Ask Doc It's a question I get asked all of the time...
Doc, you stated in your latest talk regarding retirement that "I don't invest in anything I recommend." I read in the Stansberry footnotes that you advisors CAN invest in what you recommend after waiting a certain number of days. So why can't you??? Also, then we really AREN'T getting your BEST recommendations, because you said you don't invest in your recommendations to us. So why can't you just wait the time period out? If NOT, then we sure would like to know what you're REALLY investing in! – M.P.
I've seen this question popping up more and more in my inbox, and I understand why people ask it so often. So today, I want to explain why I don't invest in what I recommend to my readers and why you're still getting my best advice.
First, for folks who don't know, since I started with my publisher, this has been our company policy...
Stansberry Research forbids our investment analysts from owning any stock they write about. In addition, other employees of Stansberry Research and associated individuals may not purchase recommended securities until 24 hours after the recommendations have been distributed to our subscribers on the Internet, or 72 hours after a direct-mail publication is sent.
As an investment analyst, my publisher prohibits me from investing in anything I recommend. Stansberry Research does this to prevent conflicts of interest. Wouldn't you rather have an analyst recommend a company solely because he thinks it's a good investment for his readers and not simply to line his own pockets?
Stansberry has hundreds of thousands of readers around the world... enough to cause big moves in some stocks. Underhanded stock-pickers like to buy a stock, sell it to their readers, and cash out when trusting readers push up the price. You're safe from that "pump and dump" manipulation here.
But that doesn't mean I'm holding back my best recommendations for myself, either... My research analysts can tell you that there are times they've suggested a stock to recommend to readers, and I was tempted to invest in it myself instead. But my goal isn't to sit here and make millions by depriving my subscribers of the best stock insights. If all I wanted was to get rich from the stock market, I would have stayed on Wall Street. Instead, I felt a need to help society, and so I went to medical school and beyond.
But the question of what I do with my own money remains a good one...
Personally, I'm quite conservative in my investment style. So I often use mutual funds, open and closed, to give me stock and bond exposure. Occasionally, I'll sell options in my IRA or 401(k) on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that allow it. But in general, I set up my risk profile so I can sleep well at night and so my team and I can give you our best and unbiased advice.
My goal is to give you the best information possible to empower you to live a healthier, wealthier life. That's why, if you read our newsletters, you'll notice we take pages and pages explaining why we're recommending a certain investment.
But you can even check my results for yourself...
My publisher is an advocate of transparency. That's why each year, Stansberry Research publishes its annual report card. It's a brutally honest assessment that measures how each Stansberry Research publication has performed. While we don't have money in the investments we recommend, if we get failing grades, well, who'd want to subscribe to our newsletters? That's plenty of incentive to recommend investments that do well and keep our readers happy (and wealthy).
Plenty of analysts have gotten failing grades over the years. But I think the grades for my newsletters every year speak for themselves...
If my results weren't consistent, I probably wouldn't be writing those newsletters anymore. And my team and I strive for excellence – so anything below an "A" has us reevaluating our strategies and making necessary changes. We always want to do our best for our subscribers so that you'll stick with us year after year.
Are you a longtime reader? How have you done following my advice? Let me know at [email protected].
Q: Hi, I like using citrus-based marinades: lemon for beef, pork, and fish and oranges for chicken. Are the acids in citrus effective at reducing PAHs?
My preferred method combines salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, and a touch of cayenne with citrus of choice a day or two ahead of time. Soak meat day of cooking and baste when turning. For camping, I'll freeze meat in marinade and baste when turning. – B.A.
A: There are a lot of marinades that protect you from the dangers of grilling...
Acidic marinades – like those with vinegar or citrus – do the best. Marinating with alcohol, like light beer, also helps prevent the development of carcinogens when you grill poultry, beef, pork, or fish.
In particular, beer significantly reduces the amount of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that you asked about, as well as heterocyclic amines (HCAs). (You can read our issue on the dangers of grilling here.)
Using citrus-based marinades that are packed with vitamin C neutralizes the harm from nitrites, which may also cause cancer. The extra antioxidants from the vitamin C assist your body in neutralizing the oxidized meat byproducts.
We might be trying your healthy – and delicious – method at our next cookout. Thanks, B.A.
Q: What exercise do you recommend for a 91-year-old male with one good eye, an artificial right knee, and "drop foot" on my right leg? – E.K.
A: Without knowing your exact goals, it's hard to get specific with exercise recommendations, so we'll give you some general exercises you can do...
If you need to sit while you exercise, you have a lot of options. You can find good resources for chair-based exercises here and here.
I'd also highly recommend tai chi. Research has shown that tai chi – a series of gentle movements inspired by martial arts – improves your strength, flexibility, and balance.
One of the best things about practicing tai chi is that it can be easily adapted to a seated position. Gradually, as a person builds muscle strength and endurance, they can move from a sitting to a standing position if they want.
You can read our full issue on the benefits of tai chi and how to get started right here.
What We're Reading...
- Something different: Scientists are turning plastic into vanilla.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
July 9, 2021