Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna
Mental Attitude: Mediterranean Diet May Protect the Brain! The Mediterranean diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, healthy fats (such as olive oil), and lean sources of protein such as fish and poultry. In addition to improved heart health, studies show that the Mediterranean diet may also protect against cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. Current Nutrition Reports, May 2018
Health Alert: Breast Cancer Survivors Often Not Getting Needed Mammograms. Researchers followed the status of more than 27,000 women after their breast cancer surgery and found that 13% failed to have a mammogram within one year of their procedure. At the five-year mark, the percentage of women who had not had a mammogram in the last year rose to 19% and only 50% had undergone annual mammograms in the preceding half-decade. Lead researcher Dr. Kathryn Ruddy writes, “The use of regular mammograms to detect a return of breast cancer before any symptoms appear is associated with better overall survival… Therefore, clinicians need to make sure that their patients are fully aware of the role these annual mammograms play in screening for new breast cancers as well as for local recurrences.” Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, May 2018
Diet: Green Tea May Protect the Heart. In atherosclerosis, a protein called apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1) sticks to plaques and makes them larger, which further restricts blood flow. In a new study, researchers discovered that a compound found in green tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) can break down apoA-1, potentially improving blood flow. Journal of Biological Chemistry, May 2018
Exercise: Brisk Walking May Lead to a Longer Life. After reviewing survey data and death records from individuals in both England and Scotland, researchers report that walking speed may predict one’s risk for an early death. In particular, the research team observed that slow walkers are 20-24% more likely to suffer an early death from any cause than those who walk at either an average or swift pace. Researcher Dr. Emmanuel Stamatakis adds, “These analyses suggest that increasing walking pace may be a straightforward way for people to improve heart health and risk for premature mortality.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, June 2018
Chiropractic: Spinal Manipulation Benefits Common Low Back Conditions. A recent study investigated the effects of spinal manipulation of the lumbar and sacroiliac joints in twenty patients with lumbar disk herniation combined with lack of sacroiliac motion (hypomobility). The patients received five spinal manipulations over a two-week period, which led to significant improvements in back and leg pain that persisted up to one month following their final treatment. The results show that spinal manipulation can be beneficial in the management of pain and functional disability in patients with lumbar disk herniation and concomitant SIJ hypo-mobility. Chiropractic Manual Therapies, May 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D May Reduce Risk of Miscarriage. An examination of the vitamin D levels of 1,200 women with a history of miscarriage showed that those who had vitamin D levels of 30 ng/mL or more were 10% more likely to become pregnant within the next six months and 15% more likely to have a live birth than women with lower vitamin D levels. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, May 2018
Quote: “Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.” ~ William Butler Yeats
Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna