Health Alert: Six Cancers Increasingly Affecting Adults Under Age 50. New research suggests that at least six
cancers—colorectal, cervical, pancreatic, prostate, kidney, and multiple myeloma—are occurring at increasing rates
globally among people under age 50. Investigators attribute this rise to population-wide increases in obesity, proinflammatory
dietary patterns, and physical inactivity. Military Medical Research, November 2025
Diet: Fiber Supports Brain Health Too. Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid produced when gut bacteria ferment
dietary fiber. In addition to supporting intestinal health, it can also help reduce inflammation that affects the brain
and nervous system. In a recent animal study, rats fed a fiber-free diet showed impaired activity in the amygdala—a
brain region involved in fear and emotional memory—suggesting that adequate fiber intake may play an important
role in brain health. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, February 2026
Exercise: Dance Class Benefits the Brain. Brain imaging of 53 older adults with subjective cognitive decline
revealed that taking part in a twelve-week dance class increased oxytocin levels and enhanced functional
connectivity in the default mode network—both of which are important for cognitive health.
Innovation in Aging, November 2025
Chiropractic: Scapular Dyskinesis May Contribute to Neck Pain. Among a group of 83 office workers with
chronic neck pain, researchers observed that scapular dyskinesis—abnormal positioning or movement of the
shoulder blade—was associated with greater neck disability. The findings suggest that altered shoulder mechanics
may contribute to neck pain and functional limitation. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, March 2026
Mental Attitude: Post-Seizure Brain State May Offer Critical Treatment Window. According to a recent study,
the brain enters a deep sleep state after a seizure that resembles memory consolidation, inadvertently strengthening
seizure-related neural pathways. Researchers suggest this post-seizure period may provide a critical window for
interventions—such as neuromodulation or adaptive brain stimulation—to disrupt this reinforcement and potentially
reduce the risk of future seizures. Journal of Neuroscience, February 2026
Wellness/Prevention: Several Health Conditions Linked to Alzheimer’s Risk. Vanderbilt University Medical
Center researchers analyzed health histories of more than 450,000 adults and found that individuals later diagnosed
with Alzheimer’s disease were more likely to have developed a range of mental health, neurologic, sleep-related,
cardiovascular, and endocrine/metabolic conditions in the preceding decade. The findings may help researchers
develop tools to identify individuals at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, potentially enabling earlier
interventions to delay or prevent the neurodegenerative disorder.
Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, December 2025
Quote: “We tend to live up to our expectations.” ~ Earl Nightingale
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.