Ask Doc Porter's made a lot of outrageous predictions throughout his career...
Over the past decade, he predicted the bankruptcies of:
- General Motors
- Fannie Mae
- Freddie Mac
- General Growth Properties
He warned his readers of the dangers long before anyone else.
It wasn't easy for Porter... His calls were controversial and – at the time – unbelievable for most investors.
But once Porter's predications came to pass, he earned national acclaim for his insights. He doesn't hold back... Porter gives readers his honest financial recommendations.
The point is, Porter has a remarkable track record when it comes to this type of work. He's truly one of the brightest analysts I've met.
So when he makes unbelievable predictions, I listen.
And right now, Porter's making another outrageous prediction: One of America's largest tech companies is going to $0. And those who know how to take advantage of this unusual opportunity stand to make a fortune.
To learn more about what Porter is calling "the greatest speculation of my career," click here.
Q: Read your article on opioids and wanted to know if there are any dangers with taking non-prescription pain meds? Are there any long term problems with those? – G.K.
A: Thanks for asking, G.K.! You hit a great point: Over-the-counter drugs are safer overall, but may still cause serious and even potentially fatal complications.
In fact, we just covered these drugs in today's Weekly Update. This is a new video feature in Retirement Millionaire Daily... You can watch it here.
The main problem with over-the-counter pain medications is that too many folks take a cavalier attitude to dosage guidelines. This is incredibly dangerous due to the damage done to your internal organs.
Acetaminophen, which has the brand name Tylenol, is easier on your stomach than other pain meds. Keep in mind, it only treats pain and is not an anti-inflammatory. Taking too much or taking it for too long can cause permanent liver damage.
The other class of pain killers are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve).
Now, I've written before about taking aspirin if you've already had heart problems. However, other NSAIDs actually increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. Keep in mind too that any pain medication could interfere with your prescription drugs, particularly blood thinners. Talk to your doctor before taking that risk.
Also, as we mentioned in our Weekly Update, we recommend trying other methods of pain relief first. You can read more on those methods right here.
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Q: I've seen several mentions of the health benefits of dark chocolate and wonder if the same benefits can be obtained from powdered cocoa. For several years I've been mixing cocoa in my decaf coffee hoping to obtain the benefits of chocolate sans sugar. Your thoughts? – B.H.
A: Powdered cocoa is another way to get your chocolate fix. A 2013 Harvard study, published in the medical journal Neurology, found that seniors who drank two cups of hot cocoa per day for a month performed better on memory and thinking tests than those who didn't drink hot cocoa. The cocoa drinkers also showed improved blood flow to their brains.
Adding some cocoa to your coffee combines the health benefits of both foods. But, as you mentioned, stay away from cocoa powders that are loaded with sugar. And stick to dark cocoa powder... that's where you'll find the most benefits.
Q: I enjoyed reading your email regarding Ambien effects on memory. What is your take on Melatonin for occasional sleep issues? – K.S.
A: Of all the sleep aids available, melatonin is probably your safest option. As you and many of our readers probably have read elsewhere, melatonin is a hormone that your body produces naturally.
After speaking to a researcher at a sleep clinic, my assistant's husband took melatonin when he had a shift-work job that required him to sleep during the day. She advised, however, that it does make you very sleepy for a long period of time. Always make sure you have at least eight hours set aside for sleep. Waking up too soon can make you groggy and makes driving dangerous.
We also don't recommend taking it long term. Remember, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate supplements... including melatonin. As such, there aren't many studies on long-term issues. And as with any sleep aid, don't rely on it. If your insomnia lasts more than two weeks, check in with your doctor about the underlying causes.
That said, some foods contain melatonin naturally. Three foods to help you fall sleep safely are walnuts, cherries (stick with tart cherries, not sweet ones), and tomatoes. Similarly, try to find out why you can't sleep. You may need to cut back on your stress... that's when a nice cup of chamomile tea and some meditation before bed can help, too.
What are your tips for getting a good night's sleep? Share them with us at [email protected].
- The importance of "use only as directed."
- Something different: Is there Viagra in your coffee?
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Retirement Millionaire Daily Research Team
Baltimore, Maryland
July 21, 2017