Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna
Mental Attitude: Being Fit May Protect Against Depression. According to a study that included nearly 8,000 European adults, being physically active appears to reduce the risk for depression, even among those with a genetic predisposition for the condition. Depression and Anxiety, November 2019
Health Alert: Unhealthy Lifestyle Sets Stage for Liver Problems… Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption, which can lead to a host of negative health outcomes. An analysis of data concerning over 270,000 military veterans found that adults with diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension had a 2.6 times greater risk for NAFLD than individuals without those traits. Hepatology, November 2019
Diet: Trans Fats Linked to Greater Dementia Risk. Despite most trans fats being banned in the United States, foods with less than a half-gram of trans fats can be labeled as “trans fat free”. In a study involving 1,600 older
adults, researchers observed that participants with higher levels of trans fats in their blood had an elevated risk for dementia over the following decade. Neurology, October 2019
Exercise: Interval Walking Training Offers Benefits for Seniors. Interval walking training (IWT) is characterized as walking at 70% of maximum capacity (heart rate) for three minutes, then at 40% capacity for the next three minutes, repeating the process five or more times. Among a group of 679 older adults, those who participated in an IWT program for five months not only experienced improved aerobic capacity in comparison to a control group that did not exercise, but they also had a 17% reduced risk for lifestyle-related disease. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, October 2019
Chiropractic: Myofascial Release and Core Exercises for Back Pain. Myofascial release (MFR) is a hands-on technique commonly used by doctors of chiropractic that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into connective tissue restrictions to help eliminate pain and restore motion. In a study involving 45 elderly patients with nonspecific low back pain, those treated with a combination of MFR and core strengthening exercises three times a week for six weeks experienced improvements in low back pain and function, lower body flexibility, fear-avoidance behavior, and overall quality of life. These techniques are often utilized by chiropractors when managing patients with low back pain. Clinical Interventions in Aging, October 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Fruits, Veggies, and Frailty. Frailty is a condition characterized by weakness, slowness, physical inactivity, self-reported exhaustion, and unintentional weight loss. The results of a study involving nearly 5,700 seniors suggest that a low intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with an elevated risk for frailty.
Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, October 2019
Quote: “Happiness does not lie in happiness, but in the achievement of it.” ~ Fyodor Dostoevsky
Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna