Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna
Health Alert: Air Pollution May Affect Fertility. Particulate matter is a mixture of dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and
liquid droplets in the air and has been linked to an elevated risk for several poor health outcomes. According to a new study that included over 2,200 women, living in areas with higher levels of particulate matter air pollution may be associated with reduced ovarian reserve. Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine, February 2021
Diet: Green Mediterranean Diet for NAFLD Patients? Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition
that occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption. An 18-month study involving 294 NAFLD patients revealed that those who adopted the green Mediterranean diet—a version of the Mediterranean diet in which meat is replaced with plant proteins—experienced a greater reduction of fat in the liver than participants on the standard Mediterranean diet. Gut, January 2021
Exercise: Young Boys and Girls Become Less Active During Summer. While we often associate summer break
as a time for kids to go outside and play, a recent study found that six- to nine-year-old children spend about 50% fewer minutes each day engaged in either moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity during this time.
Frontiers in Public Health, January 2021
Chiropractic: Does Smartphone Use Contribute to Musculoskeletal Pain? Questionnaires completed by 294
university students revealed that heavy smartphone users were more likely to experience pain in the neck, upper back, and hands/wrists, especially those who met the criteria for smartphone addiction. The findings underscore the importance of good posture when using electronic devices and seeking help if smartphone use interferes with one’s ability to carry out their daily responsibilities. Korean Journal of Pain, January 2021
Mental Attitude: Touchscreens May Contribute to Distraction in Toddlers. Assessments of 40 children
conducted at 1.5 years and 3.5 years of age revealed that those who spent the most time using touchscreens each day were less likely to resist distraction than kids who used electronic devices less often. JAMA Pediatrics, January 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Simple, Affordable Test May Curb Colorectal Cancer Deaths. Scientists have developed
a test called fecal immunochemical test (FIT) that may help identify individuals at risk for developing colorectal cancer by finding traces of blood in stool. An examination of data on 3,890 patients who received the FIT showed that of the 618 who tested positive for blood in their feces, 43 went on to be diagnosed with colon cancer within twelve months. Meanwhile, only eight of those who tested negative received such a diagnosis over the next year. Research leader Dr. Sarah Bailey writes, “[This] simple and inexpensive test performs exceptionally well in this
group of patients with low-risk symptoms, to quickly and accurately tell us who is likely to not have colorectal
cancer, and who should be referred for investigation.” British Journal of Cancer, January 2021
Quote: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” ~ Frederick Douglass
Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna