Apple Cider Vinegar Cures Questions

Updated: 07/22/2008

IS ACV SAFE TO TAKE WITH BLOOD THINNER COUMADIN?

QUESTIONS ABOUT ADDING ORGANIC ACV TO CHEAP ACV

COCONUT VINEGAR BETTER THAN ACV?

OTHER TYPES OF VINEGAR OKAY?

ALTERNATIVES TO APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

DOES ACV CONTAIN ALCOHOL?

DOES CLINICAL TRIAL DATA ON EFFICACY OF ACV EXIST?

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR WHILE NURSING

HOW TO TELL IF THE BODY IS NOT NEUTRALIZING ACID FROM ACV?

ACV VS. LEMON

HOW LONG DOES ACV KEEP?

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND ACV PILLS

ACID REFLUX

TOOTH PAIN - FROM APPLE CIDER VINEGAR?

DOES REGULAR USE OF ACV INCREASE YEAST?

CAN ACV CLEAN HARDWOOD FLOORS?

LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS OF ACV

CAN YOU TAKE TOO MUCH ACV?

WILL HEINZ WORK?

ADDICTED TO ACV?

THE FIVE DAY RULE ?

ACV AND POTASSIUM LEVELS

ACHING HANDS AND LACK OF SLEEP

GETTING KIDS TO TAKE ACV

pH EFFECT OF ACV

THYROID PROBLEMS

WILL ACV HELP ANIMALS, REPEL INSECTS?

MEDICATION INTERAC TIONS?

IS ACV SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?

IS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR SAFE FOR CHILDREN?

SINUS DRAINAGE AFTER TAKING ACV

SIDE EFFECTS

BAKING SODA

DENTAL ENAMEL

DOSAGES

TREATMENT CAUSES COUGHING?

HOW TO PREVENT ACV HEARTBURN?

WHY DO I GET SORE THROAT AND SIDE EFFECTS?

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM DOSE?

CAN ACV HELP LUPUS?

EDEMA A POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECT?

HOW EFFECTIVE ARE ACV TABLETS?

IS ACV ACIDIC OR ALKALINE?

WARNING ABOUT PROPER DOSAGE

IMPROVING THE TASTE

WHEN SHOULD I SCHEDULE DIFFERENT TREATMENTS?

HONEY ISSUES

MOTHER IN ACV

ACV IN INDIA?

RESISTANCE TO ACV?

HOW MANY ACV DOSES PER DAY?

TIME BETWEEN ACV AND PEROXIDE TREATMENTS?

WHAT BRAND/TYPE OF ACV IS BEST?

CAN I MAKE ACV AT HOME?

WHY AM I GETTING HEADACHES?

PINEAPPLE SOAKED IN ACV HEALS CUTS?

CAN I TAKE MY DAILY DOSE ALL AT ONCE?

ACV MAKES MY GUM DISEASE WORSE

WHY DOES ACV IMPROVE MY SLEEP?

SAFE WITH AN ESOPHAGEAL CONDITION?

SAFE FOR BREASTFEEDING?

WILL IT HELP CLEAR EXCESS MUCUS?

BLOOD TYPE DIET AND ACV?

HOW DOES ACV WORK WITH BAKING SODA?

CAN I DRINK ACV STRAIGHT?

A RECIPE TO COMPLETELY HIDE THE ACV TASTE?

DOSAGE FOR A CHILD?

DOES THE BLOOD TYPE DIET WORK WITH ACV?

SHOULD URINE BE ACIDIC OR ALKALINE?

DENTAL EROSION AND FLUORIDE

WHICH ACV IS THE BEST?

HOW MUCH BAKING SODA TO NEUTRALIZE ACV?

CONNECTION BETWEEN ACID AND CANCER?

ACV HELPED BUT DIDN'T CURE MUCUS PROBLEM?

HOW TO CURE GREEN URINE?

HOW DOES THE ACID CURE SO MANY AILMENTS?

TOO MANY REMEDIES CAUSING VAGINAL DISCHARGE?

IS ACV TURNING MY SKIN YELLOW?

CAN I GIVE ACV TO MY CHILDREN?

ACV FOR MULTIPLE AILMENTS?

DR. WONG'S ENZYME VS. ACV?

MINERAL WATER VS. DISTILLED WATER?

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE PH METER?

ACV IMPACT ON ANIMAL TEETH?

IS ACV SAFE TO TAKE WITH BLOOD THINNER COUMADIN?
07/22/2008: Marie writes: "Is it safe to use ACV with coumadin - - what supplements are safe to use with it?

Also, I wanted to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SITE. I have suffered with staph/boils for about 2 to 3 years constantly having one or more sores. After reading about using turmeric/zinc/magnesium, my problem is basically gone. Once in a while I get a small spot, but it goes away very quickly. Not like before when it would hang on for days!"

QUESTIONS ABOUT ADDING ORGANIC ACV TO CHEAP ACV
07/15/2008: Russ writes: "This is a far fetched question, but what would happen if I added a bit of organic ACV with mother to a bottle of pasteurized filtered ACV? Would the mother grow and gradually transform it into something more beneficial? I have to order organic ACV from America and the cost plus shipping ends up more than three times the original price. If I could use it to transform the cheap locally available ACV then it would make it go a lot farther."

COCONUT VINEGAR BETTER THAN ACV?
07/03/2008: Mella writes: "I have been using ACV for a few weeks and love it! I read that coconut oil was also good for your skin. Then I spotted a bottle of coconut vinegar and thought that it might work even better! What does anyone think? I don't want to try it without knowing if it is a good thing or not.

Thanks,
Mella"

OTHER TYPES OF VINEGAR OKAY?
06/27/2008: Maria writes: "Sometime back I tried taking honey with luke warm water, to lose weight, I lost weight though m not sure y it stopped working cause I tried it again now after several months but it seems to have no effect. I wanted to ask is it a must to use apple cider vinigar? can we use some other vinigar instead, like red grape or cane? please advice me on that, thank you."

ALTERNATIVES TO APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
06/21/2008: Lilia R. Gonzales writes: "Dear Ted, I am Lilia from the Philippines. I am suffering from myoma for one year now. I would like to try the apple cider vinegar remedy but i am not sure if we have the apple cider vinegar in the Philippines. What is the alternative for this vinegar. Please help me. Thank you. Lil"

06/27/2008: Jeanie from Antipolo, Philippines replies: "To the one asking if the apple cidar vinegar is in the Philippines.... Yes it is. Bragg's apple cider vinegar can be found in most supermarkets in Metro Manila"

DOES ACV CONTAIN ALCOHOL?
06/13/2008: Anjuman Uddin writes: "Does Apple cider vienegar contain alcohol"

06/14/2008: Earth Clinic replies: "No! If so, manufacturers would be required to post it on their labels."

DOES CLINICAL TRIAL DATA ON EFFICACY OF ACV EXIST?
06/11/2008: Paul (coolpoint25@cox.net) writes: "Has anyone seen any clinical trial data on the efficacy of ACV? Before I start I'd like to know what evidence--other than comments--there are to support the medicinal value of ACV. Thank you."

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR WHILE NURSING
06/06/2008: Cindy writes: "Question? I am nursing and am currently taking 4 tbs. of ACV a day to try and promote weight loss. Is there any side effects that I should be concerned with regarding my son having my breast milk while on ACV?"

07/19/2008: sian from cardiff, u.k replies: "hi Cindy, I understsnd that it isn't a good thing to loose weight whilst nursing. Your body eliminates years of build up toxins from body tissues during wieght loss and these toxins which have come from pesticides and chemicals used around home and in cosmetics etc can find their way in to your breast milk!!"

HOW TO TELL IF THE BODY IS NOT NEUTRALIZING ACID FROM ACV?
06/05/2008: S. writes: "I noticed in a recent Earthclinic post (June 4th), that you indicated that taking ACV could cause problems in the long-term because the body may not be able to neutralise the acid. I've been taking ACV (two teaspoons in a large cup of water twice a day) for about ten years, with no obvious ill-effects. I take it because of the supposed health benefits - I am female, 62 years old with normal blood pressure and cholesterol, and no symptoms of arthritis or other joint pain. In fact, as far as I am aware, I am in excellent health. I notice that some correspondents take much larger quantities of ACV than I do, but I prefer to stick to Jarvis' recommendation of two teaspoons of ACV per dose. I had hoped to carry on with the ACV for the rest of my life, but your comments have got me worried now. How would I know if my body is not neutralizing the acid? Do I have to get a testing kit, or would I notice symptoms? I would appreciate your advice. I don't mind if you email me personally with your reply, or on Earthclinic. With thanks."

06/05/2008: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Some people do have problems regarding taking apple cider vinegar which resulted in burning tongue, acid tongue, burning urine sensation, worsening of acid reflux or kidney pain and other conditions, such as skin complaints. While this doesn't happen often I got enough email complaints (actually many email scattered throughout various ailments where ACV was used) that I decided to use the baking soda added, that from a biochemical point of view made sense and the complaints went away, nearly completely that the apple cider vinegar with baking soda, was the best. It should be noted that while acid reflux were helped with just purely ACV, I got enough complaints from people enough that I had to start  mentioning the use of ACV with baking soda, that no one had any problems with worsening of acid reflux and got better.

Biochemically as I mentioned before, an ideal food should have a low negative ORP, the better, such as negative ORP in millivolts, such as -100 millvolts to -500 millivolts. This is because negative millivolts are what is called antioxidant, in which the liquid becomes an electron donor instead of an electron stealer.

It should also be noted that healing water, sacred healing water has the same characteristics as the apple cider vinegar. The ORP in millivolts can be anywhere from ORP -100 to -1000 millivolts. Now, I am not the type of healing researcher who travelled all over the world and measure them, but there is enough information to know that one property of healing water was the negative ORP that were found, either from certain elements in the water, or certain gaseous compounds such as negative Hydrogen, or even the Japanese Kangen water, or microwater, or many other names promoted that costs thousands of dollars can be done with just apple cider vinegar and water. The last measurement I took of apple cider vinegar with baking soda, which is the standard 2 tablespoon with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water (preferably 1 glass of water) has an approximate pH of between 7 - 7.5, depending on completeness of the reaction. 7 if not complete, and 7.5 if it is complete, were within the parameter of blood pH of 7.35, making it more biologically compatible.

In my own findings, the urine pH goes acid with apple cider vinegar after the first dose or within hours of taking them which can cause problems in sensitive individuals. Now this remedy was not dreamed up from the thin air and I HAD to mix an addition of 1/2 glass of water to 1 glass of water to dilute it still, due to its concentration. Now the preferable dilution that I have received 0 complaints is whenever ACV and baking soda was diluted to 1 glass of water, but in most cases people prefer 1/2 glass of water at least. I actually got one complaint telling me 1/2 glass made the sicker and when it was diluted to 1 glass was that person happy with the remedy. It is a tried and true remedy that I received 0 complaints so far, which therefore the apple cider vinegar with baking soda in 1/2 glass, preferably 1 glass of water was the best choice.

Therefore, there is not reason why I should push for ACV alone, unless the person is happy with it, it is the remedy with a good record. It should noted that the single most common complaints I have received from ACV use is the burning tongue problem and this happened more than I care to remember.

 This problem stopped with either cases remedy were use:

1/4- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water, taken for about at least a week.

Thereafter, the apple cider vinegar with baking soda is used.

Either formula I think is o.k. by my observations:
  

ACV 2 tablespoon + 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 - 1 glass of water 2 times a day, preferably 3 times a day  or ACV 2 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 - 1 glass of water 2 times a day.

or

Apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoon with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2-1 glass of water twice a day.

The first one is generally the best, if burning tongue WERE experienced. I tend to call it acid tongue condition. Now the cure for acid tongue, I haven't quite resolve because most people DON'T HAVE pH meters and hence it's difficult to know whether burning tongue was the condition of lack of potassium bicarbonates, sodium bicarbonate or both. So if i go through the nitty gritty details, then people get confused. Therefore I decided to make it simple enough for people to do it.

While I think monitoring pH urine and saliva is a good to monitoring overall health, there are a lot of errors over the internet, because websites are notoriously interbreeding. They copy each other's information without checking and only something as simple as an electronic pH meter would settle a LOT of matters regarding whether aspartame is good for you or is it bad for you, and other "controversy" . I have found aspartame to cause pH of urine to be consistently and dangerously acid that it is no surprise why animal laboratory studies showed brain tumor and other neurological disorders. For example my urine pH went haywire for an entire month being acid after accidentaly TAKING supplements that contained aspartame that was not LABELED TO CONTAIN ASPARTAME! I went so far as to spend a days calling factories and manufacturers to find this elusive ingredient and found they add them in vitamin C (to make it taste sweet) or even in N Acetyl Cysteine. It is this reason why whenever I took supplements that I got sick and that is reflected in very acid urine. It took me more than a month to get pH normal that the body can take care of itself after taking vitamin B complex and lecithin as well as hydergine and piracetam so that the body can control pH normally.

It is a long long story, but the gist of everything is what the tibetan medicine and even traditional Chinese Medicine has told me for a long time...when you are sick avoid SOUR and SWEET food. It's a 2000 year old wisdom but I have upgraded it to specifically mention pH measurement and it's a young science, in terms of measurements that it's only about 100 years old.

Ted"

ACV VS. LEMON
05/25/2008: Anna writes: "I love lemon but have a hard time drinking the ACV. Does lemon work as well? Can Ted or someone please answer my question? Thank you very much."

HOW LONG DOES ACV KEEP?
05/20/2008: Danie writes: "A question for the community: how long does ACV keep? i filled up a jar at the bulk spout, and after ~2 months, there is now a film swirling at the bottom of the container. is it still safe to use, or is there something unsafe now growing in the jar?"

05/20/2008: Joyce from Joelton, Tn replies: "Sounds like you might have gotten some unprocessed apple cider vinegar and the brown swirls might be what is called "mother". If you don't feel safe using it internally, keep it to use externally or for cleaning, unclogging drains, or external applications! However, I usually throw out the mother before I use it for final hair rinse."

06/12/2008: Lynne from Weston-super-Mare, England replies: "I find that ACV keeps a long while, the "Brown Swirls" in the bottom is the sediment, apple cider with the sediment is the cider that is most beneficial, you can't buy this everywhere. My local supermarket used to sell the Apple cider vinegar with the sediment (I think it was French)and the ordinary ACV, now I can only get the latter."

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND ACV PILLS
05/16/2008: Sherry writes: "Hello, Within the last week I have order ACVP (apple cider vinegar plus) pills from a reputable on-line store and was excited to start taking them, based on the benefits that I would hopefully receive (weight loss being among them). Within a day of receiving the pills, I found a site about the benefits of drinking the ACV with honey. My question is, does anyone know if it would hurt to take the pills (3 a day) as well as drink the ACV and honey three times a day (2 tsp bragg acv, + 2 tsp raw honey in 4 oz of water)? I have only been doing one pill a day and the drink 3 tims a day for the last 3 days, but just wanted to be sure I was not overdoing the ACV. Also, could you offer any information regarding the use of the honey. The site I read said the honey offered other benefits, but others say it is best to drink the ACV alone for optimal benefits. I happen to like the taste of just the vinegar so have no problem with it. Just curious if the honey is actually doing anything for me. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you"

ACID REFLUX
05/13/2008: Ash writes: "I have LPR Reflux..its similar to acid reflux.is the cure Apple cidar vinegar to use for that too? Thats the back flow of stomach acid to the throat.(LPR REFLUX) any quick remedy please let me know.. thankyou."

TOOTH PAIN - FROM APPLE CIDER VINEGAR?
05/12/2008: Jessi writes: "This winter I started drinking apple cider vinegar in water, with positive results. After a while, I backed off for a break. All the sudden, within the past few weeks, I have a new black cavity and two other areas of intense tooth pain. Never in 30 years have I had any problems, and now it won't stop. Is this related to the acv? And now that I'm thinking about drinking it again, will it be safe with baking soda, or should I just stay away from it? The health benefits were invaluable for me, but the tooth decay is scary! And is there any (cheap) way to slow the decay now?"

DOES REGULAR USE OF ACV INCREASE YEAST?
05/08/2008: Shoshanna writes: "I heard that using ACV on a regular basis increases yeast and your chances of getting yeast infections. Is this true? If so, how do you prevent it?"

LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS OF ACV
04/27/2008: Toni writes: "Question: I have been drinking 2 tablespoons of Braggs Apple Cidar vinegar with 8 oz of water for about a year now. It helps me maintain my weight but recently I have heard some very disturbing things about long term side effects, including vaginal dryness, bone density and lowering your potassium. Can you please tell me if any of these sides effects are true?"

CAN ACV CLEAN HARDWOOD FLOORS?
04/27/2008: Donna writes: "Is it true that apple cider vinegar helps to clean hardwoood floors? Thanks."

05/04/2008: Sandra from Ann Arbor, MI replies: "I have been professionally cleaning houses for a long time and try to avoid long exposure to the many chemicals that are present in most cleaning products. Therefore, I can attest to the effectiveness of white vinegar as an all-purpose cleaning option. If there is too much grease or other build up, I would recommend doing a first wash with warm water and regular dish soap (I use Dawn), and then rinse with water and vinegar. It really works!"

05/01/2008: Anonymous from USA replies: "I use White vinegar and water on my hardwood floors and they shine."

CAN YOU TAKE TOO MUCH ACV?
04/13/2008: Charles writes: "Can you take too much apple cidar vinegar if you take it consistently without breaks on the order of 3 times a day (morning, midday, and night at about 3 tablespoons each time? Does the effects of the acv diminish over time?"

WILL HEINZ WORK?
04/08/2008: Robin writes: "I decided to try the ACV, which is no problem because I like the taste. My question is, someone said only organic, is anyone using "Heinz?" And must it be mixed with water or honey in order to work? I have been on Diovan for 3 years, my Dr. just raised my dosage which is causing me side effects, so I want to try this. I'd appreciate any advice for dosage, etc. Thank you, Robin 160/95 on Diovan!"

Earth Clinic replies: "A few people do use brands like Heinz and take it straight up. You just need to be careful that whatever brand you buy isn't just "apple flavored" vinegar but the real thing."

04/08/2008: Joyce from Joelton, TN replies: "Hi Robin, I have been using Heinz or any other brand of Apple Cider Vinegar for 40+ years and am satisfied with the way it works.

Matter of fact, I have gotten our local Save-a-Lot Grocery carrying for about 8-l0 years now and no longer have to drive to Franklin, Ky. to get it at a decent price. As EC said: Do make sure that it says apple cider vinegar - not just apple cider colored or flavored. It took me a few weeks of asking the manager of the Save-a-Lot here why he didn't carry the gallon jug of ACV and he told me it wasn't available. Of course my reply was if it's available for the Save-a-Lot in Franklin, it should also be available for you here. Since I can get a gallon of it for less than $2, I can afford to use if for everything and I really do a lot with it, good medicine, good cleaning (even the mineral deposits in the commode),good cooking, good for unstopping sinks, great conditioning final hair rinse if you want clean shiny hair and no dandruff problem (mix 50/50 water for this.

My favorite pot roast recipe is: Put 3-4 lb beef roast in pot. Add l/2 cup left over coffee (can even use instant) & 1/2 cup Of ACV. Cut slits in beef and insert onion slices. About l hr before meat is done, I usually add carrots, potatoes, and celery. No salt or pepper needed."

ADDICTED TO ACV?
12/29/2007: W writes: "Hello Ted, thank you for all your incredible information.I have been using 2tbls acv with 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, and mixing in I tblsp black strap molasses 3 times a day on empty stomach for 4 months now with amazing results..i am currently experiencing flu like symptoms and in researching earth clinic I realized I may have done some wrong by never taking even 1 days rest. I then tried to take 2 full days off and couldn't stand how I felt. I had to give in and have a dose. I also do oil pulling at least 5 days a week first thing in the morning. my questions are, have I done any damage?? must you always take 2 days rest? and is the blackstrap molasses mixed in ok?? Thanks again"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear W: The dependency issue may likely come from the acid forming sugar component of the black strap molasses that prevented you from stopping the ACV+ baking soda. So if the black strap molasses was done every two days or three days, it might be possible to give the ACV+baking soda a 1 or 2 day break.

There are certain hidden reasons why I employed a 2 day break, one of the reasons is as a self-controlling mechanism to discover hidden cause (or problems) to show itself during the two day break, which should show you what's wrong. There are many others reasons, but the discussion is beyond this email.

In this case it might be the black strap molasses that was causing the acidity. In another case it might show that the person in question is suffering from metabolic acidosis not due to dietary cause. Under both instances, acv and baking soda may be needed throughout without a break, at least in the short term, but this is not solving the CAUSE of the problem. Here I need to find the cause.

In the event of a simple black strap molasses and other sugars or vegetable oils were causing the problems, the situation would be remedied by simply doing it less frequently OR taking at 1/2 of the original dose, and if not I try 1/4 of it.

In the event of another cause, metabolic acidosis, which I do have from time to time, accidentaly taking aspartame (they sometimes add them in supplements, but most people are more familiar with them adding in diet colas). The metabolic acidosis, which causes the urine to be extremely acid within hours, hence probably you find out why you took it three times a day helped the most. It also raises the urinary sugar sky high in these events, in case you are wondering.

There are several causes of metabolic acidosis that is rarely discussed in medicine, other than methanol alcohol poisoning, which can kill you, but subtleties exists in when aspartame breaks down in the body in presence of the body's enzyme called the chymotrypsin to form methanol alcohol, which further degrades inside the body to form formaldehyde, and causes my urinary acid to be so acid as to burn my bladder and the urinary pH can be as low as less than 4, which is almost as acid as vinegar! Certain other chemical toxins, such as hydrocarbons, benzene, kerosine, oil firing, carbon monoxide (from oil heating and water heating) can lead to metabolic acidosis. People do not know that sometimes carbon monoxide even a tiny amount can lead to metabolic acidosis, and may lead to diabetes. The connection is simple, cells when they are poisoned, cannot burn fuel, and sugar are acid forming. A glandular functions that control blood sugar can't function in presence of toxins, such as carbon monoxide. I remember one case of a woman to be so sick of all kinds of "disease" that I had assumed to be coming from either the hot water tanks, or the oil heating. Apparently a small amount of carbon monoxide was emitted from the oil heater and it permeated the entire apartment. You can probably guess the state of health and how doctors think it's psychosomatic, when in this case were sublethal dose of carbon monoxide from heating oils or hot water tank heating systems. Hydrocarbon emissions as well as excess free fatty acids, or oxidized polyunsaturated vegetable oils can also lead to metabolic acidosis too. The way it does that is quite simple: people tend to use high temperature cooking on low boiling point vegetable oils. I think that's a big mistake. The oils become oxidized and damages the biological system (they get absorbed very easily) and damages sensitive organs. I kills the beta cells in the pancreas, it causes multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and other things too. The explaination here is beyond this email again.

However, a simple remedy to at least get some control of metabolic acidosis is taking some granulated lecithin (it drives out toxic oils) such as taking one tablespoon a day (at least) with meals preferably, or without, if not convenient. Vitamin B complex B50, especially B1, B3 niacinamide, B6, and B12 are important, perhaps 2 or 3 times a week.

'If metabolic acidosis is known plus high urinary sugar (or blood sugar), then a sodium vanadate, a vanadium supplements, usually 100 mg may be needed now and then, with perhaps some ocassional chromium polynicotinate, manganese sulfate 50 mg, to help control the blood sugar easier. Most supplements in my opinion don't provide sufficient dose for it to work, and in this instance, I might just be forced to take more of them, or make my own if I am in this situation. It should be noted that vanadium and B3 niacinamide helps regenerate beta cells in the pancreas which controls the blood sugar.

In case it is still not possible to do so, then I might try just taking apple cider vinegar with baking soda for 5 days, plus 2 days of just baking soda. Another factor I might consider is to add 1/8 teaspoon of potassium citrate to the mix, and this might enable to discontinue 1 or two days.

The two day break gives a chance to discover hidden problems that shows up during those two day break, but it also allows the body a chance to relax and detox too. That's basically the beauty of the 2 or even a 1 day break.

On some days, I might consider taking some three times a week chlorella or even chinese parsley to remove heavy metals which might have contributed to some metabolic acidosis as they do generate free radicals. However, if I did live in the United States, my major worry is the carbon monoxide as hot water tanks and oil heating system are quite defective. A sublethal dose of carbon monoxide can lead to metabolic acidosis too, or even hydrocarbon emissions and careless use of paint thinners, which goes right through the skin.

Even a simple viruses can lead to metabolic acid, in which case the flu like symptoms you mentioned can easily be resolved with zinc gluconate 50 mg supplements taken three times a week, plus some ocassional magnesium citrate 500 mg, until the problems go away, I might then discontinue the zinc gluconate and in some cases, take only a maintenance dose, of maybe once every two weeks. It works out differently for most people. A viruses causes metabolic acidosis simply by causing inflammation of glandular functions, much like the body experience fever and rashes, but when a glandular functions does that such as the pancreas, the beta cells can't produce the insulin, the adrenal glands can't produce the DHEA, and the thyroid becomes hypothyroid. When glands don't function efficiently the body's immune system becomes problematic and I would experience a flu like symptoms just the same.

Hopefully I have answered some of your questions here. I am further observing other things at this moment and investigating other suitable remedies as I write this email."

ACV AND POTASSIUM LEVELS
12/17/2007: Philip writes: "Please advise your readers that ACV should not be taken by patients on Kidney Dialysis or suffering from Kidney failure. This is due to the high level of Potassium in ACV which is poorly processed by the kidneys. Elevated Pottasium can cause heart failure."

THE FIVE DAY RULE ?
12/17/2007: Robert writes: "I read that Ted recommended ACV only be taken 5 days a week in treating acid reflux. Is it safe to take ACV 7 days a week with other conditions or does the 5 day a week recommendation apply to all conditions and to everybody? Please post this question on the site, regardless if Ted chooses to answer it or not (though I sure hope he does!)."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "The 5 day rule for ACV is not really that strict, and 7 days may be taken, but be aware that a flare up may occur on the 8th day.

I prefer, the results using ACV plus baking soda in for acid reflux, as some people are sensitive to the acid, and this can be taken for 7 days also. The body somehow needs a space or discontinuation for about 1 or 2 days so that the body will have time to relax or detox enough, so as to avoid the so called Herxheimer effect. It should be noted that the ability for the body to control pH is related in someway to lactic acidosis which can also be made worse or initiated to be worse if the food or drinks contain certain excitatory additives such as aspartame (from artificial sweetener) or even monosodium glutamate (MSG). In certain cases, the body's lactic acidosis can be lessened as I have found out later that a B1 (only thiamine mononitrate, 100-300 mg) and taurine (1000 mg) as it lowers the blood sugar causing the body to achieve alkalinity better by controling this variable too. Obviously this additional variable may be useful if the body goes into acid relatively quick, or that taking the ACV baking soda remedy did not raise the urinary pH long enough (for 1 day) and plus possible high blood sugar, or have consumed large amounts of aspartame and alcholic drinks in the past, which may make the condition of acid reflux harder to budge.

Hence taking 7 days can be done, but be aware that a possible flareup may occur on the 8th day, or perhaps on the 9th day. That's the problem about taking continuously and not giving time for the body to relax, as the body's ability to detox have a limited capacity and hence a 1 or 2 day break might be needed. The 2 day break hence is not really strictly applied in acid reflux, but additional OTHER supplements may be needed in case things don't work as well from the problems of high urinary sugar, and blood sugar, or consumption of aspartame, alcohol or monosodium glutamate. The rule of 5 days however is strictly applied if chelation or detox program are used, however. Thus it depends on the condition and seriousness of the condition. I wish I can answer in more detail, but there are a lot of variables to consider.

The most important variable to consider in my opinion is to carefully monitor urinary pH to make sure it reaches near 7 (6.8 or 6.5 I am happy too), if not taking more frequent dose, such up to 3 times may be needed. If the body is either stubborn or the pH goes up not for long, than there is a possibility of lactic acidosis that is preventing a good acid reflux where ONLY B1 thiamine mononitrate is used, NOT thiamine hydrochloride!). It make this distinction to make sure such mistakes don't occur on supplements, so read the labels carefully. If this rule applies, then I might consider starting 100 mg of thiamine mononitrate on second or third week should I find urinary sugar to be high or that the body has very high acidity. This does happen, in many people, just that this point people don't seem to observed, at least for me, its more important than the 5 day rule."

GETTING KIDS TO TAKE ACV
12/13/2007: C writes: "Hi! I just took my first dose of apple cider vinegar and it stopped a backache I have had for years. Wow! I want to put my children on it but they cringe at the smell of it. Are there any recipes for kids? Can I put the liquid in a small empty capsule myself? They can take those. Will it be as effective? Also, if given daily, since it is a cure for vomiting, will it work as a preventative for stomach flu? Thanks, and my back is pain free for the first time in a long time"

ACHING HANDS AND LACK OF SLEEP
12/13/2007: L writes: "I just need some help on the ACV remedy. I started taking it after a week of excruciating pain. Doctor gave me aciphex and reglan but both made me sleep for days! So I stumbled upon your site and have started the ACV remedy while stopping all Rx drugs. I've only taken it now for 2 days, but have had instant results. I've taken only one dose a night after dinner. However, when I go to bed, I'm having a hard time going to sleep or staying asleep and I wake up tired in the morning. I also am having muscle twitching and this morning my hands were aching. My heart also seems to be racing, but when I take my blood pressure, my BP is low and my heart rate is in the 50s-60s. Not sure what is going on there. I feel like I'm taking too much caffeine or taking sudafed, but I'm not. I've cut caffeine out completely when my pain started. Anyway, is this normal? Is there something else I should be doing? I want to continue the ACV therapy for my magnificent relief of all my GERD symptoms, but I don't want to harm my body by taking ACV. Do you know why I'm experiencing these symptoms? Thanks in advance"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "

L: Actually a pure apple cider vinegar remedy is taken ONCE IN THE MORNING, and if taken twice, it is taken during lunch or early afternoon. If it is taken before sleep, some people will not sleep as the malic acid seems to cause some people to be more energetic, as it raises the body's metabolism, as the malic acid is used in the Kreb's cycle of the mitochrondria, along with other vitamins. Hence the timing is off. A 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water taken before sleep might help if things do not work as expected.

'

The excruciating pain came from excessive calcium buildup in the tissue and the acidic effects of apple cider vinegar has a tendency to reduce such buildup and reduce the pain, usually within 3 days, if not a magnesium is added, such as magnesium citrate, 250 mg.

 

I also am having muscle twitching and this morning my hands were aching.

 

A muscle twitching and aching hands is a magnesium deficiency, with possible electrolyte imbalance, and only one dose of sports drink with potassium and added sea salt 1/4 teaspoon per liter of drinking water is used. Vitamin B complex B50 taken for only a couple of days should reduce the aching hands, in some cases. The best remedy for GERD in the long run without excess acidity is the 2 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar plus at least 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Since you have trouble sleeping, the remedy is taken once in the morning and once in the early afternoon. Baking soda seems to help sleep too, so just change the scheduling of when it is taken."

pH EFFECT OF ACV
12/13/2007: P writes: "On your ACV page there are some paragraphs that claim that ACV is alkaline and therefore makes the body more alkaline...but then later on down the page, another paragraph says that it causes the digestive tract to become more acidic and less alkaline. Which is it?"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear P: Apple cider vinegar is generally acid, but in some cases it is alkaline depending on the body's available bicarbonates to neutralize them.

Most people who are sick or taking ACV for long lenght of time may not have sufficient available bicarbonates to neutralize all of the acid and hence will cause them to be acidic.

This is the major reason why baking soda is added to a pH of 7 or 7.5 to resolve the problem of alkalinity without sometimes acid and sometimes alkaline, depending on body's available bicarbonates level, which are self limiting.

If you want to know with any certainty whether apple cider vinegar, is alkaline or acid, I would get an electronic pocket pH and measure before and them after an hour or two after ingestion of apple cider vinegar. Chances are most people will show up acid urine.

It should be noted that alcoholics and people who eat dried fruits have a real metabolic acidosis and apple cider vinegar will not be helpful, but baking soda plus vitamin B1 thiamine will resolve this. A serious metabolic acidosis and sugar levels will rise with taking of aspartame, at least it did for me and took me two weeks to tame it. Apparently the aspartame degrades into methanol alcohol which causes the metabolic acidosis and I had to take not just baking soda and APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, but also thiamine vitamin B1, just to get my urinary sugar and metabolic acidosis to normal again. Long term acidosis from alcohol for example leads to heart attack as it destroys the thiamine B1 (dried fruits contain sulfites and destroys it too). The comedian Paul Lynde who was in Hollywood Square had a heart attack and the his heart looked like an 80 year old man, which came from his dieting of weight watchers(which reduces vitamin levels as he did not supplement them) and his alcoholism. He would not have died at age 55, he just had taken 100 mg of thiamine, vitamin B1. Although, baking soda and apple cider vinegar would have helped with metabolic acidosis which 15% of obese people with weight problem, actually came from the thiamine deficiency. Personally I suspect, the other cause came from estrogen female hormone Bisphenol A, which is found in virtually every canned foods (tomato sauce, green peas, colas, etc.) that tends to breakdown under acid condition. Canned foods estrogen tends to cause obesity and diabetes by the virtue of being excessive estrogen, especially around the waste area. So controlling calories to loose weight is not all the answer. It may have come from environmental toxins"

THYROID PROBLEMS
11/24/2007: L writes: "Ingesting ACV has long been used for medical treatment and is sometimes very effective. HOWEVER, one should also take an iodine supplement, such as kelp tablets or kelp extracts while using this therapy. Extended ACV consumption can remove iodine from the body, and can result in thyroid problems. (Salt also causes the same problems which is why commercial salt has added iodine.) I learned all this back in the early 1970's, and have not found this important information on iodine/ACV interaction in any articles or books recently. However I have not covered your entire site. So in case no one has mentioned this yet, it really needs to be addressed."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Actually the problem is related more to drinking and showering with chorinated water, eating bleached white bread using the widely practiced bromine bleaching process, and using high flouridated products toothpastes which causes iodine deficiency. It should be noted that the use of halogen of fluorine, chlorine, and bromine displaces iodine that is bound organically to the thyroid, resulting in hypothyroidism and iodine deficiency despite adequate intake of iodine. There are many studies to show that eating bromine rich foods found in white flour and white bread causes increase excretion of iodine, resulting in less iodine. I have seen many instances where a child has hypothyroidism, get fat, after going to highly chlorinated swimming pools, and found that iodine levels were low inspite of adequate iodine intake. The research for this is shown below where in high chlorine environment, the iodine is no longer organically bound and are destroyed to become and iodate compound and are thus rid of by the body. In other words, chlorine displaces the iodine, and this is why in livestock animals, not just the chlorine, but also fluorine, and bromine does it cause stunting of animal growth and developmental problems. Henceforth, the degree to reduce environmental toxins is more important in reducing exposure to chlorine, bromine, and fluorine, but at the same time increasing the dosage of iodine whenever such exposure are unavoidable. I often find myself quite often unable to avoid chlorine exposure, but I do this by dechlorinating my water by adding drops of sodium thiosulfate (a dechlorinator) to my drinking water, or by adding tiny pinches of borax, to remove the fluorine, and try to now and then to add couple of drops of iodine mixed with waterused as a mouthwash. Bromine are rather easy to avoid. I simply just don't eat any white bread or anything processed with white flour. Hence the degree of iodine deficiency is more common than many will admit. Obviously suboptimal iodine is likely despite adequate iodine intake, but the high halogen environments of fluorine, chlorine and bromine causes the body unable to retain iodine to be bound organically and hence, the thyroid becomes naked without the iodine, as the other halogen stips away whatever is left. The only thing I can think of that apple cider is guilty of is it is too acid and tends to dissolve the enamel of the teeth. And therefore it is much safer to neutralize the acidity of the apple cider vinegar using a common buffer such as baking soda, using my common remedy of 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda plus 2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. While more iodine intake from kelp and seaweed is needed much more. The problem is not apple cider vinegar, but environmental toxins being introduced into our body, even from something as simple as eating white bread."

WILL ACV HELP ANIMALS, REPEL INSECTS?
11/04/2007: Carole writes: "My granddaughter is very active in 4-H. She shows swine, lambs, goats and cattle. Will ACV help with these animals like so many folks have commented about it helping their horses with flies, etc."

"EC: In his book Folk Medicine, DC Jarvis gives a detailed account of feeding acv to cattle and swine in the 1950s. Highly recommended book."

MEDICATION INTERAC TIONS?
11/01/2007: Rich writes: "The article doesn't mention ACVs effect on medication. A lot of medications should not be taken with vitamin C tablets because like ACV it raises the ph levels in the blood and the kidneys flush the medication out of the blood too quickly. Does ACV have the same effect?"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Actually, ACV mixed with baking soda has relatively neutral pH of 7 using the two tablespoons of ACV with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. While most people's pH is relatively acid anyway or suffers acidosis, the contracted capillaries without such remedy will prevent the medication from being accessible in the body.

The body responds better if the capillaries is not constricted and the body is within an optimum pH level. Hence, while many people might believe that ACV raises the pH, if you bother to check your urinary pH on your after the ACV is taken within the hour or so, most of the people's urine will show acid urine rather than an alkaline urine. However, if the person has sufficient alkalinity, especiallly carbonates in the body, than it tends to raise the urinary pH.

However not everyone has sufficient alkalinity necessary to raise the urinary pH. While the old definition of ACV is based on burned ashes, after it is acid, a newer definition of whether foods are alkaline or acid depends on whether or not the urinary pH becomes an acid or an alkaline. Hence, everyone's body' chemistry is different. It is the same with vitamin C. There are actually two kinds of vitamin C, the ascorbic acid and the sodium ascorbate. The ascorbic acid lowers the urinary pH to become more acid, while the sodium ascorbate raises the urinary pH to become more alkaline. The problem that I worry about medications being flushed out is from diuretics which tends to cause the people to urinate more, thus flushing out the medicine. One simple illustration will answer it all, in a Kangen water, where its alkalinity is relatively high, such as between pH 9-11, such high pH is relatively alkaline, causing the body to be much more responsive to medication such that the the individual is discourage from taking more medication and the medicaton may be taken on 1/2 or 1/4 of the original doctors medication as it causes the body to absorb the medicine relatively quickly. A Kangen water of an alkaline water, dissolved in a small amount of sesame oil or any other vegetable oil will be soluble, while a plain water of relatively neutral pH will cause the oils and the water to separate. Hence, because oils and medicine mixed is much more apparent with alkalinity the effects of the medicine is seen to be much stronger. Therefore in general, the opposite is true. The more alkaline the body the more responsive is the body and hence, the less the dosage is actually required."

IS ACV SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?
10/13/2007: SF writes: "Is it safe to drink straight ACV when pregnant? If so, how much is safe? I called my doctor and he did not know :("

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "I would add plenty of water to dilute the acidic ACV such as 2 tablespoon of' ACV to one glass of water. I however, prefer a safer way by neutralizing the solution by using 2 tablespoon of acv plus 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. The acv chemically is not changed even with the baking soda is added, but they are however, biologically for friendly to the body since the body also needs an available bicarbonate from the baking soda to help the body stabilize the pH that is so important."

IS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR SAFE FOR CHILDREN?
10/01/2007: Jennifer writes: "I'm very interested in trying the ACV treatment for my allergies and sinus infections. My 2 children also suffer from allergies and sinus infections. I would like to try this natural treatment with them, but wonder if it is OK and if the doseage would be different? Jennifer Ohio"

SINUS DRAINAGE AFTER TAKING ACV
09/29/2007: S writes: "Thank you so much for getting back to me. The ACV is helping immensely I feel the mucus breaking up and I am having heavy clear drainage. How long do you think this will last the drainage that is I will get some vitamin c and vitamin e and of course I will get N Acetyl Cysteine. Ilove your website. I wish that I had know about my brother in law he is going to be getting chemotherapy and radiation. I know this is the worst for him but that is the decision my sister and her husband decided on. I wish there is some miracle cure for him but I am at a loss for this. I will try what you suggest and I will get back to you. If you want to post my e-mail feel free. You are the best keep up the good work. Thank you again."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "A Lemon juice 2 tablespoon plus a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water might also help your brother at least better cope with his condition. It helps the body be stronger by allowing the body to be more alkalized and reduced the side effects from chemotherapy, perhaps. Those are taken three times a day.

The N Acetyl Cysteine should help some of the lump in throat cause by a mucus.

Switching a diet to fish/vegetable/complex caroohydrate, where 50%-80% are fish protein will help reduce the weight slowly enough as the protein helps burn off the unneeded fats.

In case I want to see some weight reduction and clearance of fatty buildup of the liver, 1 tablespoon of granulated lecithin taken along with meals or even on an empty stomach I found to be helpful.

In case of stress and worries, a amino acid supplements (or even a protein supplement without sugar) will help reduce those problem. Its effect should be felt within an hour or so."

SINUS DRAINAGE AFTER TAKING ACV
09/28/2007: S writes: "I have a question for you. I am doing the acv/mother and raw honey for my sinuses. I had some build up in my throat I believe it is from drainage that I cannot control. Am I doing the right thing. I am feeling better and my food is going down better in my throat. Any other suggestions I would welcome. Thank you . Love the website..you can post my letter thank you."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear S: If a sinus is a problem, I might take some vitamin C 1000 mg and some 200-400 i.u. of vitamin E. If the mucus is large and obstruct the breathing passages, this may be a problem. N Acetyl Cysteine, 250-500 mg will liquify the mucus."

SIDE EFFECTS
09/07/2007: S writes: "Hi Ted, I have a quick question for you. I'm a nutritional therapist and I recently put a client on apple cider vinegar.She was suffering from sugar addiction and wanted to lose weight. I took her off sugar but did not put her on the full anticandida diet. A week later she called to say that she was suffering from headaches, insomnia, and poor mood. I assumed she was detoxing and then remembered that she has a yeast intolerance. Is it possible that she is having a reaction to the apple cider vinegar? Is this product counter indicated for clients with yeast intolerance? I can't seem to find the answer anywhere. Any help you could give would be appreciated. Regards"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "It is a common reaction from acidosis from taking only apple cider vinegar. Add enough baking soda to neutralize the acidity and no negative reaction would be experience. The minimum dose is 2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar plus 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water taken two times, but preferably three times a day on an empty stomach.

The big problems are the white bread, steaks, oils, vegetable oils, fried foods, cheese are the other things that should be avoided and not just the sugar whenever candida sets they tend to fluorish in an acid forming food. Chickens, fishes, and vegetable, provided they are not contaminated are o.k."

BAKING SODA
09/05/2007: Anonymous writes: "doesnt adding baking soda in acv dilute the vinagar and make it not work? for weight loss?"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "No. Since the body will have to convert the ACV into an acetate form before it is utilized by the body. The body uses bicarbonates to neutralize the ACV. However not everyone has sufficient bicarbonate stores in their body. The baking soda acts as a laxative effect and causes the body to retain less water retention and speed up the digestion through reduction in constipation, thus allowing weight loss."

DENTAL ENAMEL
09/05/2007: Anonymous writes: "Hello, I'm writing to ask you about drinking ACV. It had been staining up my enamel real good, I read your recipe for mixing it with baking soda and I've done that. The things is I read a book called folk medicine by a 60's doctor who loves ACV, cant get enough of it for anything, but he says the acidic element is integral to it's beneficial effects. He says it helps restore us to an acid reaction and that over alkalinity goes hand in hand with sickness. If I'm mixing baking soda in it's neutralising the acid, which apparently halves the goodness, if I dont it rots my teeth, what do you think? he says to mix ACV and honey."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Using ACV whenever it is acid, will cause staining ofthe teeth cas the acid eats up the enamel whichprotects discoloration. The body needs suficientbicarbonates and an easy way to prove it is that theurine pH should be neutral at the very least at pH of7. If the body has insufficient alkalinity, the urinepH becomes acid. Usually taking apple cider vinegarwill result in short term alkalinity, but whenever thebody becomes depleted of bicarbonates, the urine pHbecomes acid, and the pH of most people urine isusually below 6.5, indicating lack of bicarbonates oralkalinity. I get complaints of people using eitherACV or ACV with honey all the time, however, bakingsoda or "bicarbonates" plays a prominent role in thebody's physiology in buffering the pH which not onlyprotects the teeth, it also prevents the body fromdepleted bicarbonate resulting in acidity whichreduces the body's immunity as most bacteria andfungus grows in acidity. The body alkalizes itselfnecessary to protect against invading bacteria andviruses and if the body cannot raise the alkalinityenough, then the body gets infected, gets cold, oreven candida much easier than a person who can raisealkalinity whenever there is an attack of the viruses.Therefore bicarbonates is used by the body and storedby the body whenever invading viruses comes to bay. I would therefore not use acv plus honey or acv aloneand prefer a more neutral solution with sufficientamount of bicarbonates, closer preferably to the pH ofour own blood which is 7.35. However the hugedifferences in ACV acidity versus the blood's own pH,might create problems where it creates unnecessarystress in neutralizing the acidity of the apple cidervinegar."

DOSAGES
08/31/2007: Mie writes: "Hello Ted, Thank you so much for your reply....! I like reading your expertise!! I was a little worried by reading your comment "They recommended two teaspoon of pure apple cider vinegar diluted 8 oz of water because that's the maximum tolerable dose without having a major side effects from the acidity of the apple cider vinegar", because, in earthclinic.com's recommended dosage says "The traditional way: 2 TBLS of ACV in 8 oz of water 3x a day. Add honey to taste"; It does not mention about baking soda I think that many many earthclinc.com readers, including myself, are taking 2TBLS of ACV without adding baking sode to neutralize the solution. Isn't it bad for our health? Maybe earthclinic.com should start recommending 2 TSP of ACV without adding baking soda and 2 TBLS of ACV with baking soda added? I don't want people to get side effects by taking too much ACV without adding baking soda..... Thank you,"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear Mie: I wouldn't even consider adding honey, except for kids who are stubborn if it doesn't taste good or certain people who really can't stand ACV tastes or smell.

I guess there's a great divide, between Ted's remedy and the other people's remedy posted on earthclinic!

I rarely complaints on the baking soda added but I do get a more complaints than I can handle from using ACV alone."

DOSAGES
08/30/2007: Mie writes: "Hello Ted, I always enjoy reading your expertise at earthclinic.com. I have a very simple question. The book "Folk Medicine" and Bragg's ACV bottle recommends "2 teaspoon of ACV with 8oz water...." but earthclinic.com recommends 2 tablespoon of ACV. Do you know why earthclinic.com recommends 2 tablespoon instead of 2 teaspoon? Thank you"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear Mie:

The book recommended two teaspoon of pure apple cider vinegar diluted 8 oz of water because that's the maximum tolerable dose without having a major side effects from the acidity of the apple cider vinegar. Actually that dose if used alone is still way too strong in my own experience for people who are sick.

I used 2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar because it was the baking soda that' helped neutralized the solution and hence it is possible to use a larger dose. The reason why that dose was set is simple. My own observations is that the body needs a minimum of 1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonates per day at least for the body to maintain normal pH and sufficient buffers, which is divided into two equal dose of 1/4 teaspoon each. The apple cider vinegar is determined to get the pH of about 7 and this works out to about 2 tablespoons.

To further weaken the solution I used at least 1/2 glass of water, as 8 oz. of water can be too much for some people so a 1/2 glass is the minimum. Most healthy active people actually needs more than this, and the body needs about 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda a day. However I hold the apple cider vinegar constant (but can be added more) since it seems the body needs to maintain buffers much more than the need of acetates and malates to help detoxify.

Of course more apple cider vinegar can be added to about 4 tablespoon ACV plus 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, but its effect (from my own very small samples of feedback) is not as great as the 2 tablespoon ACV plus 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda on the maximum dosage side. It is obviously seen that an athlete can need much more bicarbonates, but in such a situation, bicarbonate used is not effective for sports medicine, a more compact form is the citrate form, such as sodium citrate or potassium citrate, which can effectively alkalize the body much much more better. Although this is not feasible as citrates are much harder to find than a simple baking soda, which is more available in most supermarkets.

It should be noted that biochemically the solution of apple cider vinegar does more than meets the eyes, it buffers the body's fluids, increase the body's antioxidation Oxidation Reduction Potential, it effectively alkalizes, reduces excess serum calcium which cause blood clots and heart attacks, malates reduces aluminum accumulation in the brain helpful for alzheimer, alkalization increases the body's need to unload toxins by sweating more easily, and the list goes on an on. However the use of strictly apple cider vinegar is problematic and causes the body to go acid whenever the body's bicarbonates is already lacking and this may not be helpful in the condition of candida, or at least temporarily helpful.

In my opinion most booklets to promote certain supplements will only promote that and nothing more. This can be a problem since every supplements will have a weakness. In case of apple cider vinegar, it is too acid for some people's digestive system to handle. A middle ground therefore is where the solution's pH is at least neutral or if the solution is fairly close to the body's fluid between 7.3-7.4"

TREATMENT CAUSES COUGHING?
08/28/2007: Sandeep writes: "I found this amazing site and started using ACV for my high cholestrol. I used it for a about 3 months with 2 tablespoon in one big glass of room tempreture water. I also recommended it to my uncle who has very high chloestrol. But after a few weeks of using it my uncle developed really bad cough symptoms. I also started haveing severe cough especially in the morning after taking ACV. When I stopped taking ACV, the cough subsided somewhat. I wanted to know if this is a possible side effect of ACV? Also is there something that I can do to make it less prone to giving cough like symptoms? Your feedback is highly appreicated"

08/30/2007: Debbie from Chesapeake, VA replies: "Aug 30, 07 I'm responding to another reader's post about coughing after Apple Cider Vinegar. I've only been doing ACV for a couple of days but I've already noticed coughing which subsides a couple of hours after taking. I take about 2 tablespoons, preferably in some juice (don't like the taste). I think taking less would not make me cough. Also, the cough is not bad, more like just surprising."

DOES ACV CONTAIN ALCOHOL?
08/18/2007: B writes: "Hi my boyfriend and I are both recovering alcoholics and are interested in taking apple cider vinegar for its health benefits. But, we are concerned about the fermentation involved, does the vinegar actually contain alcohol? We have read about how good it is for you but are worried it may contain alcohol. Please let us know. Thank you."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Actually a recovering alcoholic need more water soluble vitamin B complex which reduces the addiction and the granulated lecithin, which protects the liver from being cirrhotic. Another water soluble vitamin is vitamin C and some vitamin E to protect the liver from oxidative damage should be a reasonable remedy for recovering alcoholics.

As to the vinegar and its alcoholic content: If the apple cider vinegar was made from a hard cider, it will have an alcholic content, but when a acetobacter is used, those are convered to acetic acid instead. Technically there might be alcohol in there but the amount is technically too small to be measurable. If I am a purist, I think I would rather concentrate on taking some vitamin B complex, selenium and granulated lecithin to protect my liver better.

Vitamin B complex may prevent addiction, especially the Niacinamide (B3) which has a calming effect and reduces some stress, where the dose I used are about 300 mg/day while B complex, if I feel I need it might be twice or three times a week should be sufficient."

HOW TO PREVENT ACV HEARTB