Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna
Mental Attitude: Waist Size Linked to Dementia Risk. Researchers reviewed data concerning 872,082 seniors
and found that for every five-centimeter increase in waist circumference, an individual’s risk for dementia diagnosis over the next five years increases by about 5%. Obesity, November 2019
Health Alert: Don’t Let Babies Sleep on an Incline. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns parents not to let a baby sleep in rockers, pillows, car seats, or any other product that holds an infant at an incline greater than ten degrees. Researchers report that lying on an incline can activate a baby’s stomach muscles, making it easier to turn over, even if they’ve never done so before. Once a baby is on their stomach, the angle can make it tough for them to get out of that position, leading to greater risk of suffocation. Consumer Product Safety Commission, November 2019
Diet: Sweetened Beverages Can Stiffen the Arteries. An analysis of data from the Brisighella Heart Study has identified an association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and increased arterial stiffness. Past
research has linked hardening of the arteries with an elevated risk for poor cardiovascular outcomes. Nutrients, November 2019
Exercise: E-Bikes Can Provide a Worthwhile Workout. Pedal-assist bikes (also known as e-bikes) can provide basically the same level of workout as regular bikes. In this study, researchers pitted e-bikes against regular bikes on a six-mile test loop and found that riders were able to enter the vigorous-intensity zone for target heart rate on both types of bike, even though the average heart rate for e-bike riders was about ten beats per minute lower. Study author Dr. Cougar Hall writes, “This study could be a critical catalyst for populations who struggle to exercise. The participants got cardiovascular results, but didn’t really feel like they were working out.”
Journal of Medical Internet Research, November 2019
Chiropractic: Teenagers with Neck and Back Pain. Evaluations of 305 adolescents revealed that 8.6% currently had back pain, 47% had back pain in the last year, and 65.1% had an episode of back pain in their lifetime. The
researchers add that 5.9% of participants currently had neck pain, and the one-year and lifetime prevalence for neck pain was 39.8% and 51%, respectively. Further analysis showed that back pain was more common among older teens and those who sat with poor posture, while neck pain was more likely among teens who used their smartphone more than ten hours a week. Journal of Orthopaedic Science, November 2019
Wellness/Prevention: New Tool Can Predict Five-Year Risk of Kidney Disease. The Chronic Kidney Disease Prognosis Consortium has developed a new risk calculator tool that can predict how likely you are to develop chronic kidney disease within five years based on variables such as age, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels. When caught early, kidney disease progression can be slowed or stopped with proper treatments and lifestyle changes. Journal of the American Medical Association, November 2019
Quote: “You don’t have to swing hard to hit a home run. If you got the timing, it’ll go.” ~ Yogi Berra
Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna