Ask Doc This week, a reader wrote in suggesting we should "stick to finance" because there are plenty of other health newsletters on the market.
He's right, there are other health letters out there. I would know... I read a lot of them.
And you'll notice that many of those letters are pushing pills...
They might write an article about a real problem. But they'll also try to sell you on a "solution in a bottle." Want to beat ED? Take this pill. Want to sleep better? Buy that supplement. They even go so far as to push "miracle cures" found in the Bible.
I don't do that.
I include health and wellness information once or twice a week in Retirement Millionaire Daily because I want to share what I know with you.
After my time on Wall Street, I went to medical school. I took on a grueling fellowship in molecular biology at Duke University and had my work published in one of the premier journals in my field, Ophthalmology. A lot of the other newsletter folks can't say that.
Since leaving medical school, I've remained passionate about following the latest health research and sharing it with my family and friends.
That's why when our newsletter launched, I assembled a crack team. We do thorough research and only share the best information with you, and call out the snake oil. Our goal is to empower you to make the best decisions for your own care.
Because if you don't have your health, you won't be around to enjoy your wealth.
If you're like our disgruntled subscriber and want a daily finance-only newsletter, there are plenty out there. In fact, we have a fantastic service at Stansberry Research called DailyWealth Trader. You can get new trading recommendations and market reviews every weekday. Click here to learn more.
In the meantime, let us know what you think – should I quit with the health essays? Write to us here: [email protected].
Q: I take a 20 minute or so nap about every day. Can you tell me, what is the difference between a nap and meditating? – G.K.
A: Getting enough sleep is one of the most important ways to maintain good health. Naps are helpful if you're not getting enough sleep at night. While it's best to get a full seven and a half to eight and a half hours, taking naps throughout the course of the day is helpful if you're not getting a full seven hours.
But naps and meditation don't offer the same benefits...
The power of meditation comes from the "relaxation response" it elicits. Meditation actually changes our physiology. During meditation, our brain waves convert to a pattern that is as deep as, and in some ways deeper than, sleep. And meditation is also more restful and recharging than a nap.
Meditation releases chemicals that are the direct opposite of the so-called "stress hormones." These chemicals and hormones trigger pathways of healing and regeneration. Regular meditation practice lowers your heart rate and increases both your blood's oxygen saturation and the delivery of oxygen to tissues. This is the exact same benefit of exercise. Sleep doesn't release the same chemicals, but it's still necessary to clear out toxins and debris from your brain.
If you're not getting enough sleep and you have the time, do both.
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Q: Cipro is prescribed for more-serious UTIs, and its side effects are horrendous potentially – even attacking the Achilles' tendon at times. This makes prevention even more important.
Could you suggest a safer remedy in case a reader does come down with a UTI? – E.S.
A: We mentioned in our essay about urinary tract infections (UTIs) that if you have symptoms for more than a few days, you should go to the doctor.
Many folks in good health can try a "watch and wait" approach. If you have minor symptoms, increase your water intake and try to urinate as much as possible to get rid of the bacteria naturally. The symptoms should clear up in a day or two... If they hang around longer than that, get to a doctor.
If you have pain in the lower belly or in your back below your rib cage, you could have a bladder or kidney infection, so again, you'll want to get to the doctor. Similarly, fever, chills, and nausea are all reasons to seek professional care. If you're older than 65 or have diabetes, complications could arise, so getting help is more urgent.
Remember, prevention is the best medicine. Follow our tips to keep yourself infection-free.
Q: I would like to join the Retirement Trader program, but unfortunately my broker account indicates that I need $50,000 and that I need three months of option experience, which I don't have. Is there anything else that you could recommend or is there something different with this program that I could do to get started? – J.T.
A: One of the first things you need to do before you can start selling options is to fill out a standardized options agreement. After you submit the form, the broker will assign you a "level" of authorization, typically one through five. These levels reflect what types of trades you can make and are based on your trading experience, the varying degrees of risk carried by different options trades, and your broker's desire to make sure clients don't lose money in trades they don't understand.
By limiting the access, brokerages can also manage their own risk as well.
If you're new to options, you should start by seeking "Level 1" approval. This entry level authorization allows you to perform "covered call" trades.
If you're just trying to get Level 1 approval and your broker won't give it to you, try another broker.
What We're Reading...
- Something different: It's just another Friday... so why does Friday the 13th scare us?
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Retirement Millionaire Daily Research Team
Buffalo, New York
October 13, 2017
What You Need to Know About the Equifax Hack
In today's edition of our Weekly Video series, my research writer Amanda Cuocci tells you what you need to know about Equifax's data breach, how to monitor your credit, and how to keep yourself safe online. Click here to watch.