Mental Attitude: Sepsis May Increase Dementia Risk. Using data on nearly 12,000 patients from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000, researchers found that a previous diagnosis of sepsis increases dementia risk 2.27 times among females and 3.17 times among males. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, July 2015
Health Alert: Many Americans Wait Too Long to Get Healthcare. A new report notes that some people must wait several months before receiving the healthcare services they need, potentially endangering their health. Experts from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) add that poor management of human resources in healthcare institutions is one of the main reasons patients are unable to get faster care. Three strategies offered by experts at the IOM include: better monitoring of staff resources to meet demand, focusing on patient preferences when scheduling appointments, and providing alternatives to office visits with a doctor, such as telephone consultations with non-physician clinicians. Institute of Medicine, June 2015
Diet: Sugary Drink Consumption Contributing to Over 180,000 Worldwide Deaths Annually. Sugary drink consumption in the United States (US) has increased dramatically over the last three decades. Currently, around 50% of the population drinks these types of beverages on a daily basis. Researchers report that in 2010, sugary drink consumption was responsible for around 184,450 deaths worldwide, with 133,000 deaths from diabetes, 45,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease, and 6,450 deaths from cancer. Senior author Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian adds, “Many countries in the world have a significant number of deaths occurring from a single dietary factor: sugar-sweetened beverages. It should be a global priority to substantially reduce or eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages from the diet. There are no health benefits from sugar-sweetened beverages, and the potential impact of reducing consumption is saving tens of thousands of deaths each year.” Circulation, June 2015
Exercise: Drink Water Responsibly When Exercising to Avoid Health Risks. Experts say that keeping hydrated during exercise is important, but drinking too much water can be hazardous and in some case, can even result in death. Newly published guidelines recommend that drinking when thirsty is the healthiest way for athletes to keep hydrated, reducing the risk of exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH). Excess water intake can lead to EAH, whereby the kidneys are unable to excrete the excess water in the body completely. As a result, the sodium in the body becomes diluted, causing dangerous swelling in cells.
Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, July 2015
Chiropractic: Overuse Injuries Common Among High School Girls. Compared with young male athletes, young females appear to face a far greater risk for repetitive motion injuries. Researchers observed that the highest overuse injury rate was among girls who ran track, followed by girls who played field hockey and lacrosse. Overall, investigators found that the most overuse injuries involved the lower leg followed by knee and shoulder injuries. The researchers advised that all high school athletes play more than just a single sport, and parents should encourage their children to get the rest and foods they need to stay healthy.
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, June 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D? Vitamin D is important for strong and healthy bones, making sure your muscles, heart, lungs, and brain work well and that your body can fight infection. To ensure that you’re getting enough vitamin D, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises the following: get some sun, but avoid sunburn; eat vitamin D-fortified foods such as milk, cereals, and some forms of orange juice and cheese; eat naturally vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish, mushrooms, cheese, beef liver, and egg yolks; and take a vitamin D supplement. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, July 2015
Quote: “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” ~ Bob Ross

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

Mental Attitude: Does Smoking Affect Voting Behavior? Individuals who smoke cigarettes appear to be less likely to vote than nonsmokers. The authors of a new study surveyed 11,626 people and found that 17% of those polled were smokers, and daily smokers were 60% less likely to vote than nonsmokers. Lead author Dr. Karen Albright writes, “On one hand, the result is intuitive. We know from previous research that smokers are an increasingly marginalized population, involved in fewer organizations and activities and with less interpersonal trust than nonsmokers. But what our research suggests is that this marginalization may also extend beyond the interpersonal level to attitudes toward political systems and institutions.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research, May 2015
Health Alert: Dementia May Increase Health Risks Among Hospitalized COPD Patients. Taiwanese researchers examined data on one million individuals collected between 2000 and 2010 and found that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and dementia have an elevated risk for acute respiratory dysfunction, severe sepsis, and hospital mortality. More specifically, they found that patients with both conditions were 1.38 times more at risk for severe sepsis, 1.39 times more at risk for acute respiratory dysfunction, and 1.69 times more at risk of dying during their hospital stay. Medicine, June 2015
Diet: High-Fiber Diet May Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk. Eating a fiber-rich diet may lower one’s risk for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. The authors of a new study found that those whose diets contain more than 26 grams of fiber each day are 18% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who consume less than 19 grams of fiber per day. When researchers focused on types of fiber, they discovered that people who consume higher amounts of cereal and vegetable fiber are 16-19% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with fiber-poor diets. Interestingly, the researchers found that fruit fiber consumption was not associated with reduced diabetes risk. Study author Dr. Dagfinn Aune concludes, “Taken together, our results indicate that individuals with diets rich in fiber, in particular cereal fiber, may be at lower risk of type 2 diabetes.” Diabetologia, May 2015
Exercise: Avoid Overuse Injuries. Performing the same exercises day after day can lead to an overuse injury. The Mayo Clinic recommends the following to avoid such injuries: engage in a variety of exercises, don’t do too many exercises in one day, warm up before and cool down after a workout, wear appropriate shoes, and use good form and technique. Mayo Clinic, June 2015
Chiropractic: Resolution of Daily Cervicogenic Headaches. A 13-year-old patient with a complaint of daily headaches presented for a trial of chiropractic care. His doctor of chiropractic utilized spinal manipulation to treat cervical and thoracic spinal joint fixations, which a thorough examination had revealed to be the possible underlying cause of the adolescent’s chief complaint. The patient reported his headaches resolved during the course of treatment, which consisted of eight visits over two months. This case documents the potential benefits of chiropractic care in the management of headaches in adolescents.
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, April 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Limited Evidence for Mammograms for Women in Their 40s. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says that there is limited evidence to support preventative breast cancer screening for women in their 40s. However, they add that for women aged 50 to 75, the research shows that routine mammograms reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer. The revised guidelines recommend routine screening start at age 50 and be done every two years. The expert panel advises that women in their 40s should discuss the pros and cons of mammography screening with their doctor and then make an informed decision.
New England Journal of Medicine, June 2015
Quote: “Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength.” ~ Napoléon Bonaparte

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

Mental Attitude: Bullied Teens at Risk for Depression Later in Life. Teens who are bullied appear to be at a higher risk for depression when they reach early adulthood when compared with their peers who were not bullied during adolescence. The study involved 4,000 teens and found that teenagers who were frequently bullied at age 13 were twice as likely to be depressed at age 18. Of the 4,000 teens involved in the study, 700 reported being bullied more than once a week. BMJ, June 2015
Health Alert: Poorly Controlled Diabetes Results in Longer Hospital Stays. Two new studies presented at the 75th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association state that diabetics who fail to control their blood sugar levels tend to have longer and more costly hospital stays. According to researchers, hospital stays for diabetics with poor blood sugar control can last an average of three days longer at a total cost nearly $2,500 greater than diabetics who do a better job at managing their blood sugar levels.
Scripps Health, June 2015
Diet: BPA in Canned Foods Less Common. A new report claims that up to 30% of canned foods contain the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in their linings. According to previously published research, BPA exposure may be associated with abnormal fetal development, obesity, and reproductive health issues, among other health problems. The good news is that fewer food manufacturers are using BPA to line the inside of their cans when compared with the available historical data. Renee Sharp, a Director of Research at the Environmental Working Group adds, “Definitely the trend is moving away from BPA, but there is a long way to go.” Environmental Working Group, June 2015
Exercise: Certain Physical Activities Associated with Better Sleep. Participating in activities such as walking, aerobics, calisthenics, running, weight training, yoga, and Pilates may improve your sleeping habits. Researcher leader Dr. Michael Grandner adds, “Although previous research has shown that lack of exercise is associated with poor sleep, the results of this study were surprising. Not only does this study show that those who get exercise simply by walking are more likely to have better sleep habits, but these effects are even stronger for more purposeful activities, such as running and yoga, and even gardening and golf.”
Associated Professional Sleep Societies, June 2015
Chiropractic: Back Pain Associated with Knee Pain. According to researchers at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Iran, patients with knee complaints are significantly more likely to also have a history of lower back pain. Though the researchers were unable to conclude whether or not the relationship between back pain and knee pain is causative in either direction or if both may be secondary to another issue, they do recommend that doctors consider a patient’s back pain history when assessing and managing knee pain complaints. The Journal of the Pakistani Medical Association, June 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Bug Bites & Bee Stings. While most insect bites aren’t serious, experts advise going to the emergency room if you or your child develop the following ailments after a bite or sting: difficulty breathing, a feeling that your throat is closing, swelling lips, swelling tongue or face, chest pain, racing heartbeat, dizziness, headache, or vomiting. Also, beware of a red rash that looks like a bullseye target or a fever with a spreading red or black spotty rash. Dr. Margaret Parsons, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California writes, “Although most bug bites and stings do not turn into a severe or even fatal illness like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, it’s important to pay attention to your symptoms.”
American Academy of Dermatology, May 2015
Quote: “True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well-being of one’s companion.”
~ Gordon B. Hinckley

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

Mental Attitude: Repeat Head Injuries Affect Brain Structure. A young adult who has previously experienced two or more mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) may have structural changes in his or her brain that could signal a greater risk for dementia later in life. Compared to healthy controls without a history of head injuries, MRI scans of young adults who suffered two or more mTBIs indicate reduced cortical thickness in the areas of the brain associated with visual memories, language comprehension, emotion association, motor control, self-awareness, cognitive functioning, interpersonal experience, contemplating distance, recognition of known faces, and accessing word meaning while reading. Previous research has associated cortical thinning with increased dementia risk. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, May 2015
Health Alert: Smartphones May Interfere with Pacemakers. Though the risk is small, experts in association with the European Society of Cardiology advise patients with pacemakers and other cardiac devices to avoid storing their smartphones in pockets directly over their chest and to hold their phones over their right ear when making a call. European Society of Cardiology, June 2015
Diet: Western Diet May Be Deadly for Prostate Cancer Patients. A diet high in red meats, processed meats, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products (often referred to as the Western diet) may increase the risk of early death for people with prostate cancer. During a 14-year study, researchers found that those who ate a predominantly Western diet were 67% more likely to die from any cause than those who ate a more heart-healthy diet. Senior author Dr. Jorge Chavarro adds, “There is currently very little evidence to counsel men living with prostate cancer on how they can modify their lifestyle to improve survival. Our results suggest that a heart-healthy diet may benefit these men by specifically reducing their chances of dying of prostate cancer.”
Cancer Prevention Research, June 2015
Exercise: Music Strategy Encourages Patients to Exercise More. Cardiac rehabilitation patients who listened to a music device equipped with tempo-pace synchronization exercised over 100 minutes more per week than fellow patients who did not have the benefit of such technology. Tempo-pace synchronization helps cue individuals to take their next step and thus helps regulate, maintain, and reinforce the prescribed exercise speed or pace. Senior scientist Dr. David Alter writes, “If this average increase of exercise was sustained for an average 65-year-old male patient, it would correlate with a projected life-expectancy increase of two and a half years.” Sports Medicine, May 2015
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies Help TMD Patients. An analysis of eight published studies concludes that manual therapies are an effective treatment for patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). In particular, the report notes the efficacy of myofascial release and massage on the masticatory muscles as well as spinal manipulative therapy and mobilization applied to the upper cervical spine. Such treatments are commonly performed by doctors of chiropractic. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, June 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Tough Alcohol Laws Reduce Teen Drinking. Teen drinking rates drop when state alcohol laws get tougher. Researchers developed a scoring system to assess strong alcohol-related policies and found that for every ten additional percentage points earned for strong alcohol-related state laws, teens in that state had an 8% lower risk of drinking and 7% lower risk of binge drinking. Co-author Dr. Timothy Naimi adds, “A large proportion of the adverse effects of alcohol do not occur only to the person consuming alcohol but to other people in society. Part of the duty of society is to regulate dangerous products, not just adverse effects for kids but also for adults who don’t drink alcohol.” Pediatrics, July 2015
Quote: “I just want you to know that you’re very special… and the only reason I’m telling you is that I don’t know if anyone else ever has.” ~ Stephen Chbosky

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

Mental Attitude: Protect Your Brain with Tai Chi. With a growing senior population, age-related cognitive decline has become a major public health issue. A review of nine studies that included 632 participants found that regularly performing Tai Chi appears to have a protective effect against age-related cognitive decline. According to researchers, Tai Chi practitioners fared better than members of a control group on a variety of outcome assessments that measured memory, rate of learning, short-term verbal recall, spatial processing, visual attention, task switching, and reaction time. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, July 2015
Health Alert: Can Noisy Neighborhoods Cause Weight Gain? Swedish scientists say their research indicates that noise from traffic, trains, and planes may play some role in the obesity epidemic. In their study published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine, they note that an individual’s risk for a larger waist size increases 25% if they are exposed to either traffic, train, or plane noise on a routine basis, and their risk increases to 50% if they are regularly exposed to all three sources! It is believed that traffic noise may increase the levels of cortisol in the body, the stress hormone that has been observed to stimulate the accumulation of fat in the abdominal area. Lead researcher Dr. Charlotta Eriksson adds, “Traffic noise should be recognized as an important environmental health hazard that needs to be taken into consideration in urban planning.”
Occupational & Environmental Medicine, May 2015
Diet: Drinking Water Helps Kids Think. Could the simple act of drinking water give your child the edge he or she needs to perform better at school than their peers? According to a study published in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, the answer may be yes. The study involved 63 third graders who performed a variety of tests designed to measure their executive function skills over a three-day period. The researchers kept track of each child’s food and beverage intake and found that those who consumed the most water were best able to stay on task when presented with difficulties and distractions. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, June 2015
Exercise: Swim! Swimming is a great exercise that burns calories, is easy on the joints, helps manage weight, and builds both muscular strength and endurance. It also improves cardiovascular fitness, cools you off, refreshes you on hot summer days, and is an activity you can perform safely into old age. MedicineNet, May 2015
Chiropractic: Possible Benefits for Those with Fibromyalgia. A new study reveals the benefit of chiropractic treatment in the management of fibromyalgia. During a three-month study, 120 women with severe fibromyalgia received treatment that included education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and an exercise component. One half of the group also received chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine during this time. Outcome assessments showed the group who also received chiropractic care experienced greater overall improvement when compared with the group who did not receive spinal manipulative therapy. The researchers conclude that adding chiropractic care to current treatment plans for fibromyalgia patients may improve their overall results.
Rheumatology International, July 2015
Wellness/Prevention: A Healthy Lifestyle Can Prevent Over a Third of Female Colon Cancers. After analyzing decades of health and lifestyle data concerning over 200,000 female nurses, researchers claim that living a healthy lifestyle may prevent up to 37% of colon cancer cases among women. Lifestyle factors that may have a protective effect against the development of the disease include maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, no/moderate alcohol consumption, not smoking, taking a daily multivitamin, and consuming over 700 mg of calcium per day. Cancer Causes & Control, June 2015
Quote: “A closed mind is a dying mind.” ~ Edna Ferber

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

Mental Attitude: High Blood Sugar Could Be a Cause of Alzheimer’s Disease. Scientists suspect that high blood sugar
could drive the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain that may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In
an animal study, researchers found that doubling blood glucose levels resulted in a 20% increase of beta-amyloid plaque
deposits in the brains of test subjects. Lead researcher Dr. Shannon Macauley writes, “Our results suggest that diabetes, or other
conditions that make it hard to control blood sugar levels, can have harmful effects on brain function and exacerbate
neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.” The Journal of Clinical Investigation, May 2015
Health Alert: Cellphone Noise Can Startle a Fetus. A small study indicates that sounds emitted by cellphones carried by
pregnant women can disrupt the sleep and wake cycles of their unborn fetuses. What isn’t clear from the study is whether or not
being repeatedly startled by the beeping and vibration of cellphones has any effect on fetal health or pregnancy outcomes. Study
co-author Dr. Boris Petrikovsky comments, “So we now recommend that women not carry cell phones… in close proximity to
their baby… They should put it in their chest pocket or bag. The further away it is from the baby, the less chance the baby will
be affected.” American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, May 2015
Diet: Healthy Eating Slows the Aging of Brain. If you want to preserve your memory and thinking skills as your grow older,
eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fish. A study that included nearly 28,000 older adults from 40 countries found that those
who scored in the top 20% on a “healthy eating” scale were less likely to develop declines in memory, attention, and other
mental skills over the next five years. The research team believes that the anti-inflammatory nutrients in foods like fruits,
vegetables, and fish may help preserve brain health. Neurology, May 2015
Exercise: Ways to Lower Organized Sport Injury Risks. While playing organized sports is a great way for kids to get
exercise and learn sportsmanship, taking precautions to reduce or avoid injury is important. The Children’s National Medical
Center advises parents to have children receive a physical exam before starting organized sport, have water on hand during
practice and games, encourage kids to drink water frequently, promote stretching before and after games, ask coaches to be
certified in CPR and first aid, and make sure that coaches are familiar with the signs of concussion and how to prevent injuries.
Children’s National Medical Center, May 2015
Chiropractic: Adverse Life Events Can Increase Musculoskeletal Pain Risk! A six-year study that followed 2,039
individuals found that adverse life events were associated with a 14% greater risk for developing chronic multisite
musculoskeletal pain per incident. Adverse life events can include divorce, serious illness, the death of a loved one, disability,
job loss, and a serious financial loss. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, April 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Moms Need to Make Time for Themselves. Mothers work hard to take care of their family, but experts
agree that moms also need to take care of themselves. The American Council on Exercise recommends the following to keep
moms and their families healthy: drink plenty of water, eat a healthy and balanced diet, find time to exercise daily, schedule
both alone time and date nights, make time to visit friends, get outside, laugh, get a massage to boost mood, and use a journal to
record the things, people, and experiences you’re thankful for in life. American Council on Exercise, May 2015
Quote: “Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done.” ~ Robert A. Heinlein

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

Mental Attitude: Poor Social Relationships May Increase Dementia Risk. A lack of social interaction during adulthood may
be associated with a greater risk for a dementia diagnosis later in life. A meta-analysis of data from 19 long-term studies notes
that low social participation, less frequent social interaction, and a sense of loneliness are all linked to between a 1.41 and 1.58
greater risk for dementia. The authors of the study add that these risks are similar to other established risk factors for dementia
such as low education attainment, physical inactivity, and late-life depression. Ageing Research Reviews, May 2015
Health Alert: Some Plastic Teething Toys May Be Unsafe. Laboratory tests conducted on a small sample of ten plastic infant
teethers found that two of the toys contained endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC). Previous research has shown that EDCs
can affect fertility, increase the risk of endometriosis among females, impair organ and neural development, and even cause
some cancers. The researchers note that such chemicals offer little benefit to the quality of the product and should be
discontinued from use given the potential danger to the children who put them in their mouths.
Journal of Applied Toxicology, May 2015
Diet: When You Eat May Impact Your Health. A new report suggests that watching when you eat, without necessarily
changing what or how much, may result in significant health benefits. The findings suggest that eating within an 8-to-12 hour
period each day changes metabolism at the genetic level, resulting in lower blood sugar levels. The researchers call the
phenomenon time-restricted eating, and they believe it could be powerful enough to lower the risk for some cancers, heart
disease, dementia, and diabetes. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, April 2015
Exercise: Strengthening Hips Could Ease Calf Pain Caused By Peripheral Artery Disease. People who suffer from
peripheral artery disease (PAD) may be able to ease their calf pain if they exercise to strengthen their hips. PAD causes arteries
in the legs and other parts of the body to narrow, which restricts blood flow. This often leads to changes in skin color,
development of sores, pain, and difficulty walking. Researchers found the people with PAD used their calf muscle more when
walking because their hip muscles were weak; therefore, they conclude that strengthening the hip muscles could lead to less
stress on the calf muscles. American Heart Association, May 2015
Chiropractic: Improved Posture Helps Patients Avoid Back Pain Recurrence. Patients with chronic low back pain who
received therapies designed to improve their posture were more likely to report clinically significant improvements in both pain
and function one year after the conclusion of treatment than patients whose posture was not addressed during the course of their
care. Scientific World Journal, April 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D May Help Obese Patients Lose Weight. Italian researchers studied 400 overweight and
obese individuals with vitamin D deficiency and found that a low-calorie diet combined with vitamin D supplementation led to
greater reductions in waistlines than a low-calorie diet alone. Lead researcher Dr. Luisella Vigna adds, “The present data
indicate that in obese and overweight people with vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation aids weight loss and
enhances the beneficial effects of a reduced-calorie diet.” The researchers suggest that overweight and obese individuals should
have their vitamin D levels tested. European Congress on Obesity, May 2015
Quote: “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” ~ Socrates

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

Mental Attitude: Exercising Your Memory. To help individuals keep their minds sharp at any age, experts from the Harvard Medical School recommend learning a new skill or language, taking up a new hobby, reading books, and solving puzzles. Harvard Medical School, May 2015
Health Alert: Don’t Wear Heels at Home! According to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, half of high heel-related injuries occur at home. This suggests that a simple strategy for women to reduce their risk of injury is to simply wear more appropriate footwear around the house. University of Alabama at Birmingham, May 2015
Diet: Can a South African Diet Reduce Colon Cancer Risk Among Americans? Based on the dramatic effects observed when American and South African volunteers swapped diets for just two weeks, researchers suggest that a diet high in fiber and low in fat could possibly reduce an individual’s risk for developing colon cancer. After fourteen days on the high-fiber, low-fat South African diet, the American group had significantly less inflammation in the colon along with a reduction in biomarkers associated with colon cancer risk. Meanwhile, tests on the African group showed the opposite, indicating a dramatic increase in cancer risk after just two weeks on the high-protein, low-fiber American diet. According to the study’s authors, one could achieve similar results by increasing their fiber intake to 50 grams per day.
Nature Communications, April 2015
Exercise: Cardio May Help Slow Down Aging in the Brain. The findings of a new study suggest that cardiorespiratory exercise could be prescribed to lessen age-related declines in brain structure. Researchers found that cardiorespiratory fitness was positively linked to the structural integrity of white matter in the brains of the older adults. They write, “We hope this study provides additional motivation for older adults to increase their levels of physical activity, which positively impacts health, mood, cognition and the brain.” Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, April 2015
Chiropractic: How Physical Inactivity Affects the Spine. MRI scans conducted on 72 older adults found that physical inactivity can be detrimental to the spine. Researchers observed the intervertebral disks of those with low physical activity levels appeared to be shorter than the disks of those who were more physically active. Previous research suggests a reduction in disk height is associated with a greater risk for back pain. The researchers also found the lumbar stabilizing muscles of inactive participants were more likely to have fatty deposits, suggesting compromised function.
Arthritis Research & Therapy, May 2015
Wellness/Prevention: How to Choose a Bicycle Helmet. Wearing a helmet when cycling is vital for both young and old riders to prevent head injuries, but it is important that a helmet fits properly. The Cleveland Clinic suggests the following: the helmet’s padding should fit snuggly, it should sit level and not move in any direction, look for the Consumer Product Safety Commission sticker when buying a helmet, and a pre-owned helmet should only be worn if it has no cracks or breaks and was made after 1999. The Cleveland Clinic, May 2015
Quote: “I believe that we form our own lives, that we create our own reality, and that everything works out for the best.”
~ Jim Henson

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

Mental Attitude: Exercising Your Memory. To help individuals keep their minds sharp at any age, experts from the Harvard Medical School recommend learning a new skill or language, taking up a new hobby, reading books, and solving puzzles. Harvard Medical School, May 2015
Health Alert: Don’t Wear Heels at Home! According to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, half of high heel-related injuries occur at home. This suggests that a simple strategy for women to reduce their risk of injury is to simply wear more appropriate footwear around the house. University of Alabama at Birmingham, May 2015
Diet: Can a South African Diet Reduce Colon Cancer Risk Among Americans? Based on the dramatic effects observed when American and South African volunteers swapped diets for just two weeks, researchers suggest that a diet high in fiber and low in fat could possibly reduce an individual’s risk for developing colon cancer. After fourteen days on the high-fiber, low-fat South African diet, the American group had significantly less inflammation in the colon along with a reduction in biomarkers associated with colon cancer risk. Meanwhile, tests on the African group showed the opposite, indicating a dramatic increase in cancer risk after just two weeks on the high-protein, low-fiber American diet. According to the study’s authors, one could achieve similar results by increasing their fiber intake to 50 grams per day.
Nature Communications, April 2015
Exercise: Cardio May Help Slow Down Aging in the Brain. The findings of a new study suggest that cardiorespiratory exercise could be prescribed to lessen age-related declines in brain structure. Researchers found that cardiorespiratory fitness was positively linked to the structural integrity of white matter in the brains of the older adults. They write, “We hope this study provides additional motivation for older adults to increase their levels of physical activity, which positively impacts health, mood, cognition and the brain.” Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, April 2015
Chiropractic: How Physical Inactivity Affects the Spine. MRI scans conducted on 72 older adults found that physical inactivity can be detrimental to the spine. Researchers observed the intervertebral disks of those with low physical activity levels appeared to be shorter than the disks of those who were more physically active. Previous research suggests a reduction in disk height is associated with a greater risk for back pain. The researchers also found the lumbar stabilizing muscles of inactive participants were more likely to have fatty deposits, suggesting compromised function.
Arthritis Research & Therapy, May 2015
Wellness/Prevention: How to Choose a Bicycle Helmet. Wearing a helmet when cycling is vital for both young and old riders to prevent head injuries, but it is important that a helmet fits properly. The Cleveland Clinic suggests the following: the helmet’s padding should fit snuggly, it should sit level and not move in any direction, look for the Consumer Product Safety Commission sticker when buying a helmet, and a pre-owned helmet should only be worn if it has no cracks or breaks and was made after 1999. The Cleveland Clinic, May 2015
Quote: “I believe that we form our own lives, that we create our own reality, and that everything works out for the best.”
~ Jim Henson

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

Mental Attitude: More Sleep May Help Alzheimer’s Patients. Extra sleep may help improve the memories of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In a study involving fruit flies, researchers found that extra sleep — the equivalent of three-to-four hours of sleep for humans — restored the ability of flies with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms to make new memories. Though more studies are needed, this finding could one day offer a new path of treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Current Biology, April 2015
Health Alert: One in Four Breast Cancer Cases May Be Preventable. Experts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology advise that a healthy lifestyle can reduce a woman’s risk for breast cancer nearly 25%, even if she has a family history of the disease. Previous research has associated the following lifestyle factors with a lower risk of breast cancer diagnosis: maintaining a healthy weight, performing at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, and eating a healthy diet. American Society of Clinical Oncology, May 2015
Diet: Could a Smiley Face Make Healthy Foods More Appealing to Kids? While schools in the United States are providing healthier food options in their cafeterias as part of a federal initiative, getting kids to put more nutritious items on their plate can be a challenge. Researchers have found that adding a smiley face label to healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables or adding a small prize to a plate of four healthy foods resulted in a 62% rise in vegetable servings and a 20% increase in fruit servings on student trays. Pediatric Academic Societies, April 2015
Exercise: Reduces Vertigo Risk in Women. After examining the lifestyles of nearly 500 older women, researchers conclude that performing regular physical activity can reduce a woman’s risk for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) by over 160%! International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, October 2014
Chiropractic: Back Pain and Sleep Difficulties. After following both chronic and new-onset back pain patients for six months, researchers report that two out of three patients with low back pain experience difficulty sleeping, typically during the week following an episode of back pain. Therefore, to ensure back pain patients have the best opportunity to achieve restful sleep, it’s important for them to follow their doctor’s advice in regards to maintaining a healthy spine and making recommended lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of re-injury. Clinical Journal of Pain, May 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Smartphone App Could Prevent Teens from Using Phone While Driving. A preliminary study suggests that a smartphone app that turns off a teenager’s cell phone service when they turn on their car could help prevent accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading cause of accidental death among teens, with cell phone use behind the wheel increasing teen accident risk by nearly 24 times! Researchers found that teens who drove cars outfitted with phone-blocking technology drove up to 80% safer than teens in a control group. The communications director of the Governors Highway Safety Association adds, “The more we can get parents to implement these new technological tools and really engage in the process with their novice drivers, the greater chance we have of preventing teen driver crashes and the resulting injuries and fatalities.” Pediatric Academic Societies, April 2015
Quote: “Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” ~ Anne Frank
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.