Courtesy of: Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna
Health Alert: Ancient Viruses May Be Spurring Modern-Day Cancers. It’s estimated that up to 8% of the human genome is made up of endogenous retroviruses, bits of viral DNA from tens to millions of years ago that have become embedded in our genetic code. While scientists have thought endogenous retroviruses are harmless, a
recent study found that one such virus, LTR10, is capable of activating nearby genes that aid in the survival of colorectal and lung tumors. In a laboratory experiment, researchers observed that cancer treatments became more effective after LTR10 had been neutralized in cancerous tissues samples. Further research is needed but the findings
suggest that targeting these ancient viral DNA fragments may someday prove to be a viable approach in cancer treatment. University of Colorado, Boulder, July 2024
Diet: Not All Vegetarian Diets Offer the Same Benefits. Despite many studies espousing the benefits of switching to vegetarian diet, researchers note there are several types of vegetarian diet and some may be healthier than others. A study that included more than 150,000 adults found that some vegetarian diet patterns may be high in potentially unhealthy processed food products, while others may have insufficient vitamin D intake or result in higher triglyceride levels. Additionally, gene variations from individual to individual can influence how the body absorbs certain nutrients, so those switching to a vegetarian diet may need to try different eating patterns to find which their body responds to best. PLOS Genetics, July 2024
Exercise: Mini-Bursts of Exercise May Improve Sleep. Conventional wisdom states that exercise before bed can negatively impact sleep. However, a recent study found that peppering in three-minute sessions of body weight exercises in the evening can improve sleep duration without affecting sleep quality. The Conversation, July 2024
Chiropractic: Conservative Treatment for Lumbar Disk Herniation. A committee formed by the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies on the management of lumbar disk herniation recommends conservative treatments as a first-line treatment approach in the absence of severe neurological deficits or cauda equina syndrome. Doctors of chiropractic utilize many conservative treatment options for managing lumbar disk herniations.
World Neurosurgery X, February 2024
Mental Attitude: Late Cancer Diagnosis Is a Major Concern. University of Cambridge researchers report that in a poll of 2,000 adults, 70% fear being diagnosed with cancer when it’s too far progressed for effective treatment.
University of Cambridge, July 2024
Wellness/Prevention: App May Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. A recent study found that app-based diabetes prevention programs may be more cost-effective and even slightly superior to traditional in-person lifestyle interventions for preventing prediabetes progression to type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, July 2024
Quote: “Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” ~ Izaak Walton
Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna