Courtesy of: Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Long-Term Night Shift Work Raises Breast Cancer Risk. An analysis of data from eleven case-controlled studies found that working nights for ten years can increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer by 23%, and the risk continues to rise the more years she works nights.                                                                                          BMC Public Health, July 2024

Diet: Fish Oil May Help Improve Blood Lipid Readings. Following an analysis of data concerning more than 441,000 adults, researchers report that taking a daily fish oil supplement is associated with improved total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, even for individuals with a genetic predisposition for high cholesterol.

Exercise: How Exercise Can Boost Motivation. In a recent experiment, scientists from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre observed that the release of interleukin 15 in response to physical activity signals the brain to enhance motor activity of the muscles, thereby encouraging exercise to continue.                                                  Science Advances, April 2024

Chiropractic: Most Professional Drivers Have Low Back Pain. A meta-analysis of data from 53 studies found that 55.3% of professional drivers experienced at least one episode of low back pain during the previous year, while 33.8% had back pain within the previous month.                                                                                                                            Public Health, June 2024

Mental Attitude: Depression Increases Risk for Sleep Disorder. Questionnaires completed by 402 taxi drivers who had been on the job for a decade revealed that those with depression were seven times more likely to have a sleep disorder than their peers without a mood disorder. Additionally, the more severe their depressive symptoms, the greater their risk for sleep troubles.                                        Health Science Reports, September 2024

Wellness/Prevention: Many Women are Unaware of Key Endometrial Cancer Warning Sign. A recent survey found that a third of women did not know that postmenopausal bleeding is a warning sign of endometrial cancer, and 41% said they would not report it to their doctor unless it happened more than once. Experts note that while there are no screening tests currently available to spot endometrial cancer, addressing it at the first signs of symptoms like abnormal bleeding can significantly increase the odds of successful treatment.                                                                        Menopause, July 2024

Quote: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ~ Neale Donald Walsch

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Courtesy of: Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Vaping and Smoking Boosts Lung Cancer Risks. Researchers from Ohio State University report that people who both smoke cigarettes and use electronic cigarettes are two times more likely than just cigarette smokers to develop lung cancer. Journal of Oncology Research and Therapy, August 2024

Diet: Healthy Gut Key for Brain Health. Current research suggests that a healthy gut microbiome is essential for optimal brain function. Foods that have been demonstrated to benefit gut health include berries, fish, leafy greens, and nuts. University of Kentucky, August 2024

Exercise: Playing Sports Can Contribute to Academic Success. Using data from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, researchers report that kids involved in sports between ages six and ten are more likely to achieve better grades, graduate high school, and pursue a college degree than their peers who refrain from sports at a young age. The authors note that sports build skills like teamwork and responsibility that are applicable to the educational environment.                            Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, August 2024

Chiropractic: Trigger Point Therapy Helps Relieve Shoulder Pain. For patients with active trigger points—hyperirritable spots found in skeletal muscle—in one or more muscles attached to the shoulder joints, a recent systematic review that included ten studies found that trigger point therapy is an effective treatment option, especially when used in conjunction with other conservative therapies provided by doctors of chiropractic.                                                                                                        Disability and Rehabilitation, August 2024

Mental Attitude: New Risk Factors for Dementia Identified. According to a recent study, vision impairment and high cholesterol are modifiable risk factors for dementia. The findings highlight the importance of regular check-ups with healthcare providers to screen for vision loss and abnormal cholesterol readings.                              The Lancet, August 2024

Wellness/Prevention: Use a Cooking Thermometer to Help Prevent Foodborne Illnesses. Despite the importance of achieving an adequate internal cooking temperature (165°F or ~74°C for poultry and eggs, 160°F or ~71°C for ground beef, and 145°F or ~63°C for whole cuts of beef) to neutralize pathogens like salmonella, only 27% of Americans consistently use a cooking thermometer.                            University of Pennsylvania, August 2024

Quote: “In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.” ~ Paul Harvey

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: The More Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Therapy, the Better. Following an analysis of Korean National Health Insurance System data, researchers report that stroke survivors who participate in 40 or more rehabilitation therapy sessions in the six months post-stroke are significantly less likely to die during that time frame, especially those with severe strokes. Unfortunately, less than 20% of stroke patients in the dataset had such extensive rehabilitation therapy and nearly two-thirds had no therapy at all.                                                                                                                Stroke, August 2024

Diet: Saturated Vs. Unsaturated Fats. In a recent study, researchers observed that switching from a diet high in saturated animal fats to a diet that favors plant-based unsaturated fats—like the Mediterranean diet—can improve the composition of lipids in the blood, reducing the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Nature Medicine, July 2024

Exercise: Leisure Sedentary Behavior and Musculoskeletal Disorders. According to a recent study, the more time an individual spends engaged in sedentary behaviors, the greater their risk for cervical spondylosis, intervertebral disk degeneration, non-specific low back pain, and sciatica.
Frontiers in Public Health, January 2024

Chiropractic: Lower Extremity Muscle Tightness and Chronic Low Back Pain. Examinations of 52 patients with non-specific low back pain revealed those with tighter leg muscles, especially when coupled with greater variation in muscle tightness between the dominant and non-dominant sides, were more likely to report higher levels
of pain intensity and disability in their lower back. The finding demonstrates the importance of examining the patient beyond the area of chief complaint as issues in adjacent areas of the body may contribute to or even be an underlying cause of the presenting issue.                                                                                                                                  Work, February 2024

Mental Attitude: Narcissism May Fade with Age. A systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 51 studies involving more than 37,000 participants revealed that agentic, antagonistic, and neurotic narcissism tends to decline with age. Researcher Dr. Ulrich Orth adds, “One theory suggests that the social roles we take on in adulthood lead to the development of more mature personality characteristics, including lower levels of narcissism.”
Psychological Bulletin, July 2024

Wellness/Prevention: There’s a Need for More Research on Chronic Illness Among Women. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has issued a statement on the importance of investing in more studies into how chronic illnesses affect women differently, noting that a paucity of data on the topic can result in a delay in effective treatment due to diagnostic challenges.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, July 2024

Quote: “Life has a practice of living you, if you don’t live it.” ~ Philip Larkin

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Ancient Viruses May Be Spurring Modern-Day Cancers. It’s estimated that up to 8% of the human genome is made up of endogenous retroviruses, bits of viral DNA from tens to millions of years ago that have become embedded in our genetic code. While scientists have thought endogenous retroviruses are harmless, a
recent study found that one such virus, LTR10, is capable of activating nearby genes that aid in the survival of colorectal and lung tumors. In a laboratory experiment, researchers observed that cancer treatments became more effective after LTR10 had been neutralized in cancerous tissues samples. Further research is needed but the findings
suggest that targeting these ancient viral DNA fragments may someday prove to be a viable approach in cancer treatment.                                                                              University of Colorado, Boulder, July 2024

Diet: Not All Vegetarian Diets Offer the Same Benefits. Despite many studies espousing the benefits of switching to vegetarian diet, researchers note there are several types of vegetarian diet and some may be healthier than others. A study that included more than 150,000 adults found that some vegetarian diet patterns may be high in potentially unhealthy processed food products, while others may have insufficient vitamin D intake or result in higher triglyceride levels. Additionally, gene variations from individual to individual can influence how the body absorbs certain nutrients, so those switching to a vegetarian diet may need to try different eating patterns to find which their body responds to best.                                                                                                  PLOS Genetics, July 2024

Exercise: Mini-Bursts of Exercise May Improve Sleep. Conventional wisdom states that exercise before bed can negatively impact sleep. However, a recent study found that peppering in three-minute sessions of body weight exercises in the evening can improve sleep duration without affecting sleep quality.                                                    The Conversation, July 2024

Chiropractic: Conservative Treatment for Lumbar Disk Herniation. A committee formed by the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies on the management of lumbar disk herniation recommends conservative treatments as a first-line treatment approach in the absence of severe neurological deficits or cauda equina syndrome. Doctors of chiropractic utilize many conservative treatment options for managing lumbar disk herniations.
World Neurosurgery X, February 2024

Mental Attitude: Late Cancer Diagnosis Is a Major Concern. University of Cambridge researchers report that in a poll of 2,000 adults, 70% fear being diagnosed with cancer when it’s too far progressed for effective treatment.
University of Cambridge, July 2024

Wellness/Prevention: App May Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. A recent study found that app-based diabetes prevention programs may be more cost-effective and even slightly superior to traditional in-person lifestyle interventions for preventing prediabetes progression to type 2 diabetes.                                                                              Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, July 2024

Quote: “Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” ~ Izaak Walton

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Adverse Childhood Experiences Can Set the Stage for Future Pain. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, researchers report they have identified an association between five or more adverse childhood experiences—such as emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and emotional and physical neglect—and a later risk for musculoskeletal pain.                                        BMC Public Health, July 2024

Diet: Niacin-Rich Diet May Lower Stroke Risk. Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient that helps support cellular metabolism and plays a role in maintaining healthy skin, nerves, and digestion. An analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted in 1999 and 2018 revealed an
association between a higher intake of niacin and a reduced risk for stroke. Foods rich in niacin include chicken breast, tuna, salmon, brown rice, and peanuts.                            Frontiers in Nutrition, July 2024

Exercise: Eccentric-Only Resistance Training Can Lower Passive Muscle Stiffness. Eccentric-only resistance exercises involve lengthening a muscle while it is under tension, typically during the lowering phase of a movement (negative bicep curls, for example), helping to build strength, control, and resilience in the muscle. In a recent
experiment, researchers observed that participants who frequently performed eccentric-only stiff-leg deadlifts experienced a reduction in the passive stiffness of the semimembranosus muscle—something previously thought to only result from static stretching.                                                                                                                                            Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, July 2024

Chiropractic: Treat Knee Pain By Adjusting the Lumbopelvic Region? For patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome, a recent meta-analysis of data from ten clinical trials found that manipulative therapy applied to the lumbopelvic region is effective for reducing knee pain, especially when included as part of a multimodal treatment approach. Doctors of chiropractic are well-versed in the use of manual therapies to manage musculoskeletal conditions, including patellofemoral pain syndrome.                                                                                                                                            Life (Basel), June 2024

Mental Attitude: An ICU Stay May Raise Risk for Later Mental Health Issues. An analysis of data concerning more than 8,700 pediatric patients who had undergone treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU) revealed these individuals had an elevated risk for various mental health disorders over the following decade, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depression.                                                                                Journal of Affective Disorders, July 2024

Wellness/Prevention: New Urine Test for Cervical Cancer? Scientists from Waseda University have developed a urine test that can detect proteins produced by HPV 16, the virus strain responsible for most cervical cancers. With further refinement, lead researcher Dr. Etsuro Ito notes, “This test could reduce the need for traditional Pap tests, easing the screening process.”                                                                                          Microorganisms, July 2024

Quote: “There are opportunities everywhere, just as there have always been.” ~ Charles Fillmore

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Courtesy of: Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Tampons May Possess Lead and Other Harmful Metals. Laboratory tests of 30 tampons from 24 brand product lines revealed lead in all samples in addition to the presence of arsenic, barium, cadmium, and mercury in several. Due to the potential for these metals to enter the bloodstream unfiltered by the liver, the findings suggest a greater need for regulatory testing of tampon and other period products.
Environmental International, July 2024

Diet: Produce Intake Lowers Fatty Liver Risk. 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 several poor health outcomes. A meta-analysis of data concerning nearly 500,000 participants from eleven
studies found a higher intake of fruit and vegetables can reduce the risk for NAFLD by up to 22%.
Frontiers in Nutrition, June 2024

Exercise: Exercise Brain Boost Can Last for Years. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form of exercise that involves short intervals of near-maximal effort—sprinting or stair climbing, for example—separated by intervals of moderate-intensity exercise—such as jogging or fast walking. University of Queensland researchers report that among a group of old adults, those who volunteered for a six-month HIIT exercise program experienced improvements in cognitive function that persisted for at least the next five years.                                                                                                                                Aging and Disease, July 2024

Chiropractic: Treatment for Chronic Sciatica. For individuals with pain radiating into the leg lasting longer than three months due to disk herniation, a systematic review that included four studies found that conservative care should the first-line course of treatment in the absence of neurological deficits or cauda equina syndrome.
Chiropractic care has been demonstrated to be an excellent treatment option for patients with chronic sciatica.
Cureus, May 2024

Mental Attitude: Poor Metabolic Health Linked to Depression Risk. Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is a metric that multiplies waist circumference by triglyceride levels to estimate the risk for metabolic disease (higher score equals greater risk). Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers report that a higher LAP score is also associated with an elevated risk for depression.                                                                                                                                Frontiers in Psychiatry, July 2024

Wellness/Prevention: Respect Summer Heat Dangers. Experts from UT Southwestern Medical Center note more than 120,000 people visit emergency departments each summer due to heat exposure, which unfortunately claims the
lives of more than 2,300 people annually. To stay safe during the summer season, it’s important to keep hydrated, stay indoors during peak heat, and dress appropriately when you spend time in the sun.
UT Southwestern Medical Center, July 2024

Quote: “The first recipe for happiness is: avoid too lengthy meditation on the past.” ~ Andre Maurois

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Nearly Half of Counties in United States Have No Cardiologists. Due to factors including being largely rural or economically disadvantaged, 46% of counties in the United States lack a practicing cardiologist, which can place residents at a 31% higher risk for heart disease.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, July 2024

Diet: Food Insecure Individuals Experience Health Benefits from Food Bank Access. For individuals facing food insecurity, Northeastern University researchers report that taking advantage of a food bank can be important for improving overall health, including reducing the risk for metabolic disease.
Northeastern University, July 2024

Exercise: Before Taking Up Weightlifting in Older Age… Resistance training later in life can help preserve muscle mass, reducing the risk for frailty and poor health. However, due to the increased likelihood of conditions like cardiovascular disease and joint pain among seniors, it’s important for older adults to consult with their healthcare provider before starting any exercise routine.
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, July 2024

Chiropractic: Back Muscle Stiffness and Low Back Pain. A systematic review that included nine studies found that stiffness in the multifidus and erector spinae muscles is associated with low back pain. Doctors of chiropractic often utilize manual therapies and exercises to address core muscle stiffness in low back pain patients.            BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, February 2024

Mental Attitude: Women More Likely to Receive Mental Health Treatment Following Cardiac Arrest. An analysis of long-term data concerning nearly 1,300 heart attack survivors revealed that women are 50% more likely than men to receive treatment for depression and anxiety in the year following cardiac arrest. However, it’s unclear if female patients are at greater risk for post-heart attack mental health issues or if they are more likely to share these concerns with their healthcare provider.
Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, July 2024

Wellness/Prevention: Men’s Cancer Screening Trends Highlight Urgent Need for Health Advocacy. In a recent survey conducted by The Prevent Cancer Foundation, 60% of men admitted to being overdue for at least one routine cancer screening. The group reminds everyone that in the absence of screenings, many cancers may not be detected until they have sufficiently advanced and treatment will be more difficult and less likely to
produce a satisfactory outcome.                                                                                            Prevent Cancer Foundation, June 2024

Quote: “Remember, tomorrow is promised to no one.” ~ Walter Payton

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Transportation Pollution Can Affect Metabolic Health. Using data from the Community of Mine Study, researchers report that the combination of airplane noise and fine-particulate matter air pollution from motor vehicles is associated with an elevated risk for both obesity and metabolic syndrome. The finding adds to a growing body of research linking air and noise pollution with worse health outcomes.
American Journal of Epidemiology, June 2024

Diet: Dad’s Diet May Influence Children’s Health. A recent animal study found that a high-fat diet can influence gene expression in sperm, which can increase an offspring’s risk for metabolic diseases. While it’s unclear if this finding extends to humans, the results suggest men looking to become fathers should take steps to
live a healthier lifestyle, which includes eating a nutritious diet.                                    Nature, June 2024

Exercise: 10,000 Steps a Day? While the concept of taking 10,000 steps a day is believed to have originated from a successful marketing campaign for a pedometer in Japan, there’s research to suggest that averaging 7,000 to 8,000 steps a day does offer health benefits. However, health experts note that it’s also important to engage in more intense physical activity as well as strength training and flexibility exercises each week.
Northeastern University, June 2024

Chiropractic: Try Chiropractic First for Radicular Low Back Pain. For patients with radicular low back pain, an analysis of data concerning 115 million patients revealed that those initially treated with spinal manipulative therapy—the primary form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic—were 68% less likely to receive a prescription for the narcotic tramadol in the following year.                                              BMJ Open, May 2024

Mental Attitude: Failure’s “Benefits” May Be Overrated. Contrary to popular belief, a recent study revealed that most people find failure to be demotivating and ego-threatening, which results in them not learning important lessons to move them toward future success.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, June 2024

Wellness/Prevention: New App Helps Identify Subtle Signs of Stroke. Engineers from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology have developed a smartphone app that can analyze facial symmetry and muscle movements to detect the subtle signs of stroke that can easily be missed by paramedics. It’s hoped that with
further refinement, such an app can be rolled out to emergency service providers to aid in identifying if an individual has suffered a stroke so prompt treatment can be provided.
Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, June 2024

Quote: “Procrastination is the thief of time.” ~ Edward Young

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Obesity May Be Driving Factor for Disturbing Rise in Colorectal Cancers. Tufts University reports that colorectal cancer cases among patients under 50 have steadily risen in the last 30 years, and these cancers are often not diagnosed until later stages, which is linked to worse outcomes. Researchers suspect this
increase in colorectal cancers in younger adults is largely due to the obesity epidemic.
Tufts University, June 2024

Diet: Energy Drinks May Trigger Heart Arrhythmia in High-Risk Patients. Researchers note that energy drinks contain ingredients that can potentially alter heart rate and blood pressure, which may increase the risk for cardiac arrhythmias in individuals at high elevated risk for heart disease.                                                              Heart Rhythm, June 2024

Exercise: Get Off the Couch! Using data from the Nurses’ Health Study, researchers estimate that swapping out one hour of sedentary TV time with physical activity or even extra sleep can increase the chances for living beyond age 70 without major chronic disease or memory impairment by up to 28%.
JAMA Network Open, June 2024

Chiropractic: Poor Ergonomics Can Quickly Lead to Musculoskeletal Pain. In a recent experiment, researchers observed that even as few as five minutes of continuous work in awkward postures can increase the risk for musculoskeletal pain. The findings suggest that improved ergonomics to minimize time spent in nonneutral
postures could reduce the risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Journal Annals of Work Exposures and Health, June 2024

Mental Attitude: Managing Non-Motor Parkinsons’s Symptoms. A systematic review that included 36 studies found evidence of the efficacy of acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treating non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and autonomic dysfunction.
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, April 2024

Wellness/Prevention: Chronic Stress Levels Can Impair Health. Cortisol, more commonly known as the stress hormone, is important during times of stress to mobilize energy and immune function. However, chronically elevated cortisol levels can be detrimental to health, highlighting the importance of stress management strategies like eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and practicing mindfulness.
Tufts University, June 2024

Quote: “Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own.” ~ Harmon Killebrew

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: 9/11 Responders May Face Greater Risk for Dementia. New research suggests that individuals exposed to higher levels of toxic dust during rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center site following the September 11 attacks have an elevated risk for early-onset dementia when compared with their peers with no exposure or who wore effective personal protective equipment.
JAMA Network Open, June 2024

Diet: Healthy Eating Makes Teens Happier. Using data from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children study, researchers report that eating breakfast and fruit and vegetables daily are both associated with a greater sense of life satisfaction in adolescents.
European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, May 2024

Exercise: Sit Less to Reduce Back Pain Risk. An analysis of data from the UK Biobank study revealed that for each hour of sedentary behavior per day that an individual exchanges for physical activity, their risk for low back pain falls by up to 8%. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, April 2024

Chiropractic: Trigger Points and Tension-Type Headache. A myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable spot found in skeletal muscle that is associated with chronic pain conditions. In a recent experiment that included 32 tension-type headache patients, researchers observed that addressing trigger points in the head and neck muscles resulted in a significant decline in headache intensity. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to recognize and resolve trigger points when managing musculoskeletal conditions, including tension-type headaches.                                                                  Journal of Personalized Medicine, March 2024

Mental Attitude: Excessive Social Media Use Can Take a Toll on Mental Health. Questionnaires completed by 600 medical school students revealed an association between using social media for five or more hours a day and an elevated risk for anxiety, sadness, and stress.
Journal of Education and Health Promotion, April 2024

Wellness/Prevention: Summertime Skin Protection Tips for Parents. To best protect a child’s skin this summer, pediatric dermatologist Dr. Jayden Galamgam recommends avoiding insect-heavy areas; dressing your child in protective clothing; using appropriate insect repellents; properly cleaning minor scrapes and cuts; using
a broad-spectrum sunscreen (at least 30 SPF); minimizing sun exposure during peak hours; and in the event of sunburn, use a cool compress, calamine lotion, and aloe vera-based gels.
Pediatric Dermatology, February 2024

Quote: “No one wants to quit when he’s losing and no one wants to quit when he’s winning.” ~ Richard Petty

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna