Mental Attitude: Family Stress Linked to Obesity in Teens. An analysis of data from over 4,700 teens found that family stress during childhood can put teenagers at an increased risk for being overweight or obese. According to researchers, girls in the study who experienced family stress such as family disruption and financial problems during their early years were more likely to be obese and overweight during their teen years than their peers who were not subjected to such stressors. The researchers also found that boys whose mothers suffered from poor health were more likely to become obese or overweight by late adolescence. Study author Dr. Daphne Hernandez concludes, “This study extends our knowledge of stress and obesity by focusing on the family environment over time. By knowing the types of stressors that influence female and male adolescent weight gain, we can tailor specific social services to be included in obesity prevention programs.” Preventive Medicine, April 2015
Health Alert: Another Reason Not to Get A Sunburn While on Vacation! According to a report from the United Kingdom, today’s seniors are about seven times more likely to develop a potentially deadly form of skin cancer called malignant melanoma than their predecessors from just 40 years ago. Experts speculate that this massive rise in the number of seniors developing this particular form of cancer is most likely a result of sunburns sustained while on vacation during their younger years in pursuit of a good tan.
Cancer Research UK, April 2015
Diet: Another Reason to Eat Lots of Fruits and Vegetables… Chinese researchers analyzed data from fourteen published studies regarding inflammatory bowel disease and found that participants who consumed the most servings of fruits and vegetables per day were 30-40% less likely to be diagnosed with either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis when compared with those who consumed the fewest daily servings of produce. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, March 2015
Exercise: Exercise at Any Level Benefits Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. If you are overweight or obese with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a new study suggests that exercise can have significant benefits regardless of amount or intensity. During an eight-week study, researchers found that participants in three different exercise groups with varying levels of intensity all experienced a sizeable reduction in liver fat. Those who participated in a high-intensity, low-volume aerobic exercise or a low-to-moderate intensity, high-volume aerobic exercise experienced the greatest liver and visceral fat reduction. Study leader Dr. Nathan Johnson adds, “The results from our study show that all exercise doses, irrespective of volume or intensity, were efficacious in reducing liver fat and visceral fat by an amount that was clinically significant, in previously inactive overweight or obese adults compared with placebo.” Journal of Hepatology, April 2015
Chiropractic: What Causes Osteoarthritis? In the past, osteoarthritis (OA) was believed to be a wear and tear disease that affects the articular cartilage covering the ends of bones where they meet to form joints. New research shows OA to be a rather complex degenerative disease that may be caused by low-grade inflammation in the cartilage and the surrounding soft tissues that results in deterioration of the cartilage and a compromised joint structure. Although some risk factors for OA cannot be avoided (such as genetics, sex, and age), others are wholly in control of the patient. Controllable factors include: improperly treated sports injuries, lack of physical exercise, and overweight or obese body weight status. International Journal of Molecular Science, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Images on Cigarette Packs Educate Young Adults About Smoking Dangers. The results of two new studies indicate that young adults gain a much greater appreciation for the health consequences related to smoking when warning texts about the dangers of cigarette use are accompanied by graphic illustrations. Study author Dr. Renee E. Magnan explains, “Although this is a preliminary investigation, from a policy perspective, these outcomes suggest that focusing on deriving greater understanding and knowledge from such labels may have more impact in terms of both motivational and emotional responses. Importantly, however, these labels are only a small piece of what should be a larger campaign to educate the public on the dangers of smoking.”
Annals of Behavioral Medicine, April 2015
Quote: “Once you have read a book you care about, some part of it is always with you.” ~ Louis L’Amour

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

Mental Attitude: Anger and Anxiety Increase Heart Attack Risk. An analysis of more than 300 heart attack patients indicates that intense anger or anxiety dramatically increases an individual’s risk for a myocardial infarction in the hours immediately following such an occurrence. More specifically, in the 120 minutes following a bout of intense anger, a person’s risk for a heart attack increases by 8.5 times and an extreme anxiety episode elevates the risk by 9.5 times! Senior researcher Dr. Thomas Buckley writes, “While the absolute risk of any one anger episode triggering a heart attack is low, our data demonstrates that the danger is real and still there.” He further comments that the increased risk of heart attack after intense anger or anxiety is “most likely the result of increased heart rate and blood pressure, tightening of blood vessels, and increased clotting, all associated with triggering of heart attacks.”
European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care, February 2015
Health Alert: Bleeding Risk for Recent Heart Attack Patients Who Take NSAIDs. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that taking ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) elevates the risk of bleeding in heart attack survivors on anti-clotting medications. The authors note that these risks are of considerable public health concern due to the widespread use of NSAIDs and conclude that “[more] research is needed to confirm these findings; however, physicians should exercise appropriate caution when prescribing NSAIDs for patients who have recently experienced [a myocardial infarction].” JAMA, February 2015
Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Damage After Heart Attack. High doses of omega-3 fatty acids may protect the heart against further damage following a myocardial infraction. In a recent study that included 374 heart attack survivors, those who took a daily 4g dose of omega-3 fatty acids in addition to standard treatment had lower resulting levels of inflammation and were 39% less likely to show deterioration of heart function than those who received standard care with a placebo. Senior study author Dr. Raymond Kwong writes, “This is important because other anti-inflammatory agents, including steroids and NSAIDs, have failed to make a difference after [heart attack].” American College of Cardiology, March 2015
Exercise: Working Out Before Bed Doesn’t Hinder Sleep. While some fear that working out late in the evening can interfere with sleep, a study comparing the effects of working out at 5 PM and 9 PM showed no reductions in sleep quality when compared with measurements taken on nights when participants did not exercise at all.
The Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness, March 2015
Chiropractic: Resolution of Facial Neuralgia Following Chiropractic Care. After failing to respond to medical care for diagnosed trigeminal neuralgia, the mother of a 10-year-old boy brought her child to a chiropractor as a treatment of last resort. The boy’s presenting symptoms included headaches, earaches, neck pain, and extreme facial pain. After seven months of chiropractic care that focused on the upper cervical spine, the patient reported complete resolution of his main complaint. The findings suggests that chiropractic treatment to the cervical spine may benefit patients with facial neuralgias.
Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, February 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Most Smokers Will Die Early if They Don’t Quit. If you want to live longer, you should quit smoking now. A new study that followed over 200,000 men and women found that two-thirds of smokers died an average of ten years sooner than their peers who were non-smokers. Study director Dr. Emily Banks comments, “We knew smoking was bad, but we now have direct independent evidence that confirms the disturbing findings that have been emerging internationally.” BMC Medicine, February 2015
Quote: “Concentrate on what will produce results rather than on the results, the process rather than the prize.” ~ Bill Walsh

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

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Mental Attitude: Are Men the More Narcissistic Gender? Based on information collected over 30 years from more than 475,000 people, researchers from the University of Buffalo School of Management claim they can explain why some females fail to break the corporate glass ceiling: women just aren’t narcissistic enough. The results of the study showed that men scored consistently higher than women in narcissism, regardless of age. Study author Dr. Emily Grijalva explains, “Narcissism is associated with various interpersonal dysfunctions, including an inability to maintain healthy long-term relationships, unethical behavior, and aggression. At the same time, narcissism is shown to boost self-esteem, emotional stability, and the tendency to emerge as a leader. By examining gender differences in narcissism, we may be able to explain gender disparities in these important outcomes.”
Psychological Bulletin, March 2015
Health Alert: Statins Linked to Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may significantly increase a user’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The authors of a new study found that statins increase insulin resistance and also appear to impair the pancreas’ ability to secrete insulin. They also found that the risk of developing diabetes increased with higher statin doses. Diabetolgia, March 2015
Diet: Fried Food Intake Associated with Heart Failure Risk. Men who consume fried food one to three times a week have an 18% increased risk of developing heart failure compared with those who do not eat fried food. The risk rises to 25% for those who consume fried food four to six times a week, and 68% for those who eat fried food seven or more times per week. Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist at New York University comments, “The bottom line is, eating fried foods once in a while is fine but not on a daily or even a weekly basis.” American Heart Association, March 2015
Exercise: Type 2 Diabetics Should Exercise After Dinner. Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that people with type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by exercising after eating supper. Participants in the study performed resistance exercises such as leg curls, calf raises, and abdominal crunches either before dinner, after dinner, or not at all. Compared with blood sugar tests conducted on non-exercise days, the researchers found that exercising either before or after dinner led to reductions in blood glucose levels. However, only exercise conducted after dinner was associated with reductions in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Researcher Dr. Jill Kanaley explains, “This study shows that it is not just the intensity or duration of exercising that is important but also the timing of when it occurs… Results from this study show that resistance exercise has its most powerful effect on reducing glucose and fat levels in one’s blood when performed after dinner.” Journal of Applied Physiology, December 2014
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies Reduce Foot Pain. A new study that combined treatment involving ischemic compression of trigger points and joint mobilization for chronic foot pain resulted in significant improvements in function and self-perceived improvements in pain up to six months post treatment. Further research on this approach of treatment is needed, but these findings are supportive of commonly used chiropractic care to treat foot disorders.
The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Are 80% of Strokes Preventable? According to an article in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, four out of every five strokes could be prevented if individuals took measures to avoid cigarette smoke, eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise on a regular basis, and better control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, among other strategies.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, March 2015
Quote: “Always remember, your focus determines your reality.” ~ George Lucas

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

Mental Attitude: Anxious People Make Poor Decisions in the Midst of Uncertainty. University of Oxford researchers have found that individuals who are prone to high anxiety have a more difficult time reading the environmental cues that may help them avoid a bad outcome. Participants played a computerized “two-armed bandit-style” game in which they chose between two shapes, one of which, if selected, would deliver a mild to moderate electrical shock. To avoid getting shocked, participants needed to keep track of the shape that most frequently delivered electrical jolts. The researchers noted that highly anxious people had more trouble than their less anxious counterparts adjusting to avoid shocks. Study lead author Dr. Sonia Bishop writes, “Our results show that anxiety may be linked to difficulty in using information about whether the situations we face daily, including relationship dynamics, are stable or not, and deciding how to react.” Nature Neuroscience, March 2015
Health Alert: 20% of Teen Girls Physically or Sexually Abused While Dating. In the past year, it’s estimated that one in five girls and one in ten boys fell victim to either dating-related physical or sexual abuse. The researchers find these numbers to be both high and very troubling and add that these victims also have a higher risk for suicidal behavior, bullying, risky sexual behavior, and substance use. Lead author Dr. Kevin Vagi adds, “Parents and caregivers can help shape the relationship decisions that teens make by talking early about healthy and unhealthy relationships, and the need for respect.” JAMA Pediatrics, March 2015
Diet: Can Eating Nuts Extend Your Life? Three large prospective studies have discovered that a diet high in nuts is linked to greater longevity. Researchers found that those who ate the most nuts were 17-21% less likely to die during the 5-12 years they followed-up with study participants. They add, “We found consistent evidence that high nut/peanut consumption was associated with a reduced risk of total mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.” JAMA Internal Medicine, March 2015
Exercise: Are High-Intensity Workouts Better for Obese Adults? Research involving 300 abdominally obese adults investigated the effects of short, high-intensity exercise versus long, low-intensity workouts. Both types of workouts resulted in similar weight loss after 24 weeks, but the high-intensity group also experienced a reduction in blood glucose levels in the hours following their workout. The results show a clear benefit for engaging in high-intensity workouts, especially for those who wish to more effectively manage their blood sugar levels. Lead study author Dr. Robert Ross explains, “Higher intensity can be achieved simply by increasing the incline while walking on a treadmill or walking at a brisker pace.” Annals of Internal Medicine, March 2015
Chiropractic: Dizzy? Chiropractic May Help. Dizziness is a common risk factor for falls among the elderly. After reviewing past literature, studies, and clinical trials, the authors of a new report conclude that chiropractic manipulation may have a role in the prevention of falls in elderly who suffer from mechanical pain or dysfunction and non-specific dizziness.
Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Size Checks Among Children May Spot Celiac Disease. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland believe that checking children for growth problems may help indentify those with celiac disease much faster. They found that screening children for five height- and weight-related differences in growth is an effective strategy for spotting those with celiac disease, as girls in the study with the disorder were below-average in height two years before their diagnosis and the boys in the study were below-average in height just one year before diagnosis. The research team writes, “Growth failure remains an early and common feature in patients with celiac disease and an up-to-date growth reference and well-established growth-monitoring program could facilitate the early diagnosis of celiac disease.” JAMA Pediatrics, March 2015
Quote: “It’s so freeing, it’s beautiful in a way, to have a great failure, there’s nowhere to go but up.” ~ David Lynch

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

Mental Attitude: 7% of Children Worldwide Have ADHD. Data from 175 published studies conducted over four decades indicates that about 7% of kids worldwide have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD tend to be inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive and this disorder can cause them to struggle both academically and socially. These findings may help health officials determine if ADHD is over or under diagnosed in their country, state, or community. Pediatrics, April 2015
Health Alert: Acetaminophen Risks May Be Underestimated. A new study suggests that the risks of using acetaminophen may be underestimated by doctors. A systematic review of eight studies investigated the association between acetaminophen use and adverse health effects. One study found an increased rate of mortality among individuals who had been prescribed acetaminophen compared with those who had not. Four of the studies found an elevated risk of adverse cardiovascular and renal events linked to acetaminophen use, and one study found a link to gastrointestinal events. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, March 2015
Diet: Eat Peanuts Early in Childhood to Avoid Allergy? For years, parents have been advised to avoid giving foods that contain peanuts to their babies as it may trigger an allergy. Now, a new groundbreaking study suggests that the opposite is true. Researchers claim that feeding babies food containing peanuts before their first birthday may actually prevent the onset of peanut allergies. They found that around 3% of children who ate peanut butter or peanut snacks before their first birthday developed an allergy, compared with 17% of children who didn’t eat such foods during infancy. New England Journal of Medicine, February 2015
Exercise: Kids More Likely to Exercise When Friends Do. Friends appear to play a significant role in youngsters’ levels of physical activity. In a new study, over one-hundred children and teens were asked to rank benefits and barriers to physical activity. The findings revealed that those who did physical activities with a friend were less likely to cite barriers to not exercising, while family participation or encouragement failed to have the same effect. Study author Dr. Jessica Graus Woo notes, “We speculate that the social network of friendships is increasingly important in influencing behaviors as children get older… Having physically active friends may make it easier for obese children to get involved with activities and lower the perceived barriers for doing so, while having a physically active family may not be as inspiring.” American Heart Association, March 2015
Chiropractic: Women Benefit from Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy. Chiropractors often provide treatment for women during pregnancy to ease pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain. A recent study published in the journal Chiropractic & Manual Therapies followed 115 pregnant women who sough out chiropractic care and found that 52% reported significant improvements in their pain after just one week of treatment. After one month, the researchers note that more than 70% of the expectant mothers in the study achieved clinically significant improvements in pain based on outcome assessments.
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, February 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Over a Billion Young Adults at Risk of Hearing Loss. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one-billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe levels of sound. The risk is primarily due to exposure to high levels of recreational noise from personal audio devices and loud entertainment venues. The WHO recommends restricting the use of personal audio devices to less than 60 minutes per day. Dr. Etienne Krug, WHO director for the Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence, and Injury Prevention writes, “[Adolescents and young adults] should be aware that once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back. Taking simple preventive actions will allow people to continue to enjoy themselves without putting their hearing at risk.” World Health Organization, March 2015
Quote: “The best revenge is massive success.” ~ Frank Sinatra

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

Mental Attitude: Loneliness & Depression Associated with TV Binge-Watching. A recent study has found that the more lonely and depressed a person is, the more likely he or she will binge-watch TV. Researchers say that depressed individuals use this activity to move away from negative feelings and those who lack the ability to control themselves are more likely to binge-watch. This is of concern as past research has shown that obesity and other health problems are related to excessive television viewing, suggesting that binge-watching may be more than a harmless addiction.
65th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association, February 2015
Health Alert: Prescription Combo Can Be Fatal for Seniors. Combining commonly prescribed antibiotics with a widely used heart medication appears to more than double the risk of sudden death in seniors, finds a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a common diuretic widely used in the treatment of heart failure. However, investigators have found that when trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Septra, Bactrim) is prescribed to someone on Spironolactone, it can cause blood potassium to rise to potentially life-threatening levels. Over a 17-year period, almost 12,000 people died suddenly after taking this combination of medicines and most of the patients who died were over the age of 85. The authors conclude that pharmacists and physicians must be made aware of this interaction, as it does not appear widely known at present time.
Canadian Medical Association Journal, February 2015
Diet: Toddler Snacks & Meals Have Plenty of Salt & Sugar. Many prepackaged meals for toddlers contain high levels of salt, and many snacks, desserts, and juices for infants and toddlers contain added sugar. Researcher Dr. Mary Cogswell writes, “It was surprising that more than seven of ten packaged toddler meals contained too much sodium (salt)… Some parents might be surprised that a majority of infant and toddler snacks and sides, such as flavored crackers and rice cakes, contained added sugar. About half the analyzed ready-to-serve mixed grains and fruits products, such as oatmeal and fruit in a jar, contained added sugar.” She recommends preparing food for infants and toddlers as a healthier choice over prepackaged foods. Pediatrics, February 2015
Exercise: You May Want to Take it Easy When Jogging. After following 1,000 healthy joggers and 4,000 healthy non-joggers for a decade, researchers claim that those who jog 1-2.4 hours per week were 71% less likely to die during the study period than non-joggers. However, they found no mortality benefits when comparing more strenuous joggers to the non-joggers in the study. Study researcher Dr. Jacob Marott adds, “We believe that long-term strenuous endurance exercise may induce pathological structural remodeling of the heart and large arteries.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology, February 2015
Chiropractic: Improvement in Chronic Hypertension Following Cervical Adjustment. A 55-year-old male with a history of chronic hypertension that did not respond to medical management presented for a trial of chiropractic care. After receiving an upper cervical adjustment using a specific chiropractic protocol, his blood pressure progressively lowered. The findings support the possible use of chiropractic care in the management of unresolved chronic hypertension.
Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, January 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Probiotic Pill May Help Diabetics. Researchers claim that a study involving rats demonstrates that a modified strain of “friendly” human gut bacteria called Lactobacillus appears to have instigated a process that converted cells in the intestinal lining to behave like pancreatic beta cells and release insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. In the study, the rats that received the modified probiotic had blood glucose levels up to 30% lower than rats that did not receive the probiotic. The researchers hope to one day develop a probiotic pill for human use that diabetic patients could take each morning to help manage and possibly cure their condition. Diabetes, February 2015
Quote: “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” ~ Stephen King

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

Mental Attitude: Schizophrenia May Be More Than One Disease. New research suggests that schizophrenia may really be an umbrella term for a number of genetically different diseases as opposed to one unique illness. In this recent study, scientists uncovered 42 groups of genes that appear to influence schizophrenia risk. They believe that identifying these gene networks and how they correlate with symptoms will make it possible to develop localized treatments for the specific paths implicated in an individual’s schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry, January 2014
Health Alert: Good News for Blood Donors. Maintaining optimal iron levels in blood donors is important, especially when 25-35 percent of regular donors develop an iron deficiency that can lead to fatigue and anemia. In a study of blood donors, researchers discovered that individuals who received a low-dose iron supplement returned to their pre-donation iron levels between 7 and 18 weeks earlier than those who did not receive a supplement. Surprisingly, two-thirds of those who did not receive iron supplements failed to regain their pre-donation iron levels by week 24. National Institutes of Health, February 2015
Diet: Vegetarian Diets Boost Weight Loss. According to a new meta-analysis, a vegetarian diet causes weight loss, even without exercise or calorie counting. Researchers found that individuals who switched to a vegetarian diet lost an average of about 10 pounds (~4.5 kg) over 44 weeks. People who were heavier to begin with lost more weight, and men and older participants reported the greatest weight loss. The authors of the study hope that healthcare providers will prescribe this dietary approach to patients who need help managing their weight and health. Study author Dr. Susan Levin adds, “If you’re overweight, losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can slash the risk of both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic, January 2015
Exercise: “Walking Seminars” Could Replace Sitting in Class. What began as a physical activity challenge for a computer science faculty has become a study in how education and fitness can be combined to improve both physical well-being and classroom discussions. University lecturer Dr. Olle Balter started a “walking seminar” in response to a competition in which staff recorded how many hours they and their students spent sitting vs. being active. The majority of students surveyed said that they felt better after the walking workshops than after typical, sedentary seminars. None of the students felt worse and most believed that communication was better during the walking seminar. KTH The Royal Institute of Technology, January 2015
Chiropractic: Claudication Responds to Conservative Care. Neurogenic claudication is the medical term used to describe the symptom of pain induced by walking, and it is caused by damage to the neurological system as a result of spinal stenosis. A small study assessing the effectiveness of a six-week, nonsurgical program to address neurogenic claudication revealed improved short-term outcomes among patients who received multimodal care that included soft tissue and neural mobilization, chiropractic spinal manipulation, lumbar flexion-distraction, muscle stretching, home-based exercises, and instruction on self-management strategies. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of this combination of nonsurgical treatment options for neurogenic claudication patients. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, January 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Prevent Urinary Tract Infections Among Children. To assist parents in preventing urinary tract infections in their children, the National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse recommends the following: encourage kids to use the bathroom regularly, offer more fluids if children are not urinating frequently, teach proper wiping technique after using the bathroom, and dress them in cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes.
National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearing House, January 2015
Quote: “Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn’t exist and never shall. There is only now.”
~ Christopher Paolini

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

Mental Attitude: Does Alzheimer’s Disease Affect Diabetics Differently? In an eighteen-month study, researchers explored whether or not Alzheimer’s disease affected patients with diabetes differently than non-diabetics. While they did not detect much difference in cognitive decline between the groups, functional decline was more pronounced in patients with both diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical Therapeutics, February 2015
Health Alert: Lyme Disease More Widespread Than Believed. According to a new report, prolonged illness in Americans with Lyme disease is more prevalent, serious, and costly than previously thought. Investigators found Lyme disease patients are nearly five times more likely to have post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome-related symptoms such as fatigue, nerve pain, joint pain, and memory and thinking problems. They also found that Lyme disease costs up to $1.3 billion dollars per year to treat. Researcher Dr. Emily Adrion explains, “Regardless of what you call it, our data show that many people who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease are in fact going back to the doctor complaining of persistent symptoms, getting multiple tests and being retreated… it is clear that we need effective, cost-effective, and compassionate management of these patients to improve their outcomes, even if we don’t know what to call the disease.” PLOS ONE, February 2015
Diet: Corn Oil Lowers Cholesterol. A new study claims that corn oil significantly lowers cholesterol more than extra virgin olive oil. In the study, participants consumed four tablespoons of corn oil or extra virgin olive oil in addition to their normal diet. The results revealed that total cholesterol decreased by 8.2% in the group that consumed corn oil and just 1.8% for extra virgin olive oil group. Corn oil lowered bad cholesterol (LDL) by 10.9% while extra virgin olive oil only lowered LDL by 3.5%. Lead researcher Dr. Kevin C. Maki adds, “These findings add to those from prior research supporting corn oil’s positive heart health benefits, and align with recommendations to replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats, such as those found in corn oil.”
Journal of Clinical Lipidology, February 2015
Exercise: Exercise During Dialysis Improves Energy in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients. Fatigue is a common complaint by chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis. A small study involving 66 CKD patients found that those who participated in a physical and mental exercise program twice a week for two months experienced significant decreases in fatigue when compared with those who did not participate in such a program. The authors of the study conclude, “With respect to the findings of the study, this method of treatment is recommended due to being cost efficient, easy, applicable, and flexible for alleviating the effect of fatigue on the personal, psychological, and social aspects of life quality in patients on hemodialysis.” Nephro-Urology Monthly, July 2014
Chiropractic: Resolution of Motor Tics & ADHD. A recent case study involved a 10-year-old boy with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who also suffered from involuntary motor tics. A thorough examination revealed cervical dysfunction dating back to at least when the boy was four months old. Chiropractic care focused on adjustments of the first cervical vertebra and mechanical traction. Following the first treatment, the patient exhibited improvements in both behavior and focus and no longer required pharmaceutical management for his ADHD symptoms after two months of care. After ten months of care, the boy experienced a complete resolution of his motor tics. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, November 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Prevent Breast Cancer. In a cumulative examination of research done on environmental factors associated with breast cancer, experts recommend the following actions to minimize an individual’s risk: engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity, avoid a high-fat diet, reduce alcohol intake, and be cognizant when taking estrogen and synthetic progestagen hormonal therapy. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, January 2015
Quote: “Don’t write so that you can be understood, write so that you can’t be misunderstood.” ~ William Howard Taft

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

Mental Attitude: Student Loans = Stress for Young Adults. A new study finds that student loan debt is a significant cause of stress among young adults. Researchers conducted a survey across the United States and found that those with greater student loan debt reported higher levels of depressive symptoms. Study author Dr. Katrina Walsemann writes, “We are speculating that part of the reason that these types of loans are so stressful is the fact that you cannot defer them, they follow you for the rest of your life until you pay them off.” Further research is needed to determine how student loan debt affects other areas of health and life, such as job choices, marriage, and children. University of South Carolina, January 2015
Health Alert: Lung Cancer Now the #1 Cancer Killer of Women in Wealthy Nations. According to a new report, lung cancer has overtaken breast cancer as the leading killer of women in developed countries. Experts explain that an increase in female smokers in the 1970s is the likely explanation for the upsurge in lung cancer-related deaths among women in present day. On the other hand, early detection and improved treatments have led to a decline in breast cancer-related deaths in recent decades.
CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, February 2015
Diet: Healthy Diet & Nutrition Critical for Mental Health. A new collaborative study adds to a growing body of evidence showing a relationship between both diet quality and potential nutritional deficiencies and mental health. Studies have shown that many nutrients have a clear influence on brain health including omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins (particularly folate and B12), choline, iron, zinc, magnesium, S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe), vitamin D, and amino acids. Lead author Dr. Jerome Sarris writes, “While the determinants of mental health are complex, the emerging and compelling evidence for nutrition as a key factor in the high prevalence and incidence of mental disorders suggests that nutrition is as important to psychiatry as it is to cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology.” The Lancet Psychiatry, January 2014
Exercise: Get Fit at Home. You don’t need to invest in a gym membership to get fitter, stronger, and healthier. The American College of Sports Medicine reports that you can get a great home-based workout with the following inexpensive essentials: an uncluttered space of about 100 square feet, light dumbbells, a stability ball, and resistance bands. They recommend a training routine featuring 8 to 10 different exercises that works all muscle groups. American College of Sports Medicine, February 2015
Chiropractic: GERD Improves with Adjustments. A recent case study involved a 27-year-old woman who presented at a chiropractic clinic with a history of upper and mid-back pain as well as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). She received a two-month course of chiropractic care that included adjustments, traction, and exercises to improve posture. She reported improvement of her GERD symptoms and x-rays revealed improvement in spinal alignment at the conclusion of care. The findings support the use of chiropractic care for gastro-intestinal symptoms in addition to musculoskeletal pain.
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, June 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Use of Media Devices Affect Teens’ Sleep Significantly. A Norwegian study has found that if it takes more than an hour for a teenager to fall asleep, there is an almost 50% likelihood that they are spending more than four hours per day outside of school using electronic devices such as computers, TVs, smartphones, and MP3 players. The findings are of concern since the majority of teens in the United States report having at least one electronic device in their bedroom, and poor sleep has implications on school performance. The authors add, “The current recommendation is not to have a TV in the bedroom. It seems, however, that there may be other electronic devices exerting the same negative influence on sleep, such as PCs and mobile phones. The results confirm recommendations for restricting media use in general.” Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, November 2014
Quote: “Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” ~ Will Rogers

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