Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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