02/23/2026
Weekly Health Update
Monday, February 23, 2026
Courtesy of:
Greg Yingling, D.C.
5290 Seminole Blvd
St. Petersburg, FL 33708
(727) 398-2988
“To be able to look back
upon one's past life
with satisfaction
is to live twice.”
~ John Dalberg-Acton
Health Alert: Metabolic Factors May Hint at Sleep Apnea Risk.
Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers found that individuals with central obesity and unhealthy blood lipid profiles were 27% more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea compared with metabolically healthier participants. The authors suggest that screening for these cardiometabolic factors during routine visits may help clinicians identify individuals at higher risk of sleep apnea.
European Journal of Medical Research, December 2025
Diet: Diet May Influence Skin Cancer Risk.
While ultraviolet (UV) exposure is most commonly associated with malignant melanoma risk, a recent narrative review found evidence that adherence to Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary patterns, higher intake of anti-inflammatory foods, and coffee consumption are linked to a lower risk of melanoma. In contrast, Western dietary patterns and alcohol consumption may increase skin cancer risk.
Cureus, December 2025
Exercise: Lifelong Exercise Lowers Metabolic Syndrome Risk.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions—including central obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and elevated blood sugar—that occur together and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Analysis of data from 159 participants in a long-term cohort study revealed that lifelong exercisers were four times less likely to have metabolic syndrome at age 61 than their sedentary peers. Importantly, inactive adults who became physically active during midlife—particularly those who incorporated resistance training—were able to cut their risk of future metabolic syndrome roughly in half.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, November 2025
Chiropractic: Chiropractic Patients Less Likely to Experience Longterm Opioid Use.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of two randomized clinical trials and 18 cohort studies found that patients receiving chiropractic care for spinal pain were 73% less likely to become long-term opioid users, and the likelihood of later opioid prescription was even lower among those who initiated chiropractic treatment within 30 days of spinal pain onset.
Pain Reports, December 2025
Mental Attitude: Mitochondria May Link Psychological Stress to Poor Brain and Mental Health.
Mitochondria are specialized structures within cells that generate energy by converting nutrients into ATP, the molecule that powers most cellular processes. In a recent study, researchers observed that psychological stress can impair mitochondrial function, disrupting energy metabolism, increasing inflammation, and altering brain signaling—changes that have been linked to conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurological disorders. These findings may help explain how engaging in regular physical activity can reduce mental health symptoms.
Current Directions in Psychological Science, December 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Two Factors Linked to Mortality Risk After Age 50.
Among 5,400 middle-aged and older adults, researchers found that those with abdominal obesity and low muscle mass—a combination known as sarcopenic obesity—had an 83% higher risk of death over the following decade compared with participants who had neither condition. The findings suggest that identifying and enrolling such individuals in targeted dietary and fitness interventions earlier in life may help improve long-term survival.
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, November 2025