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Health Alert: Dementia Cases to Triple in Next 30 Years. Experts project that the number of dementia patients worldwide will increase to 152 million by 2050, up from 57 million in 2019, largely due to the aging populace in richer countries.                                                                                        Lancet Public Health, January 2022

Diet: Benefits of Intermittent Fasting Go Beyond Weight Loss. A review of data from 11 studies found that intermittent fasting (restricting eating to a limited window each day or not eating one or two days a week, for example) is not only effective for weight loss but it can also improve cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose readings.                           JAMA Network Open, December 2021

Exercise: How Exercise Protects Against Fatty Liver. According to a recent study, exercise training improves mitochondrial function and regulates important enzymes of glucose and fructose degradation in the liver, which may explain how exercise helps reduce the risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Molecular Metabolism, December 2021

Chiropractic: Many Misbeliefs Persist About Back Pain. Questionnaires completed by 3,724 adults revealed that many people still retain false beliefs about low back pain, which not only increases their risk for the condition but can also lower their chances for recovery. Some of these myths include the idea that imaging tests can always identify the cause of low back pain; bed rest should be the mainstay of therapy; individuals with back pain should take it easy and limit activity; back pain will get worse; and surgery is needed for disk herniation. Physiotherapy International Research, October 2021

Mental Attitude: Weak Grip May Suggest Dementia Risk. Researchers use handgrip strength to estimate an individual’s overall fitness level. A systematic review of data from 16 studies has concluded that poor handgrip strength is also associated with a nearly two-times increased risk for dementia.
Geroscience, January 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Preventing Obesity in Kids. Healthline reports that the following can help reduce the prevalence of obesity in the pediatric population: breastfeed infants, if possible; eat healthy foods as a family; encourage eating slowly and only when hungry; limit unhealthy foods in the house; encourage physical activity; limit screen time; ensure proper sleep habits; and know what children are eating outside
the home.                                                                                Healthline, December 2021

Quote: “When a deep injury is done us, we never recover until we forgive.” ~ Alan Paton

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Overactive Bladder Linked to Falls in Seniors. Scientists conducted an experiment in which older adults with an overactive bladder were asked to walk under normal conditions, while performing a distracting mental task, and while needing to urinate. The investigators observed that both the need to urinate and mental distraction resulted in similar changes in gait that can increase the risk for a fall.
Lead author Dr. William Gibson writes, “This is pretty good evidence that people with incontinence are being distracted by their bladders, which means that they’re less able to concentrate on walking… If you’re a family physician looking after someone who is having problems with falls, one of the things that should
be asked is, ‘Are you also having problems with your bladder?’ If so, then what can be done about that?”
PLOS ONE, December 2021

Diet: Food Choices Can Protect the Brain. Assessments of 845 older adults revealed that a high intake of fruit, vegetables, and plant-based foods may protect the brain against cognitive impairment and dementia.
Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, October 2021

Exercise: Team Sports Cut Depression Risk. Following an analysis of data from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey, researchers report that participating in team sports can reduce one’s risk for depression by up to 48%.                    Journal of Affective Disorders, January 2022

Chiropractic: Lumbar Disk Degeneration and Paraspinal Muscle Mass. Magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) of 504 middle aged adults revealed an association between lower paraspinal muscle mass and a greater degree of disk degeneration in the lumbar spine. Rehabilitation exercises focused on improving spinal muscle strength are often part of the chiropractic approach for managing low back pain in patients with degenerative disk disease. Journal of Clinical Orthopedic Trauma, September 2021

Mental Attitude: Multiple Concussions and Stroke. Among a group of 979 retired professional football players over the age of 65, researchers observed that those had sustained ten or more concussions in their lifetime were five times more likely to have suffered a stroke.                                                           Stroke, January 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Cataract Surgery May Reduce Dementia Risk. New research suggests that older
adults with cataracts who undergo cataract surgery are 29% less likely to develop dementia than those who
do not have surgery to correct cataracts.                                  JAMA Internal Medicine, December 2021

Quote: “Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been.” ~ Jimmy Buffett

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Health Alert: Air Pollution Increases Gestational Diabetes Risk. Using data from the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study, researchers report that increased exposure to air pollutants in the six months before pregnancy and during the first trimester elevate the risk for gestational diabetes mellitus by as much as 30%.                                                          Environmental Research, March 2022

Diet: Magnesium Is Important. Magnesium is vital for regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and for making protein, bone, and DNA. The current research suggests that most American adults do not consume adequate amounts of magnesium in their diet. Dietary sources of magnesium include legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, fortified breakfast cereals and other fortified foods, milk, yogurt, and some other milk products.
National Institutes of Health, December 2021

Exercise: Exercising During Mid-Life May Pay Dividends Later. Examinations of physically active middle-aged adults revealed they had more elastic arteries than their sedentary peers and the flexibility of their arteries was comparable to those of physically active young adults. The findings are important because arterial stiffness is linked to a greater risk of stroke and dementia risk later in life.
Journal of Applied Physiology, November 2021

Chiropractic: Low Back Pain Linked to Falls and Collisions in Older Adults. A study that included 1,127 older adults found that those with persistent low back pain were more likely to either experience a serious fall or be involved in a motor vehicle collision in the following 15 years.
Journal of Applied Gerontology, November 2021

Mental Attitude: Higher Heart Rate Linked to Greater Risk of Dementia. New research suggests that older adults with a resting heart rate above 80 beats per minute (bpm) have a 55% higher risk for developing dementia over the following twelve years than seniors with a resting heart rate between 60 to 69 bpm.                                                                                  Alzheimer’s & Dementia, December 2021

Wellness/Prevention: Ads for Healthy Eating Work on Kids. New research suggests that if children are exposed to advertising that promotes healthy eating, they are more likely to meet daily recommendations for fruit, vegetable, and whole grain intake.                                                                                      Appetite, January 2022

Quote: “Circumstances do not determine a man, they reveal him.” ~ James Lane Allen

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Health Alert: Marijuana May Interrupt Sleep. An analysis of data from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that marijuana users are 34% more likely to experience insufficient sleep and 56% more likely to report sleeping too much. Senior study author Dr. Karim Ladha writes, “I think [the results] were somewhat surprising because, in our mind, anecdotally cannabis seems to
help with sleep, but … the evidence to support that notion is just not there yet.”
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, December 2021

Diet: Low Protein Intake Linked to Lower Muscle Mass in Older Women. Examinations of 164 older women revealed a relationship between failure to consume adequate amounts of protein and an increased risk for sarcopenia, a disease associated with the loss of skeletal muscle mass during the aging process that elevates the risk for falls, functional decline, frailty, and early death.
Nutrición Hospitalaria, December 2021

Exercise: Regular Exercise Reduces Risk of Pneumonia. The current research suggests that individuals
who regularly exercise may have both a reduced risk for developing pneumonia and for death from pneumonia should they develop the condition.                                              GeroScience, November 2021

Chiropractic: Sagittal Misalignment Linked to Back-Related Disability. An evaluation of x-rays of 343 adults with low back pain revealed that those with a greater degree of sagittal (from the side) misalignment between the legs, pelvis, and lower back were more likely to report higher levels of low back pain and disability.                                                           Journal of Orthopedic Science, November 2021

Mental Attitude: Hearing Loss is a Risk Factor for Dementia. Following an analysis of data from the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System from 2007-2017, researchers report that hearing loss can increase an individual’s risk for dementia by up to 63%.
Otology & Neurotology, January 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Avoiding the Common Cold. The Cleveland Clinic offers the following tips to reduce one’s risk for the common cold: wash your hands regularly; avoid touching your face; clean frequently used surfaces; strengthen your immune system by getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating a healthy diet; and stay home when sick to avoid spreading a cold.                                                                                           Cleveland Clinic, November 2021

Quote: “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

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Health Alert: Migraines Linked to Alzheimer’s. Following an analysis of data from five cohort studies that included a total of 249,303 participants, researchers estimate that individuals with a history of migraine headaches may have up to a 2.49 times increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, January 2022

Diet: Fruits, Veggies, and the Gut Microbiome. Using data from the Multiethnic Cohort-Adiposity Phenotype Study, researchers report that a high intake of fruit and vegetables is associated with greater diversity of the gut microbiome, which is linked to a reduced risk for several chronic diseases.
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, January 2022

Exercise: A Short Run Can Give the Brain a Boost. According to a recent study, engaging in just ten minutes of moderate-intensity running can increase blood flow to areas of the brain that are key to regulating mood, working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.                                        Scientific Reports, November 2021

Chiropractic: Back Pain Common Among ICU Nurses. A systematic review of 21 studies published in the last 20 years found that 76% of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses experience at least one episode of low back pain each year, a rate substantially higher than is observed in the general population. Low back pain is the most common condition treated by doctors of chiropractic.                                                                                  Nurses in Critical Care, November 2021

Mental Attitude: Many Drinkers Think They Are Okay to Drive. In this study, researchers observed that around half of young adult drinkers are unable to determine when their blood alcohol concentration is above the legal limit to drive, which can place them at risk for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Study leader Dr. Kai Hensel writes, “In countries with legal alcohol limits, it’s usually the driver who makes a judgment about how much they’ve drunk and how fit they are to drive. But as we’ve shown, we are not always good at making this judgment. As many as one in two people in our study underestimated how drunk we are — and this can have devastating consequences.”                                                         Harm Reduction Journal, December 2021

Wellness/Prevention: Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Depression Risk. The results from a recent study suggest that engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, reducing the intake of high-carb, low nutrient foods, and improving sleep quality can reduce or prevent depression in overweight or obese men.
Journal of Affective Disorders, December 2021

Quote: “There are no secrets that time does not reveal.” ~ Jean Racine

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Health Alert: Nearly 7% of Kids Have Suffered a Head Injury or Concussion. Using data from the 2020 United States National Health Interview Survey, researchers report that 7% of children exhibited signs of concussion or brain injury, but only 4% had received a doctor’s diagnosis.                              NCHS Data Brief, December 2021

Diet: A Sulfur Microbial Diet May Increase Colorectal Cancer Risk. A diet characterized by a high intake of low-calorie beverages, French fries, red meat, and processed meat combined with a low intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains may promote the growth of sulfur-metabolizing bacteria populations, which researchers have linked to an elevated risk for colorectal cancer.                                             JAMA Network Open, November 2021

Exercise: Get Fit at Work. The National Institutes of Health offers the following tips to incorporate more physical activity into the workday for individuals with desk jobs: take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk during your lunch break, walk and talk with a co-worker instead of sending an e-email, park farther away from your office, and join your company’s fitness center, if available.                                                                                     National Institutes of Health, November 2021

Chiropractic: Using a Soft Cervical Collar After Whiplash Increases Risk of Persistent Symptoms. A
retrospective observational study that included 2,162 whiplash associated disorder (WAD) patients from two emergency rooms found that 25.5% of patients who used a soft cervical collar returned to the emergency room within three months, compared to only 6.1% who did not wear a soft cervical collar. The findings suggest that the use of a soft cervical collar in the management of WAD is a risk factor for persistent symptoms.
Healthcare, October 2021

Mental Attitude: Social Relationships May Be Important for a Healthy Lifestyle. A study that included
over 1,000 adults revealed that those who believed they could rely on their friends and family for support had lower levels of inflammation in the body, which has been associated with a reduced risk for chronic disease. The findings suggest that maintaining a positive social network may be an important key to healthy living.
Brain, Behavior and Immunity, November 2021

Wellness/Prevention: Tips to Prevent Acne. To keep acne at bay, WebMD offers the following tips: keep your face clean, moisturize, use makeup sparingly, watch what you use in your hair, keep your hands off your face, stay out of the sun, eat a healthy diet, exercise daily, and manage your stress levels. If the problem persists, consult with a dermatologist for other treatment options.                                                                    WebMD, November 2021

Quote: “The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.”
~ Arthur C. Clarke

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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

Health Alert: Cancer Increases Suicide Risk. An umbrella review that included six systematic reviews and
six meta reviews concluded that the risk of suicide among cancer patients is 1.5-1.7 times higher than the general population, with an even greater risk in the first year following diagnosis.
Journal of Affective Disorders, December 2021

Diet: Polyphenol-Rich Foods Good for Seniors with Leaky Gut. With age, the integrity of the endothelial layer of the intestines can be compromised, which may allow bacteria and harmful substances to enter the bloodstream. In a recent study, seniors who increased their intake of apples, cocoa, dark chocolate, green tea, cranberries, oranges, pomegranate, and other polyphenol-rich foods experienced improvements in intestinal function within eight weeks.                                  Clinical Nutrition, September 2021

Exercise: Exercise May Benefit Rectal Cancer Patients During Treatment. 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. In a recent study, researchers observed that rectal cancer patients who participated in an HIIT exercise program while
undergoing chemoradiation therapy were three times more likely to experience complete remission.
Clinical Colorectal Cancer, May 2021

Chiropractic: Chiropractic Adjustments Are Effective for Acute Neck Pain. A systematic review of data from six studies concluded that spinal manipulative therapy—the primary form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic—is an effective treatment for acute neck pain whether delivered alone or in combination with other therapies.                     Journal of Clinical Medicine, October 2021

Mental Attitude: Suicidal Thoughts More Common Among Nurses. Questionnaires completed by 7,000 nurses and 5,200 members of the general workforce revealed that 5.5% of nursing professionals had suicidal thoughts in the last year compared with 4.3% of the overall working adult population. The researchers add that the nurses with suicidal thoughts were also less likely to seek professional help.
American Journal of Nursing, October 2021

Wellness/Prevention: Quit Smoking Before Age 45 and Reduce Lung Cancer Risk. New researcher suggests that smokers who quit before age 45 can cut their risk for lung cancer by up to 87%, while those who quit before age 35 may eliminate their risk entirely.                                                        JAMA Oncology, October 2021

Quote: “Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.” ~ Niels Bohr

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Health Alert: Asthma Can Increase Risk for Depression and Anxiety. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the airways of about 10% of children and 7-8% of adults. A recent study found that individuals with asthma have up to a three-times increased risk for anxiety and depression compared with the general population.                                                       Brain, Behavior, & Immunity, October 2021

Diet: Proximity to Fast Food Increases Diabetes Risk. Researchers monitored more than 4 million military veterans for over five years and found an association between increased risk for type 2 diabetes and living in a neighborhood with more fast-food restaurants within walking distance. However, living near a supermarket was linked to a lower risk for diabetes. JAMA Network Open, October 2021

Exercise: Try Burpees! Burpees are a body weight exercise that is a pushup followed by a leap in the air that returns to a pushup position. This form of exercise can provide the following benefits: burns extra calories, offers a full body workout, builds cardio fitness, and burns fat.                                                  WebMD, October 2021

Chiropractic: Myofascial Release and Manipulative Therapy for Acute Low Back Pain. Among a group of
71 patients with acute low back pain, those treated with either myofascial release or manipulative therapy experienced a reduction in leg length inequality and a decrease in thoracic kyphosis. Doctors of chiropractic often utilize these techniques in the management of low back pain.                                           Life, August 2021

Mental Attitude: Short Sleep Linked to Depression. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers report that individuals who sleep six hours a night or less have an 86% higher risk for depression than those who sleep seven to eight hours a night.
Journal of Affective Disorders, January 2022

Wellness/Prevention: Breast Cancer Symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that
women can experience different breast cancer symptoms, and some don’t have any signs or symptoms at all. The following are common warning signs of breast cancer: new lump in the breast or underarm, thickening or swelling of a part of the breast, irritation or dimpling of breast skin, redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast, pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area, nipple discharge other than breast milk, any change
in the size or the shape of the breast, and pain in any area of the breast. If you have any symptoms that are of concern you should see your doctor immediately. Regular mammograms are also advised for early detection and treatment.                                    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 2021

Quote: “We learn from failure, not from success!” ~ Bram Stoker

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: An Example of the Importance of Reading Product Labels Carefully. According to a new
report, confusion over labeling may have led bakers in Missouri and Rhode Island in 2018-19 to use non-edible luster dust to add sparkle to their cake decorations, which contained potentially harmful levels of copper, lead, and other metals. Emergency physician Dr. Robert Glatter writes, “From a public health standpoint, clear and concise labeling indicating that nonedible products are not safe for human consumption is necessary to prevent illness and unintentional metal-based poisonings.”                                                                              Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, October 2021

Diet: Eat a Big Breakfast and a Small Dinner? There’s an old saying: “Breakfast like a king; lunch like a prince; dinner like a pauper.” A recent study found that there may be truth to this as researchers found that individuals were less likely to gain weight if they consumed their largest meal earlier in the day and not in the late afternoon or evening.                                           Open Biology, October 2021

Exercise: Stretch! Among a group of 205 runners who completed a half marathon, twelve experienced anterior knee pain immediately following the event. Further analysis showed that insufficient stretching of the hamstring was the most common risk factor for anterior knee pain following the long-distance run.
Journal of Clinical and Orthopedics and Trauma, October 2021

Chiropractic: Low Back Pain Among Young Athletes. Questionnaires completed by 7,000 child and teen athletes from a variety of sports revealed that 5% had low back pain with the greatest risk among 13- to14-yearolds, females, and basketball, handball, and volleyball players. The findings may assist in the development of programs and strategies to prevent low back pain in youth athletic programs. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to evaluate and treat young athletes who suffer from musculoskeletal pain, including low back pain.
Spine, September 2021

Mental Attitude: 1 in 16 Adults May Be Chronic Liars. Based on a study in which researchers monitored the interactions of 630 adults over a three-month time frame, about 6% of adults tell six or more lies per day.
Communication Monographs, October 2021

Wellness/Prevention: Reducing Atrial Fibrillation Risk. The current research suggests the following to reduce the risk for atrial fibrillation: reduce alcohol intake, engage in moderate-intensity exercise, limit sedentary time, lose excess weight, stop smoking, and address obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, if present.                                                        American Journal of Cardiology, December 2021

Quote: “You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him find it within himself.” ~ Galileo

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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

Health Alert: Hotter Temperature May Affect Kidney Health. An analysis of data from hospitals in Brazil collected between 2000 and 2015 found that the risk for kidney disease rises by 1% for every 1.8-degree Fahrenheit increase in daily mean temperature.                                                                            The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, October 2021

Diet: Warning Labels on Food and Beverages Could Reduce Healthcare Costs. Researchers estimate that
implementing warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and restaurant menus regarding the negative effects of a poor diet and obesity could lead to population-wide health improvements that could reduce healthcare costs by $1.83 billion in the following decade.
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, October 2021

Exercise: Exercise with Standard Treatment Improves Depression Outcomes. A meta-analysis that included 22 studies concluded that combining exercise with standard treatment for depression results in better outcomes, especially in cases of severe depression.                                                  Journal of Affective Disorders, December 2021

Chiropractic: Low Back Pain May Increase Risk for Neck/Shoulder Pain from Smartphone Use.
Assessments of 50 teenagers, half with a history of low back pain, showed that those with back pain exhibited greater curvature in the thoracic spine after 30 minutes of seated smartphone interaction. This exaggerated posture can place greater stress on the neck and upper back, which increases the risk for musculoskeletal pain in those sites. International Journal of Environmental Research Public Health, August 2021

Mental Attitude: Financial Stress Burdens Many Moms. Using data from the United States National Health
Interview Survey, researchers report that 25% of pregnant women and new moms skipped doctor appointments due to cost, 60% reported that healthcare was unaffordable, and 54% said they were experiencing general financial stress. Study co-author Dr. Michelle Moniz writes, “Financial hardship is highly prevalent among pregnant and postpartum women… Findings from the current study call for targeted policy interventions to
alleviate financial strain and remove financial barriers to healthcare access for privately insured families.”
JAMA Network Open, October 2021

Wellness/Prevention: Smoking and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. In addition to an elevated risk for heart disease and some cancers, smoking has also been linked to a 23% increased risk for chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, the risk falls over time among those who quit.                           Pain Physician, December 2021

Quote: “Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.” ~ Oliver Goldsmith

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna