Health Alert: Large Waist May Be Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor for Diabetics. Using data from
the UK Biobank study, researchers report that central obesity (as defined by a waist circumference
exceeding 94 cm in men and 80 cm in women) is associated with elevated risks for early death, heart
attack, heart failure, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic retinopathy, even for individuals who do not meet
the criteria for being overweight or obese based on their body mass index.
Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, July 2023
Diet: Cancer Patients Need More Fiber. For patients battling cancer, the current data suggests the chance
for survival rises by 13% for every ten-gram increase in fiber intake. Mayo Clinic, July 2023
Exercise: Intense Exercise May Help Keep Parkinson’s Disease at Bay. According to a recent animal
study, engaging in high-intensity aerobic exercise for four weeks may reduce the spread of pathological
alpha-synuclein aggregates with resulting improvements in motor control and visuospatial learning.
Science Advances, July 2023
Chiropractic: Migraines and Neck Pain. Questionnaires completed by 295 migraine headache patients
revealed that 51.9% experience neck pain, which is associated with increased headache frequency. Past
research has shown that using chiropractic care to address musculoskeletal disorders of the neck can reduce
the frequency, intensity, and duration of many forms of headache, including migraines.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Benefits of Laughter. A good laugh releases endorphins, which are natural feel-good
chemicals that enhance mood and reduce stress; increases oxygen intake; stimulates the heart, lungs, and
muscles; and strengthens social connections. Nature Mental Health, July 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D and Juvenile Rheumatic Diseases. Past research has shown vitamin D
to have anti-inflammatory properties, and patients with juvenile rheumatic diseases often have lower serum
levels of vitamin D. These data suggest that individuals with idiopathic arthritis, juvenile systemic lupus
erythematosus, juvenile systemic scleroderma, and Behcet disease may benefit by improving their vitamin
D levels via diet, supplementation, and/or increased time in the sun.
Rheumatology International, August 2023
Quote: “The more credit you give away, the more will come back to you. The more you help others, the
more they will want to help you.” ~ Brian Tracy

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

Health Alert: Postpartum Check-Up Offers a Great Opportunity to Talk Heart Health. Researchers report
that only 60% of women at elevated risk for heart disease receive counseling about healthy eating, exercise, and
weight loss during their postpartum “fourth trimester” check-up appointment. Study author Dr. Sadiya Khan
adds, “We need to find ways to take advantage of this prime opportunity when we have a captive audience of
people who are already in the doctor’s office, talking about their health at a critical juncture in life. It is hard to
create new opportunities. The fourth-trimester visit is an already-ready moment to prioritize maternal heart
health.” Journal of the American Medical Association, July 2023
Diet: Backyard Cookouts Don’t Have to Be Unhealthy. To help make summer backyard get-together fare
healthier, UT Southwestern Medical Center offers the following tips: swap out fried shells for corn tortillas;
remove the skin and bake or grill wings; use vinegar-base sauces; add a salad to your plate; and opt for leaner
cuts of meat. UT Southwestern Medical Center, July 2023
Exercise: Kidney Patients Benefit from Workouts. Technical University of Munich report that among a
group of 1,000 kidney dialysis patients, those who participated in a one-year combined aerobic and strength
training fitness program experienced significant improvements in health, quality of life, and autonomy, along
with less frequent and shorter hospital stays. NEJM Evidence, June 2023
Chiropractic: Whiplash-Associated Headaches Are Common. A literature review that included 26 studies
found that headaches are a common complaint after whiplash injury and are associated with higher levels of
disability. Doctors of chiropractic are trained in the evaluation and management of patients with whiplash
injuries, including whiplash-associated headaches. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Pets May Not Help Patients with Severe Mental Illness. While pets are often considered
beneficial for their owner’s mental health, a recent study found that pet ownership may not enhance wellbeing
or improve depression, anxiety, or loneliness in individuals with bipolar disorder or psychosis.
Human-Animal Interactions, July 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Good Diabetes Management Can Reduce Heart Attack Risks. Using Taiwan’s
Longitudinal Cohort of Diabetes Patient Database, researchers found that type 2 diabetics who do a better job at
managing the disease—getting regular check-ups and maintain healthy blood glucose, blood pressure, and
blood lipid levels—were up to 63% less likely to suffer a heart attack in the next decade.
World Journal of Diabetes, July 2023
Quote: “Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” ~ Izaak Walton

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

Health Alert: Diagnostic Errors Harm Nearly 800,000 Americans Each Year. Johns Hopkins Medicine
researchers report that approximately 795,000 Americans die or are permanently disabled each year due to
diagnostic errors that result in either delayed or unnecessary treatment, most commonly vascular events,
infections, and cancers. Lead investigator Dr. Newman-Toker adds, “Diagnostic errors are, by a wide margin,
the most under resourced public health crisis we face, yet research funding only recently reached the $20
million per year mark. If we are to achieve diagnostic excellence and the goal of zero preventable harm from
diagnostic error, we must continue to invest in efforts to achieve success.” BMJ Quality & Safety, July 2023
Diet: Teens Don’t Eat Enough Fruit and Vegetables! Using data from the 2007-2018 National Health and
Nutrition Examination Surveys, researchers report that less than 15% of teenagers consume at least one serving
of vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables or dark green vegetables each day. Most dietary guidelines for
adolescents recommend at least two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables each day.
Current Developments in Nutrition, August 2023
Exercise: Strong Hips and Running. Examinations of 122 runners revealed that having stronger hips not only
improves running performance but may also be protective against running-related injury.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, August 2023
Chiropractic: Addressing Neck Issues Benefits Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients. For patients with carpal
tunnel syndrome, a recent study found that including manual therapies to address musculoskeletal disorders of
the cervical spine to standard treatment resulted in better outcomes as demonstrated with electrodiagnostic
testing. Doctors of chiropractic routinely assess the full course of the median nerve when examining CTS
patients as compression of the median nerve beyond the wrist can contribute to or even cause CTS-associated
symptoms. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Mental and Physical Exercise Benefits the Brain. Over the course of a five-month study,
researchers observed that the combination of physical exercise and cognitive training improved thinking skills
in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. JAMA Network Open, July 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Stop Biting Your Nails. According to a recent study, about half of individuals who
experience body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRB), such as nail-biting or skin-picking, may benefit from a
strategy called habit replacement, which involves gently touching the skin, such as rubbing fingertips or the
back of the arm, at least twice a day for six weeks. JAMA Dermatology, July 2023
Quote: “He who lives by the crystal ball will eat shattered glass.” ~ Ray Dalio

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

Health Alert: Gestational Diabetes May Raise Obesity Risk in Offspring. In a recent study, researchers
observed that children born to mothers considered at risk for gestational diabetes during pregnancy (geriatric
pregnancy, family history of diabetes, overweight before pregnancy, previous birth to child large for gestational
age) were three times more likely to be overweight or obese at age seven than the offspring of women with no
gestational diabetes risk factors during pregnancy.
Scandinavian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, July 2023
Diet: Limiting Eating to the Start of the Day Can Help Control Blood Sugar Levels. New research suggests
that individuals at risk for diabetes diagnosis can better stabilize and control their blood glucose levels by
switching to that early time-restricted feeding, a form of intermittent fasting in which eating is limited to the
first 6-8 hours of the day. Endocrine Society, June 2023
Exercise: Get Moving Quickly After a Concussion to Heal Faster. A study that monitored outcomes of more
than 1,200 college athletes who sustained a mild-traumatic brain injury found that those who engaged in light
exercise shortly after their concussion recovered two times faster than their peers who waited more than a week
before resuming any form of physical activity. Sports Medicine, May 2023
Chiropractic: Treatment for Biceps Tendinopathy Shoulder Pain. A panel of 29 international experts
reviewed the available literature on 61 different treatment approaches for biceps tendinopathy shoulder pain, or
shoulder pain caused by inflammation of the tendon attached to the long head of the bicep muscle. Both thrust
and non-thrust manual therapy received the highest scores from the panel and are often utilized by doctors of
chiropractic when managing patients with this form of shoulder pain.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Suicides Continue to Rise Among Young Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention reports that since 2007, the rate of suicide among 10- to 24-year-old Americans rose by more than
60%, now accounting for about 7,000 deaths a year for individuals in this age group. Researchers note that
factors such as isolation, depression, financial problems, and trauma contribute to these trends.
NCHS Data Brief, June 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Hearing Loss is a Sign of More Health Problems. Using data from a large cohort
study that included 4.7 million older adults, researchers found that those with hearing loss had an increased risk
for hospitalization, falls, adverse drug reactions, heart attack, stroke, and dementia over the following 14 years
than participants without hearing loss. EClinicalMedicine, June 2023
Quote: “We are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we can from life.” ~ William Osler

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

Health Alert: More Than One Billion People May Be Type 2 Diabetics in 2050. Within 30 years, researchers
estimate that the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will rise from 500 million to 1.3 billion. While
obesity remains a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes, a poor diet and physical inactivity can also contribute to the
disease, which can elevate the risk for poor health outcomes such as heart attack and stroke. The Lancet, June 2023
Diet: Low Iron Levels Common in Reproductive-Age Females. According to a recent study, nearly 40% of
women in the United States have insufficient iron levels, which can affect sleep, cognitive function, vitality, and
mood. Experts note that iron levels can be assessed with a simple blood test and can be improved by eating a healthy
diet that includes iron-rich foods, though an iron supplement may also be recommended for some women.
Journal of the American Medical Association, June 2023
Exercise: Time-Restricted Diet May Improve Endurance Running Performance. In a recent animal study,
researchers observed that mice that only had access to food during short windows of time, similar to intermittent
fasting, were able to run for longer than rodents with no food restrictions. Future research will focus on whether such
benefits may extend to humans. Nature Metabolism, June 2023
Chiropractic: Hamstring Issues Common in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients. Examinations of patients with
chronic low back pain revealed an association between hamstring muscle shortness and higher levels of low backrelated pain intensity and disability. The findings suggest that the hamstrings should be assessed in patients with
chronic low back pain. Medical Science Monitor, March 2023
Mental Attitude: Growing Up Poor May Rewire the Brain. Washington University School of Medicine
researchers report that individuals who grew up in poverty have lower white matter integrity between key areas of
the brain, which can affect both mental health and visuospatial skills. The research team posits this may be due to the
effect of childhood obesity, poor diet, and limited cognitive stimulation on brain development, a combination that
may be more common among disadvantaged children. JAMA Network Open, June 2023
Wellness/Prevention: How to Recognize and Prevent Heat Stroke. The American Heart Association notes that
heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, and dizziness are common signs of heat stroke, a potentially fatal
condition. To reduce the risk for heat stroke, the association recommends refraining from strenuous activities during
the hottest part of the day; drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine and alcohol; wearing weather-appropriate
clothing, including a hat; and spending as much time in the shade as possible.
American Heart Association, June 2023
Quote: “Reading is a means of thinking with another person’s mind; it forces you to stretch your own.”
~ Charles Scribner, Jr.

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

Health Alert: Low-Dose Aspirin May Raise Anemia Risks Among Older Adults. Anemia is a condition caused
by low levels of iron in the blood, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue and a decline in overall function in
older people. A recent study found that taking a daily low-dose aspirin may raise the risk for anemia in seniors by
more than 20%. The findings highlight the need for careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits of aspirin
use in older adults. Annals of Internal Medicine, May 2023
Diet: Heart-Healthy Diet Pattern. Following an analysis of data concerning more than 245,000 adults from 80
countries, researchers report that a diet characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, and
whole-fat dairy products is associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease.
European Heart Journal, July 2023
Exercise: Hot Yoga Counters Effects of High-Salt Diet. Hot yoga is a type of yoga that takes place in a hot (more
than 105 degrees Fahrenheit) and humid environment. In a recent study, researchers found that practicing hot yoga
for just four weeks can reduce blood pressure and improve arterial function, even for individuals who normally
consume a high-salt diet. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, June 2023
Chiropractic: When Playing an Instrument Causes Musculoskeletal Pain… Playing-related musculoskeletal
disorders (PRMD) are one of the most common issues that affect a musician’s ability to play their instrument and
maintain their career. Among a group of 32 musicians with PRMD, those who received six weeks of treatment that
included manual therapies—such as those commonly provided by doctors of chiropractic—reported greater
improvements in pain than participants in a control group. Frontiers of Pain Research, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Diabetes and Unhealthy Lifestyle Can Triple Dementia Risk. The American Heart
Association’s Life’s Simple 7 is a metric of behaviors—not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy
diet, getting regular exercise, and managing healthy blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels—that can
reduce the risk for heart disease. Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers report that type 2 diabetics with
four or fewer of these behaviors are two to three times more likely to develop dementia than non-diabetics with five
or more of the Simple 7 healthy behaviors. Diabetes, Obesity, & Metabolism, July 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Be Cautious for Ticks. Warmer weather prompts many people to engage in outdoor
activities that can place them at risk for crossing paths with ticks. Experts from Penn State Health note that if you’re
going to spend time in nature, use repellents, wear light-colored clothes, and check for ticks before heading home. If
you find a tick, carefully remove it with tweezers and be on alert for any symptoms of illness.
Penn State Health, June 2023
Quote: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” ~ Milton Berle

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

Health Alert: Risk Factors for Uncontrolled Adult-Onset Asthma. Examinations of 227 individuals with adultonset asthma revealed that chronic inflammation, allergic rhinitis, ischemic heart disease, malignancy, and mood
disorders are potential risk factors for poor asthma control. The findings suggest that uncontrolled asthma in adults
may be a sign of potentially more serious mental and physical health issues. Journal of Asthma, July 2023
Diet: Intermittent Fasting and Traditional Calorie Counting Both Aid Weight Loss. Researchers assigned 90
obese adults to one of three groups: eating restricted to an eight-hour window each day; reducing total daily calorie
intake by 25%; and no eating restrictions whatsoever. After one year, the research team observed that both time- and
calorie-restricted eating provided similar weight loss benefits when compared with the control group.
Annals of Internal Medicine, June 2023
Exercise: High-Intensity Interval Training Can Fight Fatty Liver Disease. High-intensity interval training
(HIIT) is a form of exercise that involves short intervals of near-maximal effort—such as sprinting or stair
climbing—separated by intervals of moderate-intensity exercise—such as jogging or fast walking. In a recent study,
researchers found that patients with fatty liver disease who engaged in a twelve-week HIIT intervention experienced
clinically significant reductions in fat in the liver. Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology, June 2023
Chiropractic: Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain. A recent randomized-controlled trial found that the
combination of patient education and soft tissue mobilization is effective for improving pain and disability in
patients with chronic low back pain with central sensitization (hypersensitivity to stimuli from things that are not
usually painful). Doctors of chiropractic often include patient education and soft tissue mobilization in a multimodal
approach to manage chronic low back pain. Biomedicines, April 2023
Mental Attitude: Social Lives Thrive in Walk-Friendly Neighborhoods. New research suggests that residents of
neighborhoods designed to encourage walking for leisure or transportation have a stronger sense of community and
have more opportunities to socially engage with their neighbors. The findings add to a growing body of research on
the benefits of highly walkable neighborhoods. Health & Place, June 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Body Mass Index Not Enough to Assess Weight Status. Body mass index (BMI) is an
estimate of body fat based on weight and height and is commonly used to categorize an individual’s weight status as
underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Because this method is unable to take into account additional
factors such as muscle mass, age, sex, and genetics, the American Heart Association recommends healthcare
providers consider alternative measures such as waist-to-hip ratio or the body adiposity index in order to better
advise patients on their weight status. American Heart Association, June 2023
Quote: “Have confidence that if you have done a little thing well, you can do a bigger thing well too.”
~ David Storey

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

Health Alert: Opioid Overdose Survivors at Greater Risk for Death in Following Year. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention reports that among a sample of 8,300 patients treated in the emergency room
for an opioid overdose, 900 died within the next twelve months, most commonly from subsequent drug
overdose. National Health Statistics Reports, May 2023
Diet: Custom Diet May Help Fight Cancer in Future. Scientists from the Spanish National Cancer Research
Center report that tailoring a diet to a patient that considers genetics, physiological characteristics, and lifestyle
factors may someday serve as a treatment to combat tumor growth. Trends in Molecular Medicine, May 2023
Exercise: Physical Activity Useful for Managing Low Back Pain in Late Pregnancy. For women
experiencing low back pain and/or sciatic pain during late pregnancy, a recent study found that engaging in
aerobic exercise for 60 minutes three times a week led to better improvements in pain, disability, and the ability
to carry out social activities. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, July 2023
Chiropractic: Mid-Back Pain? In a recent experiment that included 100 patients with mid-back pain, those
who received eight treatments that included a combination of thoracic spinal manipulative therapy and
therapeutic exercises experienced better outcomes than participants in a therapeutic exercise-only group.
Doctors of chiropractic often utilize a multimodal treatment approach when managing mid-back pain that
includes manipulative therapy and exercises. Biomed Research International, April 2023
Mental Attitude: Loneliness Reduces Survival Following Cancer Diagnosis. An analysis of data concerning
more than 3,400 cancer patients revealed that those who reported any level of loneliness were less likely to
survive the disease. The authors of the study add that loneliness can lead to negative emotions, unhealthy
behaviors, and immune system disorders that can contribute to a worse outcome for patients under cancer
treatment. American Society of Clinical Oncology, June 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Computerized Tomography Helpful for Calculating Mid-Life Heart Risk. A study
published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that using computerized tomography (CT)
scans to detect calcium deposits in the heart arteries is better for assessing mid-life heart disease risk than
analyzing an individual’s genes, which offered no predictive value.
Journal of the American Medical Association, May 2023
Quote: “The more you know yourself, the more patience you have for what you see in others.” ~ Erik Erikson

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

Health Alert: Many People Unaware of the Suicide Hotline. The national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in
the United States (US) went live in July 2022, but according to a recent survey, only 13% of American adults
are aware of it. Health officials note that individuals experiencing a mental health crisis can dial 9-8-8 from any
phone in the US to connect with a mental health professional. CNN, May 2023
Diet: Heavy Drinking Increases Frailty Risk. Frailty is a condition characterized by weakness, slowness,
physical inactivity, self-reported exhaustion, and unintentional weight loss that is associated with an increased
risk for poor health outcomes. A recent analysis of data from the UK Biobank study identified an association
between increased alcohol intake and reduced muscle mass, which raises the risk for frailty in old age.
Calcified Tissue International, May 2023
Exercise: Exercise Can Boost Pain Tolerance. An analysis of data concerning more than 10,000 adults found
that physically active individuals have greater pain tolerance than their sedentary peers. The findings suggest
that getting regular exercise could be a useful component in a treatment plan to manage chronic pain.
PLOS ONE, May 2023
Chiropractic: Whole-Body Vibration and Neck Pain. According to a recent study that included 805 workingage adults found that exposure to whole-body vibration for more than 50% of a workday is associated with an
increased risk for neck pain in men, but not women. The finding adds to a growing body of research linking
occupational exposure to whole-body vibration and musculoskeletal disorders, including neck pain.
Ergonomics, May 2023
Mental Attitude: Low or High BMI May Be Dementia Risk Factor for Women. An eight-year study that
monitored more than 13,000 middle-aged and older adults found that women who are either underweight or
overweight, as per their body mass index (BMI), may be two times more likely to develop dementia as their
peers who maintain a normal weight. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, June 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Microbiome Changes May Explain Increase in Colon Cancer. New research suggests
that negative changes in the gut microbiome may partially explain the rise of colon cancer cases among younger
adults. In particular, researchers point to the increased prevalence of bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum,
which can suppress immune responses and facilitate tumor growth.
American Society of Clinical Oncology, May 2023
Quote: “Testing leads to failure, and failure leads to understanding.” ~ Burt Rutan

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

Health Alert: Blood Pressure Management Saves Lives. Among a group of 9,361 middle aged and older
adults with hypertension and at least one additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease, researchers observed
that those able to bring their blood pressure under control were 27% less likely die in the following three years.
American Journal of Hypertension, June 2023
Diet: Flavanols May Have Role in Frailty Prevention. Flavanols are compounds found in fruit and vegetables
that can help prevent cellular damage by neutralizing free radicals. While protein intake is often emphasized to
help older adults maintain their muscle mass, a recent study found that increasing one’s daily flavanol intake by
10 mg can reduce the risk for frailty by 20%. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2023
Exercise: Exercise May Help Counteract Genetic Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. While some individuals may
carry genes that raise their risk for type 2 diabetes, a recent study suggests that getting regular exercise can
mitigate much of this risk. In particular, the study found that individuals who met physical activity
recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise a week had a 74% lower risk for developing
type 2 diabetes than sedentary participants, regardless of their genetics.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, June 2023
Chiropractic: Spinal Pain Is Common in Basketball Players. According to a recent systematic review and
meta-analysis, nearly half (43%) of amateur and professional basketball players note spinal pain with the neck
as the most commonly affected region of the spine. Presently, nearly all professional sports teams in the United
States have a chiropractor on staff to help manage musculoskeletal conditions in their players, including neck
pain and low back pain. Healthcare (Basel), April 2023
Mental Attitude: Too Much Coffee May Raise Risk for Mood Disorders. Using data from the UK Biobank
study, researchers report that consuming more than three servings of coffee a day may be linked to an elevated
risk for depression and anxiety disorder. Psychiatry Research, June 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Can the Bacteria and Viruses in the Gut Help You Reach 100 Years Old?
Examinations of stool samples collected from nearly 400 adults (half age 100 or older) revealed that
centenarians had a greater diversity of gut bacteria and viruses than younger participants. While it’s not
currently clear if a more diverse gut microbiome promotes longevity, past research has shown a connection
between a healthier gut and better immune function. Nature Microbiology, May 2023
Quote: “Successful people breed success.” ~ Phil Crosby

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