Mental Attitude: Positive Well-Being Benefits Those with Autism. According to a new study that monitored the
mental health of 36 employed adults with autism spectrum disorder, those with a greater sense of happiness and life
satisfaction were less likely to develop depressive symptoms over the following year. Lead author Dr. Darren Hedley
adds, “While previous research has tended to focus on the negative aspects of mental health such as depression and
anxiety, in this study we felt it was also important to focus on positive well-being—a construct often overlooked in autism
research in adulthood. There needs to be more mental health research involving adults with autism, and it is particularly
important to understand what predicts good mental health and better outcomes overall.” Autism Research, January 2019
Health Alert: Fatty Liver Linked to Osteoporosis? Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when excess fat
builds up in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption. A review of data from six studies has
identified an association between NAFLD during childhood and an elevated risk for reduced bone mineral density, which
may set the stage for osteoporosis later in life. Hepatology, January 2019
Diet: Low Zinc Levels Increase Risk of Hypertension. Low zinc levels may contribute to high blood pressure by
changing the way the kidneys handle sodium. In this study, researchers compared male mice with zinc deficiency to mice
with healthy zinc levels and found that the zinc-deficient mice were more likely to develop high blood pressure with a
corresponding decrease in urinary sodium excretion. When the zinc-deficient mice were fed a zinc-rich diet and reached
adequate levels, the rodents’ blood pressure decreased and their urinary sodium levels increased.
American Journal of Physiology — Renal Physiology, January 2019
Exercise: Depressed Youths Less Likely to Exercise. An analysis of data from the 2011-12 National Survey of
Children’s Health suggests that boys and girls with depression are only about half as likely to get regular exercise as their
non-depressed peers. Preventative Medicine Reports, January 2019
Chiropractic: Hip Pain Is Rarely an Isolated Problem… A recent study that included 2,515 subjects found that of
those with hip pain (124), only 3% exclusively had pain in their hip. In 47% of cases, hip pain patients also had pain in
one to five other body sites, and 50% of hip pain patients had co-existing pain in six or more areas. Doctors of
Chiropractic are well trained in making differential diagnoses in order to determine all of the patient’s presenting pain
generators, leading to proper management to achieve successful treatment outcomes. Musculoskeletal Care, January 2019
Wellness/Prevention: How to Prevent Skin Problems at the Gym. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can thrive in warm
places at the gym, such as locker rooms and sweaty gym equipment. To prevent skin infections, the American Academy
of Dermatology recommends the following: wear loose-fitting, moisture-wicking clothing; always wear shoes or flip flops
in the locker room, around pools, and in the shower; keep any cuts clean and covered; disinfect equipment before and
after use; wash hands after working out; shower soon after exercising; and dress in clean clothes.
American Academy of Dermatology, January 2019
Quote: “Common sense is very uncommon.” ~ Horace Greeley
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.