Mental Attitude: Is Divorce in Our Genes? Past studies have shown that children of divorced parents are usually more likely
to become divorced in adulthood, but why is that? Experts have speculated that this association is due to psychological and
social factors, but a new study that included nearly 20,000 adoptees found that these individuals had a similar divorce rate as
their biological parents but not their adoptive parents. Study author Dr. Jessica Salvatore notes her team’s findings suggest that
“[the] reason that the offspring of divorced parents are more likely to get divorced has to do with the genes that parents and
children share, rather than the experience of seeing [their] parents split up.” Psychological Science, October 2017
Health Alert: Cardiac Arrest Linked to Low Calcium. Sudden cardiac arrest is described as the abrupt, unexpected loss of
heart function, breathing, and consciousness, which usually results from an electrical disturbance in the heart that disrupts
normal pumping action and blood flow to the rest of the body. An analysis of data from the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death
Study indicates that the risk of sudden cardiac arrest was 2.3 times greater for the individuals in the study who had the lowest
blood calcium levels compared to those with the highest calcium levels. The research team says its findings should be
interpreted with caution, and future research is needed to determine the relationship and to determine if controlling calcium
levels can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, October 2017
Diet: Too Much Sugar Raises Risk for Heart Disease. In a new study, researchers found that healthy participants who
consumed a high-sugar diet for just three months developed a fatty liver similar to that of individuals with non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease (NAFLD)—a condition associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Researcher Dr. Bruce Griffin
writes, “Our findings provide new evidence that consuming high amounts of sugar can alter your fat metabolism in ways that
could increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.” Clinical Science, October 2017
Exercise: Benefits of Aerobic Exercise. The Mayo Clinic lists the following benefits of aerobic exercise: reduces excess
weight; increases stamina; wards off illness; reduces the risk of heart disease and certain cancers; helps manage chronic
conditions such as high blood pressure; strengthens the heart; boosts mood; and helps you stay active and independent as you
age. Mayo Clinic, October 2017
Chiropractic: Jaw Pain and Sleep Trouble. Evaluations of 187 temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients and 99 healthy
controls revealed that TMD patients generally score lower on sleep quality assessments. However, further analysis showed that
TMD patients with a history of whiplash tend to experience even greater sleep disturbances, which highlights the importance of
seeking appropriate care following a car accident, slip and fall, or sports collision when a whiplash injury may have been
sustained. Doctors of chiropractic frequently treat patients suffering from whiplash and TMD with a high degree of patient
satisfaction. Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache, October 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Lung Cancer Prevention. Lung cancer screenings are important because lung cancer often lacks
symptoms in its earlies stages. The American Lung Association notes that low dose CT scans can help detect lung cancer in its
early stages when it’s easier to treat and though screening is not suitable for everyone, it is recommended for those at a greater
risk for developing the disease, such as smokers or those exposed to secondhand smoke or radon.
American Lung Association, October 2017
Quote: “Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.