On a Michael Jordan deep-dive after inhaling this weeks ep of Netflixs The Last Dance? Join the club, friend. Theres no doubt the man was and is an absolute weapon on the basketball court. But although many may put his athletic ability down to discipline and God-given talent, theres no doubt his diet has played a huge role too.

WATCH: The Last Dance Featuring Michael Jordan...

Speaking with the Chicago Tribune back in 1996, Tim Grover (Michaels personal trainer of eight years) shared all the details of his day on a plate. His goal? Five to six frequent but small meals made up of 70 per cent carbs, 20 per cent fats and 10 per cent proteins.

Michael is not a big eater, Grover told the publication. He eats only when hes hungry and only until he feels comfortable rather than full.

RELATED:11 Vegan Meals With More Protein Than A Hamburger

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This nutrition plan was designed to keep his blood sugar levels stable and boost his metabolism, while avoiding weight gain.

"If he were to eat a big breakfast and then not have any food again until after practice, say around 3 p.m., then his insulin and energy levels would raise up in the morning for a while but crash in the afternoon. It could affect his mood along with his activity level, Grover explained.

Instead, Michael would load up at brekkie his biggest meal of the day -followed by a mid-morning protein shake, then lunch and a second protein shake, followed by a light dinner. Game nights were a whole different story: Michael would eat a larger dinner instead of the mid-afternoon snack, then chowed down on something light once the siren went off.

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Broken down further, MJs standard food fare looked a little like this:

Breakfast: A large bowl of oatmeal with strawberries, blueberries and raisins; scrambled egg whites; glass of orange juice.

Lunch: Lean proteins like chicken breast or hamburger with a healthy carb (e.g. whole-grain pasta or a baked potato) and a green salad.

Snacks: a shake made with a combination of Gatorade, protein powders and fresh fruit.

Dinner: Whatever he wants, Grover said.

RELATED:Here's What The Rocks 6,000 Calorie Cheat Meals Look Like

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The Diet That Helped Michael Jordan Stay At The Top Of His Game - Men's Health

My physicians support my low-carb lifestyle and, honestly, they are impressed with my tight control in less than a year out from my diagnosis, Alli tells Yahoo Life. (Photo courtesy of LowCarbDiabetic)

Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes can be shocking under ordinary circumstances. For Alli, the woman behind the popular Instagram account LowCarbDiabetic, the prognosis came right before she started medical school.

Im a career changer, and had some routine lab work done before leaving for medical school, Alli, tells Yahoo Life. My lab results showed dangerously high glucose levels. Glucose, aka sugar, is your bodys main source of energy, MedlinePlus explains. High glucose levels can be a sign of diabetes.

My doctor and I thought it might be an error because Ive been a runner and health nut for years, Alli says. But, after she did another glucose test, the diagnosis was official: She had diabetes.

It was a shocking diagnosis, but [it] made sense looking back at how Id been feeling over the last year, says Alli. She originally thought the fatigue she experienced and the fact that she was running slower than usual were due to school burnout. Alli also didnt pay a lot of attention to classic signs of diabetes, like having an increased appetite without gaining weight and being thirstier than usual.

Having diabetes is not for the faint-hearted, Alli says. If youre going to have good control, you have to find your inner warrior, she adds.

Alli now takes between four to six insulin injections a day and is very strict with her diet. She was already on a fairly low-carb diet at the time of her diagnosis, and shes maintained that.

But Alli admits she was confused when her doctor handed her a pamphlet from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) after her diagnosis that recommended she eat carbohydrates. It called for eating more carbs than I had in years.

Alli still gets carbs from fruits and vegetables, but shes cut out things like bread, rice, pasta and potatoes. Along with running regularly, she says that sticking to a low-carb diet has helped her reduce her insulin doses and helps keep her glucose levels within her target range.

Currently the ADA, notes on its website that eating too many carbs can raise your blood glucose too high. However, the organization adds, Eating too little carbohydrates can also be harmful because your blood glucose may drop too low, especially if you take medicines to help manage your blood sugar.

The ADA specifically recommends that patients with diabetes get their carbohydrates the most from whole, unprocessed, non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, tomatoes and green beans, and less from refined, highly-processed carbohydrate foods and foods with added sugar, like soda, white bread and cake. The ADA advises that minimally-processed carbs like brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta and oatmeal are also OK.

While a low-carb diet may work for some patients with diabetes, its hard to say that its the right fit for all diabetic patients, according to Katherine Araque, MD, an endocrinologist and director of endocrinology of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Its not one size fits all, says Araque.

Leigh Tracy, RD, a dietitian and diabetes educator at The Center for Endocrinology at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, agrees, telling Yahoo Life, that diabetics dont need to swear off carbs if they dont want to. Carbohydrates are not bad. They actually give your body necessary energy, she explains.

My physicians support my low-carb lifestyle and, honestly, they are impressed with my tight control in less than a year out from my diagnosis, she says.

After sharing her low-carb recipes with friends and family, Alli eventually decided to create an ebook of her recipes, called Beginners Guide for Low Carb Recipes.Its a lifestyle.

Despite her controlled diabetes, Alli says her condition is always on my mind. I just have to deal with it, she says. There are people with much more severe illnesses. I got a bad deal, but its really not that bad at the end of the day. Ive taken as much control as I can.

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In my pre-pandemic life, I had the opportunity to take a few working vacations to Rancho La Puerta in Mexico.

In my pre-pandemic life, I had the opportunity to take a few working vacations to Rancho La Puerta in Mexico. During these visits, I get to teach health-minded guests about the relationship between dietary choices, gut health and inflammation, while getting to experience idyllic healthy living conditions: uninterrupted access to extensive daily physical activity; easy availability of a diverse, plant-based diet; and no internet access in my room to distract me from going to bed early. By the end of a week there, I feel physically strong and mentally sharp.

If these are the effects of a single week of full-circle healthy living, I find myself wondering, imagine the effect of such consistent adherence to these healthy habits year-round. Indeed, perhaps the most inspiring thing I observe during my visits to Mexico is the radiant vitality of the exercise class instructors employed there a number of whom are in their 50s and 60s, and a few of whom Im told may even be flirting with 70.

These long-time staff members display the strength, agility, rapid reflexes and endurance of fit people in their 20s. During my most recent stay, I was blown away by the explosive movements of a 60-something hip-hop dance instructor. I was also left in the dust by the complex choreography and rapid transitions of a different 60-something disco class instructor, reduced to rubble by the endurance of a barre teacher who I suspect had a good ten years on me and trailed far behind the spritely 50-something guide of a 4-mile mountainous hike I took at dawn.

I left with the sense that these instructors have simply decided that aging and age-related frailty is purely optional. And they had opted out.

[See: 14 Ways Alcohol Affects the Aging Process.]

What Is Age-Related Frailty?

In medical settings, frailty is typically defined by some combination of:

Muscle wasting and an associated loss of strength.

Reduced tolerance for physical exertion and feelings of excess tiredness/exhaustion.

Low levels of physical activity.

A slower pace of walking.

Unintended weight loss.

A decline in cognitive function.

Available data strongly suggest that higher levels of physical activity and fitness are protective against developing frailty, whereas more sedentary lifestyles and lower levels of fitness are associated with increased risk of frailty. But promising new research suggests there may be another, complementary way we can protect ourselves against frailty, and it has to do with our dietary choices and how they affect the gut microbiome.

The Gut Microbiom

The gut microbiome is a trillions-strong ecosystem of microorganisms inhabiting our digestive tracts. In large part, these organisms are nourished by the foods we eat, particularly complex carbohydrates like starches and fibers. When gut microbes metabolize some of the nutrients we eat, they produce byproducts. These byproducts are called metabolites. Collectively, we refer to them as the gut metabolome. Some of these metabolites seem to have a health-promoting effect for us as their hosts. Others can have an inflammatory effect.

Prior research has identified certain signature shifts in both the gut microbiome which critters we tend to harbor and the gut metabolome what types of metabolites they produce as people age. In large part, these shifts are attributed to a tendency to eat less-diverse, lower-fiber diets as we age whether due to loss of motivation for cooking diverse meals, dental problems that render chewing more difficult, institutional food served at long-term care facilities and other psychosocial factors.

[SEE: 4 Diet Changes That Are Better Than Botox.]

Effect of Less Diverse Diets

Less diverse diets nourish a less diverse cast of microbial characters, and the loss of beneficial bacterial species often opens up ecological niches for other species that can cause disease when not kept in check. Harboring higher levels of specific organisms such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii for example has even been associated with reduced risk of developing frailty among the elderly. In contrast, harboring higher levels of other organisms has been associated with inflammation in general and increased risk of many chronic diseases.

A recent yearlong study, involving over 600 individuals aged 65-79 and published in the journal Gut, offers compelling evidence that older adults can modify the composition of their gut microbiome in a manner that may protect against frailty and chronic diseases that impair quality of life and increase risk of death simply by adhering closely to a Mediterranean diet.

A Mediterranean diet pattern is one rich in fiber from a variety of plant-based foods, including whole grains, beans/legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Its also rich in heart-healthy fats from foods like olive oil, fish, nuts and avocados. Conversely, the Mediterranean diet is low in saturated fats from meat, dairy and coconut oil. Its also very low in added sugar and refined carbohydrates, which are common in processed food.

The study included non-frail, older adults from five European countries who were split into an intervention group and a control group: The intervention group was given dietary advice on following a Mediterranean diet, whereas the control group followed their usual diet. Researchers took stool samples from them all at the start of the study, and then again after one year. They analyzed both the type and amounts of organisms they were harboring in their guts. They also profiled the types and levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory metabolites present in the participants stool.

After one year, researchers found that close adherence to the Mediterranean diet protected participants from loss of gut microbial diversity over time compared to people with less stringent adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the control group. Furthermore, beneficial bacterial species and metabolites became increased in the guts of hard-core Mediterranean dieters compared to their representation in the guts of those who didnt follow a Mediterranean diet closely or at all.

Mediterranean Diet and Health

The majority of these species have previously been associated with anti-inflammatory benefits, reduced risk of frailty, improved cognitive functioning and reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and colon cancer. In parallel, the gut microbiomes of participants who adhered to stricter Mediterranean diets also experienced a reduction in the ranks of species and their metabolites whose presence is associated with a variety of inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular diseases and colorectal cancer.

Of note, a larger group of people participated in a different arm of this same yearlong study. Those results demonstrated that increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet was also associated with greater improvements in cognition and episodic memory after one year compared to people who did not follow this diet as closely or at all.

The researchers concluded that the gut microbiome is never too old to change for the better, and that age-related decline in gut microbiome diversity is both optional and reversible. Even among older adults, adopting and maintaining a Mediterranean dietary pattern can modify the gut microbiome in a manner that may promote not just more years to your life, but more life to your years!

More from U.S. News

Mediterranean Diet Snacks

Anti-inflammatory Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid or at Least Limit

4 Foods Besides Brown Rice That Help Prevent or Manage Type 2 Diabetes

Gut Health, Aging and the Mediterranean Diet originally appeared on usnews.com

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Gut Health, Aging and the Mediterranean Diet - WTOP

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) By now, chances are youve heard of the COVID 10 or Quarantine 15. Maybe youve gained the pounds.

To help their neighbors get healthy, a group of professionals from Huntington wants to put the whole town on a diet.

RELATED STORY: Nutritionist Says Put Back Comfort Foods, Stock Up On Proteins, Fruits And Vegetables

For a group of ladies of Long Island, walking in picturesque Hecksher Park offers respite from the coronavirus pandemic.

No matter whats going on we have this, said Kerry St. George, of Northport, New York.

I came out here to take care of my head, said Tina Sundberg, of Centerport, New York.

Ive been putting on the pounds, St. George told CBS2s Vanessa Murdock.

Shes not alone.

Huntington Town Clerk Andrew Raia says hes gained the COVID 10.

If we go any longer, Im going to be in that 15, he said.

Raia blames the stress of the situation; he signs the death certificates.

Wednesday, Raia joined Dr. William Spencer, a practicing physician and Suffolk County legislator, Dr. David Buchin, head of Bariatric Surgery at Huntington Hospital, and trainer Phil Sottile, founder of Intelligent Fitness, to announce a voluntary diet for the Town of Huntington.

Obesity is a major issue in our country and one of the reasons why our country has such a problem with COVID-19, Buchin said.

CORONAVIRUS:NY Health Dept.| NY Call 1-(888)-364-3065 |NYC Health Dept. | NYC Call 311, Text COVID to 692692 | NJ Health Dept. | NJ Call 1-(800)-222-1222 or 211, Text NJCOVID to 898211 |CT Health Dept.| CT Call 211

According to a study by Northwell Health, of all patients hospitalized because of COVID-19, 42% are obese.

COVID-19 has a much greater impact on people with co-morbid conditions, things such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma. All of these things are associated with obesity, Spencer said.

Spencer says its time to take stock of whats in the fridge, exercise, get ample sleep and hydrate.

To help Huntington residents get on track, a free program is now accessible through the LI Obesity Surgery Facebook page. Youll find a healthy lifestyle program, live discussions, free exercise and yoga classes from Intelligent Fitness.

We crashed an entire economy because of the importance of health and wellness. Lets not let this moment pass us by, Sottile said.

Look at staying home as an opportunity to reshape your lifestyle and your body, too.

See more here:
Huntington Officials Offer Town Diet To Combat COVID 10 Weight Gain, Keep Residents Healthy - CBS New York

People who are overweight and suffering from joint pain caused by osteoarthritis are often reluctant to exercise, even though physical activity can boost muscle strength and relieve pain. A new study suggests gene therapy may someday be a good option for those peopleand it may help them shed pounds, too.

Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine gave young mice a single injection of the gene that makes follistatin, a protein that normally blocks another protein called myostatin, which modulates muscle growth. The therapy caused a significant buildup of muscle mass in the mice while also preventing obesity, the team reported in the journal Science Advances.

We've identified here a way to use gene therapy to build muscle quickly, said senior investigator Farshid Guilak, Ph.D., professor of orthopaedic surgery and director of research at Shriners Hospitals for Children St. Louis, in a statement. It had a profound effect in the mice and kept their weight in check, suggesting a similar approach may be effective against arthritis, particularly in cases of morbid obesity."

In fact, the mice didnt just build muscle, they also nearly doubled their strength without exercising any more than they usually did. Despite being fed a high-fat diet, they had fewer metabolic issues and stronger hearts than did animals that did not receive the follistatin gene. Their joints were healthier, with less cartilage damage and inflammatory markers than their untreated counterparts, the researchers reported.

Whats more, the Washington University team discovered that the gene therapy promoted the beiging of white fat, meaning it turned some unhealthy white adipose tissue into brown fat, which positively correlates with increased triglyceride clearance, normalized glucose level, and reduced inflammation, the researchers wrote in the study. Therefore, delivering the follistatin gene could serve as a very promising approach to induce beiging of [white adipose tissue] in obesity, they wrote.

RELATED: Could gene therapy be the solution to obesity and diabetes?

This is not the first time gene therapy has been proposed as a potential treatment for obesity and other metabolic diseases. Australian researchers demonstrated that removing the gene RCAN1 from mice, for example, helped turn white fat into brown fat. And a team in South Korea used the gene editing system CRISPR to remove the FABP4 gene from mice that had been fed a high-fat diet, resulting in a 20% loss of body weight and a reduction in insulin resistance.

The Washington University teams approach is distinctive in that it focuses on building muscle. But the researchers noted theyll have to do further studies to determine whether the gene therapy has any negative effect on heart muscle. Even though heart health improved in the mice, any thickening of the hearts walls could be dangerous over time.

Still, Guilak and his colleagues believe that follistatin gene therapy could be a promising approach to treating several conditions, including muscular dystrophy and other diseases that cause muscle wasting, they said in the study.

More here:
Gene therapy cuts fat and builds muscle in sedentary mice on unhealthy diets - FierceBiotech

These are strange times. Reports of the implosion of the meat industry due to the coronavirus pandemic, the closure of massive pork, chicken, and beef factories to worker illnesses, and governmental interventions to prop up an ailing meat industry are current headlines. Against this backdrop are new data describing a dose-response relationship between all kinds of meat intake and risk for diabetes. It would seem clear that the less meat, or none at all, is the future for health and the food industry.

In contrast are new headlines declaring that Eating meat IMPROVES mental health and one in three vegetarians are depressed. Is it true that a new research publication showed that eating meat improves mental health? Or is this more spin and more #fakenews from a dying animal food industry?

Similar headlines appeared in 2017 when a study of 9,668 male partners of 14, 541 pregnant women were asked to report if they were vegan, vegetarian, or non-vegetarians.

To indicate the quality of the study, 72 percent of the self-reported vegans indicated they ate meat! In addition, the vegetarian group reported eating sausage or burgers, meat pies, and fish and fried food in over 50 percent of the men. Men responding as vegetarians had higher rate of depression scores than non-vegetarians. The headlines blasted the news: meat prevents depression without acknowledging the serious flaws in the study.

In contrast, in 2015 the SUN project reported on a cohort of university graduates free of depression followed 10 years with food questionnaires and assessed for anew diagnosis of depression. The risk of depression with a pro-vegetarian dietary pattern was 25 percent lower with the plant-predominant diet. Other data indicate elevated mood in plant-eaters. In a rare prospective and randomized trial of nutrition intervention for 18 weeks in a corporate setting, improved productivity at work was demonstrated with less depression and anxiety on a plant-based diet vs. a standard diet.

In a paper titled Meat and mental health, a systematic review of meat abstention and depression, anxiety, and related phenomena, a literature review was conducted examining psychological health in meat-consumers and meat-abstainers. Overall, 160,257 participants were analyzed with 149,559 meat-consumers and 8584 meat-abstainers. Eleven of the 18 studies demonstrated that meat-abstention was associated with poorer psychological health, four studies were equivocal, and three showed that meat-abstainers had better outcomes. The conclusion was that meat avoidance as a strategy to benefit psychological health was not supported.

The initial search resulted in 7102 potentially relevant articles and only 18 papers met the inclusion/exclusion criteria.

The studies were placed in five categories based on their score for methodologic rigor. Two of the 18 selected studies had a low risk of bias; 5 had moderate risk; 4 had moderate-to-high risk; 4 had a high risk, and 3 studies had a severe risk of bias.

The review emphasized one particular study several times. That was the study of Michalak, Zhang, and Jacobi (2012) in German adults. Of a total of 4,181 study subjects, only 54 were complete vegetarians or 1.3%.

Buried deep at the end of the paper were the telling words: This study was funded in part via an unrestricted research grant from the Beef Checkoff, through the National Cattlemens Beef Association.

The flaws in this study are obvious. The one prospective and randomized trial of whole food, plant diets versus standard diets with meats showed a reduction in anxiety and depression with the plant diets. The downsides of increased risks of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, animal cruelty, and environmental consequences of meat-based diets all argue for more widespread adoption of plant diets of high quality with adequate supplementation.

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Article Name

The Vegan Diet and Depression: What You Need to Know

Description

Does a vegan diet lead to depression? Or does eating meat? Recent headlines suggest conflicting truths. Let's get to the bottom of these studies and claims.

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Dr. Joel Kahn

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LIVEKINDLY

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The Vegan Diet and Depression: What You Need to Know - LIVEKINDLY

Buff Bollywood stars, think Vicky Kaushal and Ranveer Singh, stick to their diet plans and workout schedules like we stick to our daily deadlines theres no room for error. They work around their shoot schedules and event commitments to squeeze in a quick workout and also munch on vitamin-loaded bites every now and then instead of overeating. But since the beginning of the lockdown, their erratically non-erratic daily schedules have gone for a toss. Just like ours.

Theyve also taken up new work-from-home schedules and a chefs toque to test their creative skills during the lockdown. Deepika Padukones been cooking up a storm pretty regularly in her kitchen, and man does it look good on the gram! She's joined by the likes of Kiara Advani Rajkummar Rao and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja in this feat.

The actors have taken over their kitchens to ensure that theyre eating healthy and nutritious meals as a part of their daily diets, leaving some room for desserts. As it should be. Here, we breakdown six Bollywood stars lockdown diets.

Vicky Kaushal has not compromised on his daily protein intake. Hes been flipping omelettes on the gram pretty regularly for us to know this. Hes also spending an ample amount of time in his home gym and getting a little extra workout done by taking on multiple household chores.

As per Hindustan Times, both Rajkummar Rao and his girlfriend, actor Patralekhaa, are following a very strict diet. We have been on a very rigorous (diet) schedule. The idea is not to let go completely (during the lockdown). So, even now, only Sundays are the cheat days, for which we wait very patiently, he told the daily.

The daily also spoke to Kiara Advani and she said that shes been cooking and baking like a pro since the beginning of the lockdown. Although I am cooking/baking, I have to also ensure that I dont eat all the yummy stuff myself. Life will come back to normalcy and we have to go back to work, she said.

If youve been following Ranveer Singh on Instagram, you already know that the actors majorly given into his sweet cravings and is relishing Nutella with almost all his meals. But the couples also been experimenting with different cuisines and dessert preparations at home. And you know what they say, diet or no diet, theres nothing better than homemade food!

Like Singh, Sonam Kapoor Ahujas also made room desserts in her daily diet. Shes been baking a lot of healthy cookies and chocolates for her family in Delhi right now.

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Ranveer Singh to Vicky Kaushal, this is the lockdown diet of these 6 Bollywood stars - GQ India

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | Published: May 11, 2020 1:20:12 pm Keep your energy levels up during Ramadan with these simple tips. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Suhur or sahari, also called sehri, is the significant pre-dawn meal consumed by those observing a fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Sehri is extremely important as it is what helps people maintain their energy levels during the day. Which is why, it is essential that the right food in the right quantity is consumed, especially if the person is working. However, in the current scenario, those observing roza should take additional dietary precautions for suhur to reduce the chances of infection, suggests Avni Kaul, nutritionist, wellness coach and certified diabetes educator and founder of NutriActivania.

It is very important to keep our body hydrated throughout the day to reduce the chances of infection. Hence, drink at least two cups of water during suhur to stay hydrated. Try adding water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumber, tomato, etc to your pre-dawn meal. It is important to drink two litres of water slowly between iftar and suhur to ensure proper hydration throughout the day.

Protein allows one to feel fuller for a longer duration of time. So it is important to include protein-rich foods like paneer, dal, channa, green peas (matar), rajma (preferably boiled) in the meal. These will help you feel energised and fuller for a better part of your day.

It is advised to either avoid or reduce intake of caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, and cola for suhur as caffeine can make some people urinate more, leading to dehydration. Instead, you can try green and herbal tea. One can even opt for curd that will also keep your gut healthy and cooler during the summer.

Try to add herbs like mint, basil (tulsi) and cardamom to your meal as they refresh the breath and purify the body. These flavourful herbs are also high in antioxidants and can boost immunity while combating disease-causing free radicals.

Focus to have a balanced meal. Avoid eating a heavy meal that includes fried meat or rice, or else you may feel hungry and thirsty all day long. Instead, go for boiled eggs and meat in small quantities. This will help ensure that you get sufficient protein intake for the day.

Cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, pears, watermelons, and all other vegetables hydrate the body and also help meet the daily dose of essential minerals and vitamins. You can also make salads with greens for suhur.

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.It is possible to feed a dog a vegetarian diet, but it is much easier to be wrong than to do it right, according to the president of the British Veterinary Association. But the case of cats is much more complex.

In June 2016, a Tumblr user posted a photo of the dinner he was about to serve his labrador.

Tonight, on Maggies menu is sweet potato puree (also known as sweet potato or sweet potato), brown rice puree, organic sprouted tofu, chia seeds, and digestive enzymes. Do you look excited? It is! Sfveganyogi wrote.

Actually, Maggie was most likely much less excited about her food than the large number of users who responded to the post.

Many of them were outraged that the owner of a dog decided to feed their pet with mashed tubers and tofu instead of the meat-based foods, which dogs generally eat with such relish.

The publication, and especially a response that highlighted the apparent apathy Maggies went viral.

And the vegan blogger, author of the controversial post, finally decided to abandon her account.

.Without essential amino acids like taurine, cats can die.

As veganism increases according to recent research, it grew 600% in the United States alone between 2014 and 2017 so has the idea that feed our animals with products Different from lfrom the meat industry It is a good idea.

The carbon footprint left by pet food is considerable. It is estimated that in 2017 the carbon emitted by the meat consumed by the animals threw the equivalent of around 64 million tons of CO2 per year into the air, which is the same as driving 13 million cars during the same period.

That figure includes only the carbon emitted by animals that end up being pet food. Apart from this, it must be taken into account the water used to grow food that they consume, in addition to the drinking water they drink, from the cleared forest in order to create their grazing land, and more and more land and water contaminated by its residues.

As the pet population increases, pet ownership is on the rise in countries like China, for example, and owners are turning to foods intended for both human aesthetics and animal nutrition, so it is likely that footprint keep growing.

In 2017, the scientific journal Plos One published an article that estimated cats and dogs in the U.S. they ate the caloric equivalent to the diet of 63 million Americans.

.British law requires animal owners to feed their pets a proper diet.

This has led many to ask the following question: Can our cats and dogs stop eating meat and become completely vegan?

Aside from the debate over nutrition facts, the personal opinions of a pet owner may face specific legislation designed to protect the welfare of the creatures.

In the UK, according to the Animal Welfare Act, the owner has an obligation to feed the animal with a proper diet, explains Daniella Dos Santos, president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA).

If you dont want to consume any animal protein because of your personal belief system, thats fine, but that diet is not designed to meet your pets wellness standards.

Cats are obligate carnivores. They need certain amounts of amino acids to be healthy and the lack of these can cause health problems, adds Dos Santos.

For that reason, I would not recommend a vegetarian diet, and much less a vegan

Cats are a particular challenge because they cannot produce certain proteins, such as taurine, on their own.

Instead, they have to absorb it from their food, and beef, chicken, and fish are particularly rich sources of protein.

Cats without enough taurine are at risk of developing a life-threatening disorder called dilated cardiomyopathy, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

.Cats need essential nutrients that only meat can provide.

In cats with dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle becomes very thin and weak, preventing them from pumping blood and supplying oxygen to the body.

If its not treated from the start, this disease can be fatal, says the ASPCA in an article about cats and vegan diets.

Cats need a particularly high protein diet, which is more difficult to find with a vegan diet. In fact, it could even cause them trouble processing carbohydrates. It does not allow them to digest plant material well, and they need essential nutrients that only meat can provide, says the association.

All that has not stopped some companies from creating vegan cat food.

One of them is Italy-based Ami, which sells vegan cat food. enriched with taurine and other essential proteins.

But the general consensus of all but a handful of vets is that cats are unlikely to grow up healthy on a meatless diet.

AND dogs? Here, science seems to qualify a bit.

.Some companies have created vegan cat food, but most vets say cats are unlikely to grow up healthy on a meatless diet.

Part of the reason that dogs They went from being wild species to becoming animals of company It was because of the food offered to them as they approached the bonfires.

This meal was not always meat.

In the wild, wolves obviously eat meat, but they are also known to eat eggs, berries, and even grass, if they lack vitamins.

Dogs may have adapted to a diet with less meat and more plant starch. Crucially, they have amylase genes, this means they can digest the starch from plants, an adaptation that may have evolved as they ate the debris left behind by humans in prehistoric fires.

Because of this, dogs have an advantage when it comes to bringing them on a meat-free diet. But Dos Santos, the president of the British Veterinary Association, warns that It is not so simple.

It is theoretically possible to feed a dog a vegetarian diet, but it is a lot easier to make mistakes than to do it rightIt would have to be done under the supervision of a veterinary nutritionist.

But certainly there are also companies joining the challenge of meatless dog food.

Wild Earth is one of them. Its creator, Ryan Bethencourt, is a scientist who had previously been heavily involved in new signatures of food of the futurelike Memphis Meats and Gelzen.

.Wild Earth dog food includes mushrooms like koji, which gives it a meaty flavor.

Bethencourt was inspired to create a food free of animal products in part due to a series of recalls, some of them due to the high levels of pollutants they produced in the United States.

In 2018, 100 million units of pet food were recalled, in part because some had very high levels of a euthanasia drug, pentobarbital.

Bethencourt said additional research showed her that many pet foods were made from animal by-products that they did not have to meet the same standards as those intended for human consumption.

I was also concerned about the increasing carbon footprint of pet foodAs the number of pets was increasing, it was necessary to raise more animals to feed them.

In San Francisco, there are believed to be more dogs than children, says Bethencourt, who lives in California, USA.

.The carbon footprint left by the pet food industry is growing.

At first, Bethencourt tried to get other peoples attention to act accordingly, but failed. If you cant find someone who does, you end up realizing that maybe you have to be that person, he says.

He and his partner, Ron Shigeta, officially launched Wild Earth in March 2018. This entrepreneur says he always intended for food to become a complete diet rather than a supplement. The first criticism of plant-based diets is that they are low in protein, so we wanted to make sure it was a protein-rich food.

The kibble, which can be bought online, contains all kinds of herbal ingredients, including seaweed (which Bethencourt says are rich in essential fats).

A great ingredient is yeast. When you look at the biomass, yeast is about 40% protein, and a good steak is about 30%, he says. Then it contains other mushrooms, specifically the koji, which is one that grows on wheat.

Bethencourt says that fungal cells are much more related to animal cells than to plants. The other benefit of mushrooms is that they can add a umami flavor with a hint of meat, which dogs enjoy.

.Chippins Haley Russell says crickets contain the 10 essential amino acids that dogs need.

Those who hesitate to feed their animals a completely plant-based diet, but at the same time they want reduce carbon footprintThey may have other options.

Haley Russell and Laura Colagrande are the creators of a pet food company called Chippin.

The couple discovered at university the extraordinary nutritional composition of the most notable ingredient in their products: crickets.

These small animals are a food resource worth turning to. Already millions of people, mainly in East Asia, eat crickets as part of their daily diet.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, insects like crickets constitute a good alternative source protein.

Crickets have up to 65% protein by weight, and are also rich in unsaturated fats, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Furthermore, these insects give very real benefits as to sustainability.

Beef cattle need 8 grams of feed to produce one protein, while crickets only need two grams of feed to create one gram of this macronutrient. Similarly, crickets spend much less water, a resource that worries farmers in many regions of the world.

.Crickets are a good alternative source of protein, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

They provide the 10 essential amino acids your dog needs they are the 10 building blocks without which your dog cannot thrive, says Russell.

And dogs love the taste of crickets. We wanted to create a food that was healthy and delicious but also nutritious. (From the beginning) it was about finding ingredients that meet the health and flavor requirements, but also they contained something that would help with sustainability.

Crickets do not emit methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, and produce far fewer agricultural discharges, something that can pollute water and arable land. From a dumping point of view, crickets are really interesting because they dont create the same manure management problem, says Russell.

In research published in the Journal of Cleaner Production in 2017, a group of researchers found that cricket farmers in Thailand used almost 25% less water than those who raised chickens in that country (note that in other countries, chicken farms may use less water).

In the future, crickets too they could be a source food for cats, according to Russell.

Insects can help with the challenges of cat food diets because they are complete proteins. But we are focused on dogs for now, he adds.

Although one is vegan and the other uses cricket protein, Chippin and Wild Earth have one thing in common: Both Bethencourt and Russell have tested their products.

I eat it all the timeBethencourt says. I dont think people should sell dog food unless they eat it themselves.

I challenged Nestl and Mars executives to try their own dog food and none of them have accepted it yet!

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Human foods that are dangerous to your pet

A balanced human diet is not always adapted to animals, and in fact can be highly toxic to them. So the next time you feast on your pet by feasting on your favorite food, think again. Here are some foods to avoid giving your pet, according to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is toxic to pets if eaten in large quantities. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia, or an irregular heartbeat and restlessness. Dark chocolates are worse since they contain higher levels of the substance.

Consuming salt in large amounts can cause excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. It can cause diarrhea, tremors, elevated body temperature, and can even lead to death. Avoid feeding them products like chips, pretzels, and salty popcorn.

Alcoholic beverages and any type of food products that contain alcohol can cause vomiting, decreased coordination, and abnormal blood acidity. If you suspect that your pet has consumed alcohol, contact your veterinarian, since consumption in large quantities can even be fatal.

Raw meat contains bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli that can cause stomach infections in pets. Ingesting bones can cause suffocation, intestinal blockage, or tears in the animals digestive tract. Whenever possible, give them cooked minced or boneless meat.

They contain chemicals that can damage red blood cells, particularly in cats and to some extent in dogs, and cooking them does not reduce their potential toxicity. Onion and garlic can also cause gastrointestinal irritation.

Coconut milk and meat contain oils that are not adapted to animals. When consumed in large quantities, coconut and coconut-based products can cause stomach upset and loose stools.

Raw eggs can contain bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli and have an enzyme called avidin that can affect the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems.

Coffee contains substances called methylxanthines that can cause diarrhea in pets, as well as panting, thirst and excessive urination, abnormal heart rhythm and, in extreme cases, even death.

Although the harmful element within grapes has not been identified, they can be highly toxic to most pets and cause sudden kidney failure. In addition to grapes, foods such as fruit salads, cereals, granola bars, and raisin cookies should also be kept away from them.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is used in many products, such as chewing gum, candy, baked goods, and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most pets, which can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and liver failure.

Nuts, such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts, include significant amounts of natural oils and fats that can be heavy to digest and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis.

Avocado consumption can be a problem for most animals, including rabbits, birds, horses, donkeys, and sheep. Certain elements in avocados can be particularly toxic to birds, causing shortness of breath and severe cardiovascular damage.

These contain varying amounts of citric acid, essential oils that can cause irritation and depression of the nervous system if taken in significant amounts. Even small doses are capable of causing stomach upset.

Pets have lower levels of the lactase enzyme that helps break down lactose. It is preferable to keep them away from milk and other lactose-based products, as they can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea and vomiting.

Eating yeast dough can cause gas in a pets digestive system, which can lead to bloating and even twisting of the stomach. If a dog eats raw bread dough, he can get drunk as the yeast releases a chemical called ethanol, a form of alcohol.

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Why feeding cats and dogs a vegan diet is a bad idea - Explica

The coronavirus outbreak has upended a sense of normalcy and daily routines, which may be affecting your typical health and wellness regimen as well.

And while health experts say maintaining a healthy weight is important, you dont have to go overboard to avoid gaining weight right now.

Im not suggesting starting a strict diet or intense exercise program while sheltering in place, but there are some simple things you can do to prevent weight gain and protect yourself not only from Covid-19-related complications, but also from diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, Dr. Melina Jampolis wrote in an article for CNN.

Make stress management a priority

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, its important to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health, experts note.

I know, it isnt easy. Balancing homeschooling, financial challenges, cabin fever, social isolation and illness is stressful, but stress can contribute to poor eating choices and increase fat deep in your belly (underneath the muscle) that can contribute to heart disease and diabetes, Dr. Jampolis wrote in the CNN article.

Additionally, the CDC recommends the following measure to look out for your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak:

Pay attention to what youre buying

When you go to the grocery store, or order supplies to be delivered, pay attention to what youre adding to your cart. Try to stay away from having too much junk food in the house to avoid temptation.

Getting enough water and servings of fruits and vegetables is also recommended.

More tips on cooking amid the pandemic can be found here.

Get a good nights rest

If youve been having trouble sleeping lately, a new study shows that youre not alone.

The study, commissioned by Sleep Standards, found that nearly 77% of Americans have lost sleep over the coronavirus pandemic.

Sleep is an essential part of all-around health.

Both excess sleep and inadequate sleep have been linked to weight gain, increased appetite and worsening blood sugar control, so try your best not to completely abandon your sleep schedule, according to CNN.

Stay social

Just because youre sheltering in place, doesnt mean you have to be socially isolated. In fact, the World Health Organization even encouraged experts to move away from calling it social distancing and instead opt for physical distancing.

Maintaining a sense of connection with people in your life can help keep a sense of normalcy, which can help keep you healthier all around.

It occurred to me from the beginning that this was an unfortunate choice of language to talk about social distance, when actually what was meant was physical distance, Martin W Bauer, a London-based sociology professor told Al Jazeera. It is good that WHO finally tried to correct an early error of mistaking physical distance for social distance. In these strange times of the virus, we want clear physical distance, but at the same time, we want people to remain close to each other socially.

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Ways other than diet, exercise to stay healthy while at home - Greater Milwaukee Today