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People With Restricted Diets More Likely To Feel Lonely – Doctor NDTV

Posted: December 25, 2019 at 11:45 am

Restricted diets are more likely to feel lonely when they can't share in what others are eating, researchers have found.

A recent study reveals that people with restricted diets are more likely to feel lonely

Holiday celebrations often revolve around eating, but people with restricted diets are more likely to feel lonely when they can't share in what others are eating, researchers have found.

Across seven studies and controlled experiments, the findings, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that food restrictions predicted loneliness among both children and adults.

"Despite being physically present with others, having a food restriction leaves people feeling left out because they are not able to take part in bonding over the meal," said study lead author Kaitlin Woolley," Assistant Professor at Cornell University in the US.

For example, in one experiment, assigning unrestricted individuals to experience a food restriction increased reported feelings of loneliness. That suggests such feelings are not driven by non-food issues or limited to picky eaters.

"We can strip that away and show that assigning someone to a restriction or not can have implications for their feeling of inclusion in the group meal," she said.

According to the researchers, further evidence came from a survey of observers of the Jewish holiday of Passover.

When reminded during the holiday of the leavened foods they couldn't enjoy with others, participants' loneliness increased.

Further evidence came from a survey of observers of the Jewish holiday of Passover. When reminded during the holiday of the leavened foods they couldn't enjoy with others, participants' loneliness increased.

Yet, within their own similarly restricted group, they felt a stronger bond. But when restricted from sharing in the meal, people suffer "food worries," said the researcher.

They fret about what they can eat and how others might judge them for not fitting in.

Those worries generated a degree of loneliness comparable to that reported by unmarried or low-income adults, and stronger than that experienced by school children who were not native English speakers, according to the research.

Compared with non-restricted individuals, having a restriction increased reported loneliness by 19 per cent. People felt lonelier regardless of how severe their restriction was, or whether their restriction was imposed or voluntary.

To date, Woolley said, children have been the primary focus of research on the effects of food restrictions.

A nationally representative survey she analysed from the Centers for Disease Control did not track the issue among adults.

But increasingly, Woolley said, food restrictions are being carried into adulthood, or adults are choosing restricted diets such as gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan for health or ethical reasons.

"Up to 30 per cent of all participants in the research deal with restrictions, Woolley said.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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People With Restricted Diets More Likely To Feel Lonely - Doctor NDTV

How to live longer: Adding this drink to your diet could increase your life expectancy – Express

Posted: December 25, 2019 at 11:45 am

Life longevity may seem beyond ones control, but many healthy habits may lead a person to reaching a ripe, old age. These include drinking coffee or tea, exercising, getting enough sleep and limiting alcohol intake. Taken together, these habits can boost a persons health and put them on the path to a long life. There is another healthy habit one should try and incorporate into their diet which is backed by science and promoted by health advocates. What is it?

Apple cider vinegar is the most popular type of vinegar in the natural health community.

It is claimed to lead to all sorts of benefits, many of which are supported by science.

Some of the benefits of apple cider vinegar include aiding in weight loss, reducing cholesterol, lowering blood sugar levels and improving symptoms of diabetes.

Adding apple cider vinegar into your diet could also help boost life longevity.

READ MORE: How to live longer: Best diet to increase life expectancy - foods to eat and avoid

Apple cider vinegar is made in a two-stop process, related to how alcohol is made. First the apples are crushed to yeast, which ferment the sugars and turns them into alcohol.

Secondly, bacteria is added to the alcohol solution, which further ferment the alcohol and turn it into acetic acid, the main active compound in vinegar.

Organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar also contains mother which are strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that give the produce its murky appearance.

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Some people believe that the mother is responsible for most of the health benefits, although there are currently no studies to support this.

Apple cider vinegar only contains about three calories per tablespoon, which is very low.

There are not many vitamins or minerals in it, but it does contain a small amount of potassium.

How can apple cider vinegar help to increase life expectancy?

Several risk factors of heart disease can be improved by apple vinegar consumption.

In a study with the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the dietary acetic acid in apple cider vinegar was analysed on animals.

The study found that consuming apple cider vinegar could help to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, along with several other heart disease risk factors.

Some health experts believe that apple cider vinegar contains anti-cancer effects. In another study, the effects of apple cider vinegar on cancer cells was analysed.

The study concluded that the vinegar can kill cancer cells and shrunk tumours. However, all of the studies were done in isolated class in test tubes, or rats, which proves nothing about what happens in a living, breathing human.

Apple cider vinegar is not a miracle or a cure-all product, however, the vinegar does clearly have some important health benefits and could aid in living a longer and healthier life.

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How to live longer: Adding this drink to your diet could increase your life expectancy - Express

Vegan diet carries risk of permanent numbness in hands and feet – The Irish Times

Posted: December 25, 2019 at 11:45 am

A vegan diet is generally healthy, low in cholesterol and protective of heart disease, but its followers must take vitamin B12 supplements or risk a condition that causes permanent numbness in their hands and feet, experts say.

Most people get their vitamin B12 from milk, but the plant-based substitutes do not have high enough levels to protect adults and children from peripheral neuropathy, which is irreversible.

Young festival-goers on a vegan diet may be at particular risk. Kids these days inhale laughing gas, said Tom Sanders, professor emeritus of nutrition and dietetics at Kings College London. That can actively cause vitamin D deficiency. There is a danger of young people going vegan, not having B12 and it could tip the balance to them getting a serious neuropathy.

It could easily be remedied by the manufacturers of plant-based milks, he said. Levels should be higher in plant milks than they are at the moment. If they were three times higher, there wouldnt be a problem.

Internet claims that vegans do not need extra B12 were not evidence-based, he said. Im concerned that many people think it is a myth, said Sanders. Gorillas eat a vegan diet, but B12 is produced in the colon and they probably dont wash their hands, he said, so end up ingesting it. The Jains in India eat a vegan diet, but, he said, all the Jain doctors I know have B12 injections.

Studies have shown that B12 levels in vegans are about a third of what is needed. Other aspects of the vegan diet are healthy but, said Sanders, B12 is the one thing we are concerned about. There is particular worry about children. In one case, a baby who was breastfed by a mother who was B12 deficient ended up with neuropathy.

Sanders and Tim Key, professor of epidemiology and deputy director of the Cancer Epidemiology unit at Oxford University, have both researched the health of those who eat a vegan diet for many years. Key is himself a vegan and takes vitamin B12 tablets regularly.

Key said there was limited data available. The Epic study based at Oxford follows about 2,000 people. Together with a study in California, there is data on about 10,000 people in total. Its not enough. We dont have precise estimates of long term health in vegans, said Key.

But what they have been able to observe so far is that people eating vegan diets tend not to be overweight if anything, some are very thin and may have problems in older age when weight loss becomes an issue. They have low rates of type 2 diabetes and diverticular disease of the colon. They have low cholesterol and low rates of heart disease and they may have lower cancer rates.

However, bone fractures are about 30 per cent higher as a result of lower bone density. That might have something to do with calcium and possibly even B12, said Key. They may also have higher rates of hemorrhagic stroke.

A vegan diet that is high in fruit and vegetables and pulses is likely to be healthy, but vegans can still overdo the biscuits, confectionery, cakes, chips and beer, said the scientists, and some meat substitutes, such as vegan sausages, are high in salt.

So far, there is no evidence that vegans live longer. There is no significant difference in total mortality between vegans and meat eaters, said Key. Guardian

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Vegan diet carries risk of permanent numbness in hands and feet - The Irish Times

Decade-End Special: Top Diet Trends That Gained Momentum In The Past Decade – NDTV News

Posted: December 25, 2019 at 11:44 am

Decade-end diet trends: Intermittent fasting is one of the most trendiest diets at the moment

Dieting has become synonymous with fad diets. Following a diet has become similar to fashion, with trends changing every year. Practitioners across the globe keep coming up with something 'new' every now and then; mostly promising to help you shed weight magically. Most of the fad diets promise quick weight loss (often without any emphasis on lifestyle changes and regular exercises) but have more to their flipside. Also, mostly these are not sustainable. Thanks to the internet, the fad diet trends easily go viral very quickly. Let's that a look at some of the diet trends of the last decade.

These diets involve consuming only juices of fruits and vegetables and claim to detoxify the body. These diets are typically very low in protein and can lead to temporary weight loss in the form of muscle loss. These are not sustainable and are accompanied by increased risk of infections and diarrhoea. Also, these diets are not suitable for certain conditions like diabetes, kidney diseases, pregnancy etc.

Juice cleanse or juice detox diets gained popularity the past decadePhoto Credit: iStock

Also read:Full Body Detox: Try These 2 Simple, Inexpensive And Easy Ways To Naturally Detox Your Body

This high-protein, low-carb diet is a favourite with weight watchers as it produces easy weight loss in a lot of people; also the protein keeps you satiated. Atkins diet is not new; it dates back to the 1960s. Most fad diets quickly lose popularity but Atkins seems to remain popular. It can produce side effects like headache, dizziness, constipation due to low carbohydrate content. It is also not suitable for certain conditions like kidney stones, kidney disorders etc. Usually such diets are predominantly animal food based and high in cholesterol.

A paleo diet is a cavemen's diet, typically consists of lean meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, food in ancient times collected by hunting & gathering. Though it helps cut out processed food, it also omits important food groups like beans, legumes and grains.

This diet has caught the fancy of many weight watchers. People have started believing that going gluten free is the one-stop solution to all their health problems. My take is you must avoid gluten only if you genuinely are sensitive or allergic to gluten. One of the side effects of going gluten free can be constipation since such diets are typically low in fibre. Though, if well planned, gluten free diets can be balanced and nutritious.

Many opted for gluten-free diet for weight lossPhoto Credit: iStock

Also read:Should You Try Gluten-Free Diet Or Not?

Vegan diet can be considered extreme simply because these exclude a number of food groups, some of which are actually healthy. A vegan diet excludes any food items which come from animal sources like dairy, eggs, poultry, fish, and meats. It includes fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds and grains all of which are healthy but still doesn't exclude some highly processed foods items. Also, vegans run a risk of nutritional deficiencies as these diets are typically low in Vitamin B12 & Vitamin D.

These diets considered to be a quick way to lose weight, have many short term and long term side effects. Short term side effects include excessive thirst, frequent urination, confusion, anxiety, tachycardia, shakiness, headaches and constipation. The long term side effects include higher cholesterol levels, kidney stones, increased risk of bone fractures and stunted growth in children.

This is one of the trendiest diets at the moment but not without its share of side effects. The starvation in the morning can eventually slow down metabolism, the long gaps can create an acidic environment which makes the body susceptible to many health problems. You may also feel lethargic, irritable, dehydrated and blood glucose levels can drop too. Though there are lots of people including some famous ones who swear by it and are raving about the transformation it has brought into their lives, yet it doesn't suit everyone.

Intermittent fasting is one of the most popular diet trends at the momentPhoto Credit: iStock

Also read: 10 Tips To Make Intermittent Fasting Work For You

To sum it up, no fad diet can beat the benefits of our traditional balanced meals which have been curated to provide balanced and adequate nutrition. Not all fad diets need be written off completely. Some of them can be used carefully on a short-term or long-term basis but remember, 'one size doesn't fit all. It's extremely important to listen to your body and be guided by biological cues. Diet plans need to be individualised to meet each individual's needs.

(Pooja Malhotra is a nutritionist based in Delhi)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

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Decade-End Special: Top Diet Trends That Gained Momentum In The Past Decade - NDTV News

Dad Motivated To Lose Weight After Feeling Disappointed On A Hiking Trip With Kids – Moms

Posted: December 25, 2019 at 11:44 am

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Ouch! Pain management for your pets | Off The Leash – Rutland Herald

Posted: December 25, 2019 at 11:44 am

I am throwing out articles about euthanasia, and now pain in December? What kind of holiday spirit is this? The truth is that talking about pain warms my heart for one reason I can do a lot to help it. Pain is sorely (see what I did there?) underdiagnosed in our pets because they arent whiny enough. I cant even count the number of times Ive heard that a pet is limping, but not painful. If your pet is limping it is BECAUSE they are painful.

Often during a physical exam, I will find an area of a pet that is painful which owners were not even aware of. However, when we talk about changes at home, owners have noticed things that may actually be related to pain. Reluctance to jump or go on walks, snapping in certain situations and other changes can be due to pain. The important thing to know is that if your pet is limping at any point, that is due to pain. I promise. Once we figure out a treatment plan that works, we can return pets to comfort and people are always surprised at how lively and happy they are.

I am not telling you this to sell you drugs or because the pharmaceutical companies bought me yachts. Plenty of you arent my clients and I dont even have a kayak. I am telling you this because I know what chronic pain feels like, and I know how much it can affect your daily life. If you have ever had an ongoing injury or chronic pain, you know that it isnt an occasional thing, it touches many aspects of life.

If your animal has a severe and acute injury (like a broken leg), you will certainly know that they are hurt. However, there are many types of pain that dont show up as quickly. Think of a sore knee that you dont think to see a doctor about, but you find that you are taking aspirin every day. Our animals do not have the benefit of knowing how much pain is too much, and often will try to hide the pain completely until it is severe. They will literally just limp through things. A lot of this is leftover instinct to survive, and cats are especially adept at keeping their pain a secret.

As our pets age, they also get osteoarthritis. It is estimated that about 20% of pets start developing arthritis, and it may begin as early as one year of age! Extremely active lifestyles (such as frisbee, agility or intense fetch), injuries and the natural conformation of your pet can all hasten this. Back pain is extremely common and does not lead to limping in the same way that a hurt leg can, so can be harder for owners to detect.

Pain in cats commonly presents as not wanting to go to the litter box, constipation, and less jumping up to high places. As back pain progresses, posturing to go to the bathroom becomes painful, so many cats try to go less (which can also lead to eating and drinking less). They may also associate this pain with the litter box, since that is when they feel it the most, and start avoiding the litter box completely. Youll notice this for sure.

Pain in dogs is also commonly very slow to catch the owners attention. Dogs will accommodate their lifestyle much in the way that people do, so you may not notice a sudden change. However, chronic pain does take a serious toll on our pets. I will see dogs limping that owners dont think to have any pain, because they still want to walk or play. I still snowboard, but it doesnt mean it doesnt increase my pain. However, this is a choice I make, while our pets dont get those choices. It is our job to look out for their best interest, which may not mean cutting out fetch, but finding ways to make it hurt less.

When we do find pain on a physical exam that is limiting a pet, there are options to improve their lifestyle. For dogs, there are many types of medications that help ease the pain. There are also treatments like acupuncture and cold laser for all types of animals that can help pain with less of an effect on organs. Losing weight and improving gentle activity can be very beneficial as well.

One of the most common things that we hear after finding and treating pain in pets is that they return to doing things the owners forgot about! Our pets can be so good at adapting their lifestyles that we may not even notice they stopped doing activities they once loved.

It is VERY important to never, ever try to treat any type of pain in your pet without consulting your veterinarian. Many human medications are extremely toxic to pets; they cannot take Tylenol, Advil, Motrin or Aleve and others without the risk of fatal effects.

There are injuries in our pets that can be self-resolving, like a sprain. However, your veterinarian is trained to assess injuries and know when further examination is needed. A torn cruciate, broken leg, Lyme disease or ripped toenail may all cause your pet to act the same way.

The most important thing to remember about pain in animals is that even though they may not show signs, they do feel pain in the same way that we do. Chronic pain decreases our pets quality of life and makes it difficult for them to enjoy their daily activities. This is part of why subtle changes can mean big things.

Dont worry, there are many ways to treat pain to help your pet live a more comfortable life. And also dont worry, my weight loss article is coming! I just wanted to give everyone a break this week while you finish up your Christmas cookies and holiday pudding.

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Ouch! Pain management for your pets | Off The Leash - Rutland Herald

Walmart saved some of its best deals for Christmas Day here are todays top 10 – BGR

Posted: December 25, 2019 at 11:44 am

Merry Christmas, everyone! You might think retailers are done offering the best deals of the season now that Christmas is here, but youve got another thing coming. Some of the nations top retailers are offering fantastic deals today, and theyre only available online since most stores around the country are closed for Christmas. Before your family arrives and chaos ensues, definitely take a few minutes to check out todays top deals. Highlights include top-rated Alexa and Google enabled Wi-Fi smart plugs with energy monitoring and USB ports for just $7.17 each with coupon code LDWIS2EA,the best-selling TP-Link Wi-Fi range extender for only $14.95 and the faster version thats twice as fast for $21.99, the return of Black Friday pricing on AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro, a surprise sale that slashes the Apple Watch Series 5 down to its lowest price ever, Echo speakers starting at only $19.99, discounted iPad tablets, Ankers newest AirPods rivals for only $49.99, aNest Thermostats for just $129, best-selling Bluetooth earbuds for $16.99, up to $50 off everyones favorite Instant Pots, big discounts on nearly 100 different Amazon devices and bundles, and so much more.

Among all the year-end sales that kicked off online today, Walmarts definitely ranks near the top. In fact, many of the deals youll find right now on Walmart are even better than the ones weve been seeing for the past week. If you want to see all the deals Walmart saved for its Christmas Day surprise, you can shop the retailers entire sale right here. Or, if you want to skip the suspense and just see the cream of the crop, youll find our picks for Walmarts top 10 best deals of the day down below.

Apple AirPods with Charging Case: $139.00 (reg. $159.00)(more AirPods deals available on Amazon)

iRobot Roomba 670 Robot Vacuum: $197.00 (reg. $329.99)(Newer Roomba 675 model available for $199 on Amazon)

Microsoft Xbox One S 1TB All Digital Edition 3 Game Bundle: $149.00 (reg. $249.00)

Sceptre 50 Class 4K Ultra HD (2160P) LED TV: $189.99 ($399.99)

Sceptre 65 Class 4K Ultra HD (2160P) HDR LED TV: $349.99 (reg. $899.99)

HP 14 Laptop, Intel Core i3-1005G1, 4GB SDRAM, 128GB SSD: $299.00 (reg. $469.00)

Instant Pot Ace 60 Cooking Blender: $44.96 (reg. $99.00)

Farberware 3.2 Quart Digital Air Fryer: $49.00 (reg. $69.00)

Oral-B 6000 SmartSeries Electric Toothbrush: $99.94 (reg. $159.97)

Braun Series 7 7865cc Mens Electric Foil Shaver: $174.94 (reg. $229.94)

Image Source: Anton Gvozdikov/Shutterstock

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Walmart saved some of its best deals for Christmas Day here are todays top 10 - BGR

Why J.J. Watt was willing to risk further injury with a fast return – Houston Chronicle

Posted: December 25, 2019 at 11:44 am

The latest comeback of Texans defensive end J.J. Watt became official Tuesday when he returned to practice.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year rejoined his teammates on the practice field two months after tearing a pectoral muscle against the Raiders and undergoing surgery. The early return, months after Watt declared himself out for the season, involves an element of risk because the normal recovery time for this type of injury ranges between three to four months.

Now, Watt is preparing to be back in two weeks when the Texans host a wild-card playoff game. Through Watts prodigious work ethic and desire to return, hes back for the Texans postseason run. And theres an understanding from him that theres a small chance he could tear his pectoral again and would have to undergo another surgery to repair the damage.

To prevent that from happening, Watt is wearing a protective harness to lower the risk of injury. To Watt, the opportunity to play in the playoffs makes the grueling regimen of rehabilitation and the possibility of getting hurt again more than worth it.

Running back out of that tunnel, playing in front of those fans with my teammates and being able to do for them what Ive wanted to do since the day I got here and thats win, thats what Im trying to do, Watt said Tuesday during a press conference at NRG Stadium. Thats why after two months, Im coming back because thats what I want to accomplish. I want to win for these people.

So, is there an element of risk? Yes. But is the upside 100 times better? Yes. Because theres nothing I want to do more than to win with these guys in the locker room, for these fans here in Houston, because I love them and I love the game.

The Texans designated Watt to return from injured reserve and now have a 21-day window for Watt to be placed on the active roster or remain on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Barring a setback, the Texans are expected to place Watt on the 53-man roster in advance of their home playoff game. The Texans are currently slated to play Buffalo if they remain the fourth seed.

Yes, the plan is for the first playoff game, Watt said.

Watt tore his pectoral when he tackled Raiders rookie running back Josh Jacobs for a loss.

When you bench 550 pounds, that happens sometimes, said Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, a former Texans defensive coordinator.

When the injury happened, Watt said he didnt feel any pain initially. He adjusted his shoulder pads quickly before heading to the locker room to be examined.

I knew something was wrong, but I didnt have any pain, Watt said. I think it was just such a fast thing. I knew something was wrong. I didnt know what was wrong and then I tried to play the next play and realized something was pretty wrong.

Whenever Watt is back on the field, there are scenarios where he would operate as a situational pass rusher and run-stopper. If his body can handle a full workload, then Watt will play more than originally anticipated. Thats a fluid situation, though.

Im sure its not going to be an every-play type of thing, just for the first one back, Watt said. I dont think that would be the best situation.

Over the past few years, Watt has overcome a litany of injuries. He had a herniated disc in his back in 2016 that required two surgeries and limited him to three games. He had a gruesome leg fracture in 2017 that ended his season after five games.

This injury was unique because Watt was able to move around a lot more during the rehab process.

This one is obviously a little bit different than some of my other ones, Watt said. You have the back and you have the leg, which are two massive, massive things that really affect movement. The nice thing about this surgery was that this whole time Ive been able to run.

A year ago, Watt engineered a successful, healthy return as he played every game and recorded 16 sacks and 18 tackles for loss and was named All-Pro. This return didnt seem like a real possibility at first.

When Watt was injured Oct. 27, he wrote on social media: This game can be beautiful and it can also be brutal. Absolutely gutted that I wont be able to finish the season with my guys and give the fans what they deserve.

Two months later, its a different story altogether for Watt.

Obviously, when I got hurt, I just assumed I was done, Watt said. I didnt even know that there was a possibility, and then literally a couple of days after the surgery I was feeling so good that I just started asking questions. I said, Is it remotely possible?

We left the door open for a possibility and from there doing whatever I could do and we arrived to here. I wouldnt call it a difficult decision. I get a chance to play in the playoffs with my team and go out there and try and help us win football games.

The Texans should get a major boost from Watt, who commanded the respect of the most double-team blocking attention in the NFL before his injury.

The 6-5, 288-pounder has four sacks and one forced fumble in eight games Without Watt, the Texans pass rush has languished and the defense has frequently struggled to get off the field.

Im excited to get back out there and to help in any way I can, obviously get after the passer, Watt said. Thats always my No. 1 goal is find the football, get the football, so thats what Im going to continue to do and thats what Im hoping to get back out there and help these guys do is get after the quarterback.

Watt expressed confidence that his chest will hold up. Theres been a lot of testing done in terms of measuring the strength and flexibility and imaging performed since the injury happened.

I feel very good and weve done a lot of obviously building the strength back up to where the strength needs to be, Watt said. When I discuss the element of risk, I mean theres two options: its going to hold up or its not. The reason that Im comfortable with that risk is because I know the consequences of that risk.

Its the exact same procedure, its three months recovery and were back in action. But I do feel very confident from what weve done in the weight room, to where the strength level is compared to where it was before the injury. Im very confident in the way it has reacted.

Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, who tore his pectoral muscle in 2017 and has recorded a team-high 7 sacks this year, said Watt has been cranking out push-ups.

It hasnt exactly been cloaked in secrecy that Watt would play again this season, but it wasnt widely known even by his teammates that he would be practicing Tuesday.

Weve kept it pretty quiet because I didnt know. We didnt know for a long time, Watt said. There were a couple of them that found out from the Internet. You never want to over-promise and under-deliver.

The impact of Watts return cant be overstated. He led the entire league with 20 quarterback hits after eight games. The Wisconsin native had 43 percent of the defenses quarterback hits.

Watt has recorded 96 sacks and 23 forced fumbles in nine NFL seasons

The fans are a big part of the reason that I want to be out there and Ive worked so hard to come back, Watt said. I love these fans, I love this city and I want nothing more than to win for these people. Some days, you dont feel like doing it, some days its very tough.

What gets you through is your teammates, your family and the fans, and knowing that when you do get back on that field, youre doing it for people you care about and that you love. You want to give them something to be proud of.

aaron.wilson@chron.com

twitter.com/aaronwilson_nfl

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Why J.J. Watt was willing to risk further injury with a fast return - Houston Chronicle

POWER RANKED: The 15 best boxers in the world right now – Business Insider

Posted: December 25, 2019 at 11:44 am

sourceStephen Pond/Getty; Charlo Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty; Mark Runnacles/Getty; Shayanne Gal/Business Insider

Heavyweights are often considered to be the worlds best boxers, because a 6-foot-9 athlete who weighs 250 pounds would easily flatten someone 5-foot-8 and 140 pounds during a 12-round fist fight.

But this is why the term pound-for-pound was born, linked with Sugar Ray Leonard, a former welterweight and middleweight champion from the 1940s and 1950s who is regarded as the best boxer in history, despite the exploits of bigger-name heavyweights Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.

The term dates back even further as it was featured in the New York Sun two centuries ago. The young men of today are the best the world has seen, the newspaper said in 1888.

The old-time bruisers might be ransacked without finding one who, pound-for-pound, could hold his own with any of the entire school of present artists from Sullivan down through Mitchell, Dempsey, McAuliffe, or Weir.

Pound-for-pound lists rank fighters on one or more criteria which usually consists of quality of victories, achievements, and ability, regardless of weight class. Though a heavyweight could swat a flyweight with ease in reality, in pound-for-pound lists a flyweight could rank higher than the heavyweight.

Business Insider created this list by looking at three main criteria: the quality of a boxers victories, achievements, and talent level.

These lists always create arguments, and Business Insiders will be no different.

Weight class: Minimumweight.

Nationality: Thai.

Why hes ranked: It says a lot that Moonsri, also known as Wanheng Menayothin, surpassed Floyd Mayweathers individual 50-0 boxing record with little more than a whisper in the mainstream sporting press.

Mayweather, the most technically-brilliant pugilist of the last 25 years at least, had the benefit of a powerful Las Vegas-based promoter, the gift of the gab, and then major broadcasters around the world to trumpet his achievements.

Moonsri, in contrast, competes exclusively in Thailand, his fights are rarely seen outside of Asia, and he fights in a weight class very few care about; minimumweight, where athletes weigh no more than 105 pounds (48 kg).

This does not detract from one significant thing he has been winning since 2007 and has been a champion since 2014. An all-Thai fight against Thammanoon Niyomtrong, the WBA champion, could elevate Moonsris ranking, as could a title in the weight class above, at light flyweight.

Championships won: WBC minimumweight title (2014 to present).

Weight class: Lightweight.

Nationality: American.

Why hes ranked: Want to annoy a lot of boxing fans? Whack Davis in your pound-for-pound lists because, boy, does this dude have his haters.

Davis is promoted by Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, who is building interest in the lightweight in the fighters home city Baltimore, in black Hollywood Atlanta, and, eventually, the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas.

Business Insider met Davis when he was in London in 2017 ahead of his knockout victory over Liam Walsh, where he was flanked by a big entourage, Mayweather, and Ellerbe.

As an athlete who finished his amateur career with a 206-15 record, Davis has extraordinary finishing ability to complement his technical base something he has shown for years.

He is next in action on Saturday, December 28 where he fights for a world title in a second weight class against Yuriorkis Gamboa, a fighter he is expected to destroy before those influential figures who surround him attempt to elevate him in pound-for-pound lists around the world by booking him into bigger and better fights.

Championships won: World titles at super featherweight (2017 to present).

Weight class: Middleweight.

Nationality: American.

Why hes ranked: Jermall Charlo is becoming increasingly known around the world as he is doing one critical thing winning.

After beating super welterweight opponents like Cornelius Bundrage, Austin Trout, and Julian Williams in championship fights, Charlo moved up to middleweight and told Business Insider recently that the division, which has seen Mexican and European fighters vie for supremacy, is now an American weight class again, and its all because of him.

As a 29-year-old, Charlo has entered his prime as an athlete and a fighter. He applies pressure, has respectable punching power, and has aspirations to take out the divisions big names. If he does, hell find himself replacing them in lists like these.

Championships won: WBC middleweight title (2019 to present) and the IBF super welterweight title (2015 to 2016).

Weight class: Heavyweight.

Nationality: English, with Irish traveller heritage.

Why hes ranked: A clip of Fury uppercutting himself in the face during a 2009 win over the journeyman fighter Lee Swaby haunted the heavyweight for years.

Detractors would use footage as part of their criticisms that Fury would amount to little, but his victory over Wladimir Klitschko changed everything. Fury out-thought, out-boxed, and out-pointed Klitschko, a long-reigning champion at the time, in a 2015 bamboozling for the ages.

He did not fight for three years, suffering depression and saying he wanted to crash his Ferrari at 190mph so he could crush it like a Coke can. Still, he returned to the ring on form, winning twice, before being one of only two athletes to take Deontay Wilder the 12-round distance in 2018.

That Wilder draw is the only minor blemish on Furys record, a blemish his promoter Frank Warren told Business Insider was unjust as Fury had done enough to win.

The rematch, scheduled for February 22, could change Fury, and Wilders, position on this list.

Championships won: Three heavyweight world titles (2015).

Weight class: Heavyweight.

Nationality: American.

Why hes ranked: Just looking at Wilders record bring two words to mind holy hell.

Only two of his opponents have heard the final bell, and only one, Tyson Fury, left the ring with a draw.

Wilder has fought 42 times and he has either knocked down, or knocked out, every opponent hes ever faced as a pro fighter.

The 34-year-old has power like no other in boxing today. It is a brutal, one-punch, knockout power that ends a fight at a moments notice.

Wilder can be losing every minute of every round of a fight, like he was in his rematch with Luis Ortiz in November, before ending the bout with his mighty right hand.

Thats scary power, and an incredible asset to brag about.

Championships won: WBC heavyweight title (2015 to present).

Weight class: Super lightweight.

Nationality: Scottish.

Why hes ranked: The 28-year-old southpaw is one of three fighters on this list who have benefitted from participating and winning the prestigious World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) competition.

The WBSS has one mission whenever it organizes an eight-man competition bring the best fighters in one weight class into one tournament, and make them box each other in a knockout format until theres only one man left standing.

That man in the 2018-2019 super lightweight edition was Josh Taylor, who knocked out the American athlete Ryan Martin in last years quarterfinal before defeating Ivan Baranchyk and Regis Prograis to claim the Muhammad Ali trophy this year.

The win over Prograis is a leading candidate to win the Fight of the Year, and as Taylor won, it is something that gives him a great platform going forward.

Championships won: Two super lightweight world titles (2019 to present).

Weight class: Middleweight.

Nationality: Kazakh.

Why hes ranked: The man who popularized the phrase Big Drama Show plays his part in an event like few others.

Before Golovkin turned professional, he was a wildly decorated amateur fighter with a 2003 World Amateur Championships gold medal and a silver at the 2004 Olympic Games.

He turned pro two years later, won his first (interim) world title four years after that, and quickly developed a reputation because of his punching power.

The only blemishes on Golovins record are a 2017 draw against Canelo Alvarez, which some say he should have won, and a loss in the rematch, which he also should have won, according to others.

He recaptured a middleweight belt in his last fight, a close decision win over the Ukranian boxer Sergiy Derevyanchenko.

Championships won: IBF middleweight world title (2019 to present), and a former three-belt middleweight world titlist.

Weight class: Super flyweight.

Nationality: Mexican.

Why hes ranked: Estrada has been a pro fighter for 11 years and, in that time, has already won world titles in three weight classes just like previous Mexican greats Julio Cesar Chavez, Erik Morales, and Fernando Montiel.

Estrada has signature wins over Brian Viloria in China, Giovani Segura in Mexico, and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in California.

As a Mexican boxer, he naturally has a good left hook to the body, a solid right hand over the top, and good finishing instincts.

At 29, Estrada is, in theory, in his prime years as an athlete and as a fighter, and, with the backing of Matchroom Boxing and DAZN, could secure even more legacy wins in the near future. A trilogy bout against the former pound-for-pound fighter Sor Rungvisai (as the rivalry is currently tied at one win apiece) has been mooted.

Championships won: WBC world super fly title (2018 to present), and world titles at fly (2013 to 2015), and light fly (2012).

Weight class: Welterweight.

Nationality: Filipino.

Why hes ranked: Why wouldnt he be ranked?

Of all the fighters on this list, Pacquiao a pound-for-pound mainstay for longer than his rivals here have been fighting for pay needs no justification.

Championships won: WBA welterweight world title (2018 to present), and world titles at welterweight (2016, 2013 to 2014, 2009 to 2011), super middleweight (2010), super lightweight (2009), lightweight (2008), super featherweight (2008), super bantamweight (2001 to 2003), and flyweight (1998 to 1999).

Weight class: Welterweight.

Nationality: American.

Why hes ranked: Since Floyd Mayweather retired for the third time after he finished the UFC fighter Conor McGregor in 2017, boxing has looked at the next great welterweight who can fly the flag for the sport, and also for America.

Spence Jr. is one of the American welterweights who could be that new dominant force, and few come cooler as he seems unfazed when standing face-to-face with whatever opponent, unflappable in the midst of leather-strewn battle, and has come up trumps in every bout.

He is an extraordinary in-fighter who possesses a good box of tricks and is capable of fighting at great pressure.

Spence Jr. has big wins over many top fighters including Kell Brook, Mikey Garcia, and Shawn Porter, but there is one rival he needs to beat to elevate his standing as a pound-for-pound athlete and hes the next fighter on this list.

Championships won: IBF welterweight world title (2017 to present) and WBC welterweight world title (2019 to present).

Weight class: Welterweight.

Nationality: American.

Why hes ranked: To watch, the switch-hitting Crawford appears to be the most beautiful boxer on the planet.

Hes got fast hands, good counter-punching ability, and solid defensive skills.

His achievements as a three-weight world champion and the undisputed king of the light welterweight division also puts him in good stead in this list. But he doesnt rank higher because Crawford has no clear, career-defining victory.

Signed to the Top Rank promotional stable, Crawfords main rivals Pacquiao and Spence Jr. are currently signed to the rival fight firm Premier Boxing Champions. Crawford needs to fight at least one of those PBC athletes, preferably both, and win, if he wants to climb higher as a pound-for-pound force.

Championships won: Current WBO welterweight world title holder as well as the former undisputed light welterweight champion and the WBO lightweight titlist.

Weight class: Bantamweight.

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POWER RANKED: The 15 best boxers in the world right now - Business Insider

New year, new diet? Not so fast. Instead, heed this big-picture eating advice for 2020. – Seattle Times

Posted: December 24, 2019 at 2:46 pm

I recently surveyed some of my readers on what they would like me to write about in 2020, and one of the responses was, If you could give everyone no matter our body shape or current health three pieces of nutrition advice, what would those things be and why? Excellent question!

I could trot out the typical Eat more vegetables, eat fewer highly processed foods, and get enough protein response, but I wont, even though those are solid nuggets of advice and ones Ive previously given. Instead, Im offering some big-picture advice for the New Year that I hope will help make you more confident eaters.

1. Theres more than one way to eat for health. Dont believe anyone who tells you that there is only one right diet especially if they use the language like the secret they dont want you to know. First, if the secret advice was actually valuable, it wouldnt be a secret. Second, nutrition research demonstrates that there are a number of nutritious ways to eat that can support good health and reduce risk of chronic disease. Third, look around you. If you discovered the eating habits of everyone around you who is currently healthy with low disease risk, I guarantee you would get a mix of answers. Some would eat vegan or vegetarian, while others would include meat in their meals. Some would eat low-fat, while others would eat low-carb. Some would say something like I dont know everything in moderation? And honestly, some healthy people dont even have a healthy diet because, like it or not, they won the genetic lottery.

2. Food isnt the monster under the bed. I have an entire article planned on food fears, but for now, suffice it to say that food has nourished and sustained you for your entire life thus far its not out to kill you. There are no foods or food groups that will destroy health in the context of a balanced diet (anything could be harmful in severe excess, even water). Wheat, meat, eggs, dairy, nightshade vegetables, fruit, nonorganic produce none of these are the dietary devils they are often made out to be. It should go without saying that if you have a food allergy or intolerance (hopefully diagnosed by a medical professional please dont self-diagnose), then you need to avoid that specific food.

3. If the way you eat makes you unhappy, its not the right way for you. Unhappiness cuts a few ways. For example, if following the healthiest diet in the world makes it impossible to socialize with friends over food because theres nothing you can eat, and requires you to cook everything from scratch even though it stresses you out, then thats not the right diet for you. Conversely, if the way you eat leaves you perpetually hungry, tired and cranky, or perhaps overfull, lethargic and uncomfortable, those are clues that something needs to change. Feeling like you would kill for a cracker or might fall into a food coma promotes neither health nor happiness.

A final bit of advice that relates to all of the above: Please stop looking for silver bullets. They dont exist. Health is so multifaceted that it would be impossible for any one food, one supplement or one diet to have an impact that even resembles magical status. Small steps, taken consistently and turned into healthy habits, are what make a difference. Not dramatic, and certainly not sexy but true. Happy New Year!

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New year, new diet? Not so fast. Instead, heed this big-picture eating advice for 2020. - Seattle Times


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