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Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar

Updated: 03/21/2010

DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

MULTIPLE CURES

18 YEA
1 BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
1 QUESTION

[YEA]  02/27/2007: Terri from Starkville, MS writes: "Thank you Ted, I had back discomfort for a few years. I bought shoe inserts, heating pads, creams for pain, and a new mattress. Each of these things would help temporarily. I started your ACV/baking soda remedy last night and I slept well. This morning I awoke to very little pain.. it feels like the inflammation is almost gone. Like the other responders said.. I had new energy, better attitude, no yeast itching, and space to fasten my tight jeans. Whatever it is, this is great."

[YEA]  02/27/2007: Raquel from Aichi Prefecture, Japan writes: "I tried to get some answers about my daughter's recurrent cough and colds and somebody gave me your site so I immediately search it. I don't know how to thank you enough because for almost a month now my kids are taking this apple cider vinegar honey-lemon with baking soda and it's really working. I stopped all medications though her cough and colds are still there because she has allergy, she now sleeps pretty well at night. One thing more, ACV has helped me a lot, I am hypertensive and I was diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis but after almost a month of taking ACV my blood pressure went down to 110/75 and also my amylase result went as high as 133 which is above the normal 40-110 but when I got the result today It went down to 111 which is almost normal already. I will continue taking ACV and will keep you posted. Thank you so much for your wonderful site. I'm praying that more people would find your site and that they will benefit from it. May God continue to shower you with blessings. God bless you and your family."

[YEA]  02/18/2007: Lila from London, England writes: "Hi i am a 22 year old female,I started taking 2 tablespoons of acv mixed with about a quarter of a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda mixed in about 8 floz of water (250 mls) for about a week now.I do not suffer from any illnesses so im just taking it for general well being. Verdict: I have a lot more energy and feel less tired towards the end of the day, and I have more regular bowel movements, I have increased saliva production(is this something good?). Also I feel that it has improved my mood as i feel much happier and cheerful now.I don't know maybe its all psychological or maybe its the acv working. I have two questions for anyone who can answer this question (maybe ted from Bangkok can ans this)here in england we only have baking powder or bicarbonate of soda in the supermarket.We don't have anything called baking soda. Could someone please tell me which one i should use? Also I am using aspalls organic cyder vinegar from tescos. Again, I cant find the _______ vinegar with the mother in it. .Is the vinegar I'm using effective as it doesn't contain the 'mother'. and if anyone here knows where I can get hold of some vinegar with the mother in it in london please let me know. Also one unpleasant side effect is that my teeth and tongue feel really funny, like they are coated with something is this normal?your answers to my questions would be greatly appreciated .Thank you."

[YEA]  02/13/2007: Russel from Indiahoma, OK writes: "I take the ACV formula 3 times a day. I take 2 tbs Organic ACV 1/2 tsp Baking soda in 8 oz of water in the morning and evening, at midday I take 1 tbs ACV 1/4 tsp baking soda in 4 oz of water. This has worked GREAT, I sleep better, my allergies have greatly lessened, and I haven't taken my Prilosec otc (omeraprazole) since I started the ACV Baking soda 3 weeks ago. The whole process seems to be getting better as I stick to this daily regimen. I take it for 5 days on and then 2 days off. My first question is what can be done during the 2 days off to help with acid reflux since we are not supposed to take the ACV Baking soda during the off days. Is it just a matter of eating less or certain foods or can we take a little baking soda with a glass of water before a meal during that time? My second question is although my constipation issue is getting better since taking ACV, I have had a little bit of blood from straining? Is there anything I can take to help those blood vessels from bleeding during bowel movements? Thanks, Russell"

[YEA]  12/24/2006: DJ from Denver, CO writes: "5 days without Nexium! It's a miracle. Ever since I started taking Nexium about 3 years ago, my acidity and heartburn have gotten to the point where even with the drug I would spend a few nights a month where I couldn't lay down and sleep because the pain was so bad. Then something made me think of searching on "Vinegar Acid Reflux" on the web. Not sure where that thought came from, but it could have changed my life (so far so good at least). I came upon this website and bought some ACV the same day about 3 weeks ago. Although I was hoping it would help me feel less miserable even while on Nexium, I couldn't dare hope I would actually be able to wean off the drug. 5 days ago I decided to try it. Instead of taking Nexium every day, whenever the acidic feeling hits I take the concoction (2 Tbsps of ACV and about 1/8 tsp of Baking soda in half a cup of water) and get immediate relief. Haven't woken up once in the past 5 days in the middle of the night and have slept better than I can remember.

I have two concerns for now:

1. The concoction is not exactly transportable. So what happens when I'm out for dinner or visiting friends and don't have it handy? I'll probably have to rush home.

2. Too much Sodium can be bad for the body, so wondering what the effect of long term use will be since baking soda is being used several times a day every day.

Thank you for your website. I'm hoping someday I will be completely pain free. For now I'm happy that when it hits I have a remedy on hand that isn't causing harm to other parts of my physiology. Let's help get the word out there. I strongly believe the drug companies for their own greed are creating pills for every ailment there is out there with total disregard to long term effects. My experience with Nexium is that I got hooked on it and couldn't not take it because the pain would come back 10 times worse than before I was ever on it. We as a culture need to return to home remedies as much as we can (using drugs only for severe illness) and turn our thumbs down on the greedy pharmaceutical companies.

This cure itself can permanently get rid of so many drugs on the market today. Its unbelievable that this remedy is not spreading like wildfire all over the internet.

I actually came across another website advertising on your website for home cures for acidity and charging for it. So thank you for keeping your website free and honest. It works, the info is free and the ingredients are cheap. Its nothing short of a miracle for me!"

MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

08/08/2008: Pat from Ballwin, MO writes: "A friend's daughter was just diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. The first thing I did was go to Earth Clinic! However, I found nothing. I searched further and found an E-Book about natural aids for MG.

Guess what the first remedy was! ACV and Baking Soda!

If any one wants to know about this book, they can email me and I will give them the link. No, the book is not free. I will provide the link for free.

