Health Alert: Can Being Overweight Change the Heart Structure of Young Adults? Being overweight may thicken
heart muscle tissue and increase blood pressure, elevating one’s risk for future heart disease. In this study, researchers
analyzed data on thousands of healthy young adults and found a link between a greater BMI and both higher blood
pressure and enlargement of left ventricle of the heart. Lead author Dr. Kaitlin H. Wade explains, “Thickening of vessel
walls is widely considered to be the first sign of atherosclerosis, a disease in which fatty plaques build up within the
arteries and lead to heart disease. However, our findings suggest that higher BMIs cause changes in the heart structure of
the young that may precede changes in blood vessels… Our results support efforts to reduce body mass index to within a
normal, healthy range from a young age to prevent later heart disease.” Circulation, July 2018
Diet: Caffeine Not Helpful to Dieters. Caffeine is often found in weight-loss aids, claiming to curb appetite and speed up
metabolism, but new research suggests otherwise. In a study involving 50 healthy adults, researchers observed that
participants ate 70 fewer calories in the morning after drinking a small amount of caffeine equivalent to 4 ounces of
coffee; however, the participants tended to eat more later in the day, suggesting that caffeine had no effect on total calorie
consumption. Study co-author Dr. Carol DeNysschen writes, “[This study] reinforces the importance of good eating habits
and not relying on unsupported weight-loss aids or unhealthy practices.”
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, July 2018
Exercise: Active Teenagers Are Healthier. Encouraging teens to be physically active can lead to a number of health
benefits. In a study that included 422 high school students, researchers found that teens who engaged in at least one hour
of physical activity at least five days a week had a greater overall sense of wellbeing and life satisfaction; a lower risk for
depression, including self-harm and suicide ideation; and a reduced risk for substance abuse, including tobacco, alcohol,
and illicit drugs. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, August 2018
Chiropractic: Neck Pain Can Affect Your Shoulder Movement… In this study, researchers found that among a group
of 60 adults under the age of 45, those with chronic neck pain exhibited reduced function and range of motion in the
shoulder. Additionally, the research team observed a relationship between greater neck pain intensity and worse shoulder
joint performance. Physiotherapy Research International, August 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Benefits of Whole Grains. Whole grains are an important part of a balanced diet, as they provide
a source of fiber, several B vitamins, and important minerals such as iron, magnesium, and selenium. The Department of
Agriculture notes that adding more whole grains to one’s diet can reduce constipation, improve heart health, aid in weight
loss, and prevent neural tube defects during fetal development. Department of Agriculture, August 2018
Quote: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” ~ Samuel Goldwyn

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