rajiv (Cairo, Egypt) on 10/22/2007:

I used to suffer from asthma and cold related ailments for the last more than twenty years. These ailments included: running nose, running eyes, sneezing, red eyes, and problems relating to asthma which aggravated during the month of April and November on account of change of weather. I used to take a lot of medicines which had their side-effects. On account of asthma, I did not play any game whatsoever [basically I could not run for a few meters]. While surfing on the net, I came your and I started taking AVC [edit note: AVC = Apple Cider Vinegar] and it did wonders to me.

While taking AVC, I realised that symptoms relating to asthma and cold related ailments have started to disappear. Once, after taking AVC over a period of six months or so, I stopped taking it, and I was having cold again which led me to continue taking AVC.

For the last one year or so, I have been eating mainly vegetable [cabbage, carrots, broccoli, green pepper and other leafy vegetables] and fruits [cantaloupe, grape and water melon]. More or less, following was my diet during the last one year:

First thing in the morning: 2 table spoon of Apple Vinegar cidar with water
Breakfast: one Indian bread with lentil or cooked vegetable with 2 table spoon of Apple Vinegar cidar in boiled water with garlic and ginger
Lunch: cantaloupe or grape with boiled vegetables [green pepper, cabbage, carrot, brocoli] with two lemons
Dinner: one Indian bread with lentil or vegetables with 2 table spoon of Apple Vinegar cidar in boiled water containing garlic and ginger

First time in my life in last twenty years or so, I could run, climb stairs, play cricket and badminton and felt great with the same diet as mentioned above. I started playing badminton religiously for two hours, though not continuously. I may like to add that I am a vegetarian, teetotaller and non-smoker through out my life. While playing badminton, I felt slight pain in my left knee which prompted me to go a doctor who said it was osteoarthritis. At the advice of doctor, I had my blood test with the following results:

Haemoglobin [9,.4 g/dl]
high uric acid [8.0 mg/dl
RF [positive] [40 IU/ml]
high Cholesterol [ 225 mg/dl]

I have spent a great deal of time on net which contains a lot of contradictory information pertaining to osteoarthritis. This is especially true to AVC. While some sites advocates use of AVC for osteoarthritis; others clearly advising not to take AVC and other citrus food.

As of now, I am taking MSM and glucosamine and different medicines for other problems.

Additionally, I believe, one is supposed to take iron rich vegetables/fruits for haemoglobin, reduce intake of proteins for uric acid and avoid fatty stuff for cholesterol [as stated above, in the last one year I have eaten only boiled or raw vegetables, fruits and Indian bread with lentils or vegetables]

I would be grateful to be advised on the following:

(i) Most of the vegetables [green turnip, green beet, carrot, spinach] are rich in iron, potassium, calcium, but they also contain a great amount of Vitamin A which is not good for bone, especially owing to high amount of vitamin A. Does high intake of vitamin A present in vegetables create problems. Grateful for advice.
(ii) Some of the vegetables like spinach disturbs the absorption of calcium. Should I take spinach.
(iii) My main worry is with regard to AVC. I had suffered from asthma and other allergy problems like running nose, etc. for the last twenty year. Now I have stopped taking AVC and again ailments like running nose, etc. has cropped up. Should I continue taking AVC because of osteoarthritis?

With tons of thanks and kind regards,