Mental Attitude: Sleepless Nights Linked to Changes in the Brain. Chinese researchers report that insomnia may lead to abnormalities in the white matter of the brain, the tissue which carries information between the various parts of the organ. For the study, the researchers recruited 23 patients with primary insomnia and 30 healthy volunteers. The participants completed surveys that allowed investigators to evaluate their mental status and sleep patterns. Using an advanced MRI technique, the research team also looked at the pattern of water movement in white matter to identify any irregularities. They found that participants with insomnia had significantly reduced white matter integrity in several regions of the brain including the thalamus, which regulates consciousness, sleep, and alertness, as well as the corpus callosum, the area that connects the two halves of the brain. Researcher Dr. Shumei Li notes, “Our results can potentially provide the evidence about how the lack of sleep may lead to the impairment of white matter related to emotional or cognitive disorders.” Radiology, April 2016
Health Alert: Diabetes Has Quadrupled Worldwide Since 1980. According to a new report, the number of men and women diagnosed with diabetes around the globe increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014, with the most severe increases noted in low- and middle-income countries. Experts say these findings should sound an alarm for large-scale, effective action that focuses on reducing the health and economic impact of diabetes. The Lancet, April 2016
Diet: Daily Fruit Consumption Helps the Heart. Consuming fresh fruit, such as apples and oranges, each day appears to reduce the risk of dying from either a heart attack or stroke by about one-third. Investigators collected data on more than 500,000 adults between 2004 and 2009 and found that fewer than one-in-five ate fruit on a daily basis. However, the researchers found that those who ate about a half cup of fruit a day had a significantly lower risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Lead researcher Dr. Liming Li reports that participants who ate fruit the most often had lower blood pressure and blood sugar compared to those who ate less fruit, which could explain the reduced risk for heart attacks and stroke. New England Journal of Medicine, April 2016
Exercise: Too Few Children Get 60 Minutes of Exercise Daily. In this study, investigators observed 453 schoolchildren during a one-week period and found that only 15% achieved the recommended 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) each day. Furthermore, compared with normal or underweight children, the researchers report that the overweight and obese children in the study were be less active overall and achieved fewer minutes of MVPA during school, out-of-school, and on weekends. Senior author Dr. Jennifer Sacheck comments, “Clearly, schools need to be aware of this disparity and should focus on increasing all intensities of physical activity equally for all children across the school-day.”
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, March 2016
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Pain Common in Veterans. A recent study investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among United States veterans. The study included 5,237,763 former soldiers and found that non-traumatic joint pain (27%), back pain (25%), and osteoarthritis (21%) are the most commonly reported and treated musculoskeletal disorders among those who received Veterans Health Administration care. The findings show that musculoskeletal complaints are highly prevalent, painful, and costly disorders among veterans. Pain, March 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Levels Linked to Cardiovascular Disease Risk. New research suggests that the risk of cardiovascular disease could be predicted by measuring levels of total and bioavailable vitamin D in both men and women. The study analyzed the vitamin D levels of 4,200 individuals aged 52-76 and assessed whether vitamin D levels had any effect on future cardiac events. The findings revealed that individuals with low levels of both total vitamin D and bioavailable vitamin D were at the greatest risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and even cardiovascular death. American College of Cardiology, April 2016
Quote: “Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length.” ~ Robert Frost

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

Mental Attitude: Chronic Stress Can Affect Memory. Individuals subjected to chronic stress due to bullying or a tough job may experience problems with their memory. Researchers found that mice who were repeatedly stressed by larger, more aggressive mice when they tried to find an escape hole in a maze became more forgetful than mice not exposed to the aggressive mice. The researchers say that the mice’s inability to remember coincided with stress-induced inflammation in the brain. They hope that a better understanding of stress, cognition, and mood problems may help create strategies for those suffering from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Journal of Neuroscience, March 2016
Health Alert: Secondhand Smoke Exacerbates COPD Symptoms. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. A recent study found 20% of COPD patients live with an active smoker and 27% were exposed to secondhand smoke during the previous week. For the COPD patient, secondhand smoke exposure is linked to a greater risk for severe exacerbations (51%), nocturnal symptoms (58%), wheezing (34%), and chronic cough (77%). Thorax, March 2016
Diet: High-Fat Diet May Raise Cancer Risk. New research suggests that a high-fat diet could increase the risk of colon cancer. In this study, researchers fed healthy mice a high-fat diet (60% of total calories from fat) for nine months and found the mice gained 30-50% more body mass and developed more intestinal tumors than mice on a control diet. Nature, March 2016
Exercise: Brain Chemicals Affected By Exercise. Researchers have found that people who exercise not only have better physical fitness than inactive persons, but they also have better mental fitness. Using MRI scans, researchers found that intense exercise increased the levels of two common neurotransmitters called glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid in study participants. The finding offers insights into brain metabolism and how exercise could become an essential part of treating depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders associated with deficiencies in neurotransmitters. Lead researcher Dr. Richard Maddock adds, “We are offering another view on why regular physical activity may be important to prevent or treat depression… Not every depressed person who exercises will improve, but many will. It’s possible that we can help identify the patients who would most benefit from an exercise prescription.” Journal of Neuroscience, February 2016
Chiropractic: Is it CTS or Double Crush Syndrome? Many patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may also have median nerve entrapments further up the course of the nerve (in the neck, shoulder, elbow, etc). When the median nerve is encumbered at two anatomical locations, it’s described as a double crush syndrome (DCS). In this study, researchers compared the results of nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests on patients with CTS and patients with CTS and cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (an example of DCS). The results showed worse nerve function in the patients with DCS, supporting the possibility of more severe CTS symptoms with a lower likelihood of resolution if treatment only focused on the wrist.
Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, September 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Experts Unsure If Seniors Should Have Routine Vision Checks. A panel of experts concludes there is not enough data to say whether or not seniors should be routinely screened for vision trouble by their primary care physicians. According to the panel, primary care doctors typically check vision with an eye chart test and while this test can detect refractive errors, it does not identify early stage age-related macular degeneration or cataracts. Task force member Dr. Michael Pignone notes, “Older adults who are having vision problems should talk to their primary care doctor or eye specialist… in the absence of clear evidence, primary care doctors should use their clinical judgment when deciding whether to screen for vision problems in patients without vision symptoms.” U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, March 2016
Quote: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” ~ Seneca

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

Mental Attitude: Can Computer Use Help with Seniors’ Memory? A new study suggests that seniors who use computers as little as once per week may help ward off commonly observed age-related declines in memory and thinking. According to the study, researchers found that seniors who used a computer during the previous week had a 42% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, a condition that places an individual at greater risk for more severe forms of dementia. While it isn’t clear to investigators how computer use may help protect one’s memory, the researchers believe that being engaged, challenged, active, and mentally stimulated can lead to a healthier brain. American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, April 2016
Health Alert: Daylight Savings Linked to Increased Risk of Stroke. Finnish researchers have found that changing the clock forward or back leads raises an individual’s stroke risk. The team analyzed data from 3,033 men and women hospitalized during the week after a daylight saving time transition and found that the overall rate of ischemic stroke was 8% higher during the first two days after the time change than in subsequent days. Author Dr. Jori Ruuskanen explains, “We know from previous studies that stroke risk is highest in the morning hours and daylight saving time slightly shifts the timing pattern of stroke onset. Previous studies have also shown that the disruption of the circadian clock due to other reasons (e.g. due to rotating shift work) and sleep fragmentation are associated with an increased risk of stroke.” Further research is needed to confirm the findings, but the team believes the results are convincing. American Academy of Neurology’s 68th Annual Meeting, April 2016
Diet: Choose a Healthier Lunch. Lunch is important for keeping you full and focused during the day. To eat a healthier lunch, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests the following: choose a salad dressing with an oil base instead of a cream base, include as many veggies as possible, and choose a small, healthier appetizer or split an entrée with someone else if eating at a restaurant. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, March 2016
Exercise: Dance Class Benefits Older Latinos. A small study involving 57 older adults has found that classes in traditional Latin dance may help older Hispanic adults become interested in exercise and improve their mobility. After four months of dance classes, researchers found that participants were fitting more activity into their daily lives and were more nimble on their feet. A larger trial is now underway to assess the longer-term effects of Latin dance classes on older adults, including any mental benefits. The researchers say that the “bigger picture message” is for older adults to find activities they actually enjoy so they’ll stick with them.
American Heart Association Meeting, March 2016
Chiropractic: How to Reduce Standing-Related Back Pain… For those whose jobs require them to stand on their feet, a simple stretch can cut the risk for back pain by as much as a third. In this study, participants stood for two hours in two sessions one week apart. During one of the two sessions, they bent all the way forwards for five seconds every 15 minutes. During the other session, they refrained from any stretching. The participants were 36% less likely to report back pain following the session that included the forward-bending stretches than when they stood still for two hours. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, April 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Low Vitamin D Associated with More Aggressive Prostate Cancer. New research suggests that prostate cancer may be more aggressive in men who are vitamin D deficient. Researchers studied nearly 200 men with prostate cancer and found that those who had blood vitamin D levels below 30 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) were more likely to have rapidly growing tumors than those with normal vitamin D levels. Dr. Anthony D’Amico, the chief of radiation oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston believes the results are important enough to spur further study into the possible connection between vitamin D and prostate cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, February 2016
Quote: “The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there.”
~ Robert M. Pirsig

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

Mental Attitude: Increasing Depression May Indicate Greater Dementia Risk. Depression is a known risk factor for dementia, but most studies have only focused on depression at a single point in time and not over a multi-year time frame. In this study, researchers looked at the depressive symptoms of 2,488 seniors over a five-year time period and then followed up with them over a decade later. They found that those with high and increasing depressive symptoms during the data collection period were nearly twice as likely to develop dementia than even those with moderate depressive symptoms. JAMA Psychiatry, March 2016
Health Alert: Lawn Mowers Pose Dangers to Kids. Children in the United States continue to suffer severe injuries from both regular power lawn mowers and ride-on mowers. Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no child under the age of 16 operate a ride-on mower and no child under twelve operate a push mower. Additionally, they urge parents to keep all children under the age of six indoors when any mower is in operation and not to allow kids to ride as passengers on mowers operated by adults. A recent study found that over 50% of kid-related mower accidents resulted in an amputation. Senior study author Dr. Douglas Armstrong explains, “People don’t realize how dangerous lawn mowers are… The vast majority of the injuries could have been prevented if safety guidelines had been followed.” American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Meeting, March 2016
Diet: Omega-3s May Lower Breast Cancer Risk Among Obese Women. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that women with dense breast tissue have a four to six times increased risk of developing breast cancer. Now, a randomized clinical trial involving 266 postmenopausal women has found an association between increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood and reduced breast density, but only among obese participants. The researchers singled out DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) as the fatty acid associated with breast density reduction and they hope to examine the effects of DHA in a trial involving obese participants known to have dense breast tissue. Researcher Dr. Andrea Manni adds, “The finding supports the idea that omega-3s, and specifically DHA, are preferentially protective in obese postmenopausal women.” Cancer Prevention Research, December 2015
Exercise: Being Physically Fit Reduces Depression Risk After Heart Attack. People who are physically fit may be less likely to become depressed after a heart attack. Researchers looked at 189 middle-aged and older Norwegians and found that those who exercised regularly in the years preceding their heart attack were less than half as likely to become depressed after a myocardial infarction than those who rarely or never exercised. The findings are important as heart attack survivors are three time more likely to have depression. Though the study did not prove cause and effect, it certainly appears that exercise protects against depression after a heart attack. The American Journal of Medicine, February 2016
Chiropractic: Tennis Not Dangerous to Teen Spines. Many health experts believe that tennis and other asymmetrical sports pose risk factors for scoliosis development in adolescents even though scientific data is lacking. A new study that involved 102 adolescent tennis players failed to find a correlation between tennis and either an increased risk for low back pain or spinal deformities among adolescents. European Spine Journal, February 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Probiotics May Prevent Dental Cavities. In the future, preventing cavities may be as simple as taking a supplement to keep unwanted bacteria in check. Researchers have found a strain of bacteria that could keep bad bacteria under control and pave the way to using probiotics (beneficial bacteria) to prevent cavities. The newly identified bacteria is a strain of Streptococcus called A12, which was found to help neutralize acids in the mouth and also kill Streptococcus mutans, an especially harmful kind of bacteria. The findings are important as too much acid can cause dental cavities or other disorders. While the development of an effective oral probiotic is still a long way off, this previously unknown bacteria looks like a promising candidate in the future of dental health. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, January 2016
Quote: “Change is hardest at the beginning, messiest in the middle and best at the end.” ~ Robin S. Sharma

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

Mental Attitude: Fidgeting May Be Important for Learning in Students with ADHD. Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often get into trouble for fidgeting in class, but a new study suggests that fidgeting may help them learn. The research team based their findings on observing the amount of fidgeting 25 children with ADHD did while solving memory problems. They suspect that fidgeting may increase physiological arousal similar to what stimulant medication does for a child with the disorder. The findings suggest that teachers and parents should focus less on whether a child is sitting still and more on whether their work gets done. Journal of Attention Disorders, February 2016
Health Alert: Radiation for Prostate Cancer May Carry Other Risks. An analysis of 21 studies has found that radiation treatment for prostate cancer may place men at a slight increased risk for other cancers such as bladder, colon, and rectal cancers. Oncologist Dr. Anthony Zietman writes, “[The study] confirms our belief that second malignancy should be added to the already long list of avoidable hazards associated with treatment for those men with low-risk prostate cancer who simply need no treatment at all.” He adds that concerns about secondary cancers “should not, however, stand in the way of an effective and well-studied treatment being given to men with higher grade, lethal prostate cancer for whom the potential benefit simply dwarfs the risk.”
British Medical Journal, March 2016
Diet: Can Fruits and Veggies Lower Blood Pressure? A review of 25 published studies concerning 334,468 patients revealed a link between greater consumption of fruits and vegetables and a lower risk of hypertension. The authors add that those of Asian descent appear to benefit the most, as studies conducted with Asian populations showed those who consumed the most servings of fruits and veggies per day were 30% less likely to develop high blood pressure than those who ate the fewest servings of produce each day. Journal of Clinical Hypertension, January 2016
Exercise: Exercise Helps Some Smokers Quit. According to a new study, between 20% and 33% of smokers are considered to have high-anxiety sensitivity and smoke to cope with stress, making it more difficult for them to quit. In this study, investigators found that 26% of high-anxiety sensitivity smokers who were involved in a 15-week exercise program successfully abstained from smoking compared with only 12% in a control group who attended wellness sessions. After six months, 23% of the exercise group continued to abstain from smoking while just 10% of the wellness education group managed the same. The findings suggest that exercise can reduce anxiety sensitivity symptoms, doubling the chances of smoking cessation among adults with higher anxiety levels. Psychosomatic Medicine, April 2016
Chiropractic: Cervical Dysfunction and TMD? A team of Brazilian researchers found evidence that patients with a diagnosed temporomandibular disorder (TMD) may also have cervical dysfunction that may possibly contribute to their TMD symptoms. In this study, twenty TMD patients and 20 healthy controls underwent a series of tests that measured pain, disability, and sensitivity to hot and cold at several body sites. They found the TMD patients were significantly more likely to report neck pain and disability and also more likely to have abnormal sensitivity to pain and cold sensations in their cervical region than those in the control group. The authors of the study believe their findings point to a relationship between TMD and the neck.
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, February 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Breathalyzer-Locked Car Ignitions Save Lives. In the 18 states that require in-car breathalyzers with ignition interlocks for anyone convicted of drunken driving, researchers have observed a 15% decrease in alcohol-related deaths. Researcher Dr. Elinore Kaufman adds, “Other states have proven [a mandatory interlock law] is feasible, and we’re contributing proof that it is effective. There should be no remaining barrier for the remaining half of states to adopt it.”
American Journal of Public Health, March 2016
Quote: “If you start by promising what you don’t even have yet, you’ll lose your desire to work towards getting it.” ~ Paulo Coelho

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

Mental Attitude: Green Space May Help Students’ Academic Performance. Students in high school who can gaze upon a green landscape from their classroom are better able to both cope with stress and focus on their studies than students in a windowless room or a room without a green view. The research team behind this finding hopes it will lead to policy changes in areas such as school design and recess. Landscape and Urban Planning, April 2016
Health Alert: Asthma Increases the Risk of Abdominal Aneurysm. Individuals age 50 and older who have had recent asthma-related health issues appear to be at an elevated risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a weak spot in the body’s main artery, which can rupture, causing massive bleeding. It’s speculated that a specific inflammation-related protein called IgE, which the body makes in response to allergens, contributes to the stiffening of arteries, and this stiffening can lead to a possible aneurysm. Due to the fact that an abdominal aortic aneurysm can rupture and be deadly, the researchers behind this finding recommend screening men 50 and older with asthma for aneurysms.
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, February 2016
Diet: Prenatal Diet with Increased Vitamin D May Reduce Allergy Risk in Kids. According to a new report, children born to women who ate vitamin D-rich foods during pregnancy have a 20% lower risk of hay fever. Dietary sources of vitamin D include fish, eggs, dairy products, mushrooms, and cereals. Vitamin D is believed to benefit the immune system, and researchers are interested in its potential role in reducing the risk of asthma and allergies. Study leader Dr. Supinda Bunyavanich comments, “This study may influence nutritional counseling and recommendations to expectant moms to include vitamin D-rich foods in their diets.”
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, February 2016
Exercise: Lifelong Physical Activity Increases Bone Density Among Men. A University of Missouri researcher has found that men who continuously participated in high-impact activities during adolescence and young adulthood had greater hip and lumbar spine bone density than those who did not perform high impact activities in their younger years. Dr. Pamela Hinton writes, “The most important take-away is that if you are healthy, it is never too late to begin high-impact activities or resistance training to improve bone mineral density… While activity during skeletal growth is significant, we also saw positive associations between such physical activity and bone density at all ages. So even middle-aged men who spent their teenage years sitting on the couch could see benefits from beginning a bone-strengthening exercise program.” American Journal of Men’s Health, November 2015
Chiropractic: The UK Is Onboard with Chiropractic. Researchers from the United Kingdom (UK) have concluded that chiropractic services are appropriate for private and government healthcare-referred patient groups and that chiropractic services should be considered when medical physicians make decisions concerning the referral of patients with musculoskeletal conditions. The conclusion was based on subjective outcomes concerning 8,222 patients, which revealed improvement in low back and neck pain during the course of chiropractic care. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, January 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Is Ulcerative Colitis Treatable with Vinegar? A study involving mice suggests that vinegar—or its main ingredient, acetic acid—may alleviate ulcerative colitis. This condition is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract that can cause abdominal pain and other symptoms. In the study, researchers found that vinegar reduced inflammation in the colon by suppressing proteins and molecular processes that trigger inflammation. They also found acetic acid exposure resulted in an increase in beneficial bacteria in the gut. The findings may lead to a simple way of treating ulcerative colitis in the future. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, January 2016
Quote: “You’re not obligated to win. You’re obligated to keep trying. To the best you can do every day.” ~ Marian Wright Edelman

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

Mental Attitude: Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Worse Among Those Abused as Children. New research suggests that individuals
with bipolar disorder who have a history of childhood abuse or neglect may have an increased risk for more severe manic, depressive,
and psychotic symptoms as well as a higher risk of suicide than bipolar disorder patients with a less traumatic upbringing. The study
also found that those with bipolar disorder who were abused as children have a higher risk for anxiety disorders and substance and
alcohol abuse disorders. Study author Dr. Jessica Agnew-Blais writes, “This information could be valuable for identifying patients
with bipolar disorder who may benefit from greater support and treatment.” The Lancet Psychiatry, February 2016
Health Alert: Common Air Pollution May Increase the Risk of Preterm Birth. An analysis of 225,000 births reveals that exposure
to high levels of small particle air pollution from car exhaust, burning wood, coal, and other fossil fuels during pregnancy can increase
the risk of early birth by up to 19%. Study author Dr. Emily DeFranco explains, “Although the risk increase is modest, the potential
impact is robust, as all pregnant women are potentially at risk… We estimate that decreasing the amount of particulate matter in the
air below the [Environmental Protection Agency’s] standard threshold could decrease preterm birth in women exposed to high levels
of small particulates by about 17 percent, which corresponds to a 2.22 percent decrease in the preterm birth rate in the population as a
whole.” Environmental Health, January 2016
Diet: Seafood, Mercury, and the Brain. Though scientists have long warned against eating large quantities of fish known to contain
high levels of mercury, a new study finds the brains of individuals with greater mercury exposure did not exhibit the kind of brain that
is typically seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Study author Dr. Martha Clare Morris writes,
“Everybody’s saying seafood has so many health benefits, but everybody’s afraid of the mercury… We saw absolutely no evidence
that higher levels of mercury in the brain were associated with any of the neuropathologies associated with dementia.”
Journal of the American Medical Association, February 2016
Exercise: Exercise During Pregnancy Improves Health for Mom & Baby. A large, randomized trial revealed that without exercise
during pregnancy, women are three times more likely to develop hypertension, 1.5 times more likely to gain excessive weight, and 2.5
times more likely to give birth to a baby that is large for its gestational age. Study co-author Dr. Michelle Mottola recommends that
pregnant women should aim for 10,000 steps per day during pregnancy.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, December 2015
Chiropractic: Conservative Care vs. Surgery for Stenosis. A recent research review investigated the effectiveness of different types
of surgery compared with different types of non-surgical interventions in adults with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis—a condition
that is often debilitating and associated with degeneration of the spine. The investigators found both surgical and non-surgical
treatment approaches produced similar outcomes; however, the rate of side effects ranged from 10% to 24% in surgical cases, while
the researchers found no reported side effects for any of the conservative treatments they reviewed in the study. They recommend
further high-quality research to compare surgical versus conservative care in the management of lumbar spinal stenosis.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, January 2016
Wellness/Prevention: My Heel Hurts! If you suffer from painful heels, the American Podiatric Medical Association offers these
preventive tips: wear shoes with sturdy soles that absorb shock and offer support, choose shoes designed for your activity preference,
warm-up and stretch before exercising, get plenty of rest, provide your body with good nutrition, and lose excess weight.
American Podiatric Medical Association, April 2016
Quote: “A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.” ~ Italo Calvino

