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Health Alert: A Link Between Temporomandibular Disorder and Sleep Apnea? Following a review of data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, researchers report that patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were 2.5 times more likely to have temporomandibular disorders (TMD) than individuals without a history of OSA. The findings suggest that OSA may be a risk factor for TMD, and
patients presenting for TMD should be screened for OSA.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, August 2020

Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Benefit NAFLD Patients. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a
condition that occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption. A review of data from 22 randomized control trials revealed that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can significantly reduce fat in the liver while also improving blood lipid levels.                   Nutrients, September 2020

Exercise: Should People with Heart Disease Exercise? New guidelines from the European Society of Cardiology recommend that individuals with heart disease should engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week in addition to strength training at least three times a week if they also have hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or are obese. European Society of Cardiology, August 2020

Chiropractic: Diabetics More Likely to Have Chronic Neck/Back Pain. Using data from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017, researchers estimate that adults with type 2 diabetes have a 19% increased risk for chronic low back pain and a 34% elevated risk for chronic neck pain.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, September 2020

Mental Attitude: Poor Kidney Health May Affect the Brain. Researchers tested the kidney function of over 2,600 young adults every five years for two decades and found that those who received treatment for serious kidney-related issues on at least one occasion scored lower on cognitive assessments at midlife than participants with normal kidney function. Neurology, September 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Lifestyle Choices Reduce Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease. An analysis of data concerning 2.5 million adults from 16 countries found that adopting the following lifestyle choices can reduce the risk for chronic kidney disease by up to 22%: vegetable-rich diet, higher potassium intake, regular exercise, less alcohol consumption, reduced salt consumption, and not smoking.
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, September 2020

Quote: “The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.” ~ B. B. King

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Cardiovascular Disease and Depression. An analysis of data concerning over 100,000 adults found that individuals with depression have a 64% elevated risk for ischemic heart disease and a 94% higher risk for stroke. On the other hand, men and women with cardiovascular disease had nearly double the risk for subsequent depression.                British Journal of Psychiatry, August 2020

Diet: Cutting Carbs May Protect Your Eyes. Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve and is one of the leading causes of vision loss in people over the age of 60. An analysis of diet and health data on 185,000 health professionals found that maintaining a long-term diet low in carbohydrates and high in vegetable sources of fat and protein was linked to a 20% reduced risk of primary open angle glaucoma with early
paracentral visual loss. Researcher Dr. Louis Pasquale writes, “It’s important to note that a low-carbohydrate diet won’t stop glaucoma progression if you already have it, but it may be a means to preventing glaucoma in high-risk groups… If more patients in these high-risk categories—including those with a family history of glaucoma—adhered to this diet, there might be fewer cases of vision loss.”                                                              Eye, July 2020

Exercise: Just One Hour… Among a group of 24 seniors at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, researchers observed that reducing sedentary behavior by one hour a day led to significant long-term improvements in both peripheral vascular function and cerebral blood flow.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, August 2020

Chiropractic: Neck and Shoulder Pain? Questionnaires completed by 1,000 adults intended to represent the general population revealed that nearly half (45%) of those reporting significant neck pain also had shoulder/arm pain. The findings suggest the conditions often co-occur, and dysfunction in both areas may need to be addressed in order to achieve a successful treatment outcome.                                                                        Asian Spine Journal, July 2020

Mental Attitude: Concussions Increase Risk of Several Brain Conditions. Using 25 years of data concerning over 186,000 adults, researchers report that a history of concussion is associated with an elevated risk for: attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, or dementia.
Family Medicine and Community Health, July 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Inflammatory Biomarker May Suggest Heart Failure Risk. In a new study, researchers discovered that people with higher levels of GlycA in their blood—an indicator of inflammation— had a significantly increased risk for heart failure.                                                          Circulation, July 2020

Quote: “If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you’ll never enjoy the sunshine.” ~ Morris West

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Low Zinc Intake? Among a group of 142 female university students, researchers identified an association between low dietary zinc intake and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, short sleep duration, and daytime dysfunction.                                                             Biological Trace Element Research, August 2020

Diet: Is Chocolate Heart Healthy? A review of data from six studies that included more than 336,000 participants found that eating one or more servings of chocolate per week could reduce the risk for heart disease by up to 10%.                        European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, July 2020

Exercise: Low Fitness Linked to Depression. Grip strength is often used in scientific research as an indicator
of physical function/fitness. In a study that included 867 teens and young adults, researchers observed an association between weak grip and an increased risk for depressive symptoms. The findings add to a growing body of research linking physical and mental health.                                                                                   BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, July 2020

Chiropractic: Managing Chronic Neck Pain. In a recent clinical trial, researchers observed that neck-specific exercises and manual therapies are both effective interventions to address chronic, nonspecific neck pain, with manual therapies leading to faster improvements in pain perception and therapeutic exercises resulting in a swifter improvement in neck pain-related disability. Doctors of chiropractic often use a combination of manual therapies and therapeutic exercises for the management of chronic neck pain.                                    Trials, July 2020

Mental Attitude: Visual Memory and Alzheimer’s. New research suggests that declines in visual memory may become apparent in seniors at risk for Alzheimer’s disease before the onset of clinical symptoms. This finding may help in the creation of assessments for identifying future cases of Alzheimer’s disease much earlier than current methods.  Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, August 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Banning Flavored Cigarettes Reduced Smoking Among Young Americans. A comparison of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2002 and 2017 revealed a 43% decline in smoking among teens and a 27% decline in smoking among young adults, which experts credit to the banning of flavored cigarettes in 2009. Study leader Dr. Matthew Rossheim writes, “This shows incredible promise for future comprehensive bans of flavored tobacco products, including those in e-cigarettes, which to-date have received significant exemptions… Policymakers should take note of the evidence from this study and pass legislation to extend flavor bans to other tobacco and nicotine products.”
Journal of Adolescent Health, July 2020

Quote: “The best thing to do now, is to do the very best you can.” ~ Allen Drury

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Health Alert: Methanol-Based Hand Sanitizers Pose Dangers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns not to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain methanol or wood alcohol, as they can be toxic if absorbed through the skin leading to nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, blindness, seizures, coma, nervous system damage, and even death. The FDA is working to prevent these products from entering the United States and is coordinating with manufacturers to recall such products.
Food and Drug Administration, July 2020

Diet: Certain Nutrients May Help Keep a Common Form of Vertigo at Bay. Benign paroxysmal positional
vertigo (BPPV) is described as a spinning sensation that is usually triggered by changing one’s head position. In a recent study involving 900 BPPV patients, researchers found that taking a vitamin D and calcium supplement twice a day reduced the incidence of vertigo episodes by 24%.                            Neurology, August 2020

Exercise: Resistance and Impact Training Benefit Those at Risk for Osteoporosis. Among a group of 47
patients at elevated risk for osteoporosis, those who took part in a six-month impact and resistance training program experienced increased muscle strength and improved bone mineral density in the lumbar spine (3.8%) and femoral neck (2.3%). Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, July 2020
Chiropractic: Hip Strengthening Aids in Low Back Pain Rehab. A review of data from five published studies suggests that incorporating hip strengthening exercises into a low back pain treatment program can lead to greater improvements in both low back pain and disability. This finding is not entirely surprising as past research has shown that hip/pelvic and low back issues often co-occur. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to
assess and treat spine/hip conditions, often using manual manipulation, physiotherapy modalities, specific exercises, and nutritional recommendations.                                                 Clinical Rehabilitation, July 2020

Mental Attitude: Factors for Midlife Mental Decline Risk. New research suggests that smoking, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes are each significant risk factors for mental decline in middle age.
Neurology, July 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Five Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy. To reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association recommends: keep blood pressure under 120/80 mmHg and blood sugar under 100 mg/dl; maintain a healthy body weight and blood lipid levels; and keep a consistent sleep schedule featuring six to nine hours of sleep a night.                                                                                         American Heart Association, July 2020

Quote: “There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving.” ~ Henry Drummond

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Long-Term Hypertension Damages Brain Vessels. A review of brain imaging and periodic blood pressure readings of 1,686 adults during mid and late life revealed that the longer an individual was hypertensive, the more likely they were to develop cerebral small blood vessel disease, which could increase the risk for stroke and dementia.                        American Heart Association, July 2020

Diet: Plant-Based Diets Lower Blood Pressure. An analysis of data from 41 studies showed that adopting a diet featuring ample servings of fruits and vegetables (DASH, Mediterranean, Vegetarian, Vegan, Nordic, etc.) can lead to a reduction in blood pressure associated with a 14% lower risk for stroke and a 9% decreased risk for heart attack.                          Journal of Hypertension, July 2020

Exercise: Breathing Exercises Benefit Sleep Apnea Patients. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an elevated risk for heart failure, heart disease, and stroke. New research suggests that performing at-home breathing exercises for six weeks can lead to significant improvements in respiratory and cardiovascular function among older adults with OSA.                                                                                      Experimental Physiology, July 2020

Chiropractic: Cervicothoracic Junction Hypermobility and Neck Pain? Among a group of 42 neck pain patients with cervicothoracic junction hypermobility, researchers observed that manipulative therapy applied to the thoracic spine and mobilization therapy targeting the cervicothoracic junction both resulted in improvements in neck pain and cervical range of motion. Doctors of chiropractic often use several forms of manual therapy, including spinal manipulation and mobilization, in the management of neck pain.
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, August 2020

Mental Attitude: Is It Sleep Trouble or ADHD? The result of a recent experiment found that children with a sleep disorder may experience troubles with impulse control at levels that could suggest the presence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The researchers conclude, “This further adds to the discussion on overdiagnosis of ADHD due to behavioral presentations of underlying sleep disorders.”
Journal of Attention Disorders, July 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Less Smoking and Drinking Reduces Hip Fractures. Hip fracture rates in the United
States have fallen substantially since the 1970s, and according to researchers, much of this improvement may be due to significant drops in heavy drinking and smoking among the general population.
JAMA Internal Medicine, July 2020

Quote: “Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Signs of Adult Diabetes Risk Are Visible at Age 8. A study that monitored the health of more than 4,000 participants found that unhealthy high-density lipoprotein (the “good” cholesterol) levels at age 8 may signal that an individual is at an elevated risk for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis by age 25.
Diabetes Care, June 2020

Diet: Foods That May Reduce Risk for Breast Cancer. A systematic review of data from 48 published studies reported the following foods/vitamins/compounds are associated with a reduced breast cancer risk: vegetables, citrus fruit, mushrooms, calcium, folate, vitamin D, lignans, and carotenoids.
International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, July 2020

Exercise: Physical Inactivity Raises Cancer Mortality Risk. Among a group of 8,002 middle-aged and older adults, researchers observed that the least active participants were 82% more likely to die from cancer over the following five years than those with the highest physical activity levels.
JAMA Oncology, June 2020

Chiropractic: Chiropractic Care Increases Strength, Balance, & Endurance. After a four-week course of chiropractic care, military personnel with back pain reported improved strength and endurance, as well as a reduction in low back pain intensity and disability compared with patients on a waiting list who received no treatment. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, June 2020

Mental Attitude: Intervention Can Reduce Heart Risks for Those with Mental Illness. Past research has shown that individuals with serious mental illness have an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. In a recent study that involved 132 adults with serious mental illness, researchers found that when a counselor and nurse guided participants to engage in a healthier lifestyle (stop smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise,
etc.), their risk for heart attack or stroke fell by nearly 13% in the next decade.
JAMA Network Open, June 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Low Testosterone and Dysregulated Eating. Evaluations of 154 male college
students revealed an association between low testosterone levels and an increased risk for developing an eating disorder. International Journal of Eating Disorders, July 2020

Quote: “People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.”
~ Edmund Hillary

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Asthma Tied to Kids with Disabilities & Delays. An analysis of data collected from nearly 72,000 families revealed that children with hearing loss, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities have a significantly elevated risk for asthma. Study co-author Dr. George Delclos writes, “These results support advising pediatricians to screen for asthma in children with disabilities, so that interventions can be started
sooner.”                                                                                            JAMA Network Open, June 2020

Diet: Best Protein-Rich Vegetables? In addition to legumes, experts consider the following vegetables to be good sources for plant-based protein: watercress, alfalfa sprouts, spinach, Chinese cabbage, asparagus, mustard and collard greens, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and cauliflower.             Medical News Today, June 2020

Exercise: Take Microbreaks! For desk-bound office workers, taking a microbreak every hour to perform a brief physical activity can reduce job stress and improve mood. Frontiers in Public Health, June 2020

Chiropractic: Fall Risk Among Patients with Severe Knee Osteoarthritis. Questionnaires completed by 259 knee osteoarthritis patients revealed an association between back pain intensity and an increased risk for falling. The findings suggest that treatment to manage co-occurring back pain—such as chiropractic care—may be necessary to reduce fall risk among patients with severe osteoarthritis of the knee.
Clinical Rheumatology, June 2020

Mental Attitude: A Third of Dementia Cases Are Preventable? The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care reports that up to 35% of dementia cases could be prevented by staying mentally engaged; maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure, and blood glucose reading; addressing midlife hearing loss and late-life depression; and staying socially active.
Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, July 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Garden Safety. Gardening is a great way to get physical activity, beautify the community, and provide fresh nutritious produce, while enjoying the outdoors. To stay safe while gardening, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following: wear protective gear
as needed, such as safety goggles, appropriate shoes, long pants, gloves, insect repellent, and sun screen with a SPF of 15 or greater; and make sure to drink water if you’re outside in hot weather for most of the day.                                                     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 2020

Quote: “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.” ~ Eric Hoffer

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Obesity in Middle-Age Linked to Dementia. New research that looked at long-term health
data concerning nearly 6,600 adults suggests that obesity at midlife is associated with a 31% increased risk for dementia in old age.                                                                               International Journal of Epidemiology, June 2020

Diet: Eating Fruits and Veggies Can Cut Diabetes Risk. Using data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study, researchers estimate that every 66 gram increase in daily fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with a 25% reduced risk for type 2 diabetes.          BMJ, July 2020

Exercise: Exercise Linked to Lower Sleep Apnea Risk. The results of a recent study that looked at lifestyle, medical, socio-demographic, and sleep health data concerning more than 155,000 adults suggest that even a modest increase in physical activity (such as walking for 20 additional minutes per day or
vigorously exercising for 8 additional minutes a day) can reduce the risk for obstructive sleep apnea by 10%.                          Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, June 2020

Chiropractic: Back Pain Common During Pregnancy. Questionnaires completed by 400 expectant mothers revealed that 75.3% had experienced back pain at some point in their pregnancy, particularly in the lumbar region during the third trimester. Nearly half of the women in the study (45.7%) reported that their back pain limited their daily activities. Doctors of chiropractic commonly treat low back pain arising from pregnancy with a combination of manual therapies and specific exercises.
Pain Management Nursing, June 2020

Mental Attitude: Lack of Sleep Can Take a Toll on the Brain. Otherwise healthy volunteers who slept two fewer hours a night for three nights in a row not only became less effective at performing tasks, but according to researcher Dr. Ingvild Saksvik-Lehouillier, “[Participants also] experienced a flattening of emotions…. They felt less joy, enthusiasm, attention and fulfillment.”                                                                                     Sleep, June 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Top Wellness Tips. The Physicians Medical Group of San Jose lists the flowing tips for better health and wellness: don’t start smoking, and if you’re a smoker, quit; see a doctor regularly; eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; exercise regularly; get adequate sleep; maintain a healthy weight; limit alcohol intake; practice good dental hygiene; become educated about health and wellness; and take care of your mental health.                    Physicians Medical Group of San Jose, June 2020

Quote: “A tiny change today brings a dramatically different tomorrow.” ~ Richard Bach

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Air Pollution Linked to Early Death. An analysis of long-term data concerning over 68.5 million Medicare enrollees suggests that tightening air quality standards in the United States from 12 μg/m3 of fine particulate matter to the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 10 μg/m3 could save over 140,000 lives over the following decade.                                                                                         Sciences Advances, June 2020

Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Benefit Expectant Mothers. Though further research is warranted, a review of data from 14 published studies found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the risk for preeclampsia and postpartum depression.
Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, July 2020

Exercise: The Many Benefits of Exercise. Harvard Medical School lists the following benefits of exercise: reduced risk for obesity, heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers; improved balance, mood, and mental function; stronger muscles; and healthier bones and joints.
Harvard Medical School, June 2020

Chiropractic: Manipulative Therapy Combined with Exercise Improves Outcomes. According to a study that included 90 patients with chronic non-specific neck pain, combining manipulative therapy with stretching and strengthening exercises led to greater improvements in pain, disability, and range of motion than exercises alone. Doctors of chiropractic often treat patients with chronic neck pain with an approach that combines manipulative therapies and specific cervical exercises.
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, April 2020
Mental Attitude: Repeated Head Impacts Linked to Depression Later in Life. A review of the health records of 13,323 individuals revealed that a history of both repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury is associated with an elevated risk for late-life depression.                               Neurology, June 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Urine Test Could Check Your Diet Quality. By analyzing levels of different metabolites in urine samples taken 24 hours apart, researchers have developed a test that measure the quality of an individual’s nutrition intake. Study co-author Dr. Paul Elliott notes, “Healthful diets have a different pattern of metabolites in the urine than those associated with worse health outcomes.”

Nature Food, June 2020Quote: “You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from.” ~ Cormac McCarthy

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: New Advice Regarding Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Individuals with a genetic
predisposition for elevated low-density lipoprotein (the “bad” cholesterol) levels have traditionally been instructed to reduce their consumption of saturated fats to lower their risk for heart disease. However, a team of heart disease and diet experts reviewed dietary guidelines for those with familial
hypercholesterolemia and failed to find any evidence supporting a low saturated fat diet. They concluded that following a low-carbohydrate diet is a more effective dietary strategy for this group of patients.
BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, July 2020

Diet: High-Fiber Diet May Benefit Kidney Function. An analysis of blood samples and dietary information regarding 468 adults suggests that high fiber intake is associated with better renal function.
BMC Nephrology, July 2020

Exercise: Weightlifting Strengthens the Nervous System. The reticulospinal tract descends from the
spinal cord from the brain and is mainly involved in locomotion and postural control. In a recent study, researchers observed that strength training can increase the response of the reticulospinal tract, which may be one way lifting weights improves athletic performance.                                              Journal of Neuroscience, June 2020

Chiropractic: Seat Incline and Spinal Alignment. Photographic analysis of twenty healthy volunteers using a variety of seat orientations revealed that a forward sloped seat is superior to both a flat and backward sloped seat for maintaining neutral spinal alignment and reducing forward head posture. The findings suggest a forward inclined seat pan may reduce an individual’s risk for developing spinal pain.
Medicine, July 2020

Mental Attitude: Diabetes, Sleep Disorders, and Dementia. Using data from the Korean Health Screening Cohort, researchers report that type 2 diabetics with a sleep disorder have a 46% higher risk for dementia than those without a sleep disorder.                                                                          Journal of Diabetes, July 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Exercise Benefits Sleep. Questionnaires completed by 114 healthy middle-aged
women revealed that those who regularly partake in aerobic exercise are more likely to both sleep at least seven hours a night and to awaken in the morning feeling rested.
Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness, July 2020

Quote: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” ~ Nelson Mandela

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna