Ask Doc Several readers have asked if I'm exaggerating the dangers of radiation...
I'm not. You should be worried.
On Monday, we published an essay on the dangers of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation exposure from your cellphone.
We've known for years that radiation from things like X-rays causes cancer. That's why you have to wear a heavy lead vest when you get an X-ray in the doctor's office... and hold a lead shield in your mouth at the dentist.
The radiation from your cellphone isn't the same type of radiation you'd get from an X-ray. But it's still dangerous... Research shows EMF radiation changes our brainwaves and alters our DNA.
One of the biggest risks is how often we're near or on our phones.
Several surveys show people touch their phones between 80 and 150 times a day. It's likely most of us smartphone users have our phones around us the entire day. That's a lot of radiation exposure.
And it's why I created a report on risks of cellphone use in my new report, "How to Protect Yourself from Your Cellphone and Other Devices: The EMF Radiation Protocol." Current Retirement Millionaire subscribers can read it here.
And if you're not a Retirement Millionaire subscriber, learn more about cellphone radiation by clicking here for a video presentation I put together to get the word out about this significant danger. (If you'd prefer to read a transcript, you can do so by clicking here.)
Q: I remember two [of the foods to fight diabetes]: apples and chocolate. Pray tell me the third.
A: The third food, and one of my favorites, is yogurt.
Yogurt is probably the most widely consumed source of probiotics. When choosing a yogurt, check that the label says "contains live cultures."
Don't buy stuff that says "made with live cultures" or "heat-treated"... Manufacturers pasteurize these products. That means the heat kills the cultures... and you get none of the benefits. Likewise, frozen yogurt does not contain live cultures because the bacteria can't survive the cold temperatures. And don't buy yogurt with added sugars or fruits, either.
For readers who missed out essay on three foods to help fight diabetes, click here.
Q: I, and probably a number of your readers, would be interested in hearing your thoughts about dealing with spring allergies. – M.S.
A: It's that time of year again... Our office in Baltimore has been full of sniffles and sneezing. Last spring, we dedicated an essay to how to control your seasonal allergies... without drugs. You can read it here.
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Q: My doctor says I have high blood pressure and cholesterol. What is your view on medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol? – J.W.
A: Having excessively high blood pressure can have deadly consequences (which is why it's called the "Silent Killer"). You often don't know your blood pressure is dangerously high until it's too late.
Longtime readers know that I prefer trying other, natural methods to improve your health before resorting to medications. You can read about how to track your blood pressure and tips for lowering it here.
We've discussed the dangers of statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) a couple of times. You can learn more about the risks here.
Q: Regarding soaking the vegetables and fruits in vinegar/water to get pesticides out of their skin, what proportion of each do you recommend and for how long?
In avoiding touching the sales receipts, is the risk of carcinogenesis in the ink or the paper? – P.M.
A: Cook's Illustrated, part of the food-testing service America's Test Kitchen, tried out several produce cleaners a few years ago...
Its final recommendation was to use three parts water with one part white vinegar, in either a spray or a bath (depending on the type of produce). Its tests showed this vinegar wash removed 98% of bacteria. You can read the magazine's guidelines here.
I like to let my vegetables and fruits soak in this three-parts water, one-part white vinegar mixture for a bit... then I finish by rinsing off the produce with plain water.
Bisphenol-A ("BPA") coats the paper of the receipt... Some magazines and newspapers also have BPA. That's why I wash my hands after touching receipts or reading magazines and newspapers.
Q: I called Fidelity and their rep told me, if I'm still working I do not have to take money out of my 401k at age 70 1/2. Is this correct? – K.S.
A: That is correct. If you have a traditional IRA, you can't delay taking the required minimum distribution (RMD). But if you're working and have a 401(k), you can delay taking distributions on the 401(k) until April 1 of the year after you retire. But if you own 5% of the company, you can't delay your RMD.
Have a tip you want to share? Send it our way at [email protected].
What We're Reading...
- Did you miss it? Just say no at the register.
- Something different: Pet dogs help stress, pet wolves may not.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Retirement Millionaire Daily Research Team
Saint Paul, Minnesota
May 12, 2017