Mental Attitude: Secondhand Smoke May Cause Behavior Issues in Kids. An analysis of data concerning more than 5,200
primary school students reveals that kids exposed to secondhand smoke while in the womb and/or at a young age have a greater risk
for behavioral problems, especially emotional and conduct disorders. Study leader Dr. Isabella Annesi-Maesano wrties, “Our data
indicate that passive smoking, in addition to the well-known effects on health, should also be avoided because of the behavioral
disorders it may cause in children.” PLOS ONE, September 2015
Health Alert: Birds May Bring Exotic Ticks North. The seasonal migration of some bird species may allow ticks to hitch a ride
from Central and South America to the United States. Researchers found that 3% of migratory birds carried so-called neotropical
ticks, which means birds likely bring more than 19 million neotropical ticks to the United States every spring. Fortunately, there is no
evidence that any ticks have established permanent populations as exotic ticks can’t survive, reproduce, and spread in a Northern
climate. However, some experts warn climate change may make it possible for these neotropical ticks to establish themselves in the
United States in the future. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, October 2015
Diet: Vitamin D May Helps Women Build Muscle After Menopause. According to a new report, vitamin D supplementation can
significantly increase muscle strength and reduce the loss of body muscle mass in women years after menopause. Researchers found
older women who received vitamin D supplements experienced a significant increase (+25.3%) in muscle strength, while those
receiving a placebo lost an average of 6.8% of their muscle mass during the course of the multi-year study. The study also revealed
that those who did not receive vitamin D supplements were nearly two times more likely to experience a fall. Dr. Wulf H. Utian, the
Executive Director of The North American Menopause Society adds, “While this study is unlikely to decide the debate over Vitamin
D, it provides further evidence to support the use of vitamin D supplements by postmenopausal women in an effort to reduce frailty
and an increased risk of falling.” The North American Menopause Society, September 2015
Exercise: Do You Want to Live longer? Start Walking More and Sitting Less. Replacing one hour of sitting each day with
walking can decrease the chance of early death among seniors by 12-14%. Researchers also note that swapping one hour of sitting
each day with standing results in a 5% decrease in the risk of premature death. On average, people over the age of 70 spend around
65-80% of their waking time performing sedentary activities, so substituting some of this time with standing or light physical activity
could have a positive impact on their overall health.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, September 2015
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies for Cancer Radiation Patients? Radiation therapy for neck and head cancers can often result in
neck pain and loss of motion. A small study involving five participants suggests that the use of manual therapies, treatments
commonly performed by doctors of chiropractic, can help reduce pain and improve mobility in this class of patients without adverse
outcomes. Clinical Otolaryngology, September 2015
Wellness/Prevention: What’s Your Resting Heart Rate? Even if you’re not an athlete, knowing your heart rate can help you keep
tabs on your fitness level. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute. Generally, a lower heart rate at
rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness. American Heart Association, October 2015
Quote: “I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it.” ~ Mae West

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