WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Napa Chiropractor, 12-27-2021

Health Alert: Cancer Increases Suicide Risk. An umbrella review that included six systematic reviews and
six meta reviews concluded that the risk of suicide among cancer patients is 1.5-1.7 times higher than the
general population, with an even greater risk in the first year following diagnosis.
Journal of Affective Disorders, December 2021
Diet: Polyphenol-Rich Foods Good for Seniors with Leaky Gut. With age, the integrity of the endothelial
layer of the intestines can be compromised, which may allow bacteria and harmful substances to enter the
bloodstream. In a recent study, seniors who increased their intake of apples, cocoa, dark chocolate, green tea,
cranberries, oranges, pomegranate, and other polyphenol-rich foods experienced improvements in intestinal
function within eight weeks. Clinical Nutrition, September 2021
Exercise: Exercise May Benefit Rectal Cancer Patients During Treatment. High-intensity interval training
(HIIT) is a form of exercise that involves short intervals of near-maximal effort such as sprinting or stair
climbing separated by intervals of moderate-intensity exercise, such as jogging or fast walking. In a recent
study, researchers observed that rectal cancer patients who participated in an HIIT exercise program while
undergoing chemoradiation therapy were three times more likely to experience complete remission.
Clinical Colorectal Cancer, May 2021
Chiropractic: Chiropractic Adjustments Are Effective for Acute Neck Pain. A systematic review of data
from six studies concluded that spinal manipulative therapy—the primary form of treatment provided by
doctors of chiropractic—is an effective treatment for acute neck pain whether delivered alone or in combination
with other therapies. Journal of Clinical Medicine, October 2021
Mental Attitude: Suicidal Thoughts More Common Among Nurses. Questionnaires completed by 7,000
nurses and 5,200 members of the general workforce revealed that 5.5% of nursing professionals had suicidal
thoughts in the last year compared with 4.3% of the overall working adult population. The researchers add that
the nurses with suicidal thoughts were also less likely to seek professional help.
American Journal of Nursing, October 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Quit Smoking Before Age 45 and Reduce Lung Cancer Risk. New researcher
suggests that smokers who quit before age 45 can cut their risk for lung cancer by up to 87%, while those who
quit before age 35 may eliminate their risk entirely. JAMA Oncology, October 2021
Quote: “Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.” ~ Niels Bohr

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