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

Mental Attitude: Being Lazy Shrinks Your Brain. Less active individuals appear to have smaller brains later in life. This study included 1,583 participants who took a treadmill test to rate their fitness at around age 40 and again at around age 60. After the second treadmill test, they also underwent an MRI. The results revealed those who were less physically fit during both tests had lower brain volume than those who maintained high physical fitness levels during the course of the study. Researcher Dr. Nicole Spartano writes, “From other studies, we know that exercise training programs that improve fitness may increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain and improve neuroplasticity over the short term. Over the course of a lifetime, these mechanisms may have an impact on brain aging and prevent cognitive decline in older age.” Neurology, February 2016
Health Alert: Acetaminophen Use Before Birth Linked to Childhood Asthma. Women who experience pain, fever, or the flu during pregnancy commonly use acetaminophen. Now, a new study finds that exposure to acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, before birth and during infancy increases a baby’s risk of developing asthma during childhood. Lead study author Dr. Maria Magnus notes, “Uncovering potential adverse effects is of public health importance, as paracetamol is the most commonly used painkiller among pregnant women and infants.” International Journal of Epidemiology, February 2016
Diet: Eating Eggs Does Not Increase the Risk of Heart Disease. Researchers analyzed the dietary habits of 1,032 men and found a relatively high intake of dietary cholesterol (from eating eggs daily, for example) is not associated with an increased risk of incident coronary heart disease, not even in people genetically predisposed for higher blood cholesterol levels via the apolipoprotein E type 4 allele (APOE4 allele), which impacts cholesterol metabolism. The findings suggest that cholesterol consumption at high levels is not as dangerous to our health as is currently perceived. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, February 2016
Exercise: Does Arial Yoga Offer Any Health Benefits? The latest trend in yoga involves the use of circus hammocks to lift people off the floor to achieve yoga poses and align the body in the air. Researchers recruited 16 female volunteers to participate in a six-week intervention with three 50-minute aerial yoga sessions per week. Their analysis found that a single 50-minute session of aerial yoga burned an average of 320 calories and yielded cardiovascular effects similar to low- to moderate-intensity exercise. The American Council on Exercise’s Dr. Cedric X. Bryant writes, “We are pleased to announce that even though aerial yoga does not include traditional cardio exercises, a single session… offered participants many of the benefits associated with low- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise like brisk walking or leisurely cycling.” American Council on Exercise, February 2016
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Problems Among Hospital Staff. Musculoskeletal pain is an extremely common complaint among hospital workers. A review of questionnaires completed by 416 hospital staff regarding musculoskeletal pain complaints found 74% experienced an episode of low back pain during the previous year while between 50-60% of participants also experienced neck, upper back, and/or shoulder pain during the same time frame. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, January 2016
Wellness/Prevention: National Smoking Bans Improve Health. A review of 77 studies indicates that in countries with national bans on smoking in public places, there has been a corresponding decrease in hospital admissions for nonsmokers related to cardiovascular disease. Review author Dr. Cecily Kelleher adds, “The current evidence provides more robust support for the previous conclusions that the introduction of national legislative smoking bans does lead to improved health outcomes through a reduction in secondhand smoke exposure for countries and their populations.” Cochrane Library, February 2016
Quote: “While we do our good works let us not forget that the real solution lies in a world in which charity will have become unnecessary.” ~ Chinua Achebe

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

Mental Attitude: Do Horses Know What You Are Feeling? It appears that horses can distinguish between positive and negative human facial expressions. Psychologists analyzed the reactions of 28 horses when they looked at images of happy or angry male faces and noticed that the horses tended to use their left eye more when looking at photos of angry faces, which is an equine behavior typically associated with negative stimuli. Study co-author Dr. Karen McComb theorizes that “horses may have adapted an ancestral ability for reading emotional cues in other horses to respond appropriately to human facial expressions during their co-evolution. Alternatively, individual horses may have learned to interpret human expressions during their own lifetime.” Biology Letters, February 2016
Health Alert: New Lyme Disease Bacteria Discovered. Health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report they have identified a new Lyme disease-causing bacteria, and it may cause even worse symptoms than the current known Lyme disease-causing bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The newly discovered bacteria is called Borrelia mayonii and appears to be closely related to B. burgdorferi. The CDC says that besides the usual symptoms, the new bacteria seems to cause nausea, vomiting, diffuse rashes (rather than the single so-called “bull’s-eye” rash typically associated with Lyme disease), and a higher concentration of bacteria in the blood. CDC microbiologist Dr. Jeannine Petersen notes, “This discovery adds another important piece of information to the complex picture of tick-borne diseases in the United States.”
The Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal, February 2016
Diet: Iron-Rich Foods. Iron is essential for healthy red blood cells, and if you fail to get enough from your diet, your health can suffer. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises eating the following iron-rich foods: lean beef and pork, chicken, turkey, fish, dark green leafy vegetables, beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, rice, and other iron-enriched breads and whole grains. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, February 2016
Exercise: Do Compression Stocking Work? A new study investigated the effects of wearing compression stockings on physical performance in men with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Using multiple measurements and techniques, investigators found no evidence of any beneficial effects caused by wearing compression stockings either at rest or while performing moderately intense exercise. International Journal of Sports Medicine, February 2016
Chiropractic: Manipulation for Headaches. A study that included 130 individuals compared cervical and thoracic manipulation to mobilization and exercise for the treatment of cervicogenic headaches (headaches caused by cervical dysfunction). The results of the study revealed that six-to-eight sessions of cervical and thoracic manipulation provided greater reductions in headache intensity, frequency, and duration than a course of treatment involving only mobilization and exercise. The authors of the study add that the benefits of manipulation persisted when the patients were re-examined three months later.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, February 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Can Flashes of Light Prevent Jet Lag? A light-based therapy involving short flashes of light during sleep appears to be a faster and more efficient way to prevent jet lag by tricking the body’s internal clock into adjusting to a different wake/sleep routine. The researchers behind this discovery believe their technique may also help people with other kinds of sleep cycle disruptions. Journal of Clinical Investigation, February 2016
Quote: “You’re never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true.” ~ Richard Bach

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

Mental Attitude: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Increases Dementia Risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 8,000-15,000 people per year in the United States are examined or treated in hospitals for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, commonly the result of faulty or ill-maintained gas burning appliance in the home. A new study indicates that patients treated for CO poisoning are 1.6 times more likely to develop dementia later in life, with an even greater risk for cases of more severe CO poisoning. Medicine, January 2016
Health Alert: High Blood Sugar Can Increase Heart Attack Complications. A new study suggests that high blood sugar can cause stronger contractions of blood vessels, increasing the risk of complications in heart attack patients. Researcher Dr. Richard Rainbow explains, “This is the first study to show direct evidence of blood vessel contraction to glucose, and the potential mechanism behind this contractile response. In the experimental models we used in this study, including human blood vessels, increasing glucose to the levels that could be reached after a large meal altered vascular contraction.” British Journal of Pharmacology, January 2016
Diet: New US Dietary Guidelines. The United States (US) government’s latest version of its Dietary Guidelines recommends that Americans cut back on added sugars, saturated fats, and salt if they want to improve their health. The new guidelines ask that people limit saturated fats to less than 10% of their daily calories and consume less than one tablespoon of salt per day. The guidelines go on to recommend a healthy eating pattern that fits into an individual’s lifestyle, rather than recommending specific amounts of different foods, such as fruits, vegetables, or meats. Elisabetta Politi, a nutrition director at the Duke University Diet & Fitness Center adds, “The 2015 dietary guidelines focus on healthy eating habits and less on including or eliminating individual nutrients… Americans should be shifting their diets to more plant-based foods like veggies and fruits such as the popular Mediterranean diet, which includes a lot of healthy fats and whole grains.” 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, January 2016
Exercise: Increases Survival Odds for Men with Prostate Cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that 1 in 38 American men will die from prostate cancer. A new study that followed 830 prostate cancer patients for over 15 years found that those men who were physically active both pre- and post-diagnosis had a greater chance of surviving the disease than those who lived mostly sedentary lifestyles. The researchers note that patients who increased their physical activity levels after being diagnosed with prostate cancer significantly increased their long-term survival odds. European Urology, January 2016
Chiropractic: Pre-Pregnancy BMI Linked to Degenerative Musculoskeletal Conditions. A Danish study involving nearly 80,000 mothers found that have a high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) increases a woman’s long-term risk for developing degenerative musculoskeletal conditions. Other risk factors identified during the study include low and high gestational weight gain, higher postpartum weight retention, and the number of children a woman has delivered. The authors conclude that maintaining a healthy body weight pre-, during, and post-pregnancy may reduce a mother’s risk for developing degenerative musculoskeletal conditions later in life. Arthritis and Rheumatology, December 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Regular Mammograms Worthwhile for Elderly Women. Previous research has shown that mammography screening reduces breast cancer death in women up to age 74. Now, a new study indicates that regular mammograms also benefit elderly women. An analysis of Medicare data from 1995 to 2009 on about 65,000 women aged 75-84 years found that those who had annual mammograms were less likely to die from breast cancer over a ten-year period than those who had irregular or no mammograms. American Journal of Medicine, January 2016
Quote: “Learning from experience is a faculty almost never practiced.” ~ Barbara Tuchman

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