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The NBA is back.

Last week, the league's board of governors and the players' union both approved plans -- a 22-team, eight-game wrap-up to the regular season followed by a possible play-in tournament for the eighth seed and playoffs -- to resume the 2019-20 season on July 31 inside Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.

As we count the days until tip-off in Orlando, our experts are breaking down each team's road to a restart, big bubble questions, high stakes and stats to know before basketball makes its return.

Note: NBA title odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

MORE: ESPN Daily podcast: Zach Lowe on the East and West races

Jump to a team:Bucks | Lakers | Raptors | Clippers | CelticsNuggets | Jazz | Heat | Thunder | Rockets | Pacers76ers | Mavericks | Grizzlies | Nets | Magic | BlazersPelicans | Kings | Spurs | Suns | Wizards

2019-20 record: 53-12 (.815)Vegas title odds: +275

Although Milwaukee's quest for 70 wins had officially ended before the pandemic halted play, the Bucks were still leading the NBA in victories this season. Simply put, Milwaukee remains in a serious title pursuit.

How they got hereGiannis Antetokounmpo hit the hiatus as the front-runner to repeat as the league's MVP with Milwaukee at 53-12. The Bucks have been dominant on the defensive end -- their 101.6 defensive rating is by far the best in the league -- but they did drop three straight games for the first time under coach Mike Budenholzer before the shutdown. Although Giannis is the clear-cut No. 1 option in Milwaukee, fellow All-Star Khris Middleton as well as Eric Bledsoe and the rest of the supporting cast bolster this contender.

1:48

Chiney Ogwumike breaks down her picks for the NBA Eastern Conference teams that have benefited the most, and who have been hurt the most, due to the halt of the season.

What's at stake?Over Antetokounmpo's tenure in Milwaukee, the squad has gone from a 15-win team in his rookie season to an East juggernaut by putting together a strong front office and players to complement his skill set. But what happens inside the bubble could affect Antetokounmpo's decision to remain in Milwaukee down the line. He obviously loves the city, but he wants to win now more than ever.

Big question after the layoff: Can the Bucks salvage their momentum?Although Bucks players remained in shape with in-home workouts, both Antetokounmpo and Middleton admitted to not playing basketball during the early stages because they didn't have access to a hoop before the practice facility reopened. So can guys get back in that winning mindset? Will they be ready? Budenholzer said that all along they were "operating and functioning [with] a mentality that we will play." Now that a plan to play is set, it's time for the East's best team to prove their dominant regular season was just the beginning.

Did you know?The Bucks have beaten opponents by an average of 11.3 points per game, which would be the fifth-largest average margin of victory in NBA history. The four teams ahead of them -- the 1972 Lakers, 1971 Bucks, 1996 Bulls and 2017 Warriors -- all won titles.

-- Eric Woodyard

2019-20 record: 49-14 (.778)Vegas title odds: +200

Just when the Lakers were rolling -- they won four of five, including statements over the Bucks and Clippers in consecutive games in early March -- the season stopped. Now LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Co. will regroup and try to give Los Angeles its first title since 2010.

How they got hereThe NBA's hiatus in response to the coronavirus pandemic was nearing the two-month mark in late April when James took to Twitter to refute a report that some within league circles were calling to scrap the season. "As soon as it's safe we would like to finish our season," he wrote, in part. "I'm ready and our team is ready. Nobody should be canceling anything." James, a top contender for MVP, playing alongside new teammate Davis, a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, appeared as motivated as ever to get back on track after a rocky first year in L.A.

1:45

Dave McMenamin discusses the Lakers' reaction to the NBA season returning as they have championship aspirations.

What's at stake?Quite simply, this is perhaps James' last and best chance to win his fourth NBA championship. At 35 and in Year 17 in the league, his hold on the sport can't last forever. The Lakers' success thus far has made Davis' future plans a foregone conclusion -- he holds a player option for next season, but nobody believes he won't be back in purple and gold. James and Davis should get a chance to run it back next season no matter what happens in Orlando, but with younger teams like Milwaukee, Boston, Philadelphia and the LA Clippers on the rise, now could be the Lakers' moment with key role player Dwight Howard headed to free agency and important contributors Danny Green and Rajon Rondo getting older.

Big question after the layoff: Could DeMarcus Cousins return to the Lakers?When we last left the Lakers, Cousins -- signed last summer and subsequently lost for the season with a blown knee -- had been waived to make room for forward Markieff Morris. There is speculation the league may allow expanded playoff rosters in the bubble -- perhaps carrying 17-20 players -- in order to have more reserves available should a rash of COVID-19 cases hit. With the extra time off to rehab, combined with potential expanded rosters, will Cousins make his return to L.A.? The former All-Star center would give the Lakers the stretch 5 they missed most of the season and, with crowd noise a nonfactor in Orlando's empty arenas, he could certainly have an impact as a vocal bench presence.

Did you know?James leads the league with a career-high 10.6 assists per game. At 35, he'd be the oldest player to lead the league in assists for the first time in his career.

-- Dave McMenamin

2019-20 record: 46-18 (.719)Vegas title odds: +1700

The defending champions will enter the restart firmly in second place in the East, three games ahead of Boston, and should still be in second when the playoffs start.

The NBA board of governors voted 29-1 to approve the league's format to restart the 2019-20 season in Orlando, Florida, sources told ESPN. Latest updates

Sources: 22 teams, 8 regular-season games Top seeds mull alternatives to home court Playoff projections: Surprises and upsets Next questions: Pay cuts and free agency

How they got hereWith Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green departing in free agency last summer, Toronto wasn't expected to remain in championship contention. And yet, despite every member of the rotation besides OG Anunoby missing significant time with injuries, the Raptors have stayed near the top of the East and remain a threat to make another deep playoff run.

What's at stake?Toronto's interest in pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021 is no secret. Another deep playoff run would add to the sales pitch. In the shorter term, the Raptors will have to decide what to do with several key free agents this summer -- led by guard Fred VanVleet and big men Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol.

Big question after the layoff: Will the much-needed rest pay off?The Raptors play a shortened rotation to begin with, and the cavalcade of injuries the team dealt with throughout the season took a toll on them. With a chance to enter the restart fully healthy and rested, Toronto will believe it can get back to a potential rematch with the Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals.

Did you know? Without Leonard, the Raptors have a better win percentage (.719) and average scoring margin (+6.5) than they did during last season's run to the NBA title.

-- Tim Bontemps

2019-20 record: 44-20 (.688)Vegas title odds: +325

Ever since the NBA came to a halt in March, the Clippers have been eagerly awaiting and preparing for the season to return with one single goal in mind: the resumption of their title chase.

How they got hereThe Clippers' season has been defined by patience. They had to wait 11 games before Paul George made his Clippers debut. They had to wait until Christmas to have a fully healthy roster. With little practice time because of the schedule, injuries and Kawhi Leonard's load management of a knee issue, the Clippers' chemistry didn't solidify until after the All-Star break. And just as the team began to get on the same page with new additions like Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson, the Clippers were forced into a holding pattern due to the pandemic.

2:58

Max Kellerman defends why he is picking Kawhi Leonard as the best player in the world over LeBron James.

What's at stake?The only focus the Clippers have had all season is on winning the franchise's first championship. Not long after the NBA suspended the season, Clippers management secured Peloton bikes and gym equipment to provide their players with home gyms. Lawrence Frank, Doc Rivers and the Clippers have held daily Zoom meetings and phone calls with coaches, players and staff members to not only keep everyone on the same page, but to also come up with any and every idea that could help the team win a title.

Big question after the layoff: Can the Clippers stay healthy with an unprecedented break in the season?When the season came to a halt, the Clippers were getting stronger, winning seven of eight games, with their only loss coming to the Lakers. Rivers made the health of his team entering the playoffs paramount, and nothing changes now. The hiatus should only help Leonard and George health-wise. But with players having not played in a game in months, the Clippers will ramp up Leonard, George and veterans like Lou Williams as safely as possible.

Did you know? The Clippers bench averages an NBA-best 51.5 points per game this season. The only other team to average at least 50 PPG off the bench since starts were first tracked in 1970-71? Last year's Clippers, who averaged 53.2 PPG.

-- Ohm Youngmisuk

2019-20 record: 43-21 (.672)Vegas title odds: +1500

The Celtics head into the restarted season in a bit of a bubble themselves in the East standings -- three losses behind the second-place Raptors and three losses ahead of the fourth-place Heat.

How they got hereAfter all of the tumult that followed Boston throughout last season, this season couldn't have been more different. The Celtics had hardly a moment of difficulty at any point, cruising on a 55-win pace while seeing both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown take significant leaps. Daniel Theis more than capably stepped into the starting center spot vacated by Al Horford, and Kemba Walker provided the stable leadership the franchise needed, even as he dealt with a knee issue for the final few weeks before the shutdown.

0:43

Jalen Rose predicts the Celtics to come out of the Eastern Conference when the season resumes on a neutral court.

What's at stake?Oddly, not a lot. Boston is good enough to make a deep playoff run and could even reach the NBA Finals for the first time in a decade. But for a team with a young core under contract through next season and beyond, this should be far from Boston's final shot at making noise in the postseason.

Big question after the layoff: Is Kemba healthy?Walker first missed games because of a knee issue, and then struggled upon his return. If he's fully healthy, Boston will be a threat to beat anyone. There's one other question surrounding the Celtics: Where will the 76ers wind up? Boston would be thrilled if Philadelphia can slide ahead of the Pacers and get into fifth place in the East. While NBA fans would love a Celtics-Sixers showdown in the first round, Boston would not -- Philly won three of four meetings this season by an average of 10.3 points before a 116-95 Celtics win in the rivals' final meeting.

Did you know?Who says only Houston can play small ball? According to the Elias Sports Bureau, 93.4% of Boston's points have come from players 6-foot-8 or shorter, the highest percentage by any team in a season since the 1989-90 Warriors (94.8%).

-- Bontemps

2019-20 record: 43-22 (.662)Vegas title odds: +2200

There was a new feel for the Nuggets this season, with that uncomfortable "E" word hovering over them: expectations. They've been viewed all season as a top-tier contender, and for the most part, played like it.

How they got hereThe start of 2020 was full of attrition for the Nuggets, but they weathered the storm to maintain their place among the West's elite. And they did it largely behind the brilliance of Nikola Jokic. He carried them through an injury-filled January to set up the stretch run for Denver as they pushed for the postseason. Jokic is what props the Nuggets up, but in the weeks before the shutdown, Jamal Murray was getting healthy and progressing. Their two-man chemistry, combined with some well-rounded, versatile depth, has the Nuggets in the conversation.

What's at stake?Last season was a resounding success for Denver despite a seven-game second-round defeat to the Blazers. This season, that kind of exit would be viewed as a disappointment. The playoffs ask questions you can't anticipate, and they take storylines and narratives and amplify them. If the Nuggets struggle, it'll be about the pairing of Jokic and Murray. It'll be about the future of Paul Millsap and Jerami Grant's contracts. It'll be about what they're missing, not about what they have. When you get good, it's what comes with the territory.

Big question after the layoff: What will Jokic look like?There's no polite way to say it, but with Jokic's self-admitted issues with fitness in past seasons, taking almost three months off could be a recipe for thickness. But according to Murray, it's the opposite. "Joker got a little four pack," Murray said of Jokic suddenly looking slimmer after working out heavily during the coronavirus shutdown.

Did you know? Jokic leads the Nuggets in total points, rebounds and assists, which he has done in each of the previous two seasons. According to Elias, Jokic could join LeBron James (2011-13 Heat) and Wilt Chamberlain (1965-67 76ers) as the only players in NBA history to lead their teams in all three categories for three straight seasons.

-- Royce Young

2019-20 record: 41-23 (.641)Vegas title odds: +6000

The Jazz will finish the season without second-leading scorer Bojan Bogdanovic (wrist surgery) and with a spotlight on the dynamic between the cornerstone duo of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.

How they got hereIt had been a strange season for the Jazz even before their two best players became the sport's poster boys for a pandemic after becoming the first NBA players to test positive for the coronavirus. Utah had a 19-2 stretch sandwiched by a lot of so-so basketball. Mike Conley Jr. had a harder time than anticipated adjusting to his new surroundings and system after spending the previous 12 seasons in Memphis. The Jazz had to remake the bench in midseason, trading for Jordan Clarkson, cutting Jeff Green and promoting Georges Niang and Tony Bradley to key rotation roles. Utah had won five of six games before Gobert's positive test halted the season, and coach Quin Snyder felt like he had found some rotation solutions. But it's back to the drawing board after Bogdanovic's surgery.

What's at stake?Any expectations have been diminished drastically by the loss of Bogdanovic, a 20-point-per-game scorer whose 41.4% 3-point shooting was a critical element of the Jazz's spacing. Could Gobert's playoff performance impact potential offseason extension discussions? He's eligible for the supermax, but it's hard to see the small-market Jazz offering that much to a center who isn't a primary scorer, no matter how dominant Gobert is defensively and on the glass.

Big question after the layoff: Can Gobert and Mitchell mend fences?Jazz sources are adamant that they can and will, even if they won't be singing kumbaya by the campfire, noting that they've had numerous, positive conversations with each other and in various virtual group settings over the last several weeks. But the question still lingers, particularly since Mitchell has declined to address his issues with Gobert publicly.

Did you know? Donovan Mitchell is averaging a career-best 24.2 points per game. That's the highest scoring average by a Jazz player since Karl Malone in 1999-2000. Malone, Adrian Dantley and Pete Maravich are the only players in Jazz history with a higher single-season scoring average than Mitchell.

-- Tim MacMahon

2019-20 record: 41-24 (.631)Vegas title odds: +4000

Miami is primed to make a push in the bubble behind a fully rested and healthy Jimmy Butler. If Bam Adebayo can continue his star trajectory and veteran Andre Iguodala can provide veteran guidance, coach Erik Spoelstra has to like the chances of his team being able to make a run.

2 Related

How they got hereThe biggest revelation for the Heat wasn't just how quickly they jelled behind Butler and Adebayo -- it was the immediate impact of the younger players on their roster. Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Derrick Jones Jr. all played important roles in the Heat's success and depth. It will be interesting to see how much of a playoff impact former Finals MVP Iguodala -- acquired from Memphis at the trade deadline -- has with his new team.

What's at stake?The challenge for the Heat is finding out just how far their current core can take them. Do they have enough with this group to push to the top of the East, or will they come up short and have to add another star-caliber piece when free agency opens?

Big question after the layoff: How will the neutral site impact Miami?The Heat went 27-5 at home but 14-19 on the road this season. For a team that had an inside track at home-court advantage in the first round before the season was suspended, how the Heat respond to neutral-site games is key.

Did you know? Adebayo is on pace to become the first player in Heat history to average 10 rebounds and 5 assists per game.

-- Nick Friedell

2019-20 record: 40-24 (.625)Vegas title odds: +6000

Before the league shut down, the Thunder and Jazz were set for a game that would've tilted the current four and five seeds in the Western Conference. On the surface, the Thunder don't seem like a possible top-four West contender, but strictly by the numbers, that's what they've become.

How they got hereIt was a rocky start for OKC, going 6-11 out of the gate with a variety of close losses and big questions. But it all turned right around Thanksgiving, with Chris Paul asserting himself as the league's most dominant crunchtime scorer and the Thunder's chemistry blossoming around a dynamic three-guard lineup. Since Thanksgiving, the Thunder are 34-13, piling up the second-most wins in the league in that span behind only the Bucks.

What's at stake?The Thunder have been riding a wave of positive momentum throughout the season. They have big offseason questions looming, like possibly trading Paul to kickstart an inevitable rebuild that could include moving pieces like Dennis Schroder or Steven Adams. But along with it, coach Billy Donovan's deal is up after this season. He has validated his coaching chops all season long, ascending into the Coach of the Year conversation, but where does he fit if the roster dominoes start to fall?

Big question after the layoff: Is the chemistry intact?The Thunder currently hold the longest winning streak in the Western Conference. So, it's only three games, but they walked onto the floor against the Jazz on March 11 with as much momentum as they'd had all season. Their last complete game was a stirring, emotional win in Boston on a last-second steal that pushed them to 16 games over .500. What has made the Thunder so dangerous this season has been their connection and chemistry. Paul sets the tone but has given plenty of space for Schroder to elevate as a scorer and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to develop as a floor leader. Paul has gone to extended lengths to try to maintain some of that chemistry during the shutdown, but it's one thing to get together on a weekly Zoom call; it's another to make timely decisions in the last minute of a one-possession game.

Did you know?The Thunder have 16 wins when trailing entering the fourth quarter this season, twice as many as any other team in the NBA and two shy of tying the 1962-63 Lakers for the most such wins in a season in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55).

-- Young

2019-20 record: 40-24 (.625)Vegas title odds: +1500

The Rockets, who appeared to be running on fumes before the season was suspended, should be refreshed and ready to resume the NBA's great micro-ball experiment.

How they got hereIt's been a roller coaster of a season for the Rockets, who underwent a significant roster remodeling over the past year. It started with the summer trade for Russell Westbrook. The midseason, all-in commitment to small ball (signified by trading Clint Capela and a first-round pick in a multi-team deal that brought Robert Covington to Houston) was influenced by the desire to unleash Westbrook in the open floor. The 6-foot-7-or-less Rockets started fast, but they faded, losing four of their last five games before the shutdown.

2:12

Kendrick Perkins sees the Rockets as heavy title favorites after seeing James Harden's dedication and apparent weight loss during the pandemic.

What's at stake?It's no secret that there is a strong probability that the Rockets will have a new head coach next season. That's been widely known since contract extension talks with Mike D'Antoni broke down (twice) in unusually public fashion. There are rumblings around the league that general manager Daryl Morey's job status could be in jeopardy as well, but owner Tilman Fertitta was adamant he wouldn't consider firing Morey (who has several years remaining on his contract) after the tweet that caused the Rockets and league's relationship with China to deteriorate, and Fertitta hasn't wavered on that stance. You can never be sure, especially if Morey is at the wheel, but the Rockets' core likely returns intact next season regardless of the results in Orlando.

Big question after the layoff: Can James Harden get his groove back?Harden had a historic two-month run, averaging 39.0 points per game on a sizzling 66% true shooting percentage from early November to early January. His heavy workload -- both in minutes and the effort it takes to generate shots as an iso player facing frequent double teams -- appeared to take a toll on him. Those numbers dipped significantly (29.0 points, 57.2% true shooting percentage) in his past 22 games as he struggled from 3-point range. Harden committed to conditioning during the hiatus, and if he regains MVP-level form and Westbrook continues his success in small-ball lineups, the Rockets will be dangerous.

Did you know? Since switching to the small-ball lineup on Jan. 31, the Rockets have been out rebounded by 9.4 rebounds per game, the worst rebounding differential in the NBA during that span. Over a full season, that would rank as the third-worst differential since rebounds were first officially tracked in 1950-51, according to research by the Elias Sports Bureau.

-- MacMahon

2019-20 record: 39-26 (.600)Vegas title odds: +12500

The Pacers have flown under the radar all season long. But despite dealing with injuries and going through a massive roster overhaul in the offseason, Indiana still found itself in the mix for a top-four seed in the East when the season was brought to a halt.

How they got hereVictor Oladipo, the team's talisman, did not play his first game until Jan. 29. Malcolm Brogdon, the team's marquee free-agent signing, missed 17 games due to injuries. And yet Indiana still managed to find itself in fifth place in the East when the season was suspended behind a frontcourt of T.J. Warren, first-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner.

What's at stake?Whether Indiana can become a real contender in the East, or just a nice middle-of-the-pack playoff team, will likely center around whether Oladipo can return to the form he displayed during the 2017-18 season, when he was an All-NBA selection. What his future looks like, as well as whether Indiana tries to continue forward with the tandem of Sabonis and Turner long term, could be impacted by what happens in Orlando. Oladipo can become a free agent in 2021.

Big question after the layoff: What version of Oladipo will arrive?His final game before the season was suspended was his best game of the season -- a 27-point outburst against the Celtics. If Oladipo can play at an All-Star level next to Brogdon, Indiana is going to be a much more difficult team to face in the East playoffs than some might think.

Did you know?Indiana has been eliminated in the first round in each of the past four postseasons. The Pacers are one of eight teams to make the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, but they are the only one not to win a round.

-- Bontemps

2019-20 record: 39-26 (.600)Vegas title odds: +2500

Philadelphia was one of the NBA's most confusing teams this season. But after the long layoff, the 76ers will enter the bubble healthy and with a real chance to capitalize on their immense potential.

How they got hereThe Sixers entered the season expected to battle with the Bucks for the top spot in the East. Instead, Philadelphia swung wildly back and forth from game to game, posting the NBA's best home record (29-2) as well as the worst road record (10-24) of any playoff team in the league. They also dealt with ongoing turmoil about free-agent addition Al Horford's fit, Ben Simmons' continuing lack of a 3-point shot and Joel Embiid dealing with more injuries.

What's at stake?There may not be a team with more at stake than the Sixers. If this team flames out, will coach Brett Brown be dismissed? Will Horford be traded? Would the Sixers consider moving on from either Simmons and Embiid? So many things have changed the past few years in Philadelphia that it's hard to believe even more could be in store.

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Everything to know about the NBA's 22-team restart at Walt Disney World - ESPN

By Jeremy Schwartz, CFA

One question we are often asked is, "why bother with international investments?" U.S. multinational companies have revenue generated all over the world, so what if diversification is just a matter of "de-worseifying" and bringing suboptimal outcomes?

I understand this concern, considering that for a long stretch of time, the U.S. has outperformed the rest of the world. Over the past 10 years ending May 31st, the MSCI USA Index has outperformed the MSCI EAFE Index by more than 7% annualized per year.1

However, we believe there are long-run benefits of investing globally.

There are strong parallels to "growth" dominating "value" within the U.S. markets when looking at foreign markets versus the U.S.

Standard market cap-weighted international indexes have sector exposures akin to U.S. value benchmarks. There is a particular lack of technology sector exposure and overweight positioning in financials and commodity-dependent sectors.

But not all international strategies have these sector tilts.

The WisdomTree international quality dividend growth strategies have a sector balance closer to the S&P 500, particularly being overweight in Technology versus the MSCI EAFE Index and providing meaningful weights to the Health Care and Consumer sectors.

Below we show the WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund (BATS:IQDG), which is derived from a developed world universe, as well as the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund (NYSEARCA:DNL), which screens from a global universe (minus the U.S.) that also includes emerging markets.

In shifting the weight away from traditional value benchmarks, they also have little exposure to sectors that are typically value heavyweights, such as Energy and Financials.

We believe screening for profitability, low leverage and earnings growth creates a valuation profile that is more attractive than broader international benchmarks.

