Ask Doc Earlier this week, I was in Vegas for the annual Stansberry Conference and Alliance Meeting.
It's a gathering of the best folks in financial research. I spent a few days there, mingling with readers and the financial heavy-hitters who spoke across three days.
On Wednesday, I emceed a special panel of Stansberry Research analysts. And I talked about one of the biggest topics on everyone's mind... the end of the bull market.
I discussed the signs that will pop up near the end, why I think inflation could be a problem, how you can still see big returns in the late stages of a bull market, and a company that could help you survive a market collapse.
I also mentioned a topic that longtime Health & Wealth Bulletin readers are familiar with... the amygdala.
We're hardwired to follow the herd when fear strikes. Stress and anxiety set off chemical reactions in your brain (specifically in the walnut-shaped tissue called the amygdala) that spark an instinctive need to rejoin the crowd.
One of our deepest survival instincts puts our finances at risk. And, as I shared on Wednesday, there's a simple way to fight that instinct.
Studies have shown that practicing ways to actively improve your mood and fight stress directly helps calm the signals in your amygdala. This lets you be a more rational investor and avoid following the herd when chaos hits the markets.
So I ended my presentation with some of my most importance advice for surviving a collapse... smile.
Are you getting nervous about a recession? How are you preparing? Share your story with us at [email protected].
Q: What about blue light filtering glasses? – W.P.
A: Blue light is one of the biggest sleep disruptors. We're also learning more about the damage it causes to our eyes. One solution I've seen... blue-light filtering glasses.
Some of my colleagues have tested these glasses. One didn't find them useful, another swears by their effectiveness. And there isn't great science to back up the usefulness of blue-light filtering glasses. Two small studies show some evidence of a decreased impact on your sleep when you wear the glasses, but not enough to draw any real conclusions.
For now, I'm skeptical.
Instead, here are three easy ways to limit your exposure to blue light that I urge you to start today...
1. Use a blue-light filter on your screens. Most tablets, e-readers, and cellphones come with this feature now. Here's how to do it on your computer, your Kindle, your android, and your iPhone.
2. Do what I do and turn off all electronics at least an hour before bed. Keeping electronics off or out of the bedroom entirely will create a sanctuary for sleep. That includes your phone – don't check it during the night or use it while trying to fall asleep.
3. Make mealtimes screen-free. We've noticed a growing number of folks eating out at restaurants while glued to their phones. Not only is it rude, but a recent study from the University of British Columbia showed that this behavior undermines our own happiness.
Q: Doc and team, thanks for the recent Health & Wealth Bulletin on berries, turmeric, and coffee.
Based on several YouTube vids I've watched about turmeric, my understanding is that the bioavailability of the beneficial element (curcumin) is very low unless the turmeric is either heated or coupled with black pepper. If not, you might as well not even bother. – C.N.
A: Great point. A lot of studies you'll see touting the benefits of turmeric used concentrated amounts of curcumin. Curcumin is a chemical in turmeric with antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
A problem with using these concentrated amounts is bioavailability.
Bioavailability refers to how much of a chemical your body absorbs. For every pill you take, you only get a percentage of the main ingredient that's "available" for use in your body.
Research has found two natural ways to increase the amount of curcumin we can absorb. The first is to combine it with piperine. If this sounds familiar, it's because it's the chemical that gives black pepper its kick. Piperine prevents your body from breaking down curcumin as waste. In fact, one study from India showed that taking curcumin with a quarter teaspoon of black pepper increased levels of curcumin in the blood by 2,000%.
The second is to combine it with oils. The structure of curcumin makes it attracted to lipids, meaning fats like oils.
You can have turmeric in curry, or use it as a spice on salads, in soups, or on rice.
Q: Are there any other big mergers you see competing with Amazon's new health care takeover? – A.C.
A: Amazon is one of the great industry disruptors. We've seen its impact on bookstores, clothing retailers, and grocery stores. Betting on Amazon's success is never a bad gamble. Last May, I recommended Amazon to Retirement Millionaire subscribers, and we're already up 101%.
But disrupting the pharmacy industry is going to be a long, hard road. The industry is extremely complex and highly regulated. Controls for many drugs make online purchases difficult. And plenty of companies offer the same services as PillPack.
If Amazon makes any headway into pharmacies, it will be years before it takes effect at a significant scale... possibly a decade.
- Did you miss it? Don't hit the panic button yet.
- Something different: An early warning system for heart attacks.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
October 5, 2018