Ask Doc "Things might be looking up..."
That's what we wrote last Friday. And that same day, the Federal Reserve released data that showed Americans are richer than ever.
From the end of March to the end of June, household wealth in the U.S. rose 3.7%, from $148.79 trillion to $154.28 trillion. That's a record high.
According to a Gallup poll, 61% of Americans are putting their money into stocks. That means 39% of us are missing out on a chance to grow our wealth...
People have lots of reasons why they don't invest... from a lack of knowledge to a lack of funds. We've heard every excuse.
As a Health & Wealth Bulletin reader, you're probably already putting your money to work. But maybe you've been too worried about what's coming next to put your cash in stocks.
If that's you, I get it. Things look a little dim right now... Despite some good economic news, folks are worried about a recession, daily life still feels too expensive, and there's some uncertainty about the future. And with growing political tensions here in the U.S. and abroad, hiding your money under the mattress might seem like the best idea.
But here's the truth... Stocks have survived recessions, depressions, world wars, political assassinations, and much more.
It's why I always say there's never a bad time to invest... only bad opportunities.
And two of my colleagues recently went on camera to detail a historic investing opportunity. As they explained this past Tuesday...
Things are nowhere near as bad as the Internet, TV pundits, or your favorite newspaper or blog might make you think even bigger opportunities for gains are still coming.
In fact, the setup for the 10 stocks [we] would like to share with you today is even better than AI stocks earlier this year.
If you've been confused about what to do with your portfolio or you're just sitting in cash, click here to learn about the surprising twist coming for stocks this year.
Now, let's dig into some questions... As always, keep sending your comments, questions, and topic suggestions to [email protected]. My team and I really do read every e-mail.
Q: What's the truth on MSG? Is it safe to eat? – J.A.
A: Monosodium glutamate ("MSG") is a flavor-enhancing chemical used in some foods to boost their taste. It's more common in Asian cuisine – you'll likely see some Chinese takeout spots sporting "No MSG" signs in their windows.
The fear of MSG comes from older studies that showed it caused lesions to form on the brains of baby mice. Now, safety studies have since shown that this was 1) at very high doses, and 2) did not have the same effect in other species (like humans).
MSG later was also vilified for its supposed role in a since-debunked ailment called "Chinese restaurant syndrome." That term started in the '60s and is now outdated... But it refers to MSG causing a host of symptoms – including flushing, headache, numbness, tingling, nausea, and sweating – that we now recognize as a rare food sensitivity to MSG. The handful of folks with this sensitivity should watch ingredient labels and avoid foods with MSG.
Still, while many concerns about MSG are misplaced, that doesn't mean it's good for you. The real problem with MSG has to do with your liver.
You might remember that we've written before about fatty liver disease, which is on the rise. It's caused by your liver storing up excess fat and losing its ability to function properly. And it can cause liver cancer, one of the deadliest cancers you can get.
A 2009 study from the Journal of Lipid Research showed that trans-fatty-acid-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was "exacerbated" by MSG... That's even at levels that we would typically consume on a daily basis.
So limiting your exposure to MSG will help keep your liver healthy. But a better step to take is to cut out the trans fats, too – that means avoiding processed foods, along with anything fatty or fried.
Q: I've been speaking to my grandchildren about the market and how buying stocks can help them increase their income and knowledge. Can you please recommend a book for beginners that I could give them. They're good students and range from ages 21 to 15. – D.A.
A: What lucky grandchildren to have you already in their corner to help! We've put together a list of some of our favorite books on investing right here. Our picks cover the importance of investing, the history of Wall Street, economics, and more.
If any readers want to share some of their favorite books on investing, send them our way... [email protected].
What We're Reading...
- Did you miss it? Don't bet on the government carrying you through retirement.
- Something different: Popular decongestants might be useless.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
September 15, 2023