Health Alert: A Third of Kids Have Chronic Illness. Researchers from University of California, Los Angeles
report that a third of children aged 5 to 17 have one or more chronic illnesses, up from 23% in 1999. The research
team attributes this increase to the increased prevalence of poor metabolic and mental health in the youth population.
Academic Pediatrics, March 2025
Diet: Mediterranean Diet Lowers Risk for Obesity-Related Cancers. Using data from the European Prospective
Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, researchers report that greater adherence to the Mediterranean
diet—an eating pattern focused on fruit, vegetables, nuts, fish, olive oil, and whole grains while avoiding red and
processed meats, dairy, saturated fats, and refined sugars—is associated with a 6% lower risk for obesity-related
cancers. The benefits are attributed to the diet’s anti-inflammatory effects, improved insulin sensitivity, and
avoidance of ultra-processed foods. JAMA Network Open, March 2025
Exercise: The Benefits of Dancing Are More Than Physical. In addition to being a means of meeting physical
activity guidelines, researchers report that dancing fosters emotional expression, builds social bonds, reduces
anxiety, lowers cortisol levels, and enhances cardiovascular health. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, May 2025
Chiropractic: Guidelines for Managing Spinal Pain. A recent systematic review that included 30 clinical practice
guidelines for the nonpharmacological, nonsurgical management of spine pain revealed that patient education,
therapeutic exercises, and manual therapies are effective treatment options, especially when combined in a
multimodal treatment approach. Doctors of chiropractic use these and many of the therapies in the management of
spinal pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, January 2025
Mental Attitude: Short and Long Sleep Linked to Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment. For patients recovering
from stroke, a recent study found that sleeping fewer than seven hours or more than nine hours a night are each
associated with a significant increased risk for cognitive impairment in the following 18 months. The findings
suggest that healthcare providers should assess stroke survivors for short or long sleep during recovery.
Journal of the American Heart Association, April 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Organ Health May Predict Later Health Risks. Using data collected during the long-term
Whitehall II study, researchers report that the various organs in our body age at different rates, and fast-aging organs
are linked to an elevated risk for age-related disease. For example, the research team found that faster immune
system aging is more closely linked to dementia than brain aging. These findings could lead to the development of
special blood tests to assist healthcare providers in identifying a patient’s future risk for disease early on when
preventative efforts may be more effective. The Lancet Digital Health, March 2025
Quote: “The things we hate about ourselves aren’t more real than things we like about ourselves.” ~ Ellen Goodman

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