Health Alert: Plastics May Contribute to Obesity. A lab analysis of commonly used plastic products
revealed that a third contained chemicals known to interfere with human metabolism and contribute to fat
cell development. Study co-author Dr. Martin Wagner adds, “Our experiments show that ordinary plastic
products contain a mix of substances that can be a relevant and underestimated factor behind overweight
and obesity.” Environmental Science & Technology, January 2022
Diet: Diet May Increase IBD Risk. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and
ulcerative colitis, affect an estimated 3.1 million adults in the United States. An analysis of 14 years of data
concerning over 125,000 adults found that a high intake of snacks and prepared meals combined with a low
intake of fruit and vegetables is linked to an elevated risk for Crohn’s disease. Meanwhile, a diet with a
high intake of red meat, poultry, and processed meat is associated with an increased risk for ulcerative
colitis. Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, December 2021
Exercise: Other Ways Exercise Benefits Kids. In addition to better fitness, the current research suggests
that engaging in at least 300 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each week can improve a
child or teen’s self-esteem, self-image, self-efficacy, ability to manage stress, and likelihood to engage in
other healthy behaviors. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, March 2022
Chiropractic: Manual Therapy for TMD Patients. A review of data from six studies found that manual
therapies—such as those utilized by doctors of chiropractic—applied to the craniomandibular region of
patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can result in improvements in both pain and maximum
mouth opening. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, December 2021
Mental Attitude: Weight May Affect Thinking Skills. There’s an abundance of research regarding the
many poor outcomes associated with obesity from an increased risk for type 2 diabetes to an elevated risk
for heart attack. Now, a new study that included 9,200 adults suggests that obesity may also cause the brain
to age faster, which can hasten cognitive decline. JAMA Network Open, February 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Screen Time Before Bedtime is Bad for Young Kids. A recent experiment
involving 36 preschool-aged children found that increased exposure to screens and other lights before
bedtime could significantly reduce melatonin levels, which can hinder a child’s ability to get a restful
night’s sleep. Journal of Pineal Research, January 2022
Quote: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” ~ Anais Nin

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

Health Alert: Pregnancy Complications Can Lead to Problems Later in Life. Using data from the
Swedish Medical Birth Register, researchers estimate that pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia,
eclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth may elevate a woman’s risk for
cardiovascular disease later in life, even after adjusting for obesity, smoking, and comorbidities.
Journal of the American Heart Association, January 2022
Diet: Individuals with Epilepsy Should Skip Energy Drinks. A meta review of 50 studies found limited
evidence that caffeinated energy drinks might trigger seizures in patients with epilepsy.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, February 2022
Exercise: HIIT and Blood Pressure. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form of exercise that
involves short intervals of near-maximal effort such as sprinting or stair climbing separated by intervals of
moderate-intensity exercise, such as jogging or fast walking. A meta-analysis of ten studies found that HIIT
is as effective as moderate-intensity continuous training at improving blood pressure in older adults.
Experimental Gerontology, February 2022
Chiropractic: Nearly a Third of Young Teens Have Recent Back Pain. Questionnaires completed by
1,278 schoolchildren between the ages of 10 and 15 years revealed that 31% experienced low back pain in
the preceding three months. Treatment of low back pain in children and teens is common in chiropractic
clinics. Revista Española de Salud Públic, December 2021
Mental Attitude: Stigma Against Depression May Be Decreasing. Compared with twenty years ago,
fewer American adults are willing to admit they would avoid individuals with depression. However, the
beliefs that alcohol dependence is due to “bad character” and people with schizophrenia are “dangerous”
have become more common. JAMA Network Open, December 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Meditation May Strengthen Immune System. Among a group of 100 people,
those who participated in an eight-day retreat that involved meditation for ten hours a day experienced
increased expression of 220 immune-related genes that persisted for up to 90 days. While such retreats
aren’t practical for the majority of the population, the findings suggest that meditation may play a role in
improving immune function. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, December 2021
Quote: “Keep cool; anger is not an argument.” ~ Daniel Webster

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

Health Alert: Prediabetes Linked to Several Poor Outcomes. Prediabetes is a term used to describe
elevated blood sugar levels that have not yet reached the threshold for diabetes diagnosis. An umbrella
review of 95 meta-analyses found evidence that prediabetes is associated with an increased incidence of
coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, liver cancer,
hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, and dementia. Diabetologia, February 2022
Diet: How Red Meat Increases Cardiovascular Disease Risk.
New research suggests that microbes in the digestive tract convert carnitine—an ammonium compound
found in red meat—into trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is a molecule known to promote
atherosclerosis and blood clot formation. Nature Microbiology, December 2021
Exercise: Exercise Protects the Muscles, Bones, and Joints. A review of data from the 1999-2018
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that meeting fitness guidelines of 150 minutes
of moderate-intensity physical activity a week can reduce the risk for sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and
osteoarthritis in middle-aged and older adults. Experimental Gerontology, February 2022
Chiropractic: Overactive Bladder and Low Back Pain. Evaluation of 72 women, half with overactive
bladder syndrome, revealed that those with an overactive bladder had reduced lumbopelvic stability and a
greater risk for low back pain, poor sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. The findings suggest
that treatment options to improve lumbopelvic stability, such as chiropractic care, may benefit women with
overactive bladder syndrome. Somatosensory & Motor Research, December 2021
Mental Attitude: Teens Spend Four Hours a Day Online. Interviews with over 5,000 teenager-parent
pairs revealed that adolescents average about 3.9 hours of leisure screen time a day. Past research has
shown that excessive screen time can increase the risk for poor outcomes like depression, anxiety,
inattention, poor sleep, and physical inactivity. Academic Pediatrics, December 2021
Wellness/Prevention: How a High-Fat Diet Can Promote Poor Dental Health. An animal study found
that mice on a high-fat diet experienced an increase in immune cells called myeloid-derived suppressor
cells (MDSCs) that can develop into osteoclasts, which increase bone destruction and can lead to tooth loss.
Journal of Dental Research, December 2021
Quote: “Where there is no vision, there is no hope.” ~ George Washington Carver

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

Health Alert: Good Oral Health May Have Cardiovascular Benefits. Following a review of data from
the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort concerning nearly 53,000
hypertensive patients, researchers report that participants who developed five or more dental caries during
an eleven-year time frame were 37% more likely to have a stroke or heart attack. On the other hand, those
who brushed at least twice a day reduced their risk for poor cardiovascular outcomes by 12%.
Journal of Hypertension, February 2022
Diet: Why Some Love Black Coffee and Dark Chocolate… New research suggests that individuals who
prefer their coffee black and chocolate dark carry genes that are associated with more efficient
metabolization of caffeine, which speeds up the time it takes to provide an increase in mental alertness.
Scientific Reports, December 2021
Exercise: Benefits of Resistance Training for Senior Men. For older men, a recent study found that
twelve weeks of whole-body resistance training can improve leg extension and leg press performance,
increase muscle mass, cut body fat, improve walking ability, and reduce inflammatory biomarkers in the
blood. Experimental Gerontology, February 2022
Chiropractic: Spinal Alignment Linked to Low Back Pain. Examinations of 1,491 adults revealed that
those with low back pain were more likely to have exaggerated sagittal (from the side) spinal curvature.
The findings suggest that spinal malalignment may be a contributing factor for back pain. Doctors of
chiropractic focus on improving spinal alignment to reduce spinal pain and disability.
Scientific Reports, October 2021
Mental Attitude: Social Engagement Protects the Brian. During a four-year study, researchers observed
that older adults with mild cognitive impairment who socialized in a greater number of environments were
less likely to progress to dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders, January 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Safety Tips for Snow Shoveling. For many, winter means shoveling snow. Since
this activity can increase one’s risk for back injury and heart attack, Traveler’s Insurance recommends the
following: warm up beforehand, push rather than lift, choose your shovel wisely, take frequent breaks, keep
up with the snowfall, wear layers, and stay hydrated. Traveler’s Insurance, December 2021
Quote: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~ William James
Joseph T. Megna, D.C. (707) 226-5200 945

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

Health Alert: Dementia Cases to Triple in Next 30 Years. Experts project that the number of dementia
patients worldwide will increase to 152 million by 2050, up from 57 million in 2019, largely due to the
aging populace in richer countries. Lancet Public Health, January 2022
Diet: Benefits of Intermittent Fasting Go Beyond Weight Loss. A review of data from 11 studies found
that intermittent fasting (restricting eating to a limited window each day or not eating one or two days a
week, for example) is not only effective for weight loss but it can also improve cholesterol, blood pressure,
and blood glucose readings. JAMA Network Open, December 2021
Exercise: How Exercise Protects Against Fatty Liver. According to a recent study, exercise training
improves mitochondrial function and regulates important enzymes of glucose and fructose degradation in
the liver, which may explain how exercise helps reduce the risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Molecular Metabolism, December 2021
Chiropractic: Many Misbeliefs Persist About Back Pain. Questionnaires completed by 3,724 adults
revealed that many people still retain false beliefs about low back pain, which not only increases their risk
for the condition but can also lower their chances for recovery. Some of these myths include the idea that
imaging tests can always identify the cause of low back pain; bed rest should be the mainstay of therapy;
individuals with back pain should take it easy and limit activity; back pain will get worse; and surgery is
needed for disk herniation. Physiotherapy International Research, October 2021
Mental Attitude: Weak Grip May Suggest Dementia Risk. Researchers use handgrip strength to
estimate an individual’s overall fitness level. A systematic review of data from 16 studies has concluded
that poor handgrip strength is also associated with a nearly two-times increased risk for dementia.
Geroscience, January 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Preventing Obesity in Kids. Healthline reports that the following can help reduce
the prevalence of obesity in the pediatric population: breastfeed infants, if possible; eat healthy foods as a
family; encourage eating slowly and only when hungry; limit unhealthy foods in the house; encourage
physical activity; limit screen time; ensure proper sleep habits; and know what children are eating outside
the home. Healthline, December 2021
Quote: “When a deep injury is done us, we never recover until we forgive.” ~ Alan Paton

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

Health Alert: Overactive Bladder Linked to Falls in Seniors. Scientists conducted an experiment in
which older adults with an overactive bladder were asked to walk under normal conditions, while
performing a distracting mental task, and while needing to urinate. The investigators observed that both the
need to urinate and mental distraction resulted in similar changes in gait that can increase the risk for a fall.
Lead author Dr. William Gibson writes, “This is pretty good evidence that people with incontinence are
being distracted by their bladders, which means that they’re less able to concentrate on walking… If you’re
a family physician looking after someone who is having problems with falls, one of the things that should
be asked is, ‘Are you also having problems with your bladder?’ If so, then what can be done about that?”
PLOS ONE, December 2021
Diet: Food Choices Can Protect the Brain. Assessments of 845 older adults revealed that a high intake of
fruit, vegetables, and plant-based foods may protect the brain against cognitive impairment and dementia.
Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, October 2021
Exercise: Team Sports Cut Depression Risk. Following an analysis of data from the 2019 Brazilian
National Health Survey, researchers report that participating in team sports can reduce one’s risk for
depression by up to 48%. Journal of Affective Disorders, January 2022
Chiropractic: Lumbar Disk Degeneration and Paraspinal Muscle Mass. Magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) of 504 middle aged adults revealed an association between lower paraspinal muscle mass and a
greater degree of disk degeneration in the lumbar spine. Rehabilitation exercises focused on improving
spinal muscle strength are often part of the chiropractic approach for managing low back pain in patients
with degenerative disk disease. Journal of Clinical Orthopedic Trauma, September 2021
Mental Attitude: Multiple Concussions and Stroke. Among a group of 979 retired professional football
players over the age of 65, researchers observed that those had sustained ten or more concussions in their
lifetime were five times more likely to have suffered a stroke. Stroke, January 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Cataract Surgery May Reduce Dementia Risk. New research suggests that older
adults with cataracts who undergo cataract surgery are 29% less likely to develop dementia than those who
do not have surgery to correct cataracts. JAMA Internal Medicine, December 2021
Quote: “Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been.” ~ Jimmy Buffett

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

Health Alert: Air Pollution Increases Gestational Diabetes Risk. Using data from the Born in
Guangzhou Cohort Study, researchers report that increased exposure to air pollutants in the six months
before pregnancy and during the first trimester elevate the risk for gestational diabetes mellitus by as much
as 30%. Environmental Research, March 2022
Diet: Magnesium Is Important. Magnesium is vital for regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar
levels, blood pressure, and for making protein, bone, and DNA. The current research suggests that most
American adults do not consume adequate amounts of magnesium in their diet. Dietary sources of
magnesium include legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, fortified breakfast cereals
and other fortified foods, milk, yogurt, and some other milk products.
National Institutes of Health, December 2021
Exercise: Exercising During Mid-Life May Pay Dividends Later. Examinations of physically active
middle-aged adults revealed they had more elastic arteries than their sedentary peers and the flexibility of
their arteries was comparable to those of physically active young adults. The findings are important
because arterial stiffness is linked to a greater risk of stroke and dementia risk later in life.
Journal of Applied Physiology, November 2021
Chiropractic: Low Back Pain Linked to Falls and Collisions in Older Adults. A study that included
1,127 older adults found that those with persistent low back pain were more likely to either experience a
serious fall or be involved in a motor vehicle collision in the following 15 years.
Journal of Applied Gerontology, November 2021
Mental Attitude: Higher Heart Rate Linked to Greater Risk of Dementia. New research suggests that
older adults with a resting heart rate above 80 beats per minute (bpm) have a 55% higher risk for
developing dementia over the following twelve years than seniors with a resting heart rate between 60 to 69
bpm. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, December 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Ads for Healthy Eating Work on Kids. New research suggests that if children are
exposed to advertising that promotes healthy eating, they are more likely to meet daily recommendations
for fruit, vegetable, and whole grain intake. Appetite, January 2022
Quote: “Circumstances do not determine a man, they reveal him.” ~ James Lane Allen

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

Health Alert: Marijuana May Interrupt Sleep. An analysis of data from the United States National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that marijuana users are 34% more likely to experience
insufficient sleep and 56% more likely to report sleeping too much. Senior study author Dr. Karim Ladha
writes, “I think [the results] were somewhat surprising because, in our mind, anecdotally cannabis seems to
help with sleep, but … the evidence to support that notion is just not there yet.”
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, December 2021
Diet: Low Protein Intake Linked to Lower Muscle Mass in Older Women. Examinations of 164 older
women revealed a relationship between failure to consume adequate amounts of protein and an increased
risk for sarcopenia, a disease associated with the loss of skeletal muscle mass during the aging process that
elevates the risk for falls, functional decline, frailty, and early death.
Nutrición Hospitalaria, December 2021
Exercise: Regular Exercise Reduces Risk of Pneumonia. The current research suggests that individuals
who regularly exercise may have both a reduced risk for developing pneumonia and for death from
pneumonia should they develop the condition. GeroScience, November 2021
Chiropractic: Sagittal Misalignment Linked to Back-Related Disability. An evaluation of x-rays of 343
adults with low back pain revealed that those with a greater degree of sagittal (from the side) misalignment
between the legs, pelvis, and lower back were more likely to report higher levels of low back pain and
disability. Journal of Orthopedic Science, November 2021
Mental Attitude: Hearing Loss is a Risk Factor for Dementia. Following an analysis of data from the
New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System from 2007-2017, researchers report that
hearing loss can increase an individual’s risk for dementia by up to 63%.
Otology & Neurotology, January 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Avoiding the Common Cold. The Cleveland Clinic offers the following tips to
reduce one’s risk for the common cold: wash your hands regularly; avoid touching your face; clean
frequently used surfaces; strengthen your immune system by getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating a
healthy diet; and stay home when sick to avoid spreading a cold. Cleveland Clinic, November 2021
Quote: “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

