Ask Doc In the modern global economy, no country is self-sufficient. Every country is lacking at least some supplies that it needs for daily life or national defense. And for just about every country, some of those supplies come from China.
Even before Russia invaded Ukraine, the COVID-19 crisis inspired many nations to improve their self-sufficiency. And even before that, then-President Donald Trump had antagonized U.S. trading partners from Canada to China and demonized global trade as a "bad deal."
All that adds up to slowing growth in global trade... and it has fallen in comparison with global gross domestic product ("GDP") growth.
Over the next decade, we'll stop assuming that our goods must come from other countries.
While global trade creates remarkable efficiencies and lowers prices for consumers, it comes with a hidden cost. It can make you reliant on others for key goods.
In a world governed by vast economic peace – or one dominated by the United States as a protector of trade – Americans worried little about these costs.
Now, every nation is starting to question that system...
The global pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war proved that the U.S. needs to be more independent... relying less on foreign countries for materials. It's critical for safety from ongoing tensions with Russia and China for the U.S. to have its own supply of essentials.
This is a trend my colleague Matt McCall has been paying attention to for years. According to Matt...
A once-booming market in the United States... a market our nation was once a leader in... is coming back... [It] will drive our economic and geopolitical future for the next 50 years.
Countries will fight over it. Wars will be won and lost. The future of entire nations will be determined by how they secure their own access to this critical resource.
The U.S. Department of Defense said funding this commodity is "crucial to national defense."
But it's not oil, natural gas, silver, or even gold.
If there's one thing the United States needs to remain a superpower in the world, it's a steady supply of certain critical resources.
And we have been shown to do what is necessary at any cost to guarantee our supply.
Today, Matt is giving away the nearly invisible sector being flooded with almost $1 trillion in funding, right on camera...
His take on what your next move should be is something you won't hear anywhere else.
Click here for all the details.
Now, here are some of the things on your minds this week...
Q: I read Doc's article on green tea supplements and found it very interesting. Does the Doc have an opinion or info regarding zinc supplements? I've read numerous advertisements promoting that zinc supplements boosts your immune system. With all this COVID and monkeypox stuff going on, I want my immune system working overtime! Thanks. – M.G.
A: Zinc strengthens the body's T-cells, which fight off invading bacteria and viruses in the body.
Research from Tufts University showed that 30% of nursing-home residents had low levels of zinc in their blood. These folks also had the highest risk of getting pneumonia. Older Americans tend to have more trouble absorbing zinc, so many would benefit from additional zinc.
A study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that older folks saw a 16% increase in their zinc levels after taking 30 mg daily for three months.
A Finnish review in 2011 looked at trials that used zinc lozenges. The author concluded that higher doses of zinc (75 milligrams or more) did shorten the duration of colds. And the most troubling side effect – copper deficiency – only happened when folks took the zinc for six weeks or longer.
Zinc works because the viruses that cause the common cold (rhinoviruses) attach to the lining of our noses and throats with a certain receptor. Zinc also binds to this same receptor, meaning the virus can't spread.
Too much zinc also leads to problems... These include copper deficiency and a reduction in good cholesterol ("HDL"). Just 40 milligrams a day is the average recommended value – zinc supplements often contain about 30 milligrams.
And avoid any zinc nasal sprays – some folks lost their sense of smell permanently after using these medications. One popular spray, Zicam, no longer contains zinc – and without zinc, we're not sure why you would bother.
So do what I do and try to get enough zinc from whole foods. Foods like shellfish, pork, red meat, nuts, and legumes are all good sources of zinc in your diet.
If you're not getting enough this way, try a small dose in pill form. I sometimes take a 15 mg pill. I take a 15 mg zinc – along with vitamin C – when I feel a cold coming on.
As always, keep sending your questions and comments to us. We love reading every e-mail... [email protected].
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Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
August 19, 2022