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Glycemic Index: What It Is and How to Use It – Healthline
The glycemic index is a tool thats often used to promote better blood sugar management.
Several factors influence the glycemic index of a food, including its nutrient composition, cooking method, ripeness, and the amount of processing it has undergone.
The glycemic index can not only help increase your awareness of what youre putting on your plate but also enhance weight loss, decrease your blood sugar levels, and reduce your cholesterol.
This article takes a closer look at the glycemic index, including what it is, how it can affect your health, and how to use it.
The glycemic index (GI) is a value used to measure how much specific foods increase blood sugar levels.
Foods are classified as low, medium, or high glycemic foods and ranked on a scale of 0100.
The lower the GI of a specific food, the less it may affect your blood sugar levels (1).
Here are the three GI ratings:
Foods high in refined carbs and sugar are digested more quickly and often have a high GI, while foods high in protein, fat, or fiber typically have a low GI. Foods that contain no carbs are not assigned a GI and include meat, fish, poultry, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and oils.
Other factors that affect the GI of a food include the ripeness, cooking method, type of sugar it contains, and amount of processing it has undergone (2).
Keep in mind that the glycemic index is different from the glycemic load (GL).
Unlike the GI, which doesnt take into account the amount of food eaten, the GL factors in the number of carbs in a serving of a food to determine how it may affect blood sugar levels (1).
For this reason, its important to take both the glycemic index and glycemic load into consideration when selecting foods to help support healthy blood sugar levels (1).
The glycemic index is used to measure how much a specific food increases your blood sugar levels. The higher the GI, the greater the effect on blood sugar levels.
The low glycemic diet involves swapping out foods with a high GI for those with a lower GI.
Following a low glycemic diet may offer several health benefits, including:
A healthy, low glycemic diet should comprise mostly low GI foods, such as:
Foods without a GI value or with a very low GI can also be enjoyed as part of a balanced low glycemic diet. They include:
Although no foods are strictly off-limits on the diet, foods with a high GI should be limited.
Foods with a high GI include:
Ideally, try to replace these foods with foods that have a lower GI whenever possible.
Following a low glycemic diet involves swapping out foods that have a high GI with low GI alternatives. A low glycemic diet may help manage blood sugar levels, reduce your cholesterol, and boost short-term weight loss.
Determining the GI of foods that you often eat can be useful if youre following a low glycemic diet.
Here are the GI values for a few ingredients (10, 11):
Knowing where your favorite foods fall on the glycemic index can make it much easier to follow a low glycemic diet.
For certain foods, the cooking method used can affect the glycemic index.
For example, fried foods tend to contain a high amount of fat, which can slow the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream and decrease the GI (12, 13).
Meanwhile, roasting and baking can break down resistant starch a type of starch that resists digestion and is commonly found in foods like legumes, potatoes, and oats thus increasing the GI (12, 14).
Conversely, boiling is thought to help retain more of the resistant starch and lead to a lower GI, compared with other cooking methods (12).
The longer you cook foods like pasta or rice, the greater the digestibility of their starch content, and thus the higher their GI. As such, its best to only cook these foods until they reach an al dente texture, meaning that theyre still firm when biting into them (15, 16).
In addition to the cooking method used, the degree of ripeness may also affect the GI of some fruits, including bananas. This is because the amount of resistant starch decreases during the ripening process, leading to a higher GI (17).
For example, bananas that are fully ripened have a GI of 51, whereas under-ripe bananas have a GI of just 30 (11).
The degree of ripeness, as well as the way that certain foods are cooked and prepared, can affect the GI of the final product.
The glycemic index, or GI, is a measure used to determine how much a food can affect your blood sugar levels.
Several factors affect the glycemic index of a food, including the nutrient composition, ripeness, cooking method, and amount of processing it has undergone.
Following a low glycemic diet may offer several health benefits, as it could help balance your blood sugar levels, lower your cholesterol, and increase short-term weight loss.
Originally posted here:
Glycemic Index: What It Is and How to Use It - Healthline
Greater Beverly health news and support groups – News – Wicked Local Bellingham
Note: In response to concerns about the coronavirus, many events may be subject to cancellation, postponement or attendance limits. Please contact organizers to confirm event details.
HEALTH NEWS
Gift shop volunteers needed
Gift Shop volunteers are needed at Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals. This is a great way to learn about retail in health care or volunteer your time and experience in an enjoyable shop environment.
Volunteer benefits include shop discounts and a meal voucher. A variety of shift times are available including evenings and weekends. Please visit the hospitals website atbeverlyhospital.org/giving/volunteer-services for more information.
Pet therapy volunteers sought
Care Dimensions, formerly Hospice of the North Shore & Greater Boston, is seeking more volunteers with certified pet therapy dogs to provide pet therapy to hospice patients in a variety of settings throughout Greater Boston and on the North Shore.
Pet therapy dogs must be certified through a registered pet therapy organization. Volunteers will receive training and ongoing support while engaging in the rewarding experience of visiting hospice patients and their caregivers.
For more information about this volunteer opportunity, please contact Sheryl Meehan, Director of Volunteer Services and Complementary Therapies at SMeehan@CareDimensions.org or 978-750-9321.
SUPPORT GROUPS AND OTHER PROGRAMS
Safe Place Support Group
Safe Place is a support group in Beverly dedicated to helping people who have lost a loved one, co-worker or friend to suicide that meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at St. Johns Episcopal Church, 705 Hale St..
Run by Samaritans of the Merrimack Valley, a program of Family Services of the Merrimack Valley, Safe Place provides a space to talk about your loss with others who are experiencing the same type of devastating loss. Its a place to talk, listen, cry, be silent, grieve, be understood and receive hope and understanding from other loss survivors. Safe Place is a confidential and free support group led by a trained fellow suicide loss survivor.
For additional information, contact Debbie Helms at dhelms@fsmv.org.
Alzheimers Caregiver Support Group
Spectrum Adult Day Health Programs, 600 Cummings Center, Beverly, will host an Alzheimers Caregiver Support Group from 1:30 to 3 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of the month.
The group will offer information and education about Alzheimers disease and related memory disorders, an increased understanding through shared experiences and mutual support from other caregivers. Free respite care available upon request. Light refreshments will be served
To RSVP for respite care or have questions, contact support leader Rachael Palmacci at 978-921-5020 or signup online at http://spectrumdayprogram.org.
Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients
An eight-session educational/support program for individuals newly diagnosed with breast cancer is held at the Beverly Hospital at Danvers. This program is designed to support, guide and provide knowledge.
The free program is held at Beverly Hospital at Danvers Breast Center, Beverly Hospital at Danvers, 480 Maple St., Danvers. Sessions are held on the first and thirdMonday beginning at 7 p.m. There is no fee.
For further details on upcoming dates or to register, please contact Kimberly Willis, NP-C, Certified Patient Navigator at kwillis@nhs-healthlink.org or call 978-304-8105.
Dementia Support Group
A Dementia Support Group will be held at Twin Oaks Center on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-8 p.m.
When you are faced with a loved one exhibiting symptoms of dementia, it can be a confusing and troubling time in your life. The group will help you understand the disease and gain knowledge about the best methods of care for your loved one.
People afflicted with cognitive impairments require additional care to keep their emotional and physical functioning strong and healthy. The centers specialized professionals connect to deliver consistent, stable care while creating an environment of warmth and understanding.
Twin Oaks Center is located at 63 Locust St., Danvers. The support group is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Jennifer Tineo at 978-777-0011.
One Life recovery program
One Life, a faith-based recovery program for those struggling with life-controlling issues (hurts, hang-ups, and habits), meets every Friday night at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Danvers. This program will help you find freedom from addictive and compulsive thoughts, behavior patterns such as co-dependency, pornography, chemical dependency, eating disorders, depression, emotional/physical abuse, anger, and other personal struggles. This tried and proven recovery program uses traditional methods to build recovery for those struggling with life experiences that affect our peace. The First Baptist Church of Danvers is located at 1 Water St., Danvers. Contact by phone at 978-774-8277, by email at Baptist1@verizon.net, or visit them at http://www.fbcdanvers.org.
Stroke Survivor Support Group
A free monthly Stroke Survivor Support Group held on the first Wednesday of each month from 10:30-11:30 a.m. The group meets at Addison Gilbert Hospital, 298 Washington St., Gloucester in the Longan Room. The free program is facilitated by a variety of professionals affiliated with the stroke program at Beverly Hospital.
Light refreshments will be available. There is no fee and preregistration is not required. For further information or questions, please call Eileen Consentino at 978-922-3000, ext. 2295.
Young Moms Pregnancy Workshop
The Healthy Pregnancy Workshop isa class specifically for teens and young women. It is a two-hour class to be attended in the first or second trimester, focusing on healthy pregnancy. There is no fee. To register or for further information, please call 978-922-3000, ext. 2720.
Prostate Cancer Support Group
The Beverly Hospital Prostate Cancer Support Group meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, located on the campus of Beverly Hospital. This free meeting meets in the Garden Room, located on the first floor.
Preregistration is not required, those wishing further information may call the Community Relations Department at Beverly Hospital at 978-236-1650.
Melanoma Support Group
IMPACT Melanomasponsors a support group open to all those who have been diagnosed with Melanoma. The group is facilitated by Kelli Braga, LICSW, in the Garden Conference Room, located on the first floor of the Beverly Hospital.
The group meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6-7:30 p.m. There is no fee. Preregistration is requested. To register, or for further information, please contact Kelli Braga at Beverly Hospital 978-922-3000, extension 2710, or by calling theIMPACT Melanoma at 800-557-6352.
General Cancer Support Group
The General Cancer Support Group meets at Beverly Hospital on the first Wednesday of the month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Womens Health Building in the small conference room.
Preregistration is required by calling the Social Work Department at Beverly Hospital at 978-922-3000, ext. 2710.
Healthy Streets Outreach Program
Healthy Streets Outreach Program, a program of Health Innovation, Inc., provides HIV, Hepatitis C testing, STI testing, Narcan and overdose prevention training, referrals to substance use treatment and mental health services.
Healthy Streets Outreach Program, is located at 100 Willow St., Second Floor, Lynn. For further information, please call: 781-592-0243.
Medication review
A free 15-minute review of medications may be scheduled with a registered pharmacist at Beverly Hospital. Appointments are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month. Participants are asked to bring a list of all medications, prescription and over-the-cou1nter medications, including vitamins, etc. To schedule a free and confidential appointment, please call Lahey Health Senior Care at 978-922-7018, ext. 1305.
Healthy Streets Outreach
Northeast Behavioral Health Healthy Streets Outreach Program provides rapid HIV testing, hepatitis C information, access to drug treatment, overdose prevention and Narcan training. All services, provided by NBH Healthy Streets Program, are available at various locations on the first Wednesday of the month. Please call 978-767-3913 or 781-592-0243 to reach the outreach team.
Help with hoarding issues
The North Shore Center for Hoarding & Cluttering at North Shore Elder Services is the leader in providing a support system for those who are feeling overwhelmed by the stuff in their life. Many of us periodically reach a point where we need to simplify, organize and declutter. Sometimes we cannot do it alone and need some help in meeting this challenge; thats when the North Shore Center for Hoarding & Cluttering can offer assistance.
If you or someone you know might benefit from any of the professional services NSCHC can offer, call 978-750-4540 and ask for Information Services to make a referral. There are no geographic or age restrictions for participating in any of the services.
NSCHC is located at North Shore Elder Services, 300 Rosewood Ave., Suite 200, in Danvers. For more information, please contact Marnie McDonald, LCSW at (978) 624-2207 or mmcdonald@nselder.org
Community CPR programs
Beverly Hospital is offering several American Heart Association CPR courses designed for non-medical personnel and teach the skills and techniques used in adult, infant and child CPR. This course also covers choking in adult and children, and the use of protection devices for mouth-to-mouth breathing. This course is appropriate for anyone wishing to learn lifesaving CPR skills.
The cost of the course is $50 and includes the American Heart Association Heart Saver Student Workbooks. At the completion of the course you will receive an American Heart Association Heart Saver course completion card; this card signifies that you have successfully completed the CPR program.
The classes will run from 6-9 p.m. and are subject to cancellation due to low registration. The cost of the course is $50 and includes the textbook. To register or for further information , please contact Kim Regan at 978-922-3000, ext. 3436.
Suicide Survivor Support Group
SAFE PLACE, a peer-run suicide survivor support group is held for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. The support group is sponsored by the Samaritans of Merrimack Valley of Lawrence.
Friends are welcome to attend the free support group that meets at St. Johns Episcopal Church, 705 Hale St., Beverly Farms on the first and third Thursday of each month, from 7-8:30 p.m. There is no fee. Preregistration is not required.
For further information, please call Debbie Helms at 978-327-6671.
Prostate Cancer Support Group
The Beverly Hospital Prostate Cancer Support Group meets on the third Thursday of each month, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, located on the campus of Beverly Hospital. This free group meets in the Garden Room, located on the first floor.
Preregistration is not required, those wishing further information may call the Community Relations Department at Beverly Hospital 978-283-4000, ext. 585.
Grief recovery
G.R.A.S.P. Grief Recovery after a Substance Passing a support group for families or individuals who have lost a loved as a result of substance use or addiction, meets on the first Thursday of every month, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Highland Hall inside the auditorium at Salem Hospital. For more information, call 781-593-5224 or 978-354-2660 or online at http://www.grasphelp.org.
Young Moms Childbirth Preparation Series
The CYM Childbirth Preparation Series is specifically for teens and young women. This seven-week series follows the Healthy Pregnancy workshop. This series prepares young women and their support people for labor and delivery. The class meets one evening a week for seven weeks. There is no fee; preregistration is required by calling 978-922-3000, extension 2720.
Helping seniors stay healthy
This winter as the rate of senior hospitalization typically reaches its highest point of the year the Home Instead Senior Care, serving Danvers and surrounding areas, has committed to reducing area hospitalizations through the launch of a new informational campaign aimed at educating families how to help aging loved ones remain healthy at home year-round.
There are many things families can do to help keep their senior loved ones out of the hospital. In fact, in a new study of nurses who work primarily with seniors, 99 percent say that the role families play in keeping seniors out of the hospital is just as important as the role of the medical community.
From monitoring their taking of prescribed medications for chronic conditions to attending doctors visits and checking in to ensure doctors instructions are followed, their role as a medical advocate is critical.
To help family members identify and act on potential warning signs, Home Instead is offering Five Ways to Prevent Senior Hospitalizations guide, developed in partnership with Dr. Carolyn Clevenger, incoming president of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association.
This free resource includes information about common risk factors and the steps that families can take to help ensure a healthy lifestyle. Additional free family resources can be found at http://www.preventseniorhospitalizations.com. To obtain a copy of the guide or to learn more about how you can help keep your senior loved one out of the hospital this winter, please call 978-725-5995.
Surgical Weight Loss info sessions
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center is pleased to bring Surgical Weight Loss services to Lahey Outpatient Center, Danvers. While the actual surgery will be performed in Burlington, patients will now have the convenience of receiving preoperative and postoperative care close to home.
Surgical Weight Loss offers a multi-disciplinary team approach for treating obesity through a combination of surgery, behavioral health, and nutrition. This multi-disciplinary approach is the key to successful long-term weight loss and well-being.
As part of the offerings, free monthly bariatric information sessions are held at Lahey Outpatient Center, Danvers. These sessions are open to patients and the community, and are facilitated by surgeons and nurse practitioners of the program.
Patients who typically qualify for surgical weight-loss include those with a body mass index greater than or equal to 40, and/or a body mass index between 35 and 39 with at least one major medical co-morbidity, such as obstructive sleep apnea or hypoventilation syndrome, diabetes or hypertension.
Free upcoming Surgical Weight Loss info sessions are held 6:30-7:30 p.m. Please call 978-304-8020 for further information regarding upcoming programs.
Newly Bereaved Workshop
Held 5-7 p.m. first Thursday of every month at the Bertolon Center forGrief & Healing, 78 Liberty St., Danvers.The group is for those who have lost someone within the last three months.To sign up or forinformation: 855-774-5100; grief@caredimensions.org.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
Held 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.second Thursday each month at the Beverly Senior Center, 90 Colon St. Group meets once a month at the Senior Center. Come meet other grandparents like you, get support, learn helpful informationand have some fun. Walk-ins are welcome. Held in the Meeting Room.For information: 978-921-6017.
Nar-Anon Support group
Held 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Salvation Army building, 93 North St., Salem. Affected by someone elses addiction? Nar-anon offers Hope. Nar-Anon is a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone elses Addiction. As a twelve-step program, Nar-Anon offers help by sharing experience, strength and hope. Meetings are open to family and friends of addicts in the North Shore area. Meetings will continue as long as they are needed by the community. There is parking in the rear of the building via Mason Street. All meetings are free, non denominational, all are invited.
Caregiver Support Group
Held 10-11:30 a.m. thesecond Tuesday of each month at the Beverly Senior Center, 90 Colon St.Come participate with other caregivers in confidential discussions about the difficulties and joys of caregiving for a loved one. The support of others who understand and have similar experiences can be exactly what you need. Held in the Conference Room. Sign upin advance. For information:978-921-6017.
Gloucester Stroke Club
Held 10:30-11:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month atAddison Gilbert Hospital, Longan Room,298 Washington St.,Gloucester.Support groups are a great way to meet each other, stroke survivors or caregivers who understand what you are going through. The club will offer members various activities such as arts and crafts, gentle exercise, and health demonstrations - such as massage, blood pressure checks and other social activities.
Peer and Recovery Support Group
Held 7-8:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month in the doctors conference room at Beverly Hospital, 85 Herrick St., Beverly. These support groups are for family and friends of those dealing with mental health challenges and also for peers in recovery and meet the last Wednesday of each month. For information: 617-984-0504; csadkowski@yahoo.com; namigreaternorthshore.org.
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Greater Beverly health news and support groups - News - Wicked Local Bellingham
The Surprising High-Performance Habit That Entrepreneurs Can Use to Survive (and Thrive) During Any Crisis – The Advocate
Photo: 10'000 Hours | Getty Images
The Surprising High-Performance Habit That Entrepreneurs Can Use to Survive (and Thrive) During Any Crisis
Contact tracing. Stay home. Alone together. The new normal. Social distancing. Essential vs. non-essential business. Months ago, these words were nonexistent.
In one of the rare moments in human history, all 7.8 billion people on Earth share the commonality of being affected by the current crisis in some form or manner.
While it's easy to get emotionally lost due to the overwhelming amounts of information, you must remind yourself that this isn't your first time around the rodeo as far as dealing with uncertainty and situations that can appear overwhelming.
The very nature of being an entrepreneur entails periods of uncertainty, stress, and chaotic scenarios. Those very things require you to forge adaptability into your DNA.
Related:Top 5Crisis-Response Steps for Entrepreneurs
Since the beginning of time, crisis and challenging circumstances have been a companion and staple to the human experience.
If we weren't strong enough, we wouldn't be here right now. I wouldn't be writing this column, nor would you be reading this column. The very fact that we are here is proof that we're strong enough for the current crisis and any other challenging situation that will arise in the future. Only the strong survive as far as our genes go. That iswhat gets carried on throughout time and lineages.
Before this crisis, there was another. A few years from now, something else will most likely make its way into the forefront to become the latest crisis. Not to marginalize the fact by any means, because no matter the crisis, your business and health (physically, mentally, and emotionally) are at risk.
Therefore, before doing anything else, incorporate this critical high-performance habit so you can survive (and thrive) during any crisis that comes your way.
As someone who works with high-performing entrepreneurs, in times of stress and crisis, entrepreneurs often commit the critical mistake of forgetting to put their oxygen mask on first. With so much going on, they forget to prioritize their health and well being because they have this inclination to put the various fires out expediently.
For the sake of your mental, emotional, and (long term) business health, reflect before you react. Prepare before panicking.
The more urgent and chaotic it feels, the more critical it is for you to slow down and remove the emotional stenches that will cloud your decision making.
Related:3 Steps Effective Leaders Take When Dealing WithCrisis
For top performance, the majority of the work revolves around inquiry, not decision making. Doing preliminary work is non-negotiable. If you don't take the time to slow down with your health and business, you can run the risk of spending time and money not only on plans that are doomed to fail, but also time and money reacting to symptoms that only place a Band-Aid on a gaping flesh wound.
Slowing down brings a plethora of benefits, but here's the biggest one.
When you escape the never-stop hustling, relentless action, and operating from a reactive standpointyou finally have the time and space to have different and more in-depth conversations and insights with yourself.
Slowing down brings precision to chaos and uncertainty. Slowing down helps you see information, patterns, and issues previously overlooked, unclear, or simply thrown to the sidelines.
We've seen rapid weight loss, and entrepreneurs generate substantial revenue in short periods. But we've also seen both scenarios disappear rapidly due to both having a foundation built on quicksand.
Staying the course and continuing to build with the long term in mind while avoiding the "trends" of the moment leads to more significant (and sustainable) long term profits and efficiency.
Related:One CEO's Tips for Communicating During aCrisis
A study appearing in the Harvard Business Review was conducted with the Economist Intelligence Unit on 343 businesses around organizational speed and the need to slow down.
Inside the study, "the companies that embraced initiatives and chose to go, go, go to try to gain an edge ended up with lower sales and operating profits than those that paused at key moments to make sure they were on the right track. What's more, the firms that 'slowed down to speed up' improved their top and bottom lines, averaging 40% higher sales and 52% higher operating profits over a three-year period."
When an unexpected crisis or challenging situation knocks at your door, before leaping into action, pause for a moment so you can understand your opponent.
The first step, whether it's with your health or business, is to conduct a reality check to see where you stand. Think of this as an audit.
For example, with the current pandemic, think about your business goal and then objectively ask yourself, "Is accomplishing my goal still a possibility?"
If it's still a possibility, maybe the strategy needs a tweaking along with your habits and infrastructure. Or perhaps your goal is torn to shreds, and a new goal is necessary.
No matter which scenario, slowing down allows you to make a plan that's congruent with your long term vision.
If your health and weight are in a tight spot, consider getting some lab work done to see where you stand not only from a physical standpoint but also from a cognitive perspective.
Amid challenging circumstances, if you slow down and do preliminary work such as assembling various data and insights before heading into actionyou'll gain much more clarity as to what's going on inside your body (and business). With more clarity, you'll be able to craft a much more precise plan strictly tailored to your unique biology (and business).
Related:5 Differences Between Great Entrepreneurs of the 2010s vs. 2020sDon't Knock the Cameo Hustle7 Lawsuits to Watch Out For Right Now
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The Surprising High-Performance Habit That Entrepreneurs Can Use to Survive (and Thrive) During Any Crisis - The Advocate
2 Healthcare Stocks At High Risk Of A Writedown – The Motley Fool
When a company makes an acquisition, the premium it pays over the acquired company's book value is called goodwill, and counts toward the acquirer's total assets. In times of duress, however, goodwill can suffer dramatic writedowns as the acquired businesses suffer material declines in their cash flows to lose their business values.
Let's take a look at two companies that arguably closed acquisitions with poor timing due to the effects of the coronavirus, and why it's best to avoid their stocks.
Image Source: Getty Images.
Last March, Tivity Health (NASDAQ:TVTY), a leading provider of fitness, nutrition, and social connection solutions, completed a leveraged acquisition of nutrition giant Nutrisystem for over $1.3 billion in cash and stock. In hindsight, the timing of the deal could not be worse, as a looming recession has caused Tivity to write down more than $199.5 million worth of goodwill from all nutrition brands operating under its umbrella. Unfortunately, the worst may be yet to come.
In the final year before the acquisition took place, Nutrisystem recognized $691 million in revenue at the cost of spending $203 million in marketing alone (without accounting for sales, general, and administrative expenses). The considerable marketing cost here implies the consumer bounce rate for the product is rather high, and the business must rely heavily on sales and marketing for new customer acquisition, which poses a significant problem. When one in five Americans is unemployed, it is hard to argue that the convenience of home delivery will outweigh that of families and individuals cutting off discretionary spending to save cash.
During the last recession, Nutrisystem's revenue declined by $400 million, or more than 50% over six years starting from 2007. It was not until 2014 that the company's revenue begin to tick up again, illustrating the severe risk of doing business in the nutritional weight loss sector.
Meanwhile, Nutrisystem's book value accounts for a vast majority of Tivity Health's $535 million in goodwill, which accounts for a significant portion of the company's $1.468 billion in assets. When evaluated against Tivity's $1.087 billion in long term debt (from the Nutrisystem acquisition), and other liabilities, what's left of equity for shareholders only amounts to about $7.642 million. If we were to take away the goodwill amount, Tivity would see a massive shareholder deficit.
To make matters worse, the company only has about $83 million in cash on its balance sheet to offset all its liabilities. Tivity also recently announced it would seek strategic alternatives for its nutrition business, which saw a 7% decline in revenue year over year. Also, COVID-19 has caused gym closures across the nation and has negatively affected the company's core Prime segment.
More goodwill writedowns may be on the table for Tivity, and it's hazardous to know the company's liabilities will far outweigh its assets. At a minimum, healthcare investorsshould wait until the company gives its guidance for 2020 (which was pulled during the first quarter) before buying the stock.
Next up is a company which went heavily into debt to acquire assets a few years back, but is feeling the ripples of what happens when the deal goes wrong.
Since 2012, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, now Bausch Health Companies (NYSE:BHC) made a series of leveraged acquisitions amounting to well over $22.2 billion. These acquisitions include $8.6 billion for eye care company Bausch and Lomb, $11 billion for gastrointestinal healthcare company Saliq, $2.6 billion for Medicis Pharmaceuticals' dermatology portfolio, and many more.
To say the company overpaid for some of these companies is an understatement. Currently, Bausch Health has about $24.4 billion in long-term debt on its balance sheet, compared to only $790 million worth of shareholder's equity. However, if we were to take away the $13.034 billion in goodwill away from its total assets, then Bausch Health would be operating at a considerable shareholder's deficit.
Goodwill items are not real assets like a manufacturing plant or the value of a brand, per se. Instead, the value of goodwill (in case you forgot) represents the premium an acquiring company paid over an acquisition target's net book value, and can face massive writedowns if the underlying business goes bad.
Recently, Bausch Health's vision care segment saw its revenue go flat year over year as COVID-19 placed countries around the world into lockdowns, forcing many retail stores carrying its products (such as contact lenses) to close. It was hit hard in Asia, which accounted for nearly 50% of the segment's sales.
Also, both its diversified portfolios as well as its derm and dentistry segments witnessed 9% and 4% revenue declines, respectively, compared to last year. Salix was the only segment that grew its sales, which amounted to 7% year over year.
In all, Bausch Health reinvests a tiny fraction -- just over 6% -- of its revenue into research and development expenses, which is far below that of its peers. Meanwhile, almost 20% of the company's sales goes to paying back its interest expenses alone (never mind its debt principal).
Unfortunately, there isn't anything to protect what's left of shareholders' equity in the event of more material business consequences due to COVID-19. I would highly recommend investors stay away from the stock due to the company's crippling debt situation.
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2 Healthcare Stocks At High Risk Of A Writedown - The Motley Fool
Intermittent fasting is one more tool in weight-loss toolbox – Lewiston Sun Journal
DEAR DR. ROACH: My adult son has lost over 100 pounds on an intermittent fasting diet (16 hours fasting per day) and now wants to continue fasting in the morning and just eat a heavier lunch and dinner to maintain his new weight. I am not sure that this kind of long-term fasting is good for his health. For his meals, he eats anything he wants and counts his calories. I have told him that it is better for his health if he eats more of a Mediterranean-style diet, which would include a plate made up of mostly vegetables, a small amount of meat, grains and some good fats. Could you advise us what you think is a good way to maintain weight loss after being on an intermittent fasting diet? G.B.
ANSWER: Most of the studies on intermittent fasting use an alternate-day approach, where a person takes in very little food (25% of needs) on fast days and more (125%) on the intermittent feast day. The studies show effective weight loss, similar to those put on a calorie-restricted diet. There arent as many data on a 16-hour daily fast.
My experience is that intermittent fasting is an effective strategy for some people in whom other strategies have been unhelpful. One of my colleagues, an expert in weight loss, calls intermittent fasting another tool in her box.
While I agree with you that a Mediterranean-style diet has many health benefits, your son has had success with his fasting strategy. I have seen over and over again people having success with their plan (whatever that plan might be), only to go back to their old dietary habits and have the weight come back on. I would recommend he continue with the intermittent fasting, continuing to count calories, but to try to make sure what he does eat is as healthy as possible.
DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, a reader was concerned about his enlarged prostate and possible UTI. You wrote that he may possibly benefit from changing the pH of his urine, but you did not specify which way. It implied that acidic urine could be a problem. However, doesnt the drug Hiprex given for recurring UTIs help prevent infections by making the urine acidic? J.B.
ANSWER: Methenamine (Hiprex) is converted in an acidic environment (a pH below 5.5) to ammonia and formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is not an antibiotic, but does have general bacteria-killing effects. Hiprex also contains two organic acids, hippuric acid and mandelic acid, which help keep the urine pH low so the drug will work. Other physicians prescribe vitamin C in addition to help ensure an acidic urine.
So, its not the acidic urine that kills the bacteria with methenamine, its that the drug is converted to bacteria-killing formaldehyde in the acidic urine. Most bacteria are relatively resistant to the acidic pH changes that are possible in the urine.
Methenamine is not an oft-used treatment. The antibacterial effect of the formaldehyde is weak compared with antibiotics. You are correct that it is most commonly used to prevent infections rather than to treat them. I have given it in women who have had allergies to multiple antibiotics.
* * *
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to [emailprotected] or send mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.
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Intermittent fasting is one more tool in weight-loss toolbox - Lewiston Sun Journal
Gemma Collins smiles as she shows off her three stone weight loss after James Argent admitted she saved his – The Irish Sun
GEMMA Collins was all smiles as she showed off her three stone weight loss after on/ off boyfriend James Argent revealed that she'd saved his life.
The 39-year-old star wowed her followers as she posed in a floral sundress from her clothing range, with her trim figure on display.
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In the snap, Gemma is wearing a red patterned tea dress with frill detailing on the sleeves.
She has her long blonde loose and styled over one shoulder, and is beaming as she stares off into the distance.
The former Towie star has one hand on her hip, drawing attention to her slimmed-down waist after her success at shedding the pounds.
She managed to overhaul her image by ditching takeaways and focusing on cooking healthy meals from scratch.
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The GC previously told fans: "Ive been concentrating solely on my health recently and feel so much better because I have had TIME!!!!! Yes TIME !!! to focus on it.
"No eating out and having to cook from scratch. I do have Saturdays off to have whatever I want however use the next 3 weeks wisely, keep a positive mindset try and stick to routine in the week I find it helps."
Last year, Gemma revealed she'd gradually lost over three stone and aimed to lose a further three to bring her down to a size 16.
She put the weight loss down to beginning training for Dancing on Ice combined with a healthier diet.
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Last week, The Sun revealed that Arg had suffered two near-fatal overdoses at home due to a crippling cocaine addiction.
Both times, Gemma was the one to call emergency services who kicked his door down and saved his life - with Arg admitting that he fears what could have happened had she not been there to help.
The 32-year-old star also admitted that he "hated" his long-term partner at the height of his addiction, and that she struggled the most out of all of his loved ones.
He said in an emotional appearance on This Morning: "I really feel for Gemma because she has had to go through so much.
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"When I was deep in my addiction I would hate her.
"I would say, 'why are you telling my family, why are you telling me friends, why are you tellig the bosses of the TV shows? You're going to ruin my career.'
"But she refused to cover up for me. She refused to lie for me, she would never cover up or enable to continue in my addiction.
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"At the time I hated her for that because I almost wanted to get away with it and do what I wanted.
"She gave me some tough love for sure. She was hard on me. Thank god she was because if it wasn't for Gemma calling the ambulances to my house, who knows what could have happened.
After a ten-week stint in rehab, Arg is now five months sober and has also lost five stone.
Excerpt from:
Gemma Collins smiles as she shows off her three stone weight loss after James Argent admitted she saved his - The Irish Sun
Waist Trainers For Weight Loss: 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying One – International Business Times
High-compression shaping garments also known aswaist trainers are worn around the midriff and are believed to slim down peoples waistlines instantly and help them achieve their fitness goals. They stimulate heat in the core region and make people sweat more even without having to indulge in any sort of physical activity.
It is a type of undergarment made with thick fabric and hard metal bonding secured with a lacing system comprising of hooks or Velcro. They are basically corsets with a modern twist, said Healthline.
Can a waist trainer transform your figure?
Apparently not!While it can give you instant transformation, you need to train your waist to maintain the desired "hourglass shape."The Americal Board of Cosmetic Surgery Blog opined that a waist trainer cannot change anyones body shape and that it is highly unlikely to get any lasting effects.
While wearing a shaping garment every now and then probably wont do any harm, long-term waist training is simply an ineffective way to slim down. It will do nothing to change your body proportions, and it can lead to many health problems, said the blog.
There is no evidence to support the idea that a waist trainer can help mold your body into a specific shape or achieve spot reduction or weight loss. But there are chances that it could lead to some pretty nasty side effects.
If you were to wear a waist trainer for long periods of time, depending on how tight, you will absolutely create medical problems, not just in reducing muscle and core strength, but in how it affects the internal organs,Dr. Roxann Engle, a family medicine physician and medical director ofUCI Health-Tustin told UCI Health.
Heres a list of ill effects of waist trainers you should know if you are considering to try one:
1. Back Pain
Wearing a waist trainer might gradually cause the muscles in your core to weaken, leading to back pain and poor posture. It could also cause overall physical weakness since it reduces lung capacity and pushes down your intestines.
2. Gastroespohageal reflux (GERD)
Wearing tight garments like corset or waist trainers can cause or worsen GERD symptoms. The pressure from the garment can cause the acid from the stomach to travel upwards and reach the esophagus. This could lead to heartburn and unwanted stress on internal organs.
3. Skin irritation
Wearing it for a long period can result in chafing and discomfort. Some people could experience itching due to the sweat and generated heat while wearing a waist trainer.
4. Breathing difficulty
The garment could put a lot of pressure and unnecessary tightness which can make it harder for people to breathe. Sometimes, it can also make people pass out. When worn while sleeping it can lead to oxygen deprivation which can impair your internal organ functions.
5. Internal damage
Since it squeezes your midsection, it forces your internal organs such as the kidneys and liver into unnatural positions. This can affect the blood flow and impair the functions of these organs. In the longer run, this can lead to permanent organ damage and reduced muscle strength.
I survived a week of waist training ... and it was great for my posture. Photo: Amanda Remling/IBTimes
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Waist Trainers For Weight Loss: 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying One - International Business Times
The truth about ‘starvation mode’ when you’re trying to lose weight – Insider – INSIDER
When trying to lose weight, it's often suggested that you shouldn't drop your calories too low, because your body will go into "starvation mode" and hold on to fat.
The idea is that if you stop eating or don't eat enough, your body will do everything it can to preserve energy, including holding on to the weight you're trying to lose.
While the concept of avoiding crash dieting and severe restriction is important, it turns out "starvation mode" is probably not the reason your weight loss efforts have stalled, unless you're extremely malnourished.
In reality, there are many factors at play when people think they're in starvation mode and not losing fat as a result.
Insider spoke to a dietitian, a registered nutrionist, and two personal trainers and fat loss coaches to find out what's really happening, and what you need to do to achieve your weight loss goals in a healthy way.
Registered dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association Jennifer Low told Insider that starvation mode is "a survival mechanism."
"If you reduce your energy intake too much, your body slows its metabolism in response to this," she said. "It wants to maintain its weight."
Low explained that she has seen people following fairly extreme calorie reduction diets in a bid to lose weight, becoming lethargic and exhausted, growing frustrated with the scales, and then falling into the yo-yo dieting trap.
But a ccording to registered nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert, true starvation mode only occurs in cases of extreme malnourishment, such as when someone is suffering from an eating disorder.
"When the body is starved of calories or energy, your muscle mass then declines as well in turn," she told Insider.
"And of course with the lower amount of muscle mass, your metabolic adaption is changed. So when your metabolic rate declines, you don't require as many calories and you stall any weight loss, your body is just trying to cling on to what it can in order to survive."
Lambert said starvation mode is a confusing term, because although it isn't a made-up concept, it's not something the vast majority of people are experiencing when their fat loss progress plateaus.
A post shared by RHIANNON LAMBERT BSc MSc RNutr (@rhitrition)Mar 15, 2020 at 1:33am PDT
"[Starvation mode] occurs in people that are severely, severely malnourished and that have burned all their fat away," she explained.
"Now they're burning away at the muscle, that tends to be the situation in which it's used."
Lambert said this is why you shouldn't try and lose more than two pounds of weight a week, as any more than that is "ineffective."
"Your body's very clever, it will adapt to a period of famine where it will preserve fat stores rather than burn them," she said.
"But like I said, for most of us, it's very, very unlikely we would be putting our body into that type of state. It's a very, very extreme situation."
The now infamous Minnesota Experiment makes this clear: It saw 36 male conscientious objectors during World War Two volunteer to take part in a semi-starvation study where their calories were dropped to around 1,800 for six months (following three months at 3,200 calories), and they were asked to expend 3,000 a day.
It wasn't until the men reached extreme levels of leanness with body fat levels of about 5% that they stopped losing weight, because they would have died if they lost any more.
Although starvation mode is real, it's not something the average person encounters when trying to lose weight. You don't go into starvation mode from, say, skipping a meal, fasting for 24 hours, or just dropping your calories a bit too low for a few days.
Fat loss coach and personal trainer Jordan Syatt describes the concept of starvation mode as "completely and utterly stupid" when it comes to most people's weight loss efforts, adding: "That is not how the body works."
Syatt maintains that eating too little certainly is not advisable, but he told Insider that you only need to look at people throughout history who have been severely underfed due to awful conditions to prove that the concept, as most people think it works, doesn't make sense.
"There's never been a prisoner of war who came out of being a prisoner overweight," Syatt said.
While Syatt stressed that it's important not to under-eat in order to maintain a healthy plan you can stick to, he added that for most people, they won't start holding on to fat because they're eating too little.
Jordan Syatt is a personal trainer and fat loss coach. Jordan Syatt
Personal trainer and fat loss coach Emma Storey-Gordon, who holds a degree in sports and exercise science,echoed Syatt's sentiment.
"The starvation mode myth is essentially the notion that you can eat too little to lose weight, meaning you would have to magically store calories you haven't consumed," she told Insider.
"On a physiological level this simply isn't true. The crudest example is that if starvation mode did occur then no one would starve."
To lose weight you need to be in an energy deficit (ie. consuming fewer calories than you burn over the course of the day).
As you lose weight, there's less of you, so you require fewer calories, a concept referred to as metabolic adaptation.
"As you go deeper into a deficit, your metabolism will slow down. That's a normal human response to a caloric deficit," Syatt explained.
A post shared by Jordan Syatt (@syattfitness)Apr 14, 2020 at 3:21pm PDT
Studies prove this point and show that it works in reverse, too; when you start to eat more, your metabolism gets a boost, but if you're in a calorie surplus instead of a deficit, you could still gain weight.
"People hear that your metabolism goes down from being in a calorie deficit and they think that must mean you should never go into a calorie deficit," said Syatt.
"Well, that's not true. If you want to lose fat, you have to be in a calorie deficit. If you're eating in a calorie surplus, even though your metabolism is higher, you're still in a surplus, so you're still going to gain body fat."
If you want to lose fat sustainably, your calorie deficit needs to be small enough that you can stick to it and still enjoy your lifestyle.
If you restrict yourself and drop your calories too low for five days, the chances are every weekend you'll feel the need to go wild. In just a couple of weekend blowout meals (especially with drinks), it's very easy to undo the calorie deficit you created in the five days leading up to it.
If you're not losing weight when you're sticking to your strict calorie target most days, these binge sessions could be the reason.
"I have a lot of clients coming to me saying they are not losing weight despite being on very low (always seems to be 1,200) calories," Storey-Gordon told Insider.
Emma Storey-Gordon is a sports scientist and personal trainer. Emma Storey-Gordon
"What is actually happening is that they are over-restricting so much that they inevitably end up over-indulging and eating way over their calories every few days, which means that on average, over time, they are not in a deficit and thus are not losing body fat."
She added: "The answer here isn't to try to avoid the over-indulgence, which is where most people focus, but to stop the over-restriction.
"Bringing calories up to something manageable means that you can actually stick to those calories, create an energy deficit over time, and force the body to use its fat stores for energy. That is how you lose fat!"
Syatt agreed, stressing that eating too little is unsustainable in the long-term, precisely because it drives overeating episodes.
"If you take a more sustainable approach, it's significantly better long-term physiologically and psychologically as well," he said.
Syatt told Insider another way people go wrong is by equating the number on the scale their weight with their body fat.
In reality, your weight will fluctuate massively depending on when you last ate, what you ate (salty foods, for example, cause water retention), and other factors, including where a woman is in her menstrual cycle.
"If you associate your weight with body fat, when the scale spikes up, you think you must be gaining weight too," Syatt explained.
"When the scale doesn't change, you think your calorie deficit must not be working. You [think you] must be in starvation mode."
Syatt said this leads to people giving up, when actually if they'd just remained consistent, the scale would have dropped back down again in a few days.
Storey-Gordon said one thing people don't realize when they're in an energy deficit is that they're naturally moving less over the course of the day, known as adaptive thermogenesis. This can lead to burning fewer calories, and therefore not losing as much weight.
"What people may not notice is the reduced energy expenditure," she said. "This is via things like reducing NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis), which is a fancy way of saying how active you are."
NEAT is essentially movement you do that isn't formal exercise, such as walking up stairs, cleaning, or carrying shopping. When you have less energy due to eating less, it's normal to move less subconsciously.
Numerous studies have proven that adaptive thermogenesis is real, so when you think your body has entered starvation mode, it could actually just be that you're moving less without realizing.
"You also become more efficient and expend less energy doing the same activity," Storey-Gordon said.
"As you lose weight and become a smaller person, your resting metabolic rate drops (the calories you expend just lying in bed), and you require fewer calories."
A comprehensive review of 90 studies found that the quicker you lose weight (a two to six week diet or "cut" compared to a longer time spent in a smaller calorie deficit), the more your metabolic rate will drop.
It's also worth bearing in mind that your progress will likely slow the further you get down your fat loss journey.
"It is important to know that your metabolism does drop from being in a calorie deficit, but it's not inherently bad," Syatt told Insider.
"It's just a normal human physiological response that as you're losing weight, your body requires less energy in order to live. So your metabolism drops, you're burning less, you're using less energy.
"That's just normal in the same way that when you're gaining weight, your metabolism is increasing, but you don't want to add calories, you don't want to eat more just to increase your metabolism because you'll end up gaining weight."
Metabolic adaptation isn't a problem to be "fixed," it's just what happens.
A post shared by ESG (@esgfitness)Mar 22, 2020 at 12:38pm PDT
However, you can keep your metabolism as high as possible by focusing on strength work and making sure you eat enough protein.
"Resistance training to build and maintain muscle mass and adequate protein consumption can help offset some metabolic adaptation," Storey-Gordon advised.
An often-cited study compared three groups of people who were all put in a calorie deficit. One group was told to resistance train, the second to do cardio, and the third to do no exercise.
People in the resistance training group were found to maintain their metabolic rate, strength, and muscle, unlike those in the other two groups.
Equally, research suggests that eating adequate protein can help keep your metabolism up when in a calorie deficit.
"In general, long-term fat loss is about creating good habits like exercising, being active, and eating a balanced diet in accordance to your energy needs," Storey-Gordon said.
The key is to think long-term.
Dietitian Low advises listening to your body to work out what healthy means to you.
"If you're restricting your food intake, you may be slowing your metabolism, making social eating more difficult and setting yourself up for a lifetime of weight yo-yo-ing," she said.
"Also remember, it is not normal for us to all be aspiring to be a size 6!"
Read more:
5 crucial exercise lessons I learned when I cut my body fat nearly in half in 6 months without losing my muscle
I want to lose fat and get defined abs but have no fitness equipment. How should I exercise from home for weight loss?
I lost 35 pounds in 6 months without going on a diet, and it taught me 7 lessons about eating for healthy fat loss
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The truth about 'starvation mode' when you're trying to lose weight - Insider - INSIDER
Intermittent fasting is one more tool in weight-loss toolbox – Clinton Herald
DEAR DR. ROACH: My adult son has lost over 100 pounds on an intermittent fasting diet (16 hours fasting per day) and now wants to continue fasting in the morning and just eat a heavier lunch and dinner to maintain his new weight. I am not sure that this kind of long-term fasting is good for his health. For his meals, he eats anything he wants and counts his calories. I have told him that it is better for his health if he eats more of a Mediterranean-style diet, which would include a plate made up of mostly vegetables, a small amount of meat, grains and some good fats. Could you advise us what you think is a good way to maintain weight loss after being on an intermittent fasting diet? G.B.
ANSWER: Most of the studies on intermittent fasting use an alternate-day approach, where a person takes in very little food (25% of needs) on fast days and more (125%) on the intermittent feast day. The studies show effective weight loss, similar to those put on a calorie-restricted diet. There arent as many data on a 16-hour daily fast.
My experience is that intermittent fasting is an effective strategy for some people in whom other strategies have been unhelpful. One of my colleagues, an expert in weight loss, calls intermittent fasting another tool in her box.
While I agree with you that a Mediterranean-style diet has many health benefits, your son has had success with his fasting strategy. I have seen over and over again people having success with their plan (whatever that plan might be), only to go back to their old dietary habits and have the weight come back on. I would recommend he continue with the intermittent fasting, continuing to count calories, but to try to make sure what he does eat is as healthy as possible.
DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, a reader was concerned about his enlarged prostate and possible UTI. You wrote that he may possibly benefit from changing the pH of his urine, but you did not specify which way. It implied that acidic urine could be a problem. However, doesnt the drug Hiprex given for recurring UTIs help prevent infections by making the urine acidic? J.B.
ANSWER: Methenamine (Hiprex) is converted in an acidic environment (a pH below 5.5) to ammonia and formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is not an antibiotic, but does have general bacteria-killing effects. Hiprex also contains two organic acids, hippuric acid and mandelic acid, which help keep the urine pH low so the drug will work. Other physicians prescribe vitamin C in addition to help ensure an acidic urine.
So, its not the acidic urine that kills the bacteria with methenamine, its that the drug is converted to bacteria-killing formaldehyde in the acidic urine. Most bacteria are relatively resistant to the acidic pH changes that are possible in the urine.
Methenamine is not an oft-used treatment. The antibacterial effect of the formaldehyde is weak compared with antibiotics. You are correct that it is most commonly used to prevent infections rather than to treat them. I have given it in women who have had allergies to multiple antibiotics.
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Intermittent fasting is one more tool in weight-loss toolbox - Clinton Herald
Rockets Rumors: Eric Gordon Has Lost 12 Pounds in Hope of Preventing Injuries – Bleacher Report
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordonreportedly has been putting in plenty of work while the NBA remains on hiatus.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Gordon has shed 12 pounds thanks to a combination of diet and sprints. The long-term benefits here may be the key to Houston's success. Iko notes Gordon is hoping by losing weight he'll be able to prevent further injuries to his knees.
The 31-year-old missed nearly six weeks followingarthroscopic surgery on his right kneeearlier this season. It's the second time his knee has needed surgery after having the same procedure done in 2011 with the then-New Orleans Hornets.
While it remains unclear if the NBA will return this season, Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni believes a healthy Gordon is vital to the team's title hopes.
"I think Eric Gordon's a big key for us," head coach Mike D'Antoni said on KHOU's SportsExtra last week, via Iko. "He has the potential to put us over the top."
Gordon is averaging 14.5 points per game this season through 35 contests while shooting 37 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from behind the arc.
With James Harden and Russell Westbrook handling most of the duties in the backcourt, Gordon provides a steady third option, especially as the team continues to focus on playing small-ball.
There haven't been many images of Gordon since the NBA went on hiatus so it remains to be seen just how much the weight loss will affect his play, if at all. As long as it helps keep him healthy, Houston shouldn't have too many issues with the experiment.
The Rockets entered the hiatus with a record of 40-24, slotting them firmly into sixth place in the Western Conference and only one game back of the Utah Jazz for the fourth-seed.
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Rockets Rumors: Eric Gordon Has Lost 12 Pounds in Hope of Preventing Injuries - Bleacher Report