Health Alert: Even Just a Little Belly Fat Increases Heart Disease Risk. While a body mass index in the
normal range is associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association
reports that individuals should also mind their waist circumference. Experts point out that excess fat in the
midsection, even in those with a BMI in the normal range, can signify more fatty tissue within the abdomen,
which has been shown to elevate the risk for heart disease and stroke. American Heart Association, April 2021
Diet: Testosterone Deficiency in Men May Be Linked to Diet. According to a study that included 4,100
males, a pro-inflammatory diet—an eating pattern characterized by a high intake of red and processed meat,
high-fat dairy products, and refined grains—is associated with an elevated risk for testosterone deficiency,
particularly among obese men. Journal of Urology, April 2021
Exercise: Easy Ways to Prevent Exercise Injury. To reduce one’s risk for getting hurt when starting an
exercise program, experts recommend the following: get a routine physical, hire a personal trainer, start slowly
and increase gradually, warm up before exercise, wear appropriate clothing, and listen to your body.
VerywellFit, April 2021
Chiropractic: Recommendations for Shoulder Pain. For patients with shoulder pain of any duration, new
treatment guidelines recommend a multimodal approach that includes joint mobilization, heat/cold, and range of
motion exercises, along with cervical or thoracic spine manipulation, if warranted. Doctors of chiropractic often
take this approach when managing patients with shoulder pain. European Journal of Pain, May 2021
Mental Attitude: Sleepwalking Linked to Parkinson’s in Men. Using data from The Health Professionals
Follow-Up Study, which has monitored the health of over 50,000 male healthcare professionals since 1986,
researchers report that individuals with a history of sleepwalking or rapid eye movement sleep behavior
disorder (RBD) may be up to four times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than men without a sleep
disorder. JAMA Network Open, April 2021
Wellness/Prevention: How to Relieve Spring Allergies. Spring often means runny noses and itchy, watery
eyes for seasonal allergy sufferers. To help minimize the effect of airborne allergens, University of North
Carolina Health advises the following: monitor pollen counts, avoid being outdoors, change your HVAC filters
and get an air purifier, and talk to your healthcare provider if you need a more focused treatment approach.
University of North Carolina Health, April 2021
Quote: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” ~ Aesop

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Disrupted Sleep Presents Health Risks. An analysis of eleven years of data concerning
over 8,000 adults revealed an association between sleep disorders and poor cardiovascular health,
particularly in women. European Heart Journal, April 2021
Diet: Diet May Be Important for Long-Term Survival in Breast Cancer Patients. Among a group
of 3,660 female breast cancer patients, researchers observed that a healthy eating pattern, such as the
Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet, was associated with up to a 27% reduced risk of death during the
following decade. JNCI Cancer Spectrum, March 2021
Exercise: Age Should Not Be a Barrier to Keeping Fit. According to researchers, the belief that it
takes longer for muscles to recover from working out as you age is based on little, if any, evidence. In
fact, researcher Dr. John Fernandes notes, “[More] than half of the available studies have noted that
older males experience similar, and even less severe, symptoms of muscle damage than their younger
counterparts.” Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, April 2021
Chiropractic: Excessive Screen Time Linked to Spinal Pain in Kids. Using data from the Danish
National Birth Cohort concerning 45,555 pre-adolescents, researchers report that kids who spend six or
more hours per day using electronic devices are two times more likely to experience severe spinal pain
than their more active peers. The findings suggest that reducing screen time and increasing physical
activity levels in children may protect them from spinal pain during childhood. BMC Musculoskeletal
Disorders, April 2021
Mental Attitude: TBI Increases Long-Term Risk of Stroke. A review of 18 studies found that
traumatic brain injury (TBI) may elevate an individual’s risk for stroke over the following five years by
up to 86%. International Journal of Stroke, April 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Tips to Prevent Athletes Foot. Constant burning and itching between the toes
are a sure sign of athlete’s foot. To avoid this common fungal infection, keep your feet dry, wash your
feet daily, wear shower shoes or flip flops, and use foot powder, when appropriate.
PIH Health, April 2021

Quote: “Nothing is harder than to accept oneself.” ~ Max Frisch
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Influenza and Stroke Risk. Using data from the New York Statewide Planning and Research
Cooperative System, researchers report that individuals diagnosed with influenza-like illness have up to a 39%
increased risk for stroke in the near future. BMC Public Health, May 2021
Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Protect the Brain. According to a study that reviewed brain imaging and
cerebrospinal fluid samples, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet—an eating pattern focused on eating
fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, olive oil, and whole grains while avoiding red and processed meats, dairy,
saturated fats, and refined sugars—is associated with less build-up of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the
brain, which are often observed in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Neurology, May 2021
Exercise: Sedentary Behavior Linked to COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic
lung disease that makes breathing difficult, and it is a leading cause of death in the United States. An analysis of
data from the Chronic Disease and Lifestyle Population Survey in Sichuan Province of China identified an
association between the amount of time an individual spends engaged in sedentary behaviors and an elevated
risk for COPD. Medicine, May 2021
Chiropractic: Fascial Manipulation Reduces Pain and Disability. A systematic review found that
manipulative therapy to improve fluidity between soft tissue layers, which often become denser and stiffer with
age and injury, can improve pain and disability in patients with musculoskeletal pains. Doctors of chiropractic
are trained to provide several forms of manual therapy, including fascial manipulation, in the treatment of back
pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Journal of Bodywork Movement Therapies, January 2021
Mental Attitude: Chronic Sinusitis May Affect the Brain. An analysis of brain scans and mental health
assessments of over 1,200 adults revealed that people with moderate-to-severe sinus inflammation exhibited
altered activity in the frontoparietal network in the brain, which is important for problem solving and decision
making. JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, April 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Sleep Is Important to Avoid Dementia Risk. Following an analysis of data concerning
nearly 8,000 adults, researchers report that sleeping six or fewer hours a night in middle age is associated with a
30% increased risk for dementia in old age. The findings suggest that screening for sleep issues in middle age
may aid in the prevention of dementia later in life. Nature Communication, April 2021
Quote: “You can’t do it unless you can imagine it.” ~ George Lucas
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Wildfire Smoke Can Trigger Eczema. According to a study that analyzed data from a
dermatology clinic in San Francisco, visits for atopic dermatitis (eczema) and general itching increased
following a major wildfire 175 miles away. Study co-author Dr. Raj Fadadu writes, “Skin is the largest
organ of the human body, and it’s in constant interaction with the external environment. So, it makes
sense that changes in the external environment, such as increases or decreases in air pollution, could
affect our skin health.” JAMA Dermatology, April 2021
Diet: Eating Mushrooms May Help Lower Risk of Cancer. Based on a review of data from 17
cancer studies, researchers estimate that consuming 18 grams of mushroom per day can reduce one’s
risk for cancer by up to 45%. Advances in Nutrition, April 2021
Exercise: Try Burpees. A burpee is a calisthenics exercise that involves performing a push up
followed by a jump squat that serves as an excellent way to build strength and endurance in both the
upper and lower body. When performing multiple reps and sets, it can also serve as a cardiovascular
exercise. Healthline, April 2021
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies Helps with Stability. Individuals with chronic musculoskeletal
pain often experience balance impairments and an increased risk for falls. A systematic review found
that manual therapies (such as those provided by doctors of chiropractic) can improve static and
dynamic stability in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, February 2021
Mental Attitude: Anxiety Worsens Post-Heart Attack Prognosis. Pooling data from 16 published
studies, researchers report that post-heart attack anxiety can increase the risk for short-term
complications by 23% and major adverse cardiac events by 54%. Clinical Cardiology, May 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Low Vitamin D and Asthma. Among a group of 132 asthma patients with
insufficient or deficient vitamin D levels, researchers found that improving vitamin D status via
supplementation also led to improvements in asthma symptoms and lung function.
Tanaffos, December 2020
Quote: “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” ~ Hal Borland
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.