The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Love (Raleigh, Nc) on 10/28/2012
★★★★★
I have stoped using tampons & started using pads!!!!! I drink plenty of water and I don't eat as much white bread, which is hard not to eat bagels with cream cheese but I do eat in it moderation. I watch my sugars & fried foods. I used to get them monthly for no reason, I was even told I was too clean during a visit to my GYN?? I stopped getting the (Metro/Flagyl) medication from the health department & went to a different facility to filled my Rx. My last and final time the pills were newer & fresher if that makes any sense.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Isis (Toronto, Ontario) on 10/17/2012
★★★★★
Tea Tree oil saved my life. I had a bad case of BV for over a year and all the medication in the world wasn't helping. I developed a severe anxiety problem from the constant embarassment of the wretched smell that followed me everywhere. One day in my desperation for a cure I read about T. T. O and took a 100 organic cotton tampon and dipped it in a small portion of water mixed with drops of T. T. O. I kid you not, within two hours the smell was gone! After paying $35 I don't know how many times to buy these random different types of medication that the doctor was giving me that didn't even work, the T. T. O that was sitting in my medicine cabinet for half a year did the trick. Before spending money you don't have try T. T. O. and if by the end of the day it's not working, then perhaps you should think about getting medication.
Yogurt
Posted by Ana (Stockton, Ca/usa) on 10/11/2012
but her question was, can she use it during her menstrual cycle? I like to know too :)
Yogurt
Posted by Amber (Los Angelos, California) on 09/17/2012
★☆☆☆☆
Hi my name is carol and I have had this BV crap for 12 years, I just do not know what to do anymore, I really do not, I have been to the gyn many times and tried just about evrything and Nothing has worked:(( my vagina smell was so bad it smelled up a whole room, that is beyond embarassing that is like sucide depresion for me, I wish I had known about bv , because the last thing a woman wants is a smell from down there, I never knew about ph balance down there, mine is 5.1 so that is bad, suppose to be lower, my diet is excellent and Im not a junk food person, no soda, just water and pure cranberry juice, Im so very sad and lonely, my friends have no idea what Im talking about, not even my mother, where did this bv come from? and start attacking all of us??? this thing is on the rise and soon it will be some sort of epidemic because it seems to have NO CURE!!! Im another person now, I do not even reconize me anymore, even at work I know they can smell me, u can not hide that fish smell, Im not gonna swallow a bunch of pills that do not work, the yogurt does not work because that is not the strain of lactobacillus u need :(( acv, tt oil cc oil did nothing, HP douche, no, I do not see anyone here who have really cured themselves:((( the gyn's need to do something, r we all suppose to live with discharge and fish odor till the day we die? frightning thought... Damn
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Shomabe (Sheffield, Uk) on 09/12/2012
★★★★★
I too suffered with this for nearly a year and a half. I had various treatments including antibiotics for 5 days and also one dose of 5 tablets at once I also tried the internal creams but nothing cleared it completely. However, each treatment seemed to make it a little better each time. I did the common mistake of washing like mad with soap and this made the discharge worse. I finally got rid of it by going to my gp and asking for the 5 day course of metronidazole antibiotics and metronidazole gel as this worked better than the cream. I had aqueous cream to wash my vaginal area in the shower. I just put loads of this onto a flannel the same as I would shower gel as it is not perfumed. I also took 3 dried capsules of acidophilus in the morning with a yoghurt, 1 folic acid tablet and one of the dissolvable vitamin c tablets. I recently needed to have a smear done and while I was there I got the nurse to swab me for bv and the result came back clear..... Finally! :-). I hope this remedy helps anyone else unlucky enough to