Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna
Health Alert: Nearly Half of Rural Patients Must Drive an Hour for Surgery. According to a recent study, 44% of rural patients must drive longer than one hour to reach a surgical center, up from 37% just a decade ago. Longer travel times increase the risk for delaying procedures, which may lead to worsening health and increased mortality risks. Annals of Surgery, February 2025
Diet: Could Yogurt Lower the Risk for Aggressive Colon Cancer? A new study suggests that regular yogurt consumption may help reduce the risk of developing certain aggressive colon cancers. Researchers found that people who ate at least two servings of yogurt per week had a 20% lower risk of developing tumors on the right side of the colon, a location associated with more lethal cancers. Gut Microbes, February 2025
Exercise: Childhood Activity May Influence Later Mental Health Risks. A recent study identified an association between higher levels of physical activity during childhood and both a greater resilience to stress and a lower risk for mental health challenges during adolescence. On the other hand, a sedentary lifestyle early in life may set the stage for poor mental health later on. JAMA Network Open, February 2025
Chiropractic: History of Low Back Pain Can Affect a Batter’s Swing. Examinations of 25 collegiate baseball players revealed that those with a history of low back pain exhibited altered pelvic and trunk movement patterns during their swing, reducing their ability to transfer rotational energy from the lower body to the upper extremities. This may not only negatively affect performance, but it may also increase their risk of future musculoskeletal pain. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, March 2025
Mental Attitude: Bilingualism May Benefit Children with Autism. In a recent study, researchers observed that children with autism spectrum disorder who speak more than one language exhibit stronger executive functioning skills, such as impulse control and perspective-taking, than their monolingual autistic peers. The research team suspect bilingualism may promote cognitive flexibility and interventions to promote learning a second language may help children with the neurodevelopmental disorder better integrate into the world at large. Autism Research, November 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Gradual Exposure May Help Overcome Peanut Allergies. New research suggests that up to 70% of children with high-threshold peanut allergies—those who can tolerate at least half a peanut—may develop lasting tolerance through gradually increased doses of peanut butter consumed over an 18-month time frame under medical supervision, starting with an eighth of a teaspoon a day. NEJM Evidence, February 2025
Quote: “You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.” ~ Joyce Meyer
Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna