Ask Doc I usually go undercover...
Each year, I go to dozens of conferences all over the world. The first thing I do when I get handed a name tag is flip it around. I don't want people to notice me! (Although the beard sometimes gives me away.)
But there's one conference that I attend each year where I love to meet people...
My publisher Stansberry Research hosts an annual Stansberry Conference and Alliance Meeting.
For years, I've joked that it's my only reason to visit Las Vegas every year. But this year, from October 24 to 26, we'll be at the Encore Boston Harbor resort in Massachusetts.
If you've never been, the Stansberry Conference is a gathering of financial heavyweights and contrarian thinkers. We've had presentations from Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary, Cleveland Browns Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta, The Economist Senior Editor Kenneth Cukier, and of course a range of our own talented analysts from Stansberry Research.
Our 2022 lineup includes world-class speakers covering finance, precious metals, cryptos, tech, foreign markets, and more. We haven't revealed all the names yet, but I can tell you that this year's lineup is incredible. Some folks I can't wait to see are...
Vitaliy Katsenelson, the author of two great books on the markets... The Little Book of Sideways Markets and Active Value Investing. He's also a great chess player.
Meb Faber, co-founder and chief investment officer of Cambria Investment Management. He's a big deal in the finance world and has an enviable Rolodex.
I know that for many folks, it's just not practical to make the trip to Boston... with rising costs and travel difficulties because of COVID-19.
But there's a way you can get all the benefits of being with us live... without ever stepping onto an airplane.
Instead of going through the hassle and expense of flying to Boston, you can watch everything from the comfort of your couch.
With our livestream pass, you can tune in to a high-definition livestream of the conference instead of attending in person. You'll have full access to all Stansberry Conference general sessions on Monday, October 24 and Tuesday, October 25.
Even better, you can watch the speakers through the 2022 Online Conference Video Archive if you aren't able to watch live.
Click here to claim your spot now.
Now, here are some of the things on your minds this week...
Q: You recently advised using brown instead of white rice, but it seems to me if you eat brown rice, you are also eating white rice because white rice is inside brown rice. Yes, you are getting the nutritional benefit of the brown that surrounds the white, but if white rice is to be avoided then brown would have to be avoided too. Or am I missing something? – J.M.
A: You're right that white rice is simply brown rice stripped of the outer layers (husk, bran, and germ). These parts contain most of the benefits of rice... like soluble fiber. In other words, white rice is brown rice without most of its nutrients.
But that doesn't mean that harmful white rice is hiding inside each grain of brown rice. That's because those outer layers neutralize or even reverse the effects we warn about in white rice.
Brown rice is one of the foods most packed with soluble fiber. That means brown rice lowers your blood sugar.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found a positive association between the consumption of whole grains and fewer deaths in both men and women.
After adjusting for things like body mass index, age, smoking, and exercise, researchers found that people who reported eating whole grains – like brown rice – had a lower number of deaths, including a lower number of cardiovascular deaths. They estimated that every one ounce of whole grain (about two tablespoons) consumed per day was associated with a 5% reduction in overall deaths and a 9% reduction in deaths from cardiovascular disease.
Without that soluble fiber to help out your body, white rice raises your blood-sugar levels... It's a "high glycemic index" food that signals the pancreas to produce extra insulin.
The insulin secreted into the bloodstream triggers a host of things – including a decrease of magnesium and an increase of sodium in the blood. Insulin also increases inflammatory molecules in the blood.
Insulin even results in fat production. The extra fat leads to high blood sugar and keeps metabolism stuck in "storage mode." Lots of insulin causes the vessels to oxidize and stiffen... leading to higher blood pressure. Over time, this can cause strokes and heart disease.
So avoid white rice... but enjoy brown rice without concern.
Q: I (as I'm sure many) am striving to reduce carbs, sugar, etc.
What do you think about sourdough (no sugar added), recent "Keto" breads, as a substitute for those of us who can't quite give up sandwiches altogether to be carb-free? – J.W.
A: Sourdough is a bit different than other breads that use white flour. Most white bread increases inflammation in your body. And like the white rice we just discussed, it ranks high on the glycemic index, which means it raises your blood sugar.
But, as you mentioned, sourdough bread doesn't contain sugar. It's important to note that sugar isn't the only thing that causes blood sugar spikes – carbohydrates can do this, too. The good news is that sourdough bread is relatively low on the glycemic index, so while it will raise your blood sugar, you won't see a spike followed by a quick crash.
But beware of anything linked to fad diets like keto. Just because a bread is labeled "keto friendly," that doesn't mean it's healthy – just that it's low in carbs. We took a look at some of the keto breads in our local grocery store and found most of them packed with artificial sweeteners and other chemicals.
The next time you pick up some bread, read the ingredients. Ideally, the No. 1 ingredient is whole grain or grains, then maybe water, and salt. That's it.
I love seeded, stone-ground wheat breads and sprouted grain breads. But remember to eat any bread in limited quantities.
As always, keep sending your questions and comments to us. We love reading every e-mail... [email protected].
What We're Reading...
- Did you miss it? It's time to buy boring.
- Something different: New York City is making it more expensive to drive in Manhattan.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
August 12, 2022