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Health Alert: Irregular Periods Linked to Greater Risk for Liver Disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition that occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption, and it is associated with a number of poor health outcomes. An analysis of data concerning 72,092 women under the age of 40 found that those with long or irregular periods were 49% more likely to develop NAFLD over the following four to five years.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, March 2022

Diet: Sulfur Amino Acids Are Bad for the Heart. The American Heart Association reports that a high intake of sulfur amino acids—most commonly found in beef, chicken, and milk—may be associated with a 12% increased risk of cardiovascular disease over a three-decade time period.
American Heart Association, March 2022

Exercise: Exercise Decreases Clot Risk in Patients with NAFLD. Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are at risk for several poor health outcomes, including blood clots. A recent study that included 24 NAFLD patients found that participating in a 20-week aerobic exercise training program significantly reduced the presence of a protein called plasminogen activator inhibitor, which helps clots remain
intact.                                                                                    Hepatology, December 2021

Chiropractic: Mobilization Decreases Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients. For patients with moderate-tosevere knee osteoarthritis, a new study found that mobilization therapy—a form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic—is effective for improving function, reducing pain, and lowering pain sensitivity.
European Journal of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine, January 2022

Mental Attitude: Childhood Troubles Can Have Lifelong Consequences. Following a review of data from
the ESPRIT study, researchers report that experiencing five or more adverse childhood events—such as emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and emotional and physical neglect—is associated with a 52% increased risk for dementia.                   Journal of Affective Disorders, May 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Healthy Mouth, Healthy Heart. Past studies have linked oral and cardiovascular health. A new study that looked at saliva samples from 1,200 women identified 15 types of mouth bacteria that were linked to either an elevated or reduced risk for hypertension. Senior author Dr. Michael LaMonte adds, “This is an interesting finding… and it tells us there may be more to blood pressure control than we understand. We need to keep an open mind.”                     Journal of the American Heart Association, March 2022

Quote: “I will go anywhere, provided it is forward.” ~ David Livingstone

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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

Health Alert: Vaping May Increase Risk of Diabetes. An analysis of data concerning over 600,000 adults found that e-cigarette use may be associated with a 54% increased risk for prediabetes—a term used to describe elevated blood sugar levels that have not yet reached the threshold for diabetes diagnosis. Senior researcher Dr. Shyam Biswal adds, “There is a real concern that there’s a perception among the younger population that ecigarettes are a safer alternative [to smoking]… But more and more evidence is piling up that e-cigarettes are not safe.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine, March 2022

Diet: Nordic Diet Helps Lower Cholesterol & Blood Sugar. Among a group of 200 overweight, middle-aged adults, researchers observed that those who adopted the Nordic diet—an eating pattern rich in berries, veggies, fish, whole grains, and rapeseed oil—experienced greater improvements in their cholesterol levels and glucose regulation than participants who maintained their usual diet.                                                     Clinical Nutrition, December 2021

Exercise: How Many Steps Per Day? A systematic review that included 15 studies found that for adults over the age of 60, an average of 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day is associated with a reduced risk of premature death. Meanwhile, for adults under age 60, the optimal number of steps appears to fall in the 8,000 to 10,000 steps per-day range.                                                        The Lancet Public Health, March 2022

Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Complaints Common in Nurses. Questionnaires completed by 550 nurses revealed that 88.1% experienced work-related musculoskeletal pain in the previous twelve months, with the low back, shoulders, and neck as the most affected areas.
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, February 2022

Mental Attitude: Biggest Risk Factors for Dementia. The American Heart Association reports that 42% of dementia cases in the United States can be attributed to these twelve factors: lower educational attainment, hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, high blood pressure, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, smoking, depression, social isolation, not getting the recommended amount of physical activity, diabetes, and air pollution.                                                                    American Heart Association, March 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Steps to Prevent Colon Cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer in the United States, but steps can be taken to reduce one’s risk for this deadly condition, such as: attend screenings starting at age 45 or sooner if you have a family history; eat a healthy diet full of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting beef, pork, lamb, and processed meats; get physically active; maintain a
healthy weight; avoid or limit alcohol; and don’t smoke.    Cedars-Sinai, March 2022

Quote: “The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.” ~ Henrik Ibsen

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Potential Long-Term Effects of High School Football. Compared with middle-aged individuals who did not play contact sports or any sport in high school, those who played high school football were more likely to have sleep problems and to take medication for either chronic pain or headaches during the last year. However, the study did not find that former high school football players had an increased risk for depression, anxiety, anger, concentration problems, or memory problems.
Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, March 2022

Diet: Stay Hydrated. Healthline reports the following benefits for remaining hydrated: helps maximize physical performance, significantly affects energy levels and brain function, may prevent headaches, may help relieve constipation, may help treat kidney stones, helps prevent hangovers, and can aid weight loss.
Healthline, February 2022

Exercise: Lift Weights for About an Hour a Week. A meta-analysis of 16 studies found that strength training for between 40-60 minutes a week is the optimal dose for reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease.
BMJ, February 2022

Chiropractic: Is Standing Better for Guitar Players? Examinations of 25 guitar players revealed that compared with standing, playing while sitting results in greater tilt of the torso, increased abduction of the right shoulder, higher flexion of the left shoulder, and a higher radial deviation of the left wrist, which may increase the risk for musculoskeletal pain in these areas.                                                                                                 PLOS ONE, January 2022

Mental Attitude: Early Menopause May Increase Dementia Risk. According to a study that looked at the
long-term health histories of over 153,000 women, entering menopause before the age of 40 is associated with a 35% increased risk for dementia later in life when compared with women who begin menopause around age 50. Researcher Dr. Wenting Hao notes that estrogen can activate antioxidants in the brain that clear out proteins known to play a role in the development of dementia.                                                              American Heart Association, March 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Signs of a Stroke. The American Stroke Association notes the following are signs and symptoms of a stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body); sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden vision issues in one or both eyes; sudden difficulty walking or dizziness; loss of balance or problems with coordination; and severe headache with no known cause. If you notice any of these sudden and severe signs of stroke, summon emergency services immediately.                                                                            American Stroke Association, March 2022

Quote: “Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; an argument an exchange of ignorance.” ~ Robert Quillen

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Nearly 1 in 3 Adults Don’t Know the Most Common Heart Attack Symptom. According to a recent study, only about 70% of adults in the United States and Canada can identify chest pain/discomfort as a symptom of myocardial infarction. Other common heart attack symptoms include
shortness of breath; arm/shoulder pain/discomfort; feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint; and jaw, neck, and back pain. Korean Circulation Journal, December 2021

Diet: Foods That Can Help Lower Your Cholesterol. Harvard Health notes that the following foods can help reduce one’s low-density lipoprotein (the “bad” cholesterol) levels: oats; barley and other whole grains; beans; eggplant and okra; nuts; vegetable oils; apples, grapes, strawberries, and citrus fruits; foods fortified with sterols and stanols; soy; fatty fish; and fiber supplements.                                                                             Harvard Health, February 2022

Exercise: HIIT Benefits Lung Cancer Patients. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form of exercise that involves short intervals of near-maximal effort such as sprinting or stair climbing separated by intervals of moderate-intensity exercise, such as jogging or fast walking. A review of data from six studies concluded that HIIT is an effective intervention for improving cardiorespiratory fitness in lung cancer patients undergoing treatment, which may improve their chances for a successful outcome.
Supportive Care in Cancer, April 2022

Chiropractic: Stress is Associated with Neck Pain in College Students. A recent survey of university students found that over a third (35.6%) have moderate neck pain and disability, and the risk for bothersome neck pain in this group is increased by high levels of stress and excessive sedentary time.
Healthcare, November 2021

Mental Attitude: Worries Increase Heart Risk in Men. Following a review of data from the Normative Aging Study that included 1,550 men, researchers report that higher anxiety levels during mid-life are associated with a 10-13% increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Journal of the American Heart Association, January 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Getting a Good Night’s Sleep While on Vacation. The National Sleep Foundation
recommends the following to get a good night of sleep while out of town: avoid making changes to your sleep schedule, don’t eat a heavy dinner, avoid drinking too much alcohol, bring your own pillow, and consider using lavender spray or a white noise machine.                                                                                     National Sleep Foundation, January 2022

Quote: “Time is the fairest and toughest judge.” ~ Edgar Quinet

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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

Health Alert: A Crowded ER Can Cost Lives. An analysis of data concerning more than 5 million emergency room (ER) visits found that if delays in admission exceed five hours, an individual’s risk of death in the next 30 days increases by 8%. Emergency Medicine Journal, January 2022

Diet: Vitamin D May Help Reduce Autoimmune Disease Risk. A study involving 26,000 adults found that those who took a daily supplement of 2,000 IU of vitamin D reduced their risk of developing an autoimmune disease by 22%. British Medical Journal, January 2022

Exercise: Just 10 Minutes of Daily Activity Can Save Lives. Following a review of health data concerning nearly 5,000 middle-aged and older adults, researchers estimate that if each adult engaged in just ten minutes of exercise a day, it could prevent over 100,000 premature deaths each year.
JAMA Internal Medicine, January 2022

Chiropractic: Myofascial Treatment Aids Microcirculation. Impaired blood flow to the smallest blood
vessels in the circulatory system is commonly observed in patients with musculoskeletal disorders and is associated with pain intensity, pain duration, and disability. With the aid of laser-doppler flowmetry and videofluoroscopic imaging, investigators observed that myofascial treatment—a therapy performed by doctors of chiropractic—results in an immediate improvement in microcirculation in the immediate area,
especially in patients with a musculoskeletal disorder such as neck or shoulder pain.
Diagnostics, November 2021

Mental Attitude: Young Females at Greater Risk of Stroke Than Young Males. A review of 16 studies
regarding stroke incidence in the younger adult population found that women under the age of 35 are 44% more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke than men in the same age group. While the review does not pinpoint a reason for the difference, the authors of the study note that adults of all ages can reduce their risk for stroke by managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure, eating a nutritious diet, not
smoking, and getting regular exercise.                                    Stroke, January 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D May Protect the Eyes. Uveitis is an inflammatory condition of the eye that affects around 50 of every 100,000 people each year. A review of data from 16 studies found evidence that poor vitamin D status may be associated with an elevated risk for the condition.
Survey of Ophthalmology, March 2022

Quote: “Much good work is lost for the lack of a little more.” ~ Edward H. Harriman

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: 1 in 5 Post-Stroke Patients Have Recurring Depression. According to a study that
followed stroke survivors for nearly eight years, 40% will experience at least one episode of depression with half of such individuals reporting recurrent depression.
Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, March 2022

Diet: Soft Drink Consumption During Pregnancy Linked to ADHD in Offspring. Based on data from
the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study and Medical Birth Registry of Norway, researchers report that daily maternal intake of sweetened carbonated beverages during pregnancy is linked to a small increase in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in offspring at eight years of age.
European Journal of Nutrition, January 2022

Exercise: Exercise is Good for Bone Health. The National Institutes of Health reports that weight-bearing physical activities such as walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing can lead to stronger and healthier bones, which can reduce one’s risk for osteoporosis.
National Institutes of Health, January 2022

Chiropractic: Try Chiropractic First. A recent study found that patients with spinal pain who see a doctor of chiropractic as their first treatment choice are less likely to fill an opioid prescription, receive a spinal injection, or see a specialist within the next six months than those who initially consult with a
medical physician.                                                              Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, January 2022

Mental Attitude: Alzheimer’s Disease Management. The Cleveland Clinic offers the following advice for caregivers of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease: stay informed about the disease, learn about behavioral challenges such as agitation and depression, be alert for wandering, provide a stable and calm
environment, help the loved one express their emotions, and make sure the loved one keeps a regular sleep
schedule.                                                                                   Cleveland Clinic, January 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Most Kids Don’t Wear a Helmet When Sledding. Questionnaires completed by nearly 2,000 parents revealed that while 73% of children always wear a helmet when downhill skiing or snowboarding, 70% of kids never wear a helmet when sledding, which can also result in a serious head injury.                                                                                  University of Michigan, January 2022

Quote: “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
~ Thomas A. Edison

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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

Health Alert: Plastics May Contribute to Obesity. A lab analysis of commonly used plastic products revealed that a third contained chemicals known to interfere with human metabolism and contribute to fat cell development. Study co-author Dr. Martin Wagner adds, “Our experiments show that ordinary plastic products contain a mix of substances that can be a relevant and underestimated factor behind overweight
and obesity.”                                                                  Environmental Science & Technology, January 2022 

Diet: Diet May Increase IBD Risk. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affect an estimated 3.1 million adults in the United States. An analysis of 14 years of data concerning over 125,000 adults found that a high intake of snacks and prepared meals combined with a low
intake of fruit and vegetables is linked to an elevated risk for Crohn’s disease. Meanwhile, a diet with a high intake of red meat, poultry, and processed meat is associated with an increased risk for ulcerative colitis.                                        Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, December 2021

Exercise: Other Ways Exercise Benefits Kids. In addition to better fitness, the current research suggests that engaging in at least 300 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each week can improve a child or teen’s self-esteem, self-image, self-efficacy, ability to manage stress, and likelihood to engage in other healthy behaviors.                                            Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, March 2022

Chiropractic: Manual Therapy for TMD Patients. A review of data from six studies found that manual therapies—such as those utilized by doctors of chiropractic—applied to the craniomandibular region of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can result in improvements in both pain and maximum mouth opening.                                                       Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, December 2021

Mental Attitude: Weight May Affect Thinking Skills. There’s an abundance of research regarding the many poor outcomes associated with obesity from an increased risk for type 2 diabetes to an elevated risk for heart attack. Now, a new study that included 9,200 adults suggests that obesity may also cause the brain to age faster, which can hasten cognitive decline. JAMA Network Open, February 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Screen Time Before Bedtime is Bad for Young Kids. A recent experiment involving 36 preschool-aged children found that increased exposure to screens and other lights before bedtime could significantly reduce melatonin levels, which can hinder a child’s ability to get a restful night’s sleep.                                                                              Journal of Pineal Research, January 2022

Quote: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” ~ Anais Nin

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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

Health Alert: Pregnancy Complications Can Lead to Problems Later in Life. Using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, researchers estimate that pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth may elevate a woman’s risk for cardiovascular disease later in life, even after adjusting for obesity, smoking, and comorbidities.
Journal of the American Heart Association, January 2022
Diet: Individuals with Epilepsy Should Skip Energy Drinks. A meta review of 50 studies found limited evidence that caffeinated energy drinks might trigger seizures in patients with epilepsy.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, February 2022

Exercise: HIIT and Blood Pressure. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form of exercise that involves short intervals of near-maximal effort such as sprinting or stair climbing separated by intervals of moderate-intensity exercise, such as jogging or fast walking. A meta-analysis of ten studies found that HIIT is as effective as moderate-intensity continuous training at improving blood pressure in older adults.
Experimental Gerontology, February 2022

Chiropractic: Nearly a Third of Young Teens Have Recent Back Pain. Questionnaires completed by 1,278 schoolchildren between the ages of 10 and 15 years revealed that 31% experienced low back pain in the preceding three months. Treatment of low back pain in children and teens is common in chiropractic clinics.                                                                     Revista Española de Salud Públic, December 2021

Mental Attitude: Stigma Against Depression May Be Decreasing. Compared with twenty years ago, fewer American adults are willing to admit they would avoid individuals with depression. However, the beliefs that alcohol dependence is due to “bad character” and people with schizophrenia are “dangerous” have become more common.                               JAMA Network Open, December 2021

Wellness/Prevention: Meditation May Strengthen Immune System. Among a group of 100 people, those who participated in an eight-day retreat that involved meditation for ten hours a day experienced increased expression of 220 immune-related genes that persisted for up to 90 days. While such retreats aren’t practical for the majority of the population, the findings suggest that meditation may play a role in
improving immune function.                                           Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, December 2021

Quote: “Keep cool; anger is not an argument.” ~ Daniel Webster

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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

Health Alert: Prediabetes Linked to Several Poor Outcomes. Prediabetes is a term used to describe elevated blood sugar levels that have not yet reached the threshold for diabetes diagnosis. An umbrella review of 95 meta-analyses found evidence that prediabetes is associated with an increased incidence of coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, and dementia.                    Diabetologia, February 2022

Diet: How Red Meat Increases Cardiovascular Disease Risk. New research suggests that microbes in the digestive tract convert carnitine—an ammonium compound found in red meat—into trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is a molecule known to promote atherosclerosis and blood clot formation. Nature Microbiology, December 2021

Exercise: Exercise Protects the Muscles, Bones, and Joints. A review of data from the 1999-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that meeting fitness guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week can reduce the risk for sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and
osteoarthritis in middle-aged and older adults.                Experimental Gerontology, February 2022

Chiropractic: Overactive Bladder and Low Back Pain. Evaluation of 72 women, half with overactive bladder syndrome, revealed that those with an overactive bladder had reduced lumbopelvic stability and a greater risk for low back pain, poor sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. The findings suggest that treatment options to improve lumbopelvic stability, such as chiropractic care, may benefit women with overactive bladder syndrome.                                                              Somatosensory & Motor Research, December 2021

Mental Attitude: Teens Spend Four Hours a Day Online. Interviews with over 5,000 teenager-parent pairs revealed that adolescents average about 3.9 hours of leisure screen time a day. Past research has shown that excessive screen time can increase the risk for poor outcomes like depression, anxiety, inattention, poor sleep, and physical inactivity. Academic Pediatrics, December 2021

Wellness/Prevention: How a High-Fat Diet Can Promote Poor Dental Health. An animal study found
that mice on a high-fat diet experienced an increase in immune cells called myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that can develop into osteoclasts, which increase bone destruction and can lead to tooth loss.
Journal of Dental Research, December 2021

Quote: “Where there is no vision, there is no hope.” ~ George Washington Carver

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Good Oral Health May Have Cardiovascular Benefits. Following a review of data from
the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort concerning nearly 53,000 hypertensive patients, researchers report that participants who developed five or more dental caries during an eleven-year time frame were 37% more likely to have a stroke or heart attack. On the other hand, those who brushed at least twice a day reduced their risk for poor cardiovascular outcomes by 12%.
Journal of Hypertension, February 2022

Diet: Why Some Love Black Coffee and Dark Chocolate… New research suggests that individuals who
prefer their coffee black and chocolate dark carry genes that are associated with more efficient metabolization of caffeine, which speeds up the time it takes to provide an increase in mental alertness.
Scientific Reports, December 2021

Exercise: Benefits of Resistance Training for Senior Men. For older men, a recent study found that twelve weeks of whole-body resistance training can improve leg extension and leg press performance, increase muscle mass, cut body fat, improve walking ability, and reduce inflammatory biomarkers in the blood.                                                                      Experimental Gerontology, February 2022

Chiropractic: Spinal Alignment Linked to Low Back Pain. Examinations of 1,491 adults revealed that those with low back pain were more likely to have exaggerated sagittal (from the side) spinal curvature. The findings suggest that spinal malalignment may be a contributing factor for back pain. Doctors of chiropractic focus on improving spinal alignment to reduce spinal pain and disability.
Scientific Reports, October 2021

Mental Attitude: Social Engagement Protects the Brian. During a four-year study, researchers observed that older adults with mild cognitive impairment who socialized in a greater number of environments were less likely to progress to dementia.                                                                                Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders, January 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Safety Tips for Snow Shoveling. For many, winter means shoveling snow. Since this activity can increase one’s risk for back injury and heart attack, Traveler’s Insurance recommends the following: warm up beforehand, push rather than lift, choose your shovel wisely, take frequent breaks, keep up with the snowfall, wear layers, and stay hydrated.                                                                                  Traveler’s Insurance, December 2021

Quote: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~ William James

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna