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Mental Attitude: Growing Up Near Green Spaces Is Good for You. Following a review of data from a nationwide database, Danish researchers report that individuals who lived near a park, forest, or other green space as children appear to have up to a 55% lower risk for mental health issues later in life. Lead researcher Dr. Kristine Engemann notes, “Ensuring access to green space and enhancing opportunities for a diverse range of uses, especially in densifying urban environments, could be an important tool for managing and minimizing the global burden of disease increasingly dominated by psychiatric disorders.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, February 2019

Health Alert: Smokers Fare Worse Against Melanoma. A study of more than 700 melanoma patients in the United Kingdom revealed that smokers or those who had recently quit were 40% less likely to survive the disease than patients who hadn’t smoked for at least ten years before their diagnosis. Cancer Research, February 2019

Diet: An Unhealthy Diet Linked to Poor Mental Health. A review of data of more than 240,000 telephone surveys conducted between 2005 and 2015 has identified an association between consuming an unhealthy diet and an elevated risk for moderate or severe psychological distress. Researcher Dr. Jim E. Banta writes, “This and other studies like it could have big implications for treatments in behavioral medicine… Perhaps the time has come for us to take a closer look at the role of diet in mental health, because it could be that healthy diet choices contribute to mental health. More research is
needed before we can answer definitively, but the evidence seems to be pointing in that direction.” International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, February 2019

Exercise: Just a Little Resistance Training Benefits Older Individuals. Resistance training is a form of exercise that improves muscular strength and endurance by using body weight, gravity, bands, or weights. A new study found that resistance training as little as just once a week can offer seniors a number of health benefits including improvements in
blood values, muscle strength, and mental well-being. Frontiers in Physiology, February 2019

Chiropractic: Neck Pain & Dizziness. Among a group of 236 patients with dizziness, researchers found that 59% also suffered from neck pain. Furthermore, those with neck pain reported a lower quality of life and worse dizziness symptoms. The findings suggest that dizziness may be a symptom associated with cervical dysfunction. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to assess patients with both neck pain and dizziness and can offer conservative treatments to manage these conditions. Disability and Rehabilitation, February 2019

Wellness/Prevention: At-Home Test May Be Alternative to Colonoscopy. A simple at-home stool test may soon be a
reliable way to screen for colon cancer. An analysis of over 30 studies, which looked at the effectiveness of fecal immunochemical tests, found that a one-time screen caught up to 91% of colon cancers among those at average risk for
the disease. The finding offers more support for at-home stool screening tests as an alternative to the usual colonoscopies. Annals of Internal Medicine, February 2019

Quote: “You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously.” ~ Sophia Bush

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Mental Attitude: Poor Health Can Increase the Risk for Loneliness in Seniors. Surveys completed by over 2,000 seniors revealed that one in four felt isolated from others at least some of the time, especially those in fair or poor mental/physical health and those with hearing loss. National Poll on Healthy Aging, March 2019

Health Alert: Irregular Sleep Can Impact Heart Health. Researchers analyzed data concerning nearly 2,000 adults and found that individuals who go to bed at a consistent time each night and who sleep nearly the same number of hours from night to night during the week have about half the risk for a cardiovascular event as men and women with irregular sleep
behaviors. American Heart Association, March 2019

Diet: Encouraging Kids to Eat Healthy. To encourage children to eat more fruits and vegetables, the Department of Agriculture recommends the following: create smoothies with fat-free or low-fat yogurt with fruit pieces and crushed ice; make fun kabobs resembling caterpillars by assembling chunks of melon, apple, orange, and pear on skewers; add tomato
sauce, low-fat cheese, cut-up vegetables, or fruit to the top of whole-wheat English muffins, bagels, or pita bread to make a personal pizza; assemble a fruity peanut butterfly by using carrot sticks or celery for the body and attaching wings made of thinly sliced apples with peanut butter; freeze fruits for a fun and refreshing treat during summer months; top celery,
cucumber, or carrot sticks with peanut butter, then add raisins, cranberries, or cherries; make homemade trail mix with dried apples, pineapple, cherries, apricots, or raisins; and make a “potato person” by decorating half a baked potato with vegetables such as sliced cherry tomatoes or peas, and low-fat cheese to make a fun face.Department of Agriculture, February 2019

Exercise: Exercise Improves Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Current research suggests that exercise can improve disease severity, memory, executive function, and cognitive function in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Lead investigator Dr. Tim Stuckenschneider writes, “The potential of exercise to improve motor and non-motor symptoms is promising and may help to decelerate disease progression in individuals affected by PD.” Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, February 2019

Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Pain Very Common in ICU Nurses! Among a group of 702 intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, 97% reported experiencing one or more work-related musculoskeletal disorder during the previous year, with back pain (80.1%), neck pain (78.6%), and shoulder pain (70.4%) being the most common complaints. Workplace Health & Safety, December 2018

Wellness/Prevention: How to Eat Less Salt. To lower one’s salt intake, the Food and Drug Administration offers these tips: eat more fresh fruits and vegetables; eat foods that are rich in potassium, such as leafy green veggies and bananas; season food with herbs and spices, instead of salt; opt for unsalted snacks; and read food labels to help select foods low in
sodium. Food and Drug Administration, February 2019

Quote: “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell

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Mental Attitude: An Active Brain and Body May Stave Off Dementia. The findings of a multi-decade study involving
over 800 Swedish women suggest that being more physically and mentally active in middle age is associated with a
reduced risk for dementia in old age. Neurology, February 2019

Health Alert: New Way to Measure Vitamin D. Researchers from Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital report that human hair can be used to measure vitamin D. This is important, as traditional blood analysis captures only a moment in time, while hair can reflect vitamin D status over several months capturing the large seasonal differences in vitamin D status. Study co-author Dr. Martin Healy explains, “The finding that vitamin D can be measured in hair samples potentially opens up a new approach to epidemiological studies relating the vitamin to bone and non-bone related
medical conditions which have been associated with its deficiency.” Nutrients, February 2019
Diet: Fish Oil During Pregnancy Offers Benefits to Kids. The results of a new study involving 171 mother-child pairs suggest that taking a daily 600mg DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) supplement during pregnancy may help protect kids from high blood pressure in childhood. The findings may lead to changes in the amount of DHA found in prenatal supplements, as current levels are usually much lower. JAMA Network Open, February 2019
Exercise: Unfit Teens More Likely to Be Disabled Later in Life. Staying fit during adolescence may pay dividends throughout life. In this study, researchers reviewed health data concerning 1,079,128 Swedish men from age 16 to about age 46 and found that those with poor cardiorespiratory fitness as they entered adulthood were over three times more likely to be out of the workforce due to disability by midlife. Annals of Internal Medicine, February 2019
Chiropractic: What Research Says About Manipulative Therapies… A recent article published in the American Family Physician notes that spinal manipulative therapy can provide short-term improvement in patients with acute or chronic low back pain and is comparable to other standard treatments. For patients with neck pain, the current research
shows cervical manipulation/mobilization provides better short-term pain relief and improved function when compared with oral analgesics. The authors of the article add that manipulative therapies may be as effective as the prescription medication amitriptyline for managing patients with migraines. Doctors of chiropractic are highly skilled in the art of
manipulation and mobilization techniques, which they utilize in the management of musculoskeletal conditions.
American Family Physicians, February 2019

Wellness/Prevention: Reducing Infertility. About 1 in 10 couples trying to have a baby suffer from infertility. The National Institutes of Health notes that advancing age is the primary cause of infertility, but there are other factors that can affect the chances of having a baby including excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, exposure to environmental toxins, certain medicines, radiation treatment and chemotherapy, stress, poor diet, being overweight, and sexually transmitted infections. National Institutes of Health, February 2019
Quote: “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” ~ John R Wooden

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Mental Attitude: Veterans with PTSD Often Have Other Mental Health Issues… The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) reports that veterans under treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often have one or more accompanying psychiatric conditions. According to a review of records from 2012, 70.2% of VHA patients with PTSD had at least one co-existing psychiatric condition, while a third of all PTSD patients had two or more additional mental health issues, with anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder being the most common. Psychiatric Quarterly, March 2019

Health Alert: Toxins Found in Home Furnishings Can Be Passed to Kids. In this study, researchers analyzed indoor air, indoor dust, and foam from furniture in 190 homes and found that children living in homes where the sofa in the main living area contained flame-retardant called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in its foam had a six-fold higher concentration of PBDEs in their blood. Furthermore, children from homes that had vinyl flooring in all areas had concentrations of benzyl butyl phthalate metabolite in their urine that were 15 times greater than those in children living in homes with no vinyl flooring. Experts say that these semi-volatile organic compounds have been linked to serious adverse health effects, such as neurodevelopmental delays, endocrine and thyroid disorders, and reproductive disorders. American Association for the Advancement of Science, February 2019

Diet: Olive Oil May Reduce Stroke Risk Among Obese. According to a new study, severely obese patients who consumed olive oil at least once per week had lower platelet activation, which reduces the propensity of blood to clot, lowering the risk for heart attack or stroke. American Heart Association, March 2019

Exercise: Walking More May Benefit Dialysis Patients. Experts recommend taking 10,000 steps per day as part of a healthy lifestyle. In a recent study involving 48 kidney dialysis patients, researchers observed that the more steps per day a patient took, the less likely they were to experience fatigue and insomnia. Unfortunately, the data show that most of the patients in the study averaged 2,631 steps per day or less.

Chiropractic: Poor Posture Affects Breathing. Pulmonary function tests performed on fifteen healthy males revealed that when participants adopted a forward head posture (FHD), they had significantly lower forced vital capacity, expiratory and inspiratory reserve volumes, forced expiratory volume at one second, and peak flow rate. Doctors of chiropractic routinely check for FHD and recommend exercise and ergonomic modifications to address this faulty posture. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, January 2019

Wellness/Prevention: Better Posture May Reduce Musculoskeletal Pain Risk… Among a group of 176 office workers, those who participated in a three-month program aimed at improving their sitting posture were less likely to report neck pain, back pain, elbow pain, and knee pain during the course of the study. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, December 2018

Quote: “Time moves in one direction, memory in another.” ~ William Gibson

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Mental Attitude: Anxiety Late in Life Linked to Alzheimer’s. Using data from the Zaragoza Dementia and Depression Study, researchers report that seniors with clinically significant late-life anxiety have up to a 400% greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease when compared to older adults without an anxiety disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, February 2019

Health Alert: Opioid Deaths Up Fourfold in Last 20 Years. Researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine, Harvard University, and the University of Toronto report that opioid-related deaths in the United States have jumped fourfold in the last two decades, with Eastern states being hit the hardest. According to the data, the highest rates of opioid-related deaths occurred in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The researchers hope that identification and characterization of opioid “hot spots” will allow for better-targeted policies that address the current state of the opioid epidemic and the needs of the population. JAMA Network Open, February 2019

Diet: Can a Cup of Hot Cocoa Ease the Fatigue of Multiple Sclerosis? Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that are known to be powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits. In a recent study involving 40 adults with multiple sclerosis (MS), those who drank one cup of a high-flavanoid hot cocoa each day for six weeks experienced less pain, a 45% reduction in fatigue, and an 80% improvement in their walking speed. Researcher Dr. Shelly Coe adds, “Our study establishes that the use of dietary interventions is feasible and may offer possible long-term benefits to support fatigue management.” Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, March 2019

Exercise: Fitness Protects Against Lung Cancer. A new study that followed nearly 5,000 older men for a decade found that not only are physically fit men less likely to develop lung cancer, but they are significantly more likely to survive the disease should it occur. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, April 2019

Chiropractic: Mid-Back Adjustments for Neck Pain? In a study involving 30 patients with chronic neck pain, researchers observed that spinal manipulative therapy applied to the mid-back resulted in improvements in both neck pain and the range of motion of the upper limbs. While neck pain is commonly associated with dysfunction in the cervical spine, past research has demonstrated that the thoracic spine plays a limited role in cervical rotation and flexion, which may explain why mid-back adjustments benefited the chronic neck pain patients in this study. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, February 2019

Wellness/Prevention: Reduce CTS Risk. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that occurs when pressure is placed on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist. To reduce your risk for CTS, the NYU School of Medicine recommends the following: minimize repetitive hand movements, keep wrists straight, alternate between activities or tasks, and avoid holding an object the same way for long periods. NYU School of Medicine, March 2019

Quote: “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” ~ Albert Einstein

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Mental Attitude: Positive Well-Being Benefits Those with Autism. According to a new study that monitored the
mental health of 36 employed adults with autism spectrum disorder, those with a greater sense of happiness and life
satisfaction were less likely to develop depressive symptoms over the following year. Lead author Dr. Darren Hedley
adds, “While previous research has tended to focus on the negative aspects of mental health such as depression and
anxiety, in this study we felt it was also important to focus on positive well-being—a construct often overlooked in autism
research in adulthood. There needs to be more mental health research involving adults with autism, and it is particularly
important to understand what predicts good mental health and better outcomes overall.” Autism Research, January 2019

Health Alert: Fatty Liver Linked to Osteoporosis? Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when excess fat
builds up in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption. A review of data from six studies has
identified an association between NAFLD during childhood and an elevated risk for reduced bone mineral density, which
may set the stage for osteoporosis later in life. Hepatology, January 2019

Diet: Low Zinc Levels Increase Risk of Hypertension. Low zinc levels may contribute to high blood pressure by
changing the way the kidneys handle sodium. In this study, researchers compared male mice with zinc deficiency to mice
with healthy zinc levels and found that the zinc-deficient mice were more likely to develop high blood pressure with a
corresponding decrease in urinary sodium excretion. When the zinc-deficient mice were fed a zinc-rich diet and reached
adequate levels, the rodents’ blood pressure decreased and their urinary sodium levels increased.
American Journal of Physiology — Renal Physiology, January 2019

Exercise: Depressed Youths Less Likely to Exercise. An analysis of data from the 2011-12 National Survey of
Children’s Health suggests that boys and girls with depression are only about half as likely to get regular exercise as their
non-depressed peers. Preventative Medicine Reports, January 2019

Chiropractic: Hip Pain Is Rarely an Isolated Problem… A recent study that included 2,515 subjects found that of
those with hip pain (124), only 3% exclusively had pain in their hip. In 47% of cases, hip pain patients also had pain in
one to five other body sites, and 50% of hip pain patients had co-existing pain in six or more areas. Doctors of
Chiropractic are well trained in making differential diagnoses in order to determine all of the patient’s presenting pain
generators, leading to proper management to achieve successful treatment outcomes. Musculoskeletal Care, January 2019

Wellness/Prevention: How to Prevent Skin Problems at the Gym. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can thrive in warm
places at the gym, such as locker rooms and sweaty gym equipment. To prevent skin infections, the American Academy
of Dermatology recommends the following: wear loose-fitting, moisture-wicking clothing; always wear shoes or flip flops
in the locker room, around pools, and in the shower; keep any cuts clean and covered; disinfect equipment before and
after use; wash hands after working out; shower soon after exercising; and dress in clean clothes.
American Academy of Dermatology, January 2019

Quote: “Common sense is very uncommon.” ~ Horace Greeley

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Mental Attitude: Gut Bacteria May Be Linked to Dementia Risk. Bacteroides are a group of bacteria that are
beneficial to the gut because they crowd out “bad” infection-causing bugs. According to a new study that analyzed stool
samples of 128 older adults with and without dementia, researchers found that patients with dementia had fewer
bacteroides in their digestive system. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Dr. Keith Fargo writes, “At this point, we don’t know that this association is causal… We don’t know which came first—the dementia or the differences in the gut microbiome.”
American Stroke Association, February 2019

Health Alert: Dirty Air Linked to Increased Risk of Strokes and Shorter Lives. New research that looked at data
from 1,600 counties across the United States between 2005 and 2010 revealed that individuals living in counties with
more air pollution not only had a higher risk for stroke but also short life expectancy—particularly if their area had a
higher poverty rate and fewer healthcare providers. American Stroke Association, February 2019

Diet: Could Vitamin D Lower the Risk of Developing Diabetes? Among a group of nearly 700 Brazilian women,
researchers observed that the women who took a vitamin D supplement not only had higher vitamin D serum levels but
they also had lower blood glucose readings. North American Menopause Society executive director Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton
explains, “Although a causal relationship has not been proven, low levels of vitamin D may play a significant role in type
2 diabetes mellitus… Vitamin D supplementation may help improve blood sugar control, but intervention studies are still
needed.” Menopause, January 2019

Exercise: Chronic Disease Patients Are Less Active… Using data from the 2006-2010 UK Biobank Prospective Cohort
Study, researchers note that individuals with one or more chronic disease average about 60 fewer minutes of moderate
physical activity each week in comparison with healthy adults, which may place them at greater risk for other health risks
related to inactivity. International Journal of Epidemiology, February 2019

Chiropractic: Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction? In a study involving 51 patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD)
and referred pain to the buttocks or lower back, researchers found that mobilization, stretching, stabilization exercises, and
manipulative therapy are all effective treatments for reducing pain and improving function in SIJD patients. Doctors of
chiropractic commonly use a combination of such treatments when managing patients with musculoskeletal complaints,
including SIJD. Pain Physician, January 2019

Wellness/Prevention: Why Do I Have Dry Eye? Dry eye occurs when your tear production fails to keep the eye surface
adequately lubricated, leading to scratchy or stinging feelings, dryness, discharge, and pain and redness of the eyes. The
National Eye Institute lists these common causes of dry eye: medications including antihistamines, decongestants,
antidepressants, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and medications for anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, and
high blood pressure; advancing age; rosacea and blepharitis; windy, smoky, or dry environments; seasonal allergies; and
prolonged periods of screen time. National Eye Institute, January 2019

Quote: “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” ~ Babe Ruth

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Mental Attitude: ‘Mindfulness’ May Help Some Manage Their Chronic Pain. Mindfulness is described as the ability
to be fully present, aware of where you are, and calm about what’s going on around you. A review of data from twenty
published studies involving over 2,000 patients with chronic pain found that engaging in a yoga or meditation training
program that involved mindfulness is an effective method for managing stress and other problems associated with chronic
pain, especially when combined with additional treatment strategies. Evidence Based Mental Health, January 2019

Health Alert: Resting Heart Rate Change May Signal Type 2 Diabetes… New research indicates that changes in
resting heart rate over several years may signal an elevated risk for type 2 diabetes. In this study, researchers monitored
the resting heart rate of 12,155 adults six years apart and found that participants who experienced a ten beat increase in
resting heart rate had a 90% increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. NMCD, December 2018

Diet: Breakfast May Not Be Important for Weight Loss. For years, we have been told that breakfast is the most
important meal of the day to help maintain a healthy weight, but a new paper suggests otherwise. Investigators looked at
thirteen randomized controlled trials and found that people who ate breakfast ended up eating about 260 additional
calories per day, while those who skipped breakfast were about one pound lighter. BMJ, January 2019

Exercise: Kids Should Be Active Every Day. An analysis of data concerning 5,779 pre-adolescent children from twelve
countries suggests that staying active throughout the week is important for reducing a child’s obesity risk. In particular,
the study found that kids who generally don’t exercise are almost five times more likely to be obese, while children who
are mostly sedentary during either the week or weekend have double the risk for childhood obesity.
International Journal of Obesity, January 2019

Chiropractic: What Onset Is Associated with Cervical Radiculopathy? Cervical radiculopathy is a condition
characterized by pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck that goes down one or both arms. Questionnaires completed by
122 cervical radiculopathy patients found that one third recalled their symptoms started following a specific physical
activity or trauma while the remainder said their cervical radiculopathy began without an inciting event. This study
illustrates the reality that in most cases, patients cannot isolate a specific cause for their presenting complaint. Often, the
cause is cumulative in nature, making the determination of causation difficult to impossible. Doctors of chiropractic are
trained to assess and treat patients that present with radiating arm pain, regardless of causation. PM & R, January 2019

Wellness/Prevention: Why Am I Bloated? Many people suffer from abdominal bloating, which feels like an inflated
balloon in the abdomen. The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders notes these common triggers for
bloating: too much gas in the intestine; abnormally high amounts of bacteria in the small intestine; imbalance of
microorganisms that live in the bowel, which could be the result of taking antibiotics; food intolerance; and increased
curvature of the lumbar region of the spine, which decreases the capacity of the abdomen to hold gas.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, January 2019

Quote: “It is books that are a key to the wide world; if you can’t do anything else, read all that you can.” ~ Jane Hamilton

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Mental Attitude: Attitude May Help Prevent a Second Stroke. Examinations of 400 patients who survived either
a mild or moderate stroke or a transient ischemia attack found that those who felt as though they could protect
themselves from a second stroke were less likely to have high blood pressure (a risk factor for stroke) a year later.
Senior author Dr. Bernadette Boden-Albala writes, “You can protect yourself against stroke by reducing your risk
factors. And this study shows that if you think you can do it, you can.” American Stroke Association, January 2019

Health Alert: Most Americans Will Eventually Have High Blood Pressure. The American Heart Association
estimates that the average American has about a 90% chance of developing high blood pressure in his/her lifetime.
However, one can reduce their hypertension risk by not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, eating a
healthy diet, exercising, and managing stress. Circulation, January 2019

Diet: Should You Try a Plant-Based Diet? In this study, researchers observed that participants who consumed a
vegetarian meal experienced an increase in beneficial gastrointestinal hormones involved in the regulation of glucose
metabolism, insulin secretion, energy homeostasis, satiety, and weight management. Study author Dr. Hana
Kahleova adds, “The fact that simple meal choices can increase the secretion of these healthy hormones has
important implications for those with type 2 diabetes or weight problems… This study adds to the mounting
evidence that plant-based diets can help manage and prevent type 2 diabetes and obesity.” Nutrients, January 2019

Exercise: Aerobic Exercise May Help OCD Patients. In this study, patients with treatment-resistant obsessive
compulsive disorder (OCD) who participated in a twelve-week aerobic exercise training program experienced
improvements with respect to mood, anxiety, and compulsion. Journal of Affective Disorders, February 2019

Chiropractic: Osteoarthritis of the Hip? Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is among the most common degenerative joint
diseases, and it is associated with chronic pain, reduced mobility, and stiffness in the region surrounding the hip
joint. A systematic review of data from twelve studies found that a combination of manual therapy and patient
education is effective at improving pain, hip range of motion, and physical function in patients with hip OA. Doctors
of chiropractic commonly use such treatments when managing patients with osteoarthritis of the hip.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, February 2019

Wellness/Prevention: Identifying Vision Problems in Infants. Although rare, vision problems do occur among
newborn and infants. The American Optometric Association lists the following signs of vision problems in this age
group: excessive tearing, which may indicate blocked tear ducts; red or encrusted eye lids, which could signal an eye
infection; constant eye turning, which may signal a problem with eye muscle control; extreme sensitivity to light,
which may indicate elevated pressure in the eye; and the appearance of a white pupil, which may indicate an eye
tumor that could be cancerous. American Optometric Association, January 2019

Quote: “Home is the nicest word there is.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Mental Attitude: Bullying May Affect the Brain. An analysis of the brain scans of nearly 700 teens found that those who had been victimized by bullies had reduced brain volume in two key regions of the brain associated with regulating motivation, attention, and emotional processing. Molecular Psychiatry, December 2018

Health Alert: Risk Factors for Early Childhood Obesity. Past studies have shown that kids who are overweight have an elevated risk for obesity in adulthood. In this study, researchers analyzed data concerning 502 three-year-old children and identified the following risk factors for obesity in early childhood: obesity in mother pre-pregnancy; high birth weight; formula feeding during the first year of life, high frequency of fast food consumption, and time watching TV or computer screens at age three. International Journal of Obesity, December 2018

Diet: Vitamin D and Asthma in Young Children… Data from two clinical trials suggests that for babies with deficient vitamin D levels, improving their vitamin D status (via supplementation in these studies) resulted in a reduced risk for asthma symptoms in early childhood. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical, January 2019

Exercise: Try Dancing. Seniors who want to improve their fitness levels should consider dancing. In a small study involving thirty sedentary women over age 65, those who danced for an hour three times a week experienced similar improvements with respect to aerobic fitness, lower body muscle strength, and static balance as those who walked three hours a week. Experimental Gerontology, December 2018

Chiropractic: Long Work Hours Linked to Musculoskeletal Pain. Using data from the Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey involving nearly 25,000 workers, researchers report that working over 40 hours a week is associated with up to a 40% increased risk for musculoskeletal pain in men and up to a 66% elevated risk for musculoskeletal pain in women. Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, December 2018

Wellness/Prevention: Preventing Chapped Lips. Chapped lips are more common during the winter months. To prevent dry chapped lips, the Mayo Clinic recommends the following: before going outside in cold weather, apply a lubricating lip cream or balm; avoid licking your lips; drink plenty of fluids; moisten the indoor air with a humidifier; avoid contact with irritants or allergens; and breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.

Mayo Clinic, January 2019

Quote: “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” ~ Stephen Hawking

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna