Daily Archives: April 21, 2021

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Its that time again time to look for upwardly mobile stocks at relative bargain prices. Weve just seen a pullback in market prices, but for some stocks the pullback started earlier and has run deeper. Thats opened up opportunities that Wall Streets analysts have been quick to point out. These are Strong Buy stocks, despite their recent slips in share value. The analysts have noted that each one has a path toward near-term gains, making the risk-reward factors suitable for return-minded investors. And with prices down lately, these are suitable for bargain hunters, too. Weve used TipRanks' database to find three stocks which meet that profile. Let's take a closer look. Farfetch, Ltd. (FTCH) Online retailers have obviously had an advantage in the past year, but on the flip side, the recent reopening of economies around the world has put some pressure on them. Farfetch, an online clothing retailer with an international profile headquarters in London, offices in New York, LA, Tokyo, Shanghai, Portugal, and Brazil shows both trends. The companys gains in 2H20 pushed its market cap well above $16 billion, while recent stressors have forced the stock price down by 38% since its February peak. Farfetch has a solid foundation, based on more than 3 million active customers and over 1,300 sellers on the platform. The company saw, in 2020, over $3.2 billion gross merchandise offered through the site, making it the top global platform for buying luxury products online. The gross merchandise value was up 49% from the prior year. At the top line, Farfetchs 2020 revenues were up 64% year-over-year, to $1.7 billion, with $540 million, about one-third of that total, coming in Q4. Covering Farfetch for J.P. Morgan, 5-star analyst Doug Anmuth notes that the recent weakness has created a compelling buying opportunity. This opportunity is based on: "1) FTCHs position as the leading global marketplace in the $300B luxury market that is rapidly shifting online; 2) FTCHs well-established e-concessions model that attracts more brands & inventory to the platform; and 3) FTCHs strong position in the high growth China luxury market through both the FTCH app & recently launched store on Alibabas Tmall Luxury Pavilion. FTCH should also see its first full year of EBITDA profit in 2021, with a path to greater scalability over time driven by leverage in both Gross Margin and G&A. In line with this bullish outlook, Anmuth rates FTCH an Overweight (i.e. Buy), with a $72 price target suggesting a one-year upside of 58%. (To watch Anmuths track record, click here) Overall, the Strong Buy consensus rating on Farfetch is based on 7 Buy reviews, which offset a single Hold. The stocks share price is $45.50, and the average target of $74.38 implies ~63% upside for the next 12 months. (See FTCH stock analysis on TipRanks) Oncternal Therapeutics (ONCT) The next stock on our list, Oncternal, is a clinical stage biopharma company focused on oncology. The company is working to develop new treatments for cancers with unmet critical needs. The companys pipeline has three drug candidate, in various stages of development from preclinical to a Phase 2 trial. The lead candidate in the pipeline, cirmtuzumab, is the one undergoing that trial. The drug is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the ROR1 receptor in certain hematologic cancers. In December, the company released interim Phase 1/2 results of cirmtuzumabs efficacy in combination with ibrutinib. The combination compared favorably to ibrutinib as a single agent. Cirmtuzumab is also in a Phase 1 clinical study as a treatment agent for breast cancer; updated results released earlier this month showed that a partial response or a stable disease in half or more of the patient cohort. Despite the positive clinical results, Oncternals stock tumbled 30% this month. According to Northland analyst Carl Bynes, in a note titled Weakness Creates Buying Opportunity, investors should take this time to buy in. We view shares of ONCT as an essential holding for those investing in the oncology segment, with multiple clinical updates anticipated in 2Q21 serving as MAJOR catalysts. We believe cirmtuzumab (anti-ROR1 mAb) is positioned to become a breakthrough therapeutic for treating MCL and other ROR1-expressing malignancies. Further, we anticipate first-in-human dosing of its ROR1 CAR-T candidate in 2H21 in China," Bynes opined. Congruent with his upbeat outlook, Bynes rates ONCT an Outperform (i.e. Buy), and his $21 price target implies an impressive upside of 265% in the year ahead. (To watch Bynes track record, click here) Wall Street has taken a unanimous stance on ONCT, giving the stock 4 recent positive reviews for a Strong Buy consensus rating. The average price target, at $15.50, indicates ~170% upside from the share price of $5.75. (See ONCT stock analysis on TipRanks) BioLife Solutions (BLFS) Drug companies cant do their jobs without support services or the products supplied by companies like BioLife. The company supplies cell and gene therapy bioproduction tools, including cryopreservation storage units, biopreservation for blood storage, hypothermic storage and shipping media, and, importantly, cell thawing media allowing use of biosamples after cryopreservation. BioLifes quarterly top line has shown sequential gains in both Q3 and Q4. The third quarter gain was 14%, and increased to 30% in Q4. The Q4 revenue, at $14.7 million, was up 78% yoy. For the full year, the top line hit $48.1 million, a yoy gain of 76%. The company has provided 2021 revenue guidance in the range of $101 million to $110 million. With this in the background, we can look at the share performance. BLFS shares peaked in December, after rising 176% in 12 months. Since then, the shares have retreated 31%. Carl Bynes, of Northland Capital, sees that share retreat, again, as an in for investors. "We view the recent pullback in BioLife shares as a buying opportunity. BioLife, in our view, is uniquely positioned to emerge as the leading consolidator of the enabling technologies segment supporting the high-growth cell and gene therapy sector. The Co., through internal development and acquisitions, has amassed a comprehensive breadth of product and service offerings that support cell and gene therapy applications from development through commercialization, Bynes noted. To this end, Bynes rates BioLife an Outperform (i.e. Buy), along with a $55 price target to indicate a 12-month potential upside of ~75%. (To watch Bynes track record, click here) Looking at the consensus breakdown, Wall Street takes a bullish stance on BLFS. 6 Buys and 1 Hold issued over the previous three months make the stock a Strong Buy.' BLFS shares are selling for $31.51, and their $55.83 average price target suggests a 77% upside. (See BLFS stock analysis on TipRanks) To find good ideas for beaten-down stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

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CBDepot and 4MP Cannabidiol Novel Food Applications With the UK Food Standards Agency Are Declared Validated and Verified Food Supplements - Yahoo...

Bloating is a common problem often caused by issues like constipation or excess gas (1).

Plus, what you eat and drink can significantly affect bloating and other digestive issues.

Fortunately, many ingredients have been shown to promote regularity, prevent fluid retention, and enhance gut health, all of which can help keep bloating at bay.

Here are 20 foods and drinks that can help with bloating.

Avocados are highly nutritious, packing a good amount of folate and vitamins C and K into each serving (2).

Theyre also rich in potassium, an essential mineral involved in regulating fluid balance and sodium levels to prevent water retention (3).

Whats more, theyre high in fiber, which moves slowly through your digestive tract to support regularity and help prevent constipation and bloating (4).

Cucumbers comprise about 95% water, making them great for relieving bloating (5).

Eating foods with a high water content can help ensure you stay hydrated and meet your daily fluid needs.

This may prevent water retention and alleviate bloating caused by dehydration (6, 7).

Yogurt is packed with probiotics, a beneficial type of bacteria that plays a key role in gut health.

According to some research, probiotics may improve stool frequency and consistency to promote regularity (8).

Furthermore, probiotics have been shown to reduce bloating and abdominal distension caused by conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common disorder that affects the large intestine (9, 10).

Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Theyre also high in fiber. Blackberries, for instance, contain nearly 8 grams of fiber per cup (150 grams) (11).

Increasing your fiber intake can enhance gut health and soften your stool to prevent constipation and bloating (12).

Green tea is a great option to help you stay hydrated and prevent fluid retention.

Its brimming with antioxidants like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which can neutralize harmful free radicals and reduce inflammation in your body (13).

Green tea also contains caffeine, a compound that stimulates digestive tract movement and acts as a natural laxative to support regularity. In turn, this can reduce bloating (14).

Celery is a nutritious veggie comprising about 95% water (15).

In addition to its high water content, celery contains mannitol, a type of sugar alcohol that softens stools to promote regularity by pulling water into the digestive tract (16, 17).

Additionally, the root of the vegetable is considered a natural diuretic. This means it increases urine production to remove excess water and sodium from your body, which can help alleviate bloating (18).

Ginger is an herb thats well known for its ability to soothe digestive distress (19).

For example, some research shows that ginger could speed stomach emptying to prevent bloating and feelings of fullness (20, 21).

It also contains an enzyme called zingibain, which helps break down protein more efficiently to support healthy digestion (22).

Kombucha is a type of fermented beverage typically made from black or green tea.

Like other fermented foods, its rich in probiotics and can promote gut health and regularity (23).

It can also keep you hydrated and squeeze more inflammation-fighting antioxidants into your daily diet to help beat bloating (24).

Bananas are popular for their flavor, portability, and convenience.

Theyre also highly nutritious and an excellent source of fiber, with 3 grams of fiber found in 1 medium (118 grams) banana (25).

Additionally, theyre rich in potassium, a nutrient that supports a healthy fluid balance. In turn, this may prevent bloating and water retention (26).

Papaya is a type of tropical fruit known for its sweet flavor and smooth, creamy texture.

It not only has a high water content but also provides plenty of fiber in each serving (27).

It likewise contains an enzyme called papain, which helps your body break down amino acids. This encourages healthy digestion and may help keep bloating at bay (28).

Asparagus is a great source of fiber, providing nearly 3 grams in each 1-cup (134-gram) serving (29).

It also contains a good amount of inulin, a type of prebiotic fiber found in a variety of foods (30).

Studies show that inulin may support gut health and increase regularity, which may help prevent bloating and constipation (31).

Enjoying a bowl of oatmeal in the morning can be an easy and effective way to battle bloating.

Thats because oats are loaded with fiber, boasting 4 grams in each 1/2-cup (40-gram) serving (32).

Plus, they contain a specific type of fiber called beta glucan, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties (33).

Pineapple is a tropical fruit that packs a serious punch when it comes to nutrition, with plenty of vitamin C, manganese, and B vitamins in every serving (34).

Pineapple also contains bromelain, an enzyme that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat digestive disorders (35).

In some studies, bromelain has been shown to fight inflammation, which improves issues like bloating and swelling (36, 37).

Turmeric is a spice often used to brighten curries, soups, and side dishes.

It contains a compound called curcumin, which has been studied extensively for its anti-inflammatory effects (38).

According to some research, curcumin may also improve gut health and reduce symptoms of IBS, including gas, bloating, and constipation (39, 40).

If you experience bloating after eating foods like pasta, crackers, and bread, switching to gluten-free grains like quinoa may be worth a try.

Consuming foods that contain gluten can cause digestive issues like bloating among people with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (41, 42).

Quinoa is also rich in many other beneficial compounds like fiber and antioxidants that help combat bloating even if youre not on a gluten-free diet (43, 44).

Apples have a high water content and are rich in potassium, which supports a healthy fluid balance and helps you stay hydrated (45).

Whats more, theyre brimming with fiber, with almost 5 grams in just 1 medium (200-gram) apple (45).

In particular, apples are high in a type of soluble fiber called pectin, which can accelerate the movement of food as it passes through your digestive tract to treat constipation and bloating (46).

Although its often added to sweets like pies, cakes, and crisps, rhubarb is not a fruit. Rather, its a vegetable known for its vibrant edible stalks.

Rhubarb contains a compound called sennoside. This compound inhibits water transport from the luminal to the vascular side of the colon, acting as a natural laxative to stimulate bowel movements (47, 48).

Furthermore, it can help increase your fiber intake, with over 2 grams of fiber in each cup (122 grams) of rhubarb stalk (49).

Kiwi is a popular fruit rich in several key nutrients, including fiber and potassium (50).

It also contains actinidin, an enzyme shown to improve digestion and speed stomach emptying in some animal studies (51, 52).

As such, several studies suggest that kiwi could benefit many digestive issues and help reduce bloating, stomach pain, and constipation (53, 54, 55).

Peppermint tea is an herbal tea thats widely used to treat a range of digestive conditions.

Peppermint oil, in particular, has been shown to decrease inflammation and treat symptoms of IBS like stomach pain, constipation, and bloating. Plus, it may help prevent muscle spasms in the stomach and intestines, which could also help prevent bloating (56).

That said, more research is needed to confirm whether the benefits of peppermint oil also apply to peppermint tea.

Closely related to vegetables like carrots, celery, and parsley, fennel is a plant known for its distinctive licorice-like flavor.

Interestingly, studies show that fennel and its seeds possess antispasmodic properties, meaning it can help relax the muscles in your intestinal tract to provide relief from gas and bloating (57).

It also acts as a diuretic to increase urine production and reduce water retention (57).

In addition to incorporating some of the foods and drinks listed above into your daily diet, several other strategies can help prevent bloating.

For starters, be sure to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. This can help reduce how much air you swallow to prevent gas buildup (58).

Some research also suggests that taking supplements like probiotics or digestive enzymes could be beneficial (59, 60).

To identify whether certain foods are causing your digestive issues, you may also consider tracking your food intake.

For example, foods high in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) such as beans, dairy products, and garlic trigger digestive symptoms like gas and bloating in some people (61).

Other ingredients that commonly cause bloating include sugar alcohols, cruciferous vegetables, carbonated beverages, and beer.

Its also important to get plenty of sleep and regular exercise, as studies show that both sleep deprivation and physical inactivity may affect digestive health and worsen issues like bloating (62, 63).

Lastly, you may also consider consulting a doctor to determine whether you have any food sensitivities or other underlying conditions that could contribute to bloating, such as IBS.

Bloating is a common issue that can be caused by a number of conditions.

Many foods and drinks may help decrease bloating by reducing constipation, alleviating inflammation, and supporting a healthy fluid balance.

Chewing your food thoroughly, taking certain supplements, and determining whether certain ingredients contribute to your digestive issues may also help relieve bloating.

If your symptoms are serious or persist, consider consulting a doctor for personalized recommendations and treatment.

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20 Foods and Drinks That Help with Bloating - Healthline

This is such a wonderful time of year! As spring commences, our thoughts turn to the great outdoors. For some, that great outdoors is their own yard. Thoughts of beautiful flowers, blossoming trees, fresh fruit and vegetables of our favorite varieties and grown to perfection as well as time sitting outside in beautiful contemplation enjoying all of it. With this thought in mind, lets look at the antithesis of inner peace and contentedness stress and anxiety.

Stress and anxiety seem to occur in more people than not. We live in a time where slow, monotonous work in the fields for our simple survival is replaced with frenetic activities trying to make life work. Shopping for every known food or luxury occupies some of that time. Working long hours, whether inside or outside of the home, going to the gym and every imaginable activity, constantly plugged in to social media, news, YouTube, and words in our ears from every direction creating fear and concern about the world we live in. It is no wonder we feel stressed and anxious.

We all pretty much recognize how stress and anxiety adversely affects our health and wellbeing (if not, refer to the many articles Ive written on this topic), but Id like to look at it from a weed, seed and feed standpoint.

For our emotional wellbeing, first we need to weed out the negativity and stressful factors. What things can you delegate to someone else to take something off your plate? What activity do you participate in that you dont like that you can find a happier and healthier solution to? Do you have negative people in your life that it is time to weed out and discard in a healthy way to all?

When you weed something negative out of your life you leave a hole. The brain and body do not like holes, so we need to seed something positive in its place. If you hate your job and weeded it out, what job can you replace it with to seed a more satisfying and abundant life? If you weeded out friends that bring you down or bring you stress, who would you like to build a healthier relationship with (and go and do that).

Then you need to feed it. Because our lives are so frenetic today, we have to plan time to feed relationships, to feed joy in our lives and to feed contentment. We also have to feed ourselves. Running around without proper fuel to sustain us just adds to the stress and anxiety that we feel. Feeding ourselves good, healthy foods and good, healthy food supplements is a good start.

Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with over four decades of experience. Carling is a Health Detective, she looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur dAlene clinic. Visit Carlings website at http://www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at 208-765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.

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ADVERTISING: Advertorial Spring weeding, feeding, and seeding: Stress and anxiety - Coeur d'Alene Press

By Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, April 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- People who eat plenty of vegetables, fish and fiber may have more inflammation-fighting bacteria in their guts, but fast-food lovers may be feeding inflammatory microbes.

That's the conclusion of a new study that looked at people's diet habits and the makeup of their gut "microbiome."

The term refers to the vast collection of bacteria and other microbes that naturally dwell in the gut. Studies in recent years have been revealing just how important those bugs are to the body's normal processes from metabolism and nutrient synthesis to immune defenses and brain function.

In the new study, researchers found that people who ate diets rich in plant-based foods and fish akin to the famous Mediterranean diet had an advantage: More collections of gut bacteria that can temper inflammation.

On the other hand, people who favored meat, processed foods and sugar tended to have clusters of gut microbes that are pro-inflammatory.

Many studies have tied Mediterranean-style eating and plant-rich diets to lower risks of various diseases.

The researchers said the new findings add to evidence that effects on the gut microbiome are one reason why.

"Our study provides support for the idea that the gut microbiome could be one link between diet and disease risk," said senior researcher Dr. Rinse Weersma, a gastroenterologist and professor at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

His team found that people who ate more vegetables, fruit, fatty fish, nuts and fiber-rich grains generally had higher concentrations of bacteria that churn out short-chain fatty acids.

Short-chain fatty acids are produced when gut bacteria ferment non-digestible fiber, and they are anti-inflammatory, Weersma explained.

On the opposite end of the spectrum was the "fast-food cluster," where people had a high intake of meat, french fries, soda and processed snack foods.

They were in double-trouble, according to Weersma: Owing to a lack of dietary fiber, they had fewer bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids. They also showed a greater abundance of pro-inflammatory gut microbes.

Many factors influence the balance of bacteria in any one person's gut microbiome, including genes, age, health conditions, medication use (particularly antibiotics) and stress, experts say.

"But I would say diet is the number one factor for adults," said Dr. Emeran Mayer, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine.

Mayer, who was not involved in the study, is author of the forthcoming book "The Gut-Immune Connection."

He said he generally recommends a largely plant-based diet, choosing the particular foods based on individuals' needs. Diet is the way to go, rather than taking probiotic supplements, Mayer said.

"There's no way to get around the biology. You can't eat a bad diet then take a probiotic," he said. "You have to make a fundamental shift in your diet and overall lifestyle."

Unfortunately, Mayer added, processed foods and other unhealthy choices are often cheaper, which makes it hard for lower-income people to eat healthfully.

"That's a real problem," he said.

The new findings published online recently in the journal Gut are based on more than 1,400 Dutch adults who answered questions on their diet habits and gave stool samples for a gut-microbe analysis. Some were generally healthy, while others had digestive disorders, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Overall, the study found consistent links between fish and food from plants and anti-inflammatory gut microbes, including in people with digestive conditions.

Dr. Andrew Chan is a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and professor at Harvard Medical School.

Chan said evidence is growing that the gut microbiome is one important link between diet and disease risks.

But it's likely that inflammation is only one part of the story, according to Chan.

Researchers are just beginning to understand the many roles of the gut microbiome, which some view as an organ unto itself, he noted. Much more work is needed to characterize how the microbiome might influence human health, and define what a "healthy" one is, Chan added.

For now, Weersma said these findings support current recommendations to eat more "whole" plant foods and fewer processed ones.

Chan agreed, but added that, ultimately, research into the gut microbiome could move experts away from one-size-fits-all advice. It's becoming possible to individualize diets based on how a person, and his or her gut microbiome, respond to food, he said.

More information

The Harvard School of Public Health has more on the microbiome and diet.

SOURCES: Rinse Weersma, MD, PhD, professor/chairman, gastroenterology and hepatology, University of Groningen/University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Andrew Chan, MD, MPH, chief, Clinical and Translational Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, and professor, medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Emeran Mayer, MD, PhD, professor, medicine, and director, G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine; Gut, April 2, 2021, online

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Are You Eating Foods That Harm Your 'Microbiome'? - WebMD