Pat from St. Louis"

08/11/2008: Martie from Toronto, Canada replies: "Pat from St. Louis: I have a dear friend with myasthenia gravis and would so like to have her look at something that would help, other than the drugs she has been taking for so many years. I would appreciate you letting me know where to get this information. Thank you."

03/19/2010: Beth from Vista, Ca Usa replies: "Hi Pat,

My mother was diagnosed with MG a couple of years ago. She went from being an active 68 year old to bedridden overnight. She is on various drugs that are managing symptoms somewhat, but prednisone being one of them, I would love to find something natural that could help and possible reverse it. Please send me the link to the ebook you mentioned in your post.

My email is beth92054@yahoo.com

Thanks!
Beth"

NAUSEA

1 YEA

[YEA]  11/16/2007: Erica from Wellington, Colorado writes: "About a year ago I started to get sick all the time. I was always nauseas, throwing up, belching, and constipated. Sometimes it would be so hard for me to get up in the morning, and I was tired all day. And all of these symptoms seemed to worsen during my PMS, accompanied by depression. I was finally fed up with all of this, so I began looking for home remedies over the internet about five days ago. I ran into this website and in the last four days I've been taking the ACV remedy with baking soda 3 times a day, and it has made such an amazing difference. I can eat in the morning without feeling nauseas, I have been moving my bowels everyday, and I am higher in spirits. I will update if it makes a difference during PMS. I will recommend this remedy and this website to all of my family and friends. Thank you so much. God Bless, Erica"

NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

1 YEA

[YEA]  08/06/2008: Jun Sayson from Cebu City, Philippines writes: "ACV and Baking soda cures my Nephrotic Syndrome:

I was diagnosed by my doctor with Nephrotic Syndrome disease for 17 yrs. I've been taking prednisone for 2 years and other medication. My NS has never getting better but even worst and my immune system became low, I was even confined in the hospital for Pneumonia. After my confinement in the hospital I decide to stop taking my medication and taking some natural food supplements. Every year I had my physical examination including urine testing and my protein rose to 4+ until I stumble to this site seeking for remedy or even cure to my NS. I read some testimonies I found a cure to my NS the ACV + Baking soda and was very surprised after my Physical exam my protein is normal. Thank GOD that he guides me here in this site I hope that this will help also to people who is suffering NS. More power to this site and God Bless us all."

EC: Read more about NS here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephrotic_syndrome

08/06/2008: Joyce from Joelton, Tn replies: "Hello Jun, so glad that you tried a natural and it worked out for you. I wanted to alert you to discontinue drinking any soda pops (colas, pepsis, & all other carbonated beverages) because I picked up a few children spilling protein in their urine & nothing to explain why. Dipstick Urine negative for everything but the protein and culture was also negative. After asking Mom's about their carbonated beverage intake (all were drinking carbonated beverages instead of water), I asked Mom's to not let them drink anything but milk, fruit juice and water and return to clinic a week later for a recheck of their urine. All of their urines checked negative for protein except for the one who had been 4+ proteinuria, who was down to a trace of it. Her Mom admitted that she had drank one on the way to the clinic!"

PAIN

5 YEA

[YEA]  01/18/2008: Tana from Columbia, South Carolina writes: "Five years ago I started taking ibeprophen for a serious back problem. About 800mg a day. Three months later I started having pains that started below my breast bone and radiated up my throat, to my back, and up the right hand side of my neck and face. The only thing that stopped the pain was a spoon full of baking soda in an8oz. glass of water. I've tried the purple pill but still am suffering from time to time. I am now going to try the ACV with the Baking soda, before I eat to see if this will be an additional help? I have heard great things about this and at this point willing to try anything to keep from, the burning sensations, not being able to swallow, and throwing up in my sleep. Today I mixed the 1 teaspoon/ACV with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 8oz. of water and was able to keep my food down. This is a Miracle!!"

05/13/2008: Tana from Berrien Springs, Michigan replies: "Apple Cider/Baking Soda: I am writing to warn people that taking Ibuprofen, Tylenol and other such painkillers, that you also need to take at least 1000/2000 milligrams of Milk Thistle/Silymarin preparation to protect your liver. I take the Milk Thistle/Silymarin at the same time I take the Tylenol in my case. Since I have been dealing with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia for ten years I know that it is necessary to protect the liver so that it can do its job of cleansing your body of the many toxins that otherwise would build up and cause the liver to work ineffectively or lead to liver damage.S incerely, Tana."

[YEA]  10/26/2007: Laura from Courtland, CA writes: "I Was so happy to find your website-I was looking for a natural approach to upping my DHEA level as my test results showed very low-As I am 46 and entering into the change of life I was frustrated with my weight gain and came upon the stories of ACV-Well I started to take the 2tbl. ACV to 1/4 tsp of baking soda, with a dash of cayenne and a skirt of lemon in 1/2 cup warm water....what I didn't expect to experience immediately was that the pain associated by my 12 year bout with slipped ribs and vertebrae problems disappeared within 20 minutes-hopefully now my body can heal itself rather than trying to quiet the agonizing heat of inflammation-Alleluia, the journey has just begun, healing is indeed something we can all do for ourselves. I have spread the word and for those of you with daily pain...it is the easiest thing you can do- Thank you so much...p"

[YEA]  07/09/2007: Joy from Cadillac, MI writes: "For several days I was suffering from neck and head pain on the left side. I had pain in my left ear and eye. I tried the heating pad, self massage, and pain pills. Nothing helped. Woke up every morning to headache and pain. I couldn't turn my head without cringing. Finally this morning I took acv with baking soda and grape juice. I felt better almost immediately. My head pain is gone and my neck doesn't hurt. I can turn my head and there isn't any pain! Thank you for this website!"

[YEA]  01/16/2007: Loranda from Long Pine, NE writes: "I have been drinking three 20 oz. bottles of water with 1/8 tsp. baking soda and 2 T. ACV a day for a week. No more aches and pains. Haven't had a headache in a week. My hip, knees and shoulders ached daily before the ACV. My energy level is up also. And this isn't organic ACV, just the store brand. Looking for the organic, but having trouble finding any locally. But determined to find. Thanks for this website."

[YEA]  11/10/2006: Pain free from Oregon writes: "Hello, here I am, and, still PAINFREE. The acv is wonderful, I love the baking soda in it, along with the honey, now using mineral water, no tap water, and it makes my mouth taste so sweet, and I noticed I do not feel that sourness in my tummy after the I drank it, 4 times. My tongue is also nice and naturally red, my lips too. I do not think it is all in my mind at all. Hear this: I wear glasses, bi focals, and I am able to read words now without them. Before I found this site, I could hardly see with the glasses on, and also, my walking balance was so bad, and I was so dizzy. When the pain came on so strong, and all that dizziness and falling, I knew it was time to go do research and get off of that drug for reflux. I had no clue it was going to help my breathing, but it did, so none of that problem either. No, not at all have I had to take any drugs for acid reflux (GERD), because it is not present. I drink it in the morning upon arising, before breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bedtime. My appetite is wonderful. The foods taste so great, I do not have to add spices at all. My stomach is digesting so well, I am eating my meals on time, and getting to bed on time. And, I do not have to baby sit the house anymore in the wee hours of the morning. The swelling is gone in my neck and my tummy. I do not have to take any allergy or cough medicines at all. So, since I feel so great, and am learning now all about natural foods to eat, and also to use as body cleansers and even cleanse around my home, and also, I found out that ants and weevils do not like baking soda, or boric acid, (Borax?) so that is nice to know. I am reading quite a bit on this site and doing my own research now, because now that my body feels great and clean, I do not want to dirty it up with any chemicals that are not natural."

PRE-MIXING

1 QUESTION

[QUESTION]  03/21/2010: Melanie from Ankeny, Iowa writes: "I've used ACV for about 2 months, and feel good. No weight loss, like I hoped, but aches and pains have gone away, and high energy throughout the day. I usually mix about a week's worth in water bottles and store in my fridge. I have never used baking soda, but want to start. Can I pre-mix the ACV and baking soda in water and store in my fridge, or will this cause one or the other to not be as effective? Thanks for your advice!"

PSITTACOSIS

1 BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS]  04/25/2009: Bill from Covina, Clifornia writes: "I've been on your ACV/Baking Soda for some time, and it has worked great for my psittacosis infection...better than any antibiotic I've been on, and I've been on 17! I'm having a problem though, the amount of salt seems to be building up and I'm having a hard time getting rid of it! The mucous I'm coughing up is actually burning and I'm not feeling too good. I'm getting intense muscle cramps, spasms and soreness which I believe is from electrolyte imbalance. I've been drinking a lot of water, about a gallon and it doesn't seem to be helping much. Is there something I'm doing wrong, like not enough vinegar, or something?

Thanks."

EC: More on this condition here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psittacosis

READER COMMENTS

1 YEA

06/01/2008: A from Jersey City, USA writes: "I am posting this question for commentary from informed readers and Ted.

First of all, I am NOT an expert, and all my knowledge is really just based on what I've read. I have been grappling with the issue of whether combining ACV & Baking Soda diminishes its effectiveness in any way in the body. I've read practically all the comments on the Earthclinic website related to this in great detail. A nagging suspicion in my gut tells me that taking ACV with baking soda is NOT the same as taking ACV and/or baking soda alone. Unfortunately, I don't have enough expertise or knowledge to put together a plausible thesis; and all my exhaustive research has NOT provided me a convincing answer yet. Therefore, I am merely positing a hypothesis for question/commentary from informed readers.

Here it goes. My gut feel, and based on whatever information I can gather, taking ACV with Baking Soda (or Lime with Baking Soda), is probably NOT the same as taking either of those alone. The body needs to break down complexed minerals (such as sodium ascorbate, magnesium citrate, etc.) into ions before they can be absorbed. Therefore, when you react ACV with baking soda, that is no different than taking a complexed mineral of sodium acetate and sodium malate, together with whatever else might be in the ACV. Now, does the body absorb the sodium malate and sodium acetate the same way as it would the acetic acid and malic acid to be found in ACV alone? How easily does the sodium malate or sodium acetate breakdown in the body for absorption vs. just taking the ACV alone? That's the question? My nagging suspicion is that the body doesn't treat them the same way, in which case the effectiveness of ACV would get diminished by combining it with Baking Soda.

I understand Ted's point that the body is going to neutralize the acids anyways with its mineral buffers. But what comes first? Does the body absorb the malic acid and acetic acid first before neutralizing? If so, then is sodium malate or sodium acetate correspondingly harder to absorb by the body b/c it has to be broken down and ionized first?

I was reading Tim O'Shea's online book on how minerals get absorbed in the body (http://www.thedoctorwithin.com/minerals/Minerals.shtml). He says that acidic state is necessary for ionization of complexed minerals. In other words, for a sodium malate to breakdown into ionic sodium and malate to be absorbed by the body. I quote from his online book "If the pH is too alkaline, the ions won't disassociate from whatever they're complexed with, and will simply pass on through to the colon without being absorbed." So, my question is, does most of the ACV when combined with baking soda just gets passed through the body without getting absorbed? Is an ACV absorbed better by the body when it is by itself? If you want to alkalize, while also get the benefit from drinking ACV or limes, then is it better then to just take them separately some hours apart?

Also, I have read in many places that the absorption rate of complexed minerals is only about 1 - 20%, i.e., rather low. As per Tim O'Shea and others I have read, minerals get absorbed by two ways. (1) The body needs them in which case it sends protein messengers/transporters to the lining of the gut wall to absorb that particular mineral. (2) Diffusion. So, if your body doesn't need sodium, say for example, then is it just going to ignore the sodium malate or sodium acetate? In that case, would the malic and acetic acids in ACV alone be better absorbed by the body?

Since modern science/information can be so corrupted, one thing I am learning to do whenever presented with a remedy, etc is to ask how this might have been done several thousand years ago, when perhaps things were less corrupted. Although I could be totally wrong, I don't imagine our ancestors and the Ayurveda folks mixing ACV with Baking Soda. They probably drank the ACV or baking soda alone.

On another note, I have tried ACV with Baking Soda for about 10 days now. I don't feel much effect, other than getting my urinary PH in the above 7 range. If the sodium malate and sodium acetate are simply getting passed through into the urine, surely they would make the urine PH alkaline. My salivary PH is still in the 6.25 range, which is another whole issue that I need to figure out. (I am scared of one of Ted's commentaries in one of these postings that suggested that a urinary ph higher than salivary is indicative of fungus or cancer. I am 35 years old, and believe I have Candida). This is another reason that made me really think hard about ACV & Baking Soda b/c I didn't feel that this remedy was alkalizing my salivary PH, therefore, I was wondering if it's just passing through in the urine? I am vegetarian, and have been trying to include more fruits and vegetables recently. So, I don't think I have a potassium deficiency issue per se.

I know that that the ACV and Baking Soda remedy has been tried by numerous readers with great success. Therefore, I am merely positing this inquiry in an effort at greater understanding, rather than pretending to know what I am talking about.

Many thx, and I look forward to engaging more with the Earthclinic community!"

06/01/2008: Salli from Madison, United States replies: "The information is very informative and thank you so much for it. On the ACV and Soda I learned that BSoda depletes Vit C from the body so we need to be careful about that. I also am of the opinion that water should not be taken during the meal as it can dilute the disgestive juices needed for digestion. Would some of you pls address this? I have very seldom Acid Reflux while eating so don't drink water during the meal & since then have had no problem. My PH level is a 6 (acidic) so am working to correct that; all bloodwork is within normal limits. Thank you, Salli"

06/04/2008: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "You got the information wrong. Cancer, fungus and candida occurs whenever the body has urinary pH below 6, not high urinary alkaline pH. Metabolic acidosis is the primary issue. This is why cancer treatment uses baking soda, such as Dr. Simoncini. The entire basis of Dr. Warburg in treatment of cancer is always alkalization.

As to the issue of ionization and mineral availability, I give you a simple example. Salt, or sodium chloride. A sodium and chloride will dissociate completely in a water solution.

If the person takes acetic acid, ascorbic acid, or apple cider vinegar, it will cause the body's urine pH to be acid. Ancient Tibetan medicine, Ayurvedic medicine and even Traditional medicine frequently mentions people to avoid sour and sweet foods when they are sick.

The biological degradation naturally occurs whenever the body is acid. This is how the bacteria, fungus, for example decomposes and organism. However, if a living organism is in acid state, then it causes the organism to be sick.

I have found that foods ideally should have a negative ORP, since they are antioxidant where it is measured in negative millivolts. Therefore, for this to occur, if you do have a Oxidation Reduction Potential meters, the values should be -100 millivolts to -200 millivolts. Antioxidation occur when it becomes an electron donor. However apple cider vinegar is acid, and hence, ORP is about +300 millivolts which causes the body to loose electrons, becoming oxidative.

As to the issue of raising saliva pH, this can only occur with adequate potassium levels such as potassium citrate or potassium bicarbonate. In which case if baking soda is 1/2 teaspoon than 1/8 teaspoon is potassium citrate in 1/2 glass of water. Urinary pH checks extracellular fluids which is the sodium element, while saliva pH checks intracellular fluids, which is the potassium and magnesium element.

As to the bioavailability of minerals in a acid or alkaline medium. The solution is really simple: If a person is already in an acid state and continues to take mineral, the mineral taken becomes a free radical, since the ORP is positive. If it is a free radical, it becomes a pro-oxidant instead of an antioxidant. The body's physiology in bicarbonate chemistry is pronounce in a human body. So whether you take it or not, with the baking soda, helps if the body has inadequate bicarbonate to begin with.

Finally, I make really no real dividing line whether to take apple cider vinegar or baking soda and apple cider vinegar, for one good reason: if you can take apple cider vinegar without baking soda for years without problem then it is fine. However, in practice, people do have problems taking apple cider vinegar in the long run if the body cannot neutralize the acid.

As to ancient medicine, most herbal preparations are of alkaline in nature, which is why they taste to bitter. I have had a chance to measure many of these pH and found them to be alkaline in nature, while on the other hand the food we eat 90% are of acid in nature and ORP are often positive in nature of +300, instead of a negative ORP, which is more healthful as it doesn't steal electrons from healthy cells causing accelerated aging.

Ted"

06/05/2008: Bret from Phoenix, Arizona replies: "It is nice to see a second person make the correlation between alkalinity and oxygen. The sodium thing kind of throws me though and I am intrigued by what Ted has written. The points I am having issues with are related to sodium. It is not a strong electron attractor, it does not cross cell membranes like potassium and heavier salts do. You can not change the ph of blood nor inside the cell with sodium. Even calcium carbonate does not enter or cross the cell membrane unless there is a higher energy state for a calcium ion. Please try to explain to me the correlation between sodium and CO2. I have taken organic chemistry in college and cell physiology. SO, I am one of those that needs to visualize the exact mechanisms before I can even comment.

Raising urine ph and/or saliva ph doesn't mean blood ph or intercellular ph has changed at all.

Also, Ted, when an antioxidant donates it's hydrogen and neutralizes a free radical, (-OH) what is left is a double bonded oxygen, which most people seem to forget about. Nice to neutralize free radicals but how come nobody mentions that antioxidants can actually donate this oxygen molecule? Thanks, Bret"

06/06/2008: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear Bret:

The issue is that you need to understand human physiology and the role in bicarbonates in regulating pH buffers. These roles are well explained in standard biochemistry, so if you are a student of biochemistry, please refer to textbook for more details because of limited time I have in explaining them. Basically a bicarbonate will absorb the CO2 which in water solutions become carbonic acid to keep the pH in a narrow range.

As to the sodium and potassium are extracellular and intracellular in which electrical charge differences between that is kept at a constant to help electrical potential differences are the key. The key is the role of bicarbonates in regulating pH buffer to be within an extremely narrow range of pH is the most critical mechanism there is. Calcium are generally toxic intracellularly, as are lactic acid and other organic acid.

The human physiology requires that potassium can't be exceed in a certain percentage in extracellular fluids, which is very small so that it doesn't disturb the electrical potential differences of cellular system.

This is why death row inmates are killed by injection of potassium intravenously, and it doesn't require a large amounts to kill people. In an ordinary saline I.V. where sodium is used (so why don't the use potassium chloride? ) most of these are sodium chloride, so a fast drip can kill you within an hour because these doesn't have the require buffer at a pH of 7.35. Therefore you can kill people just by either altering pH or giving excess potassium even just 50/50 sodium and potassium saline solution.

Therefore, either excessive potassium or an altering of pH of to only 7.1 or 7.2 can kill you. Much of the issues in human health is the issue of lack of bicarbonates in regulating a very narrow range of pH which is why people get sick.

Therefore the correlation between Sodium and CO2 is a narrow description that doesn't explain how bicarbonates regulates the pH. The explanation is that much of human physiology is always the rule of sodium bicarbonate in regulating carbonic acid, or the bicarbonates rather than the issue of sodium.

Sodium is needed by extracellular fluids and potassium is needed by extracellular fluids to maintain electrical potential differences. In dying people the electrical potential differences are small and that's why extracellular fluids had to be slightly more alkaline then intracellular fluids to keep electrical potential differences.

If too much potassium in in extracellular fluids, the cell dies. In fact there are many reported deaths from taking too much potassium. Therefore much of the role is the bicarbonates, not the sodium that is what we are after in buffering systems whether we talk about sodium or potassium or even magnesium, whether they are extracellular fluids or intracellular fluids in this general equation. Basically if Carbon dioxide are produced by the cells, it become H2CO3 to prevent the solutions from becoming acid. This is why distilled water is very acid if you leave it out in the air, and the pH immediately goes from 7 to 6 within a couple of hours. A distilled water simply don't have the bicarbonates to buffer the carbonic acid.

Since you are more concerned about textbook explanation, a more detailed explanation should be explained elsewhere in the internet not a home remedy website because of my limited time in answering the emails (I am a month's behind answering emails and many emails are much more desperate than a theoretical explanation where other biochemistry website can treat this situation much better), so I will cut and paste a small excerpt here:

http://www.similima.com/phy18.html

Buffering of hydrogen ions in the body fluids

A buffer is any substance that can reversibly bind H+. the general form of the buffering reaction is

Buffer + H+ H Buffer

In this example, a free H+ combines with the buffer to form a weak acid (HBuffer) that either remain as an unassociated molecule or dissociate back to buffer and H+. When the H+ ion concentration increases, the reaction is forced to right and more H+ bind to the buffer, as long as available buffer is present. Conversely when the H+ concentration decreases, the reaction shifts towards the left and H+ are released from the buffer. In this way changes H+ concentration are minimized.

I. THE BICARBONATE BUFFER
SYSTEM

A typical bicarbonate buffer system consists of a mixture of carbonic acid (H2C03) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHC03) in the same solution.

H2C03 is formed in the body by the reaction of CO2 with H2O

CO2+H2O H2CO3

Carbonic anhydrase

This reaction is slow unless enzyme carbonic anhydrase is present. This enzyme is especially abundant in the wall of lung alveoli; where CO2 is released; also epithelial cells of renal tubules where CO2 reacts with H2O to form HC03- .

H2C03 ionises weakly to form small amount of H+ and HC03-

H2CO3 H+ + HCO3-

The second component bicarbonate salt occurs predominantly as sodium bicarbonate NaHC03 in the extracellular fluid. NaHC03 ionises almost completely to form bicarbonate ions and sodium ions.

NaHC03 Na+ + HC03-

Now putting the entire system together,

CO2+H2O H2CO3 H+ + HCO3-

{ +Na+

Because of the weak dissociation of H2C03 the H+ concentration is extremely
small.

When a strong acid such as HCl is added to bicarbonate buffer solution, the
increased H+ released from acid.

HCl H+ + Cl- are buffered by HC03-

%u2191 H++ HC03- H2CO3 CO2+H2O

As a result, more H2C03 is formed, causing increased CO2 and H2O production. From this reaction, the hydrogen ions from the strong acid, HCl, react with HC03- to form CO2 and H2O. The excess CO2 greatly stimulates respiration, which eliminates the CO2 from the extracellular fluid.

The opposite reactions take place when a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide (Na OH), is added to the bicarbonate buffer solution.

Na OH + H2CO3 NaHCO3+H2O

In this case, the hydroxyl ion (OH-) from the NaOH combines with H2CO3 to form additional. Thus the weak base NaHCO3 replaces the strong base NaOH. At the same time, the concentration of H2CO3 decreases (because it reacts with NaOH), causing more CO2 to combines with H2O to replace the H2CO3.

CO2+H2O H2CO3 %u2191 HCO3- + H+

+ +

NaOH Na

The net result is a tendency for the CO2 levels in the blood to decrease; but the decreased CO2 in the blood inhibits respiration and decreases the rate of CO2 expiration. The rise in blood HCO3- that occurs is compensated for by increased renal excretion of HCO3-.


Quantitative dynamics of the bicarbonate buffer system

All acids, including H2CO3 are ionized to some extent. From mass balance considerations, the concentrations of hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions are proportional to the concentration of H2CO3.

H2CO3 H++ HCO3-

For any acid, the concentration of the acid relative to its dissociated ions is defined by the dissociation constant K'.

K' = (1)



This equation indicates that in an H2CO3 solution, the amount of free hydrogen ions is equal to

H+= (2)

The concentration of undissociated H2CO3 cannot be measured in solution because it rapidly dissociates into CO2 and H2O or to H+ and HCO3-. However, the CO2 dissolved in the blood is directly proportional to the amount of undissociated
H2CO3. There fore, equation (2) can be written as

H+= (3)

The dissociation constant (K) for Equation (3) is only about 1/400 of the dissociation constant (K%uFFFD) of equation (2) because the proportionality ratio between H2CO3 and CO2 is 1to 400.

Equation (3) is written in terms of the total amount of CO2 dissolved in solution. However, most clinical laboratories measure the blood CO2 tension (Pco2) rather than the actual amount of CO2. Fortunately, the amount of CO2 in the blood is a linear function of times the solubilitycoefficient for CO2; under physiologic conditions the solubility coefficient for CO2 is 0.03 mmol/mmHg at body temperature .this means that 0.03mmmol of H2CO3 is present in the blood for each millimeter of mercury Pco2 measured. There fore equation (3) can be
rewritten as

H+= (4)

Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation.

As discussed earlier, it is customary to express hydrogen ion concentration in pH units rather than in actual concentrations. Recall that pH is defined as

pH = -log H

The dissociation constant can be expressed in a similar manner pK = -log K

Therefore, we can express the hydrogen ion concentration in equation (4) in pH
units by taking the negative logarithm of that equation, which yields

-log H+ = -log pK %uFFFD log (5)

pH = pK -- (6)

Rather than work with a negative logarithm, we can change the sign of the logarithm and invert the numerator and denominator in the last term, using the law of logarithms to yield

pH = pK + (7)

For the bicarbonate buffer system,the pK is 6.1, and equation 7 can be written
as

pH = (8)

Equation 8 is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, and with it one can calculate the pH of a solution if the molar concentration of bicarbonate ion and the Pco2 are known.From the Henderson-Hasselbalch, equation, it is apparent that an increase in bicarbonate ion concentration
causes the pH to rise, shifting the acid-base balance toward alkalosis. And an increase in Pco2 causes the pH to decrease, shifting the acid base balance toward acidosis.The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, in addition to defining the determinants of normal pH regulation and
acid-base balance in the extracellular fluid, provides insight into the physiologic control of acid and base composition of the extracellular fluid. The bicarbonate concentration is regulated mainly by the kidneys, whereas the Pco2 in extra cellular fluid is controlled by the rate ofrespiration. By increasing the rate of respiration, the lungs remove CO2 from the plasma, and by decreasing respiration, the lungs elevate Pco2. Normal physiologic acid-base homeostasis results from the coordinated efforts of both of these organs, the lungs and the kidneys, and acid-base disorders occur when one or both of these control mechanisms are impaired, thus altering either the bicarbonate concentration or the Pco2 of extracellular fluid.

When disturbances of acid-base balance result from a primary change in extracellular fluid bicarbonate concentration, they are referred to as metabolic acid-base disorders. Therefore, acidosis caused by a primary decrease in bicarbonate concentration is termed metabolic acidosis, whereas alkalosis caused by a primary increase in bicarbonate concentration is called metabolic alkalosis. Acidosis caused by an increase in Pco2 is called respiratory acidosis, whereas alkalosis caused by a decrease in Pco2 is termed respiratory alkalosis.


Bicarbonate Buffer System Titration Curve.

When the concentrations of HCO3- and CO2 are equal, the right-hand portion of equation 8 becomes the log of 1, which is equal to 0. Therefore, when the two components of the buffer system are equal, the pH of the solution is the same as the pK (6.1) of the bicarbonate buffer system. When base is added to the system, part of the dissolved CO2 is converted into HCO3- causing an increase in the ratio of HCO to CO, and increasing the pH, as is evident from the 1-lendersonHasselbalch equation. When acid is added, it is buffered by HCO,-, which is then converted into dissolved CO2 decreasing the ratio of HCO3- to CO2 and decreasing the pH of the extracellular fluid.

As to the issue of baking soda destroys vitamin C, this is much an urban legend. If I want to make sodium ascorbate vitamin C, I merely react vitamin C ascorbic acid with baking soda to get sodium ascorbate. The form of vitamin C used by the body is a more physiological pH vitamin C of sodium ascorbate as it meets the extracellular fluids rich in bicarbonates. In fact ascorbic acid are pro-oxidant while sodium ascorbate are an antioxidant. The urine pH becomes acid when taking ascorbic acid, and it becomes alkaline with sodium ascorbate. An antioxidant sodium ascorbate will register negative ORP millivolts between -200 to about -300, indicating surplus electrons, while on the other hand ascorbic acid has a positive millivolts of about +200 to +400 depending on the concentration of the vitamin C. A vitamin C therefore is a two edge sword that can be an oxidant or an antioxidant depending on the amount of baking soda or bicarbonates that is added, and
therefore, baking soda doesn't destroy vitamin C, it causes the vitamin C to be more antioxidant, and interestingly enough, sodium ascorbate is more stable than ascorbic acid because it is more more physiologically compatible with the body, being slightly alkaline in nature as opposed to acidic ascorbic acid.

Ted"

06/11/2008: Bret from Phoenix, Arizona replies: "Thank you Ted for your the biochemistry review. I don't have any textbooks from 30 years ago but you sure sounded like a text book. I did enjoy this posting and it did bring back college day memories of my professors. The issue I am facing, or shall I say confusion, is with intercellular fluid. Sodium is not a strong electron attractor and neither is calcium in lower energy states. Buffering extracellular fluid and blood or plasma is of course different than buffering inside the cell. In bacterial infections and viral infections I can visualize that higher ph will stop replication once an infected cell lysis and particles or microbes are then dumped into this alkalized medium. Bacterial infections are external to the cell so this makes sense to me. I've dealt mainly with cancer and in this instance extra cellular ph isn't as relevant as intercellular ph. We can disagree with Warburg and Koch that lactic acid, uric acid, carbonic acid don't lower intercellular ph, but this would turn alternative medicine upside down. The question that I have is that to alkalize cancer patients shouldn't we use stronger electron attracting salts bound to potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, cesium, rhubidium? Thanks for your time, Ted."

06/26/2008: Royce Willard from Milburn, USA replies: "I was reading the post between Ted and Bret and the other fellow from Jersey, and I am really curious about how a vegitarian could have acid urine and acid saliva in the first place, This man's ph should be good already however a vegitarian might have many other health problems, B-12, bone and teeth problems and so on, I thought you had to have animal protien to generate new cells, and plant protien only repaired cells, and only vegitarian animals had the ability to generate new cells from plant proteins. Thank you, Royce"

06/29/2008: Chris from San Pedro, CA replies: "what u say about the combining thing, is exactly what i thought when ted talked about it......so.... what i have done, is i take acv with my meals, which by the way, really helps my digestion, alot, and the baking soda & other alkalinizing minerals between meals, or on an empty stomach.......this seems to b working for me.......oh, when i got the ph of my urine & saliva up, it didn't seem to make me feel any better, but when i alkalinize between meals, it does make me feel better & i pretty much ignore the ph issue of the saliva & urine......for me, going by how i feel works a whole lot better...... hope this helps......cmt"

10/17/2008: Dan from Houston, Texas USA replies: "Interesting dialogue, but in the final analysis I think I come down on the side of Chris. The intellectual merits to the contrary notwithstanding, I tend to "listen to my body" and use what seems to make me feel better. "

10/29/2008: Debra from Sierra Vista, AZ replies: "Isn't it nice to be able to say, "I will just listen to my own body to judge how I feel". We are so fortunate to have this website and someone like Ted who takes the enormous amount of time and energy needed to research all of this for the benefit of others. Thanks Ted for helping us find the TOOLS to be able to say...I will listen to my own body. :-) (From an OP, ACV, H202, and a BS user.)"

[YEA]  01/27/2008: Hannelore from Houston, TX writes: "I have read on your site for the past hour and suddenly I had and epiphany. I am now in my late 70's'; but I vividly remember my Grandmother would fix us "Soda" whenever we would go on picnic's, Swimming or other outdoor activities. She even sent this "Cocktail" to Grandpa and the farmhands for "Vesper" in the early pm."

SIDE EFFECTS

2 WARNINGS!
22 SIDE EFFECTS

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/23/2009: Emarie from Indianola, Wa, Usa writes: "I get a constant headache when I use the ACV. I lowered the dosage to 1t ACV with Baking soda but still get the headache. Is anyone else having this problem? Is it a normal temporary side effect? I am trying to get rid of candida."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  12/06/2009: Sunshine from Pasadena, Nfld. Canada replies: "Well I have tried this as well, and I find it makes my face twitchy and red and I just do not feel good when I take it. Also, I have tried the baking soda and water with lemon juice as well as just with water, but it still seems to give me a headache and yes, somehow I suspect its because of Candida."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/19/2009: Golditoo from Rockport, Mass., Usa writes: "Hello:

I wonder if someone could shed some light on this: I've been taking the ACV and baking soda together: (1 tbl and 1/4 tsp) and actually enjoy the taste. Ironically, my father, who lived to be 100 and took no medications but baking soda for upset stomach his whole life, lived independently until his late 90s. I never suspected a connection between his health and longevity until I started reading all the posts on this site.

Anyway, since taking the ACV and BS, I suspect it has an affect upon my thyroid. I've been taking thyroid meds for hypothyroidism for decades. Lately I've had a terrible problem with sleep; I'm awake the whole night. And I'm sweating a lot. IN the past this was a sign that my thyroid meds were too strong. I've lowered the dosed (my endocrinologist thinks I'm wacky, doing this on my own) because this wakefulness is a torment, night after night.

What I would like to know--from Ted, if he is available, or others--is if anyone has experienced this situation. I suspect the ACV has increased my metabolism.
I hope to hear from someone re this situation. I'll add my praise to this site: there's nothing else like it.

All best,

Golditoo"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  04/07/2009: Carol from Kimper, KY writes: "Dear EarthClinic-

I am so confused about what this is. I started taking baking soda(1/4 tsp.) mixed in 2 tblsp of ACV. I let it set about 30 minutes and then add about 4-5ounces of orange juice and drink. I have done this for about 7 days 2 times a day. Lately I am having big time JOINT PAIN. Today I had pains so sharp in my knees that I couldn't stand on them until it quit.When I wake in the a.m. my fingers are very stiff and my knuckles hurt. Is this a possible side effect of the Baking soda and acv? I have been using it to try and balance my ph as i have candida (mouth,scalp and vaginal). Any suggestions?"

07/28/2009: Alicia from Madrid, Spain replies: "I'm sorry you are feeling the joint, knockles, stifness program. It is not going to make you happier but... I also have those and it is horrible, it is like your bones are suffering from a major disease, your mind goes through arthritis, arthrosis, weird flu, etc- Now; I'm not taking the BS and my question is: Are we cleaning our system in such a manner that this detoxing our bodies has to be suffered or are we ill? Please someone tell us about it. I'll be checking up on you to know how you are doing and if we found something out, meanwhile let's hope for the best. we'll find out don't worry- Best wishes, Alicia."

07/29/2009: Pat from Ktown, WI replies: "Try this for the oral problem: http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/tomato_tea.html#RF_30127

and perhaps this will help with the rest

http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/hydrogen_peroxide_inhalation.html#RF_30140"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  02/25/2009: Josephine from Accra, Ghana writes: "I have being very thrilled with the ACV/BS feedback on this site. I am trying the coconut oil as well. Since, I started the ACV/BS, I have seen a lot of changes for good but it appears to be I am gaining weight. Can any one help me? I take 2tablespoon ACV + 1/4 teaspoon of BS twice daily. I have been taking it for 3weeks now and I experienced terrible menstrual pains this month. I do not want to give the ACV/BS but somebody tell me if I am doing something wrong. I want to loose weight not gain. thanks"

[WARNING!]  01/06/2009: Elaine from Chicago, IL writes: "I added Baking Soda to my ACV treatment and had many of the side effects others mention on this site. Baking Soda lowers Vitamin C levels and this can lead to symptoms of scurvy. I had to do a lot of research to find this out. I woke up with a purple spot/bruise on my leg and that convinced me, as I had not bumped into anything to bruise myself. The purple bruise looking spot is a sign of scurvy. Luckily, it was recommened to me to take Vitamin C for Constipation. I was sooo sick (my asthma was out of control) last night and the night before. I did not know that Vitamin C actually helps Astmatics.

I took 6 mgs of Vitamin C last night in error. I picked up the wrong size of measuring spoon!!..luckily! I had been up the prior two nights coughing up mucus, but last night I slept through the night. I couldn't figure it out since I needed to take bendryl the other nights just to not choke on the mucus. It appears that the 6 mg of Vitamin C did it's job to replenish my Vitamin C and to help with my asthma.

I woke up with the usual morning junk to cough up and spit out. I took 1000 mg of vitamin C and it stopped this problem dead in it's tracks. People need to read about what vitamin C does, especially for people with Asthma and food allergies. Also, the baking soda should NOT be recommended on this site.

It depletes the Vitamin C. If someone is already low in Vitamin C it can cause Survy Symptoms as it did in me.

I love this site, but I think promoting Baking Soda that depletes Vitamin C is wrong. Also, I love Apple Cider Vinegar and it is promoted here as the top natural relief, but I never hear any talk of vitamin C. It works wonders for Asthma, Hay fever and a load of Respiratory illnesses and other illnesses."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/14/2008: Soraya from Al Ain, UAE writes: "Hello, am breastfeeding woman, age 35, am taking since a week acv + b.soda + honey and water and I've noticed that my milk production is almost gone. Please clarify."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/12/2008: Kristin from Los Angeles, CA writes: "I had really acidic urine (pH less than 6) and tried Ted's ACV + baking soda remedy. I started with 2 TBS ACV + 1/4 tsp baking soda 2X daily and reduced it to 1TB AVC + 1/8 tsp baking soda when my pH went way too high.

During this time, I developed severe UTI problems -- I hit them hard with things like Candex, probiotics and monistat, H2O2 gargling, swallowing, etc because I was determined to see the pH balancing through to the end. Four weeks ago I dropped the baking soda all together and am drinking 1TBS ACv per day with water and apple juice which gives me just a slightly acidic urine pH (around 6.8).

Today, partially due to a complication with being allergic to the new HFA asthma inhalers, I now have the fungus pretty much invading my entire GI tract at this point, and it is in my lungs. I am really ill, needing tons of Sporanox to begin to get better. Most of all, I am very confused. It seems candida and relatives are absolutely LOVING my higher pH and taking big advantage of it.

Ted, what is going on here? Please help."

06/16/2008: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "If you know about fungus growing on cement walls, those are calcium carbonates which are alkaline in nature. It appears that the blood calcium is very high in the case where the body responds favorably to apple cider vinegar to remove calcium buildup in the body and thus reducing the candida that way. Candida usually grows well in calcium rich blood where blood calcium is high. In most cases people respond to baking soda alone high because of acidity in the blood.

Apple cider vinegar often causes urinary pH to be acid in most people with normal blood calcium and below normal bicarbonates, which is often the physiological parameter of most people. However, in some people, which can exist where blood calcium is high, bicarbonates is high, causing the effect of ACV to be slightly acid at 6.8. The interesting thing is to consider ACV is good is a relativistic term. Continued taking long term of ACV can backfire, by lowering bicarbonates level and calcium levels, resulting again in an acid urine below 6.

The optimum pH can be anywhere from 6.5 to 7.0, but usually it is 7.0, because people's demand for alkalinity tend to be in that region needed fight the sickness. However, another criteria I used is some people will feel well at certain urinary pH, but the single most important issue is probably not the ACV or the baking soda.

The most IMPORTANT issue was the salivary pH was not considered. This is because the alkalinity of the body is determined by two factors, the pH of the urine and the pH of the saliva. The urinary pH is governed by the sodium bicarbonate and the salivary pH is governed by the potassium bicarbonate or potassium citrate. The single most important issue where ACV has responded well is that the potassium level is low to begin with and the salivary pH was acid, that was below 7 and hence, candida.

Now a candida can exist in various parts of the body depending on the sodium and potassium balance. A lack of potassium bicarbonate (or a better potassium citrate) causing acid saliva will promote candida growth along the mouth, throat and esophagus region. A candida growth in other areas such as gut, urinary tract, are usually governed by the sodium bicarbonate.

Therefore in event the baking soda and ACV was non responsive, but ACV had better result, it means the person was taking a low sea salt diet and drinking too much water which resulted in UTI. Therefore 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt should be added per one liter of drinking water. While another remedy of alkalizing is used, in which case, a candida in the mouth and esophagus region, where salivary pH is acid, is as follows:

1/4 teaspoon of potassium citrate plus 1/4 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in 1/2 glass of water twice a day.

or a stronger remedy:

1/2 teaspoon potassium citrate plus 1/8 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in 1/2 glass of water twice a day. Plus 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in 1 liter of drinking water throughout the day.

It's difficult to cover all the nuances of a candida issue, however, one important guideline is always measure the urinary and salivary pH, if possible. But in most instance, while it is true that baking soda will usually work, certain dietary issues comes to play, such as high fruit consumption, which contains fructose and worsen the candida issues, drinking water and low sodium diet, potassium deficiency from doctor's med, which can also play into the equation.

Ted"

[WARNING!]  05/31/2008: Sue from Choctaw, Oklahoma writes: "To all, I have use ACV for several months now and have been able to go off all blood pressure medication. I started to use ACV for Gerd (Acid reflex) blood pressure was 150/90 down to 112/60 in two months. Started to use baking soda in ACV and started to have several joint and leg pain. Stopped baking soda, leg pain is better. Forget baking soda - it will cause joint pain in some people so be very careful of it.

ACV will also cause anxiety in some people if used to often. Changes the PH of the body. I have to be careful not to do over one to two teaspoons at a time. Has anyone taken the tablets and do they work ? I also am a R.N. for 22 years and so sick of medication that D.R. put out like candy always looking for alter cures for problem. Most medication is short time cure to more medication."

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