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Medifast, Inc. (MED) is a manufacturer and distributor of weight loss, weight management, healthy living products, and other consumable health and nutritional products, explains Doug Gerlach, editor of Investor Advisory Service.

The company operates a direct-to-consumer sales model facilitated by a network of more than 32,000 fitness and wellness coaches who were all previously clients.

Medifast calls this the Optavia community (which was launched in 2017) and claims that it provides greater success for individuals who are disillusioned with dieting alone.

Medifasts product lines include weight loss and management, meal replacement, and vitamins. More than 85% of orders are subscription-based meal plans, and the company claims 40 years of scientifically-backed results.

EPS are expected to decline to $5.82 for fiscal 2020 from $6.43 in fiscal 2019 as the effects of the pandemic weigh on the company, and then rebound to $7.32 in fiscal 2021.

We expect EPS and revenues to return to a longer-term growth rate around 15% after that, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 11.6% from the starting point of FY 2019s earnings. Analysts on Wall Street are looking for long-term EPS growth of as much as 20%, so there may be some upside to our expectations.

Medifasts stock currently trades at a P/E of 16.3 and is near the midpoint of its 52-week price range. The stocks present yield is 4.4%, which provides a nice uplift to the capital appreciation potential.

On the downside, the lowest price supported by the dividend is $89. History suggests that at that price, investors who are interested in the dividend would step in to take advantage of the high yield that would result. If the stock re-approaches its average high P/E ratio of 24.9, the price in five years could reach $277.

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Medifast: Diets and Dollars - Moneyshow.com

Stubborn belly fat and overall body fat is something we usually get worried about and people with much busy schedule dont get enough time to work on to reduce their body fat. This negligence causes increase in body weight and several health problems.

We have heard about many spices which are said to be very beneficial for weight loss in few days because they are natural substances and have no preserved ingredients.

Including all the natural spices, Cinnamon is one of the most beneficial spice for weight loss and other health benefits.

People have used cinnamon since 2000 BC in Ancient Egypt, where they regarded it highly. In medieval times, doctors used it to treat conditions such as coughing,arthritis, andsore throats.

It is now the second most popular spice, after black pepper, in the United States and Europe.

As a spice, cinnamon is available in powder form or whole, as pieces of bark. People can also use cinnamon essential oil and supplements.

Here we will discuss about the procedure to use Cinnamon in a drink to burn the body fat.

Step 1: Boil water till it boils ans use an inch of Cinnamon seed and soak it in the water for 2-3 minutes with a covered lit.

Step 2: Now drink a cup of that hot water when your stomach is empty, every morning for consecutive 40 days.

As for summers, those who want to avoid drinking hot water, can use Cinnamon soaked the whole night in a cup at room temperature and use it every morning.

You can throw the Cinnamon stick and can only get benefit from the enriched water. Also, it can be used in a sprinkle form on salads and desserts to get a fast weight loss result.

Moreover, various compounds in Cinnamon may benefit the cardiovascular system. Cinnemaldehyde, for example, lowered blood pressure in an animal study.

In a study, rats that received long-term treatment involving cinnamon and aerobic training had better heart function than those that did not.

Continued here:
How effective is Cinnamon for weight loss? Know the facts - BOL News

What prompted you to start your wellness journey, was there a particular moment or realisation?

I had suffered from a slipped disc in my back and I was in a lot of pain and had an operation. I also started a new dream job whichIneeded a lot of energy for. I realised that improving my health was critical to be able to live the life I wanted for myself.

RELATED:If You Blow Your Diet By Dinner Every Day, These 5 Strategies Will Help

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I joined WW(formerly Weight Watchers)and found a trusted personal trainer. I was very scared about stepping foot into a gym but with the right support, it helped me slowly gain confidence.

On the WW program, every food and drink is assigned a SmartPoints value which you track against a personalised daily budget. You also get a customised list of ZeroPoint foods which you don't have to measure or track, which form the basis of a healthy eating pattern. It includes things like eggs, fish, skinless chicken breast and most fruit and veg.I began focussing on my list ofZeroPointfoods and planning my meals around those items.I ate boiled eggs, salmon and lots of tasty foods.I realised quickly that I never needed to go hungry as I haddone with different weight loss approaches in the past.

When I joined up with my personal trainer, we had to work on my basic strength post-back injury, so slowly but surely I worked up to being able to do a lunge unassisted. These were key milestones that helped me gain confidence throughout my journey. I felt good about what I was achieving.

Weight loss isnt a straight linear line. There are ups and downs. I have now stayed at the same weight for almost a year and whilst I'm committed to losing my last kilos, I realise that maintaining my weight for the first time in my life, is a huge achievement.By tracking my food into the MyWW app, I was kept accountable, as well as using my FitBit to track my activity which automatically synced into my appas FitPoints.

One of the biggestchanges that made a difference was just getting back on track at the next meal if you have a slip-up.Anotherreason the myWW program worked for me as opposed to other eating programs wasbecause it gave meflexibility to enjoy meals out with friends (and not have to skip dessert), as well as discover new recipes and enjoy home cooking. All I had to do was adjust the rest of my day to account for the meal out and ensureit fitted within mySmartPointsbudget.

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Empowered.

Still seeing myself as overweight and that has made dents in my confidence, those things dont go away overnight when you lose the weight. That is work i'll always need to work on.

Support from my husband,the WW community, my personal trainer and friends who championed my journey. My WW coach was extremely encouraging, so much so, that we are now close friends! The myWW app also has a great 'Connect'platformwhich is kind of like a Facebook,but a safe space whichallows you to instantly access motivation from other members which was a great resource on my down days or days when I thought I might fall off the bandwagon. I also set small goals along the way and treated myself when I reached them (with some me-time such as a facial).

Never, ever give up.

What are your current short and long term goals?My mother is very sick at the moment so my energy is going into taking care of her, so maintenance of my weight is the best for mein the short term. Long term, I want to lose my last kilos and increase my strength and reach some new milestones in my gym work.

Eggs for breakfast, lunch is usually leftovers from dinner the night before. Dinners are lots of vegetables, a protein like salmon, chicken tenderloins and a baked potato.I use the myWW app as a recipe bank too! There are over 5,000 recipes that give you the exact SmartPoints so are easily factored into your daily intake. My favourite recipes would have to be theMushroom, Spinach and Chickpea CurryorBurrito Bowls.

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Gym classes around 3 times a week and a 1:1 personal training once a week. I also try to do a walk each day.I sync my FitBit to my myWW app and track my FitPoints as another way to stay motivated.

Maintaining the majority of my weight loss.

Start small and start somewhere but always start today dont put it off.

RELATED: 'The Eating And Exercise Regime That Helped Me Lose 10.25kg And 8.2% Body Fat In 8 Weeks'

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'The Eating Regime That Helped Me Lose 38kg Without Ever Feeling Hungry' - Women's Health

The pandemic has certainly brought out the creative streak in people and desserts do lend themselves to all kinds of themes and flavours, but this definitely takes the proverbial cake and bakery, too! The pandemic is seeing people prepare coronavirus-themed cakes, a move that is probably hoped to boost business. Whos eating it? That could be another guess, of course! The cakes in question popped up on a shelf in Guatemala City when pastry chef Roberto de Leon prepared the colourful dessert. As per a report, De Leon tried to keep his business afloat by promoting the elaborate virus-shaped cakes. Toilet paper cakes as wellOne of things that was in short supply across shelves in the US a while ago, was toilet paper. While many found that inconvenient, a few others picked up the idea of making a few cool toilet paper cakes. And these cakes were soon seen in special versions in quite a few places. As per a report, at a store in Germany got around to baking at least 200 of these sweet rolls in a single day to match the high demand for it. Another one in Illinois also made this offbeat, sugary treat. Food bloggers loved the idea and some said it was nice to see a sense of humour in these times.

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Covid 19-themed cakes and toilet paper cakes! What next? - Times of India

The beauty industry is now valued at over USD $530 billion globally. Many women and men invest in constantly improving their looks and wellbeing. Australia, a population of 25 million, spends over $14 billion every year on healthy eating and its weight loss industry is about to reach $300 billion on just weight loss. Americans spend about $33 billion each year on weight loss.

It is safe to say that todays adults care a lot about fitness and their body image. We all want to feel beautiful and look the best we can. Unless you are one of the 0.05% of the population that was born with perfect skin and facial features, we need some beauty techniques and products on a daily basis to enhance and retain whatever we consider to be the beauty we want to achieve. Thankfully, beauty products such as makeup, face masks, eyelash curlers, and cosmetic procedures became available to allow beauty something we can attain, not just born with.

There is no more stigma about women who use technology or beauty products to enhance their looks.

Many women who frequent salons to get their eyebrows waxed, threaded, or tinted understand the pain of maintaining their eyebrows. Those with thin eyebrows who have to paint them daily are stressed about going into water in case their eyebrows simply disappear, making them feel naked and vulnerable. Eyebrows define many of our facial expressions. They can make us look sharp, fierce, or soft. They play an important part of the image we want to project.

Enter microblading. Microblading is a newly refined semi-permanent tattooing technique using fine-point needles which allows our eyebrows to retain ideal shape and colour without any additional effort. It takes about 2-3 hours to get done and lasts about 6-9 months. You can get retouched once a twice a year to maintain. Many women have thanked their lucky stars for microblading as they no longer have to worry about going in the pool for a swim or even the rain washing away their eyebrow makeup.

Face rollers have gained enormous popularity the past couple years thanks to social media influencers sharing the before and after of using such a simple gadget. A face roller, just as the name suggests, is a small handle with one or two rolling pins attached at the end. You can use it to massage and tighten the skin on your face. There are numerous benefits associated with using a face roller on a regular basis. Massaging of your skin keeps your skin tight and firm with enhanced blood circulation, helping your face stay trim. It also helps address puffiness in the morning. Such benefits are similar to botox and other anti-ageing products but without use of any chemicals. It is a must-have for any woman into face contouring.

Fitness is now a part of most adults lifestyle. Weight loss and building muscles help women and men feel incredibly confident in whatever they wear. It is now also a criterion on many dating apps as men and women want partners who also invest in their well-being and fitness. There are some who struggle with staying in shape, sometimes even due to genetics. Just because you are not able to naturally create a model-like or a body-builder-like shape for yourself, that doesnt mean that you are not able to achieve the same level of fitness and self-confidence.

CoolSculpting, a simpler procedure which freezes the fat content in some of your more stubborn areas such as the abdomen, can help you get rid of the fat bulges you havent been able to get rid of for years. While healthy eating habits and routine exercise is the only way to stay fit long-term, body sculpting procedures and techniques provided by specialised clinics such as Cosmos Clinic can help you get the leg-up you wouldnt be able to obtain otherwise.

All women desire long, lush eyelashes to accentuate their eyes. They add volume and liveliness to your looks. 10% of women have experience with eyelash extensions, which could be a quite expensive beauty routine and 2-week infills are required. The beauty industry experts developed eyelash serum to boost the growth and health of their natural lashes. While theres only one FDA-approved serum, there are many over-the-counter serums that are rated highly by the customers. You can apply the eyelash growth serum on your lashes just as youd with mascara. Make sure that you do some research on the product and brand beforehand.

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Four top beauty innovations that will boost your self-confidence - Australian Times

Dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee tugged, snipped, and cut at a lipoma for over 40 minutes to try and remove it from a woman's back in a recent YouTube video posted June 4 to her infamous channel, "Dr. Pimple Popper."

The lipoma or lump caused by slowly overgrowing fatty tissue was particularly difficult to remove because of its "bubbly" nature. The lump was dispersed through different parts of a large area on her back, making it harder to remove than a lump all in a singular area.

To make sure all of the fatty tissue was gone, Lee zapped the area with a cauterizing instrument to stop any bleeding caused during the extraction process. Once all of the tissue had been removed, the skin flap that laid over the incision was visibly flatter.

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"Now my hand's gonna shake because I've been squeezing you so hard," Lee said as she sutured her patient's large incision.

Watch Dr. Pimple Popper remove a 9-pound lump that was growing on a man's arm for nearly a decade

Dr. Pimple Popper reveals her nighttime skincare routine, and it only includes 3 steps

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Dr. Pimple Popper removed a 'big bubbly' lump from a woman's back by tugging, snipping, and cutting for over 4 - Business Insider India

The Kades are founders of Gilded Skull Brewing and Blending Co., a brand new Massachusetts brewery that released its first beer last week. Its a happy moment for the couple on several levels, and one that almost didnt occur.

Back in 2012, Neil, a scientist by trade, started geeking out on home-brewing."I basically came home one day with stuff youre not supposed to start with oak barrels and $500 graduated cylinders and havent looked back," he says.

By 2017, the couple had engaged a lawyer, putting the concept of Gilded Skull to paper.

Then I got sick, says Kade, describing symptoms ranging from respiratory distress to severe acid reflux to a swollen abdomen and weight loss. And I never got better.

Lots of doctors ran lots of tests. In January 2018 an abdominal scan revealed a mass.

The first thing I thought was, Im done. Im gonna die, says Kade.

Kades diagnosis was cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer. The mass was within a few centimeters of his vena cava. The doctor wasnt sure if he could get it. Even with surgery, the survival rate for that kind of cancer is below 30 percent; its nearly nonexistent without it.

I found out the day after Christmas if I was going to be a candidate for surgery or if I was going to die, says Kade.

The news was as good as it could be. Kade was a candidate for the surgery, and he underwent a successful operation, removing the mass with clean margins. Many of his symptoms, though, remained, and Kade is still not in good health. He knows the chances of his cancer returning are high, and that those of his long-term survival are low.

My life was great, Kade says of his life before the diagnosis. I didnt appreciate it at the time. I suffer from anxiety and depression, which a lot of people do. I spent a lot of time stuck in my work life doldrums, the hour-and-a-half commute that I had. As soon as you get something like that, thats the only thing you can think of: That life has been so good, and it just started.

The Kades are making the most of his time. Though conditions arent perfect, the brewery is a go. The first beer from the metal and punk-inspired brand is Gilded Empire, a 7.2 percent ABV New England IPA hopped with Lotus, Citra, and Cashmere hops. Its being made at Castle Island in Norwood and distributed throughout Massachusetts through Craft Collective.

"Buying your beer in the store is the weirdest feeling but so cool," Kade posted a couple days ago on Instagram, holding up a 4-pack.

Kade doesn't know what the future holds, but says he's aiming for a new beer release every two to three months.

There is only now, he says. You have to do it now.

Gary Dzen can be reached at gary.dzen@globe.com.

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Craft brewer embraces a new life and a new beer - The Boston Globe

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.

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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

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