Yes, the MSCI EAFE Index is less expensive than the S&P 500 on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio basis (by about five points), but the S&P 500 has a return on equity (ROE) that is 65% greater, profit margins that are 35% higher and less leverage. We believe these higher margins and profitability ratios warrant the premium multiple of the S&P 500.

By contrast, when one focuses on these profitability and growth metrics in selecting higher quality companies, the situation is completely reversed.

Developed World: The WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund, which seeks to track, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Index, currently has an ROE that is 41% greater than the S&P 500, profit margins 4.7% higher and a leverage ratio that is approximately one-third that of the MSCI EAFE Index and half of the S&P 500. For these better profitability and growth metrics, investors are also not paying a premium multiple to the S&P 500 but getting the market at a two-point P/E discount instead.

Global ex-U.S.: The WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund, which seeks to track, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index, was able to improve ROE and margin ratios even further and is available at a lower multiple of 15x for the developed world universe.

While the characteristics of broad international benchmarks are understandably "less expensive for good reasons," we believe our basket of international quality stocks looks attractively priced versus the S&P 500 for its improvement in quality and growth characteristics.

The performance history appears quite compelling to us as well. Both recently and over the long term, the two funds have outperformed similar broad market indexes that are market cap-weighted. In most cases, they've outperformed by a few percentage points as well, signaling that there have always been opportunities in international markets, despite them being out of favor.

For standardized fund performance of the Funds in the table, please click their respective tickers: IQDG, DNL.

Likewise, the relative performance has demonstrated their appeal in both up-markets and volatile ones. In many cases, the Funds were able to add value the most when the broad indexes declined, resulting in a downside buffer or even outright positive performance.

IQDG Performance vs. MSCI EAFE

DNL Performance vs. MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. Growth Index

At WisdomTree, we believe there are just as many opportunities in international markets as there are in the United States. The differentiator, however, is accessing them in the right way, and we are confident that a quality and dividend-oriented approach might provide investors with the results they're looking for when investing overseas.

1Source is Bloomberg as of 5/31/2020.

Important Risks Related to this Article

There are risks associated with investing, including possible loss of principal. Foreign investing involves special risks, such as risk of loss from currency fluctuation or political or economic uncertainty. Funds focusing their investments on certain sectors increase their vulnerability to any single economic or regulatory development. This may result in greater share price volatility. Heightened sector exposure increases IQDG's vulnerability to any single economic, regulatory or other development impacting that sector. This may result in greater share price volatility. IQDG invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit, and the Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. Due to the investment strategy of IQDG, it may make higher capital gain distributions than other ETFs. Please read each Fund's prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund's risk profile.

Jeremy Schwartz, CFA

Executive Vice President, Global Head of Research

Jeremy Schwartz has served as our Executive Vice President, Global Head of Research since November 2018 and leads WisdomTrees investment strategy team in the construction of WisdomTrees equity indexes, quantitative active strategies and multi-asset model portfolios. Mr. Schwartz joined WisdomTree in May 2005 as a Senior Analyst, adding to his responsibilities in February 2007 as Deputy Director of Research and thereafter, from October 2008 to October 2018, as Director of Research. Prior to joining WisdomTree, he was head research assistant for Professor Jeremy Siegel and helped with the research and writing of Stocks for the Long Run and The Future for Investors. Mr. Schwartz also is co-author of the Financial Analysts Journal paper, What Happened to the Original Stocks in the S&P 500? He received his B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and hosts the Wharton Business Radio program Behind the Markets on SiriusXM 132. Mr. Schwartz is also a member of the CFA Society of Philadelphia.

Original Post

Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors.

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The Potential Long-Term Benefits Of Investing Globally - Seeking Alpha

The ketogenic diet, or keto for short, may seem like just another fad, but scroll through social media and you'll see many showing off their weight loss success. The keto diet works by literally changing the way your body uses energy.

Normally, the body converts carbohydrates, or sugar, into glycogen for energy. But on the ketogenic diet, carbs are drastically reduced so that the body can enter a metabolic state called ketosis where you burn fat for energy instead of glycogen.

However, it's not always easy to enter ketosis. And your body won't immediately reach this fat-burning state after a day of cutting carbohydrates. It takes time, and it may be difficult to know when you've reached that point. Here are some tips to help you know when you've reached ketosis and how to get there a little faster.

To reach ketosis, you must first reduce your body's glycogen reserves. The keto diet helps you do that by limiting carbohydrates to less than 50 grams per day. That's about the equivalent amount of carbs in two large apples.

After about two days to a week of restricting carbs, your body should start tapping into fat reserves for energy. But this can vary person to person and may take slightly longer. Some ways you can speed up the process is:

Common symptoms of the keto diet include:

These symptoms are often called the keto flu, and are a side effect of your body's transition to a constant state of ketosis. After four to six weeks your body will adapt and these side effects should resolve.

Other ways to check that you're in ketosis is with urine test strips or at-home blood and breath tests. These tests measure the ketone levels in your system. Ketones are the byproduct of fatty acids the body breaks down when you're in ketosis.

A blood test is the most accurate way to measure ketones and is used in doctor's offices, but involves a needle prick. However, urine strips and breath meters are also accurate and less invasive. According to one small 2016 study, urine strips offer the most accurate readings early in the morning and right after dinner.

The keto diet was developed in the 1920s as an effective treatment for children with epilepsy who were not responding to drugs that were available at the time.

Today it's also used as a medical diet to treat other diseases, like type 2 diabetes and obesity. Studies show that ketones provide energy without elevating blood sugar levels, which reduces the need for insulin. In one clinical trial, people with type 2 diabetes were able to decrease their medication dosage after 12 months of a ketogenic diet.

There are also hints this diet may be good for brain health. In 2019, a small study showed a low-carb diet may improve memory in adults who have mild cognitive problems, potentially an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. One possible explanation is that brains of people with Alzheimer's disease don't use glucose as efficiently, and ketones may be an easier source of energy for overall brain function.

But beyond low blood sugar levels and possible brain health, the keto diet's recent claim to fame is for weight and fat loss. Low carbohydrate diets, in general, have been shown to lead to more rapid weight loss compared to other diets, but not necessarily more weight loss long-term.

For example, in one trial, lasting six months, obese women following a low-carb diet lost nearly 10 pounds more than participants following a low-fat diet. They also lost significantly more body fat 10.5 pounds versus 4.4 pounds.

Researchers note, though, that most weight loss studies have been short term, so it is unclear how this diet performs for long-term weight loss.

Despite the weight loss and other potential health benefits, Lorraine Turcotte, a metabolism researcher at the University of Southern California says she would not recommend this extreme diet over a more moderate approach to eating.

"There is a potential benefit [for weight loss] but I would never recommend it unless you are clinically managed," she says.

One reason she would not recommend the diet, especially to athletes, is because it can lead to a breakdown of musclesthe body cannot operate optimally without carbohydrates, so it may resort to using muscle stores instead.

"The body breaks down muscle protein into amino acids and then uses the amino acids to make glucose," says Turcotte. It is not clear if consuming so much fat, especially if the diet is heavy in saturated fat, is good for cardiovascular health long term either cardiologists say the diet could lead to high cholesterol. In addition, over time, ketosis can cause side effects like kidney stones and constipation in children following the diet for epilepsy treatment.

Turcotte also says that leaving out carbohydrate-rich food groups like fruits, whole grains, and legumes can also lead to a nutritionally-deficient diet lacking many vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, which are essential to overall health. Besides that, she says, it is just a very strict regime to stay on for a long period of time even for the most "die-hard keto dieters."

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Ketosis is a metabolic state that can help you shed fat fast here's how to reach it - Insider - INSIDER

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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.

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Gemma Collins smiles as she shows off her three stone weight loss after James Argent admitted she saved his - The Irish Sun

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