Health Alert: Many Atrial Fibrillation Patients Have Sleep Apnea. Past research has identified sleep apnea
as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation, but how common is sleep apnea in atrial fibrillation patients? In a recent
study, 185 atrial fibrillation patients completed sleep apnea testing and 93% tested positive for the condition—
52.3% primary sleep apnea, 44.8% mixed apnea, and 2.9% pure central apnea. Because managing sleep apnea
can slow atrial fibrillation progression, the finding suggests screening atrial fibrillation patients for the sleep
disorder. American Journal of Cardiology, November 2022
Diet: Healthy Food Labeling. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that salmon can’t be labeled as
a “healthy” food under current federal regulations due to it high levels of fat, but that may soon change. A
proposed FDA rule will allow foods that are part of a healthy diet pattern (fruit, vegetables, dairy, grains, and
lean proteins) to be labeled as healthy provided they are also low in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
Food and Drug Administration, September 2022
Exercise: Walk in Nature. Among a group of 37 adults under treatment for major depressive disorder, those
who walked for an hour in a natural setting experienced a greater reduction in negative emotions than
participants who strolled in an urban environment. Journal of Affective Disorders, December 2022
Chiropractic: Spinal Manipulation Reduces the Odds of Receiving a Benzodiazepine Prescription. An
analysis of electronic health record data of 9,206 patients with radicular low back pain revealed that those who
received chiropractic care for their condition were significantly less likely to be prescribed benzodiazepine—a
drug commonly used to manage the radicular low back pain—during the following year. BMJ Open, June 2022
Mental Attitude: Fermented Soybeans May Lower Dementia Risk. While a recent study that looked at diet
and health data concerning nearly 40,000 Japanese adults showed no association between total soy intake and
dementia risk, researchers did observe that a high intake of the fermented soybean food product known as natto
is linked to a 22% lower risk for dementia. European Journal of Nutrition, December 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Helping Your Overweight Child Lose Weight. To help an overweight or obese child
lose weight, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders recommends looking for the
following characteristics in a weight-management program: has many experts on staff, such as doctors,
psychologists, and dietitians; monitors a child’s health and weight before and during the program; offers
different options based on a child’s age and abilities; and offers after-program resources to help maintain a
healthy weight. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders, September 2022
Quote: “It is right to be contented with what we have, never with what we are.” ~ James Mackintosh

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