Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Mental Attitude: Depression Can Affect Brain Function in Elderly Diabetics. Among a group of 738 seniors with normal cognitive health, researchers observed that participants with a history of diabetes performed worse on assessments of their executive function, language/semantic categorization, and overall cognition skills.                                                                                                         Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, July 2018

Health Alert: Can Being Overweight Change the Heart Structure of Young Adults?                                                                                                                        Being overweight may thicken heart muscle tissue and increase blood pressure, elevating one’s risk for future heart disease. In this study, researchers analyzed data on thousands of healthy young adults and found a link between a greater BMI and both higher blood pressure and enlargement of left ventricle of the heart. Lead author Dr. Kaitlin H. Wade explains, “Thickening of vessel walls is widely considered to be the first sign of atherosclerosis, a disease in which fatty plaques build up within the arteries and lead to heart disease. However, our findings suggest that higher BMIs cause changes in the heart structure of the young that may precede changes in blood vessels… Our results support efforts to reduce body mass index to within a normal, healthy range from a young age to prevent later heart disease.”                                                                                     Circulation, July 2018

Diet: Caffeine Not Helpful to Dieters.                                                                 Caffeine is often found in weight-loss aids, claiming to curb appetite and speed up metabolism, but new research suggests otherwise. In a study involving 50 healthy adults, researchers observed that participants ate 70 fewer calories in the morning after drinking a small amount of caffeine equivalent to 4 ounces of coffee; however, the participants tended to eat more later in the day, suggesting that caffeine had no effect on total calorie consumption. Study co-author Dr. Carol DeNysschen writes, “[This study] reinforces the importance of good eating habits and not relying on unsupported weight-loss aids or unhealthy practices.” Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, July 2018

Exercise: Active Teenagers Are Healthier.                                                       Encouraging teens to be physically active can lead to a number of health benefits. In a study that included 422 high school students, researchers found that teens who engaged in at least one hour of physical activity at least five days a week had a greater overall sense of wellbeing and life satisfaction; a lower risk for depression, including self-harm and suicide ideation; and a reduced risk for substance abuse, including tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs.                 International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, August 2018

Chiropractic: Neck Pain Can Affect Your Shoulder Movement…                            In this study, researchers found that among a group of 60 adults under the age of 45, those with chronic neck pain exhibited reduced function and range of motion in the shoulder. Additionally, the research team observed a relationship between greater neck pain intensity and worse shoulder joint performance.              Physiotherapy Research International, August 2018

Wellness/Prevention: Benefits of Whole Grains.                                                   Whole grains are an important part of a balanced diet, as they provide a source of fiber, several B vitamins, and important minerals such as iron, magnesium, and selenium. The Department of Agriculture notes that adding more whole grains to one’s diet can reduce constipation, improve heart health, aid in weight loss, and prevent neural tube defects during fetal development.                                 Department of Agriculture, August 2018

Quote: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” ~ Samuel Goldwyn

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna