Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: MAFLD? Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition that occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption. In a recent article, researchers suggested changing the name for this condition to metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in order to better highlight the underlying causes of the disease such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, abnormal blood lipid levels, being overweight, and having a large waist circumference.                Liver International, April 2020

Diet: Special Diet Key to Managing Asthma. The ketogenic diet triggers ketosis, which is a metabolic process that breaks down fats and proteins and transforms them into energy for the body. In a recent experiment, researchers
observed that when asthmatic mice consumed a ketogenic diet, they experienced a reduction in asthma symptoms. Researcher Dr. Christoph Wilhelm writes, “The prevalence of asthma has increased dramatically over the last few decades. Perhaps this is also related to an increasingly common high-sugar and high-fat diet.” The research team now plans to investigate whether a ketogenic diet can benefit humans with asthma.                  Immunity, April 2020

Exercise: Exercise for Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by low bone mineral density, which can increase the risk for fracture in the event of a fall. The current research suggests that individuals with osteoporosis or those who are at risk for the condition should engage in resistance training to improve bone mineral density and posture/balance training to reduce the risk for falls.                                                                  Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, April 2020

Chiropractic: Smartphone Use and Chronic Neck Pain. Among a group of 2,438 young adults with chronic neck pain, researchers observed an association between excessive smartphone use and increased evidence of cervical disk degeneration. The findings suggest that the poor posture individuals often adopt when using their electronic devices may elevate the risk for cervical spondylosis. Doctors of chiropractic often use a combination of manual therapies and specific exercises to reduce pain and improve function and posture in patients with chronic neck pain associated with excessive smartphone use.                                                                                 Journal of Orthopaedic Science, March 2020

Mental Attitude: Diabetics Have Elevated Anxiety Risk. According to a new study that looked at nationwide data from Taiwan’s national healthcare system, individuals with type 2 diabetes may be up to two times more likely to
report anxiety disorder within a ten-year timeframe.                               Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, April 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Prevention Tips for a Healthy Future. Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are common chronic diseases that are often preventable with regular screening and lifestyle changes. UnityPoint Clinic offers these tips for a healthier life: take regular walks, eat a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, wash your hands frequently, use sunscreen, get plenty of calcium and vitamin D for healthy bones, and get regular cancer screenings.
Unity Point Health, March 2020

Quote: “Forever is composed of nows.” ~ Emily Dickinson

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Heavy Drinking Earlier in Life Can Have Long-Term Consequences. Using data from the Whitehall II cohort, researchers identified a link between heavy alcohol intake before midlife and hypertension, impaired liver function, increased stroke risk, a larger waist circumference, and a higher body mass index (BMI) later in life, even if heavy drinking stopped before age 50.                                                                   Addiction, March 2020

Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Schizophrenia Patients. The current research suggests that inflammation in the brain may be the cause of some of the cognitive impairment observed in schizophrenia patients. In a study that involved 72 individuals with schizophrenia, researchers observed that participants who consumed a daily omega 3 fatty acid supplement—which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and brain health benefits—experienced both a reduction in inflammatory biomarkers and an improvement in cognitive performance.
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, April 2020

Exercise: How Often Should You Exercise? The Department of Health and Human Services currently recommends engaging in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic
activity per week in addition to strength training all major muscle groups at least twice a week.
Mayo Clinic, March 2020

Chiropractic: Effectiveness of Manual Therapy for Non-Specific Neck Pain. Among a group of 37 non-specific neck pain patients treated with manual therapies, researchers observed that those who received treatment targeting both the cervical and thoracic spine experienced greater reductions in pain and disability than participants who only received treatment applied to the neck.                                                                                                                   JPMA, March 2020

Mental Attitude: Mental Health Issues After Delivery Reduce Odds of More Children. An analysis of data on over 410,000 women who gave birth to their first child showed that those who developed conditions such as
depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia within six months postpartum were about 18% less likely to have additional children. Study leader Dr. Xiaoqin Liu notes, “If they avoided another pregnancy due to fear of relapse, an important
clinical message to them is that prevention of relapse is possible.”          Human Reproduction, March 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Prevent Osteoporosis. To reduce the risk for osteoporosis, experts from the Department of Veterans Affairs recommend the following: eat foods rich in calcium, such as low-fat dairy, leafy green vegetables, and sardines; ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake; perform weight-bearing exercises for 30 minutes, five or more days a week; walk, dance, and weight train; know your family history; and consider having a bone density screening test with your healthcare provider.              Department of Veterans Affairs, March 2020

Quote: “Make life exciting, and you live longer.” ~ Stanley Marcus

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Websites May Contain Incorrect Info on Antidepressants. Researchers reviewed articles from 39 informative websites from ten countries on the topic of antidepressant use and found that thirteen sites failed to note that antidepressant use may increase suicide ideation, only two reported that antidepressants can increase suicide risk, eleven did not warn patients of withdrawal effects, only five mentioned emotional numbing as a side effect of antidepressant use, and only one suggested that antidepressants can be addictive. The authors conclude, “The information was generally inaccurate and unhelpful and has potential to lead to inappropriate use and overuse of antidepressants and reduce the likelihood that people will seek better options for depression like psychotherapy.” International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, March 2020

Diet: Inflammatory Diet During Childhood Linked to Depression. An inflammatory dietary pattern is characterized by a high intake to meat, eggs, preserved/processed foods, and sugary drinks. A review of data
from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children revealed that kids with an inflammatory dietary pattern at age nine were up to 21% more likely to have depression at age eighteen.
Brain, Behavior, & Immunity Health, February 2020

Exercise: Exercise Helps Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, engaging in a regular exercise program is generally considered safe and can improve pain, function, fatigue, and mental health. Current Opinion in Rheumatology, March 2020

Chiropractic: Chronic Neck Pain Can Affect the Mid Back. Examinations of 78 individuals (48 of whom had chronic neck pain) revealed an association between chronic neck pain and abnormal thoracic spinal
curvature, reduce thoracic mobility, and impaired respiratory strength.
Annals of Rehabilitative Medicine, February 2020

Mental Attitude: TBI May Increase Stroke Risk Later in Life. A review of data concerning 132 individuals treated for traumatic brain injury (TBI) between 2006 and 2010 revealed that those with more severe
concussions were significantly more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke in the following decade.
Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, February 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Deficiency and Poor Pregnancy Outcomes. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with an elevated risk for preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and preterm birth.
Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, March 2020

Quote: “You make mistakes. Mistakes don’t make you.” ~ Maxwell Maltz

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Weight Gain Dangerous to Lungs. While pulmonary function is expected to decline with advancing age, the results of a study that monitored 3,700 adults for two decades found that weight gain over
time can hasten this process.                                                                            Thorax, February 2020

Diet: The More You Know… Questionnaires completed by 438 college students revealed that those with greater health literacy tended to consume more servings of fruits and vegetables per day than participants with
little knowledge of general health, health promotion, and disease prevention.
Journal of American College Health, March 2020

Exercise: Temporomandibular Dysfunction May Impair Aerobic Capacity. In this study, researchers compared the peak oxygen consumption of 31 young women with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and
31 young women without the condition and observed that members of the TMD group had lower aerobic capacity.                                                              Cranio, March 2020

Chiropractic: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Common Among Elderly. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a debilitating condition associated with the degeneration of the spine, which can have a wide range of symptoms including back pain, leg pain, numbness and tingling in the legs, and reduced physical function. A review of data from 41 published studies found that the prevalence of lumbar spinal stenosis in the general population can range from
11%-39%, depending on diagnostic criteria. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to diagnosis degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and offer conservative treatment options such as spinal manipulation, exercise, and nutritional counseling.                                                                                                           European Spine Journal, February 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Can Sarcopenia Be Slowed or Reversed? Sarcopenia is a disease associated with the loss of skeletal muscle mass during the aging process that affects around 12% of the elderly. The results of a
recent study suggest that consuming adequate amounts of protein and staying physically active can help preserve skeletal muscle quality in seniors.    Journal of Frailty and Aging, March 2020

Wellness/Prevention: How to Lift Heavy Things. To reduce the risk of injury when lifting heavy objects, the University of North Carolina recommends the following: prepare for the weight; get as close to the object as
possible; keep your back straight and bend at the knees; get a good handhold, and do not twist while lifting.
University of North Carolina, February 2020

Quote: “Love cultivates hope; hope fertilizes resilience, and we can all be farmers of dreams”
~ George E. Miller

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Many Young Adults Have Bad Health Habits. An analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that less than half of young adults meet current exercise guidelines and
less than one in six consume the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables. Federal guidelines recommend engaging in 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity and consuming five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.                                                                                                                       Western Journal of Nursing Research, February 2020

Diet: Another Reason to Eat More Fruits and Veggies… Using data from the Genes Environment Interaction in Respiratory Diseases study, researchers estimate that individuals who consume a flavonoid-rich diet are less likely to experience non-allergic rhinitis.                                                   Public Health Nutrition, January 2020

Exercise: Physical Activity Keeps the Brain from Shrinking? Researchers used MRI scans to collect data on the brain size of more than 1,550 seniors and found that the average brain size of the most active participants was 883 cubic centimeters, compared to only 871 cubic centimeters among those leading more sedentary lives. The researchers note that this difference is equivalent to nearly four years of brain aging.
American Academy of Neurology, April 2020

Chiropractic: Up to 1 in 5 Headaches Originate in the Neck! Cervicogenic headaches are described as headaches caused by dysfunction in the neck. The current research suggests that cervicogenic headaches
account for 15-20% of chronic headache cases. Doctors of chiropractic commonly use manual therapies, such as mobilization and manipulation, to treat cervicogenic headaches.                                                                                Brain and Nerve, March 2020

Mental Attitude: Sleep Helps Teens Adjust to High School. In this study, researchers observed that ninth graders who slept eight or more hours per night were better able to adjust to the academic and social rigors of
high school than freshmen with poor sleep habits.                                          Michigan State University, February 2020

Mental Attitude: Healthy Heart When Young Leads to Healthier Brain Later. The results of a long-term study regarding participants whom researchers monitored from age 24 through age 54 found that those with a
healthier heart at the start of the study performed better on memory and cognitive assessments three decades later. Study author Dr. Farzaneh Sorond writes, “We’ve known that vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and high blood glucose levels are linked to cerebrovascular damage and problems with thinking skills in older people, but this study shows that these factors may be linked decades earlier and injury may start much earlier.” American Academy of Neurology, April 2020

Quote: “A good half of the art of living is resilience.” ~ Alain de Botton

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Persistent Concussion Symptoms and Sleep Apnea. Examinations of 51 patients with persistent concussion symptoms revealed that 78% also had sleep apnea. Because sleep apnea reduces the body’s ability to experience restorative sleep, the findings suggest that improving sleep quality in mildtraumatic brain injury patients may reduce the risk for ongoing concussion symptoms.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, March 2020

Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Lead to Healthier Aging. The Mediterranean diet focuses on eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, olive oil, and whole grains while avoiding red and processed meats, dairy, saturated fats, and refined sugars. An evaluation of 143 elderly patients revealed that those who most closely followed the Mediterranean diet were less likely to two or more chronic conditions.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, February 2020

Exercise: Evening Exercise May Slow Glaucoma. Glaucoma is an incurable eye disease that causes an increase in pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve, eventually leading to vision loss. In a study
involving 98 glaucoma patients, researchers observed that the disease progressed more slowly in those who exercised during the evening.               Eye and Vision, March 2020

Chiropractic: Stabilization Exercises and Chronic Neck Pain. An analysis of data from six randomized controlled trials found that stabilization exercises can reduce pain and improve function in patients with chronic
neck pain. Doctors of chiropractic often incorporate such exercises in their treatment plans for chronic neck pain patients in addition to spinal manipulation, mobilization, and other manual therapies.
Journal of Neurological Surgery, March 2020

Mental Attitude: Do Smartphones Exacerbate Headaches? A survey of 400 chronic headache sufferers revealed that excessive smartphone use is associated with more frequent and more intense headaches. The findings suggest that cutting back on smartphone use would benefit headache sufferers.
Neurology Clinical Practice, March 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Dietary Choices and Lung Cancer Risk. A review of data from 30 published studies suggests that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, zinc, and vitamins B, C, D, and E is associated with a
reduced risk for lung cancer. The findings suggest that nutritional recommendations should be included in smoking cessation programs. Tumori, March 2020

Quote: “It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well.” ~ Rene Descartes

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Colon Cancer Hits the Poor and City Dwellers the Hardest. An analysis of data
concerning nearly 27,000 colon cancer patients in the United States revealed that colon cancer-related
mortality rates are higher in both urban environments and in areas with below-average per capita incomes
than in more affluent suburbs. The findings reveal that more effort is needed to provide access and remove
barriers to care to reduce colon cancer’s impact on society.
American Society of Clinical Oncology, January 2020
Diet: Vitamin D Supplement May Help with Diabetic Neuropathic Pain. Among a group of 57 type 2
diabetics, those given a vitamin D supplement reported improvements with respect to both neuropathic pain
symptoms and balance. Journal of Pain Research, January 2020
Exercise: Physical Activity Can Help Regulate Your Appetite. According to a new study that monitored
the calorie consumption of 130 adults on a weight loss diet, engaging in regular exercise reduces the risk of
overeating at a meal by over 50%. Health Psychology, January 2020
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Factors in the Elderly. Examinations of 279 older adults revealed that
seniors who are free of musculoskeletal pain are more likely to have to following characteristics: healthy
weight; stronger back muscles, greater physical ability, better balance with eyes closed, greater lumbar
range of motion, and normal lumbopelvic alignment and sagittal posture.
Biomed Research International, November 2019
Mental Attitude: Ways to Deal with Sadness. To manage the feelings of sadness that come with the end
of a close relationship or the death of a loved one, experts advise the following: allow yourself to be sad
and cry if you feel like you need to; listen to music or spend time with family and friends; think about the
context of the sad feelings; remember that emotions are changing and will come and go; and know when
sadness turns into depression and get help if this happens. Gundersen Health Systems, January 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Low Vitamin D Status and COPD Progression. Chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult, and it is one of the leading causes
of death in the United States. The results of a study involving 151 male COPD patients revealed that severe
vitamin D deficiency is associated with more rapid progression of emphysema.
Respiratory Medicine, January 2020
Quote: “Time is the fairest and toughest judge.” ~ Edgar Quinet

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Health Alert: Diabetic Pregnancies May Lead to Hearing Risk in Offspring. Using data from the
Audiological and Genetic Database, researchers estimate that children of diabetic pregnancies have an elevated
risk for bilateral and sensorineural hearing loss.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, February 2020
Diet: Diet Linked to Breast Cancer Survivability. An analysis of data from the Women’s Health Initiative
Modification clinical trial found that breast cancer patients who adopted a low-fat diet that emphasized an
increased intake of vegetables, fruits, and grains were more likely to survive the next two decades than women
who continued their usual diet. Journal of Clinical Oncology, February 2020
Exercise: Plyometric Training May Reduce ACL Injury Risk. Past research suggests that poor dynamic
balance and knee proprioception can increase an athlete’s risk for a non-contact anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) injury. In this study, researchers observed that female badminton players who participated in a six-week
plyometric training program experienced improvements with respect to both dynamic balance and knee
proprioception. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, December 2019
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies for Low Back Pain. A myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable spot
found in skeletal muscle that is associated with chronic pain conditions, including chronic low back pain. In this
study, researchers compared the effect of three manual therapies—manual pressure release, strain counterstrain,
and integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique—on 48 patients with chronic low back pain and observed
that each were effective at deactivating trigger points and improving low back pain and disability. Doctors of
chiropractic often incorporate several manual therapy interventions when treating patients with chronic low
back pain, depending on the patient’s unique case and needs.
Journal of Alternate and Complimentary Medicine, February 2020
Mental Attitude: PTSD Tied to Earlier Death. An assessment of data concerning 64,000 emergency
responders and civilians exposed to the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001 revealed that those
who developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had a 54-64% increased risk for early death over the
following fifteen years. JAMA Network Open, February 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Many Kids and Adults Have Low Vitamin D Status. According to the European
Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 30% of children and 60% of adults worldwide have either low or
deficient vitamin D levels. The current research suggests that low vitamin D status is associated with several
poor health and developmental outcomes. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, February 2020
Quote: “A man’s friendships are one of the best measures of his worth.” ~ Charles Darwin

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Health Alert: Asthma Linked to Heart Rhythm Disorder. The results of a thirteen-year study involving
6,615 adults suggest that individuals with persistent asthma have a 50% elevated risk for developing atrial
fibrillation, which is a common heart rhythm disorder that is known to significantly increase the risk of
stroke. Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, February 2020
Diet: An Egg a Day Is Okay. New research concludes that there is no association between egg intake and
higher blood cholesterol or associated cardiovascular risk factors. Cardiologist Dr. Guy Mintz notes, “This
very large study has clearly demonstrated that people can have one egg a day without any cardiovascular
consequences.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2020
Exercise: Aerobic Exercise Training May Enhance Brain Function. Cognitively normal but sedentary
adults with either a family history or genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease who participated in a six-month
aerobic exercise training program experienced improvements in brain glucose metabolism and executive
function skills, both of which are associated with a reduced risk for cognitive decline.
Brain Plasticity, January 2020
Chiropractic: Post-Whiplash Headaches. A review of findings from 44 published studies concluded that
60% of whiplash patients will experience headaches within one week of their injury and up to 38% may
continue to report headaches up to one year later. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to evaluate headaches
and other symptoms associated with whiplash injuries. Pain, January 2020
Mental Attitude: Strong Support Network Is Key to Cancer Recovery for Women. Among a group of
1,400 postmenopausal women with either colon or rectal cancer, researchers observed that having a strong
social support network is associated with up to a 58% reduced risk of death from colorectal cancer.
Cancer, January 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Hoarse Voice? For the most part, the causes of hoarseness—a raspy or strained
voice—are not serious and usually resolve within a few weeks. The Cleveland Clinic offers these probable
causes of hoarseness: a common cold or an upper respiratory infection, using your voice too much or too
loudly, gastroesophageal reflux, smoking, allergies, thyroid problems, and trauma to the voice box. If
symptoms fail to resolve within two weeks, consult with your family doctor.
Cleveland Clinic, January 2020
Quote: “Rudeness is a weak imitation of strength.” ~ Eric Hoffer

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Health Alert: Many Seniors Could Benefit from Visiting an Optician. Vision tests of nearly 1,200 older
adults revealed that 61% could significantly improve their vision by getting prescription glasses or
changing the power of their current lenses. Acta Ophthalmologica, January 2020
Diet: Less Protein in the Diet May Benefit Cardiovascular Health. An analysis of dietary information
and blood samples of over 11,000 adults revealed an association between a diet containing fewer sulfur
amino acid-containing foods—such as meats, dairy, nuts, and soy—and a reduced risk for cardiovascular
disease. Lancet EClinical Medicine, February 2020
Exercise: Exercise’s Effect on the Brain. Researchers monitored the brains of 128 people after
performing aerobic exercise at varying intensities and observed that the greatest changes in
neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire or modify its neural connections—occurred with 20 minutes of
interval training or 25 minutes of continuous moderate aerobic exercise.
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, October 2019
Chiropractic: Manual Therapy Improves Sit-to-Stand Tasks. Among a group of 40 adults with low
back pain, researchers observed that application of spinal manipulation and mobilization to the lumbar
spine and pelvic region improved performance on sit-to-stand assessments. The study reveals the effect that
manual therapies can have on neuromuscular control and movement in populations suffering from low back
pain. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, January 2020
Mental Attitude: Adverse Childhood Experiences Linked to Dementia. A review of data concerning
17,315 Japanese seniors found that those who experienced three or more adverse childhood experiences
(ACEs) had a 78% increased risk for developing dementia. Examples of ACEs include abuse (physical,
sexual, emotional), neglect (physical, emotional), witnessing domestic violence, substance abuse or mental
illness in the household, and the loss of a parent (separation, divorce, incarceration, death).
JAMA Network Open, February 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D and Ovarian Cancer. The current research indicates that low vitamin D
status is associated with an increased risk for ovarian cancer. Cells, February 2020
Quote: “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to
your former self.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best <a title=”chiropractors” href=”http://www.megnachiropractic.com/” target=”_self”>chiropractors</a> I have found in the Napa region.