Ask Doc I get it...
I understand the desire to know exactly what's coming... and exactly what it means for you. But I've had a lot of people try to get me to say when I think the market is going to crash or rally and by how much.
And my answer is always the same...
Nobody knows – and certainly not the so-called experts on Wall Street...
Did you know that for every calendar year since 2000, Wall Street strategists more or less agreed that the S&P 500 Index would go up around 10% over the next year?
Meanwhile, the actual result turned out to be just 5.5%. That's a 45% mistake. That's a HUGE margin of error. It would never be accepted in any legitimate scientific or mathematical community.
Worse yet, in 2008, when the market fell more than 38%, the median forecast was a bullish 11.1%! We all learned the hard way that their rosy projection was DEAD wrong.
I've been around long enough to know that even the experts can't tell you exactly what will happen in the market in any given year.
If the stock market returns an average of 10% each year, that means over five years, it would usually return about 61%...
But over the last five years... since 2016... it has returned 123%.
To get back on our long-term 10% pace, the next five years will have to return just 3% per year.
Plain and simple, it's a historical imbalance that may well correct itself before long.
That's why I would never urge anyone to get completely out of stocks right now. You don't want to miss out on the good years that will help you grow your wealth.
But you need to have an exit strategy in place. When what my colleague Dr. Steve Sjuggerud calls the "Melt Down" arrives, you don't want to be caught unaware. Your wealth is facing multiple threats – like soaring inflation and a potential stock crash.
Now let's get into this week's Q&A... As always, please keep sending your questions and comments to [email protected].
Q: I stopped taking statin drugs three years ago because I thought they might be causing my ankles to swell. Now I find that my ankles and feet are swelling. My feet also have started to sweat. To lessen the swelling, I elevate my feet at night. I just turned 83. Any suggestions to treat my condition? – R.G.
A: Sweaty feet (or hyperhidrosis in medical terms) can sometimes develop later in life. It is often an inherited trait but sometimes can be the result of an underlying health condition – like gout, obesity, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid.
Be sure to wash your feet daily to avoid unwanted bacteria and fungus growth. Soaking your feet for 20 minutes in warm water with three to four tablespoons of baking soda is a great way to keep your feet clean.
Dr. Suzanne Fuchs also suggests soaking your feet in a cooled black tea bath (two tea bags needed) for 30 minutes. The tannins in the tea will shrink your pores and reduce the flow of sweat.
As for your swelling, I'd start by looking at possible inflammation triggers and signs of lymphedema (when fluid develops in the tissues because the lymph nodes aren't working properly).
Chronic inflammation can be caused by an autoimmune disorder, exposure to irritants, changes in medication, and an allergy to something. If your medications have recently changed, that could have something to do with the problem. And as we get older, our risk of developing chronic inflammation increases.
Keep elevating your feet. You can also try an Epsom salt bath every couple of days. Soaking in cool water will be better than warm for your inflammation. You can also buy compression socks to help with the blood circulation in your feet and legs.
And if you have any of the following symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor soon:
- Heat or redness in the swollen area
- Swelling that gets worse without improvement
- A fever
- A history of heart, liver, or kidney disease
Q: In the June 4 Health & Wealth Bulletin, Dr. Eifrig writes that whiskey is great for your heart and mentions he drinks Knob Creek Rye Whiskey. Does it have to be rye whiskey or will bourbon whiskey provide the same benefits? – W.B.
A: Rye whiskey is not the only beneficial alcohol for your heart. Bourbon will do the job quite nicely...
In fact, bourbon has antioxidants that help you fight cancer and prevent cholesterol buildup. And it has fewer calories than a light beer.
According to studies, bourbon also boosts your immune system, improves your cognitive performance, and reduces stress... So if you're so inclined, pour yourself a glass or two in the evening and cheers to your health!
What We're Reading...
- You should have expected last month's stock market fall.
- Something different: Should you drink ozonated water?
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
October 8, 2021