Ask Doc For nearly a year, we've watched the COVID-19 pandemic upend the world...
In January, I started warning readers that we'd see panic spread as news of the virus started coming out of China. It didn't take long...
By March 23, the S&P 500 Index had fallen 34% from its peak on February 19.
During this pandemic, I've regularly reminded folks to pause and take a deep breath before joining in herd's fear. And I've helped readers protect their portfolios from the volatility we've seen in the markets this year, while continuing to grow our wealth.
Today, the market has recovered all of its losses from the "Coronavirus Crash." In fact, we're hitting historic highs.
I hope you've taken advantage of the historic moneymaking opportunity. But, unfortunately, some investors let fear keep them out of the market. And it's about to happen again...
This month, there's a new chance for you to make even more money than you could have made all year. And just like this year's rally, many investors will miss it.
That's according to my colleague and Ten Stock Trader editor Greg Diamond. This morning, Greg released a warning that a huge event could take place in the markets later this month...
Mark my words: If you don't see it coming, another day like March 23rd could wipe you out, sooner than you think.
And just as importantly... If you get scared out of the market and sit around in cash, you'll miss out on one of the greatest moneymaking opportunities of your lifetime.
If your portfolio still hasn't recovered from the Coronavirus Crash, or if you're eager to make a great year even better, you won't want to miss Greg's presentation.
And now, let's dig into this Friday's Q&A. As always, please keep sending us your questions and comments... [email protected].
Q: I have a significantly reduced immune system and my wife has lymphoma. I have recently read articles pretty much stating that if our levels of zinc are below a certain level, we are more subject to getting infectious diseases, and taking zinc supplements would likely be advantageous in helping us stay healthy. We have asked our doctors about this, but they don't seem to be concerned. Your comments, please. – L.B.
A: I take zinc supplements – along with vitamin C – whenever I feel a cold starting.
This is one of the few pills I recommend... The mineral strengthens the body's T-cells, which fight off invading bacteria and viruses in the body.
Research from Tufts University showed that 30% of nursing-home residents had low levels of zinc in their blood. These folks also had the highest risk of getting pneumonia. Older Americans tend to have more trouble absorbing zinc, so many would benefit from additional zinc.
A study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that older folks saw a 16% increase in their zinc levels after taking 30 mg daily for three months.
But do what I do and try to get enough zinc from whole foods. Foods like shellfish, pork, red meat, nuts, and legumes are all good sources of zinc in your diet.
If you're not getting enough this way, try a small dose in pill form. I sometimes take a 15 mg pill. You can also try taking zinc pills only when you're starting to feel sick or in cold-and-flu season to help build up your immune system.
Like all things, moderation is key. If you take a lot of zinc over the long term, make sure to add some copper, too. Zinc reduces the absorption of copper in our bodies. We need copper to make red blood cells and help our immune system. Nuts, beans, and seafood are all great sources of copper.
Q: What are your thoughts about the sugar content in white wines causing you to get high quicker than red wines? And what are your thoughts about organic grapes and organic wine? – A.S.
A: All wines have some sugar in them. Grapes start with sugar, and the yeast ferments the sugar into alcohol. When I make wines, I ferment them dry until the sugar is essentially gone. But there is some sugar left, and the alcohol still has calories. Many large wineries actually add grape juice concentrate to give the wine some sweetness, which also adds mouthfeel. These wines are sold cheaply, and people buy millions of bottles a year.
White wines can have about 50% more sugar than red wine, but it's still not as much as other popular drinks. A standard 750-milliliter bottle of wine (about 25 ounces) has about 635 calories. Depending on the type of wine, a bottle can have anywhere between 4 and 58 grams of sugar. A 12-ounce can of coke has 140 calories and 39 grams of sugar. A large mocha at McDonald's has 470 calories and 64 grams of sugar. That's more than 60% of the calories in an entire bottle of wine and more sugar.
As for feeling higher... Sugar and bubbles in the gut do help alcohol get absorbed a little bit faster, so you'll indeed feel the effect of the alcohol slightly quicker.
On to the organic part of your question...
We've talked about organic in the past... It's simply an approved list of chemicals you can use that are thought to be a little safer to humans. Organic grapes and wine might or might not be any better or safer than other wines.
People think "natural" and "organic" labels have significant meaning, as if no synthetic substances are used. That's just not true. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, "In accordance with restrictions specified in this section, the following synthetic substances may be used in organic crop production..." It goes on to allow things in cases where you need synthetic substances...
I do think that, in general, the "cleaner" grapes and wines taste better to me and have a better mouthfeel.
Q: Enjoyed your info on wine. What was the name of the boxed wine that was so popular? – G.D.
A: We had lots of folks asking for this! The No. 1 wine from our white wine taste test was the Franzia Crisp White boxed wine. My team and I love finding great deals that still allow us to live the good life. We were surprised by some of the great values we tasted and encourage you to try discount wines... even boxed wine. The quality surprised us and might surprise you. Don't let wine snobs keep you away from a great value.
What We're Reading...
- When it pays to shop local for produce.
- Something different: An unforeseen COVID-19 side effect... Bad reviews for scented candles.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
December 4, 2020