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

Health Alert: Migraines Linked to Alzheimer’s. Following an analysis of data from five cohort studies
that included a total of 249,303 participants, researchers estimate that individuals with a history of migraine
headaches may have up to a 2.49 times increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, January 2022
Diet: Fruits, Veggies, and the Gut Microbiome. Using data from the Multiethnic Cohort-Adiposity
Phenotype Study, researchers report that a high intake of fruit and vegetables is associated with greater
diversity of the gut microbiome, which is linked to a reduced risk for several chronic diseases.
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, January 2022
Exercise: A Short Run Can Give the Brain a Boost. According to a recent study, engaging in just ten
minutes of moderate-intensity running can increase blood flow to areas of the brain that are key to
regulating mood, working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. Scientific Reports, November 2021
Chiropractic: Back Pain Common Among ICU Nurses. A systematic review of 21 studies published in
the last 20 years found that 76% of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses experience at least one episode of low
back pain each year, a rate substantially higher than is observed in the general population. Low back pain is
the most common condition treated by doctors of chiropractic. Nurses in Critical Care, November 2021
Mental Attitude: Many Drinkers Think They Are Okay to Drive. In this study, researchers observed
that around half of young adult drinkers are unable to determine when their blood alcohol concentration is
above the legal limit to drive, which can place them at risk for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
Study leader Dr. Kai Hensel writes, “In countries with legal alcohol limits, it’s usually the driver who
makes a judgment about how much they’ve drunk and how fit they are to drive. But as we’ve shown, we are
not always good at making this judgment. As many as one in two people in our study underestimated how
drunk we are — and this can have devastating consequences.” Harm Reduction Journal, December 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Depression Risk. The results from a recent study
suggest that engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, reducing the intake of high-carb, lownutrient foods, and improving sleep quality can reduce or prevent depression in overweight or obese men.
Journal of Affective Disorders, December 2021
Quote: “There are no secrets that time does not reveal.” ~ Jean Racine

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

Health Alert: Nearly 7% of Kids Have Suffered a Head Injury or Concussion. Using data from the 2020
United States National Health Interview Survey, researchers report that 7% of children exhibited signs of
concussion or brain injury, but only 4% had received a doctor’s diagnosis. NCHS Data Brief, December 2021
Diet: A Sulfur Microbial Diet May Increase Colorectal Cancer Risk. A diet characterized by a high intake
of low-calorie beverages, French fries, red meat, and processed meat combined with a low intake of fruit,
vegetables, legumes, and whole grains may promote the growth of sulfur-metabolizing bacteria populations,
which researchers have linked to an elevated risk for colorectal cancer. JAMA Network Open, November 2021
Exercise: Get Fit at Work. The National Institutes of Health offers the following tips to incorporate more
physical activity into the workday for individuals with desk jobs: take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk
during your lunch break, walk and talk with a co-worker instead of sending an e-email, park farther away from
your office, and join your company’s fitness center, if available. National Institutes of Health, November 2021
Chiropractic: Using a Soft Cervical Collar After Whiplash Increases Risk of Persistent Symptoms. A
retrospective observational study that included 2,162 whiplash associated disorder (WAD) patients from two
emergency rooms found that 25.5% of patients who used a soft cervical collar returned to the emergency room
within three months, compared to only 6.1% who did not wear a soft cervical collar. The findings suggest that
the use of a soft cervical collar in the management of WAD is a risk factor for persistent symptoms.
Healthcare, October 2021
Mental Attitude: Social Relationships May Be Important for a Healthy Lifestyle. A study that included
over 1,000 adults revealed that those who believed they could rely on their friends and family for support had
lower levels of inflammation in the body, which has been associated with a reduced risk for chronic disease.
The findings suggest that maintaining a positive social network may be an important key to healthy living.
Brain, Behavior and Immunity, November 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Tips to Prevent Acne. To keep acne at bay, WebMD offers the following tips: keep
your face clean, moisturize, use makeup sparingly, watch what you use in your hair, keep your hands off your
face, stay out of the sun, eat a healthy diet, exercise daily, and manage your stress levels. If the problem persists,
consult with a dermatologist for other treatment options. WebMD, November 2021
Quote: “The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.”
~ Arthur C. Clarke

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