with a healthcare provider. Individuals at risk may be able to slow—and in some cases halt—disease progression by adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as nutritious eating, regular physical activity, stress management, and avoiding tobacco and excess alcohol. National Institutes of Health, January 2026 Quote: “A quiet mind cureth all.” ~ Robert Burton

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