Courtesy of: Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna
Health Alert: Artery Hardening Can Start in Childhood. Atherosclerosis is characterized by the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, which can lead to potentially dangerous blockages if left untreated. Examinations of 130 pre-adolescent children revealed that excess weight is associated with endothelial dysfunction and inflammation— key precursors to atherosclerosis. The findings add to a growing body of research on the lifelong effects that being overweight or obese early in life can have on cardiometabolic health.
International Journal of Obesity, November 2025
Diet: Carb Quality Matters. While low-carbohydrate diets are often promoted for improving health, a study involving nearly 200,000 adults found that carbohydrate quality also matters. Whole and minimally processed carbohydrate sources were associated with more favorable metabolic biomarkers—including lower triglycerides,
higher HDL cholesterol, and reduced inflammation—while refined and processed carbohydrates were linked to poorer cardiometabolic profiles. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, February 2026
Exercise: Cardiorespiratory Fitness Linked to Higher Emotional Resilience. In a study involving 40 healthy young adults, researchers observed that participants with higher cardiorespiratory fitness experienced lower levels of negative emotions, such as anger and anxiety, when exposed to stress-inducing images. The findings suggest that
regular physical activity may help improve emotional regulation during stressful situations.
Acta Psychologica, April 2026
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Disorders Common in Office Workers. Questionnaires completed by 99 office workers revealed that 80 reported musculoskeletal pain, most commonly in the neck, lower back, and shoulders.
Further analysis identified poor workstation ergonomics and higher levels of job stress as risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Scientific Reports, November 2025
Mental Attitude: Lifelong Learning Protects Against Alzheimer’s. A study that included more than 1,900 older adults revealed that those with the highest lifelong levels of intellectual engagement were not only 38% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, but of those who did, the neurodegenerative condition developed nearly five years later in life. Neurology, February 2026
Wellness/Prevention: Sleep Factors May Indicate Poor Metabolic Health. Among 3,551 children and teens, researchers found that napping for more than one hour per day and snoring were each associated with an elevated risk of metabolic syndrome. The findings suggest that sleep behaviors—particularly snoring and long daytime
naps—may serve as early indicators of metabolic risk in children and adolescents.
Sleep & Breathing, February 2026
Quote: “The test of character is having the ability to meet challenges.” ~ Walter Annenberg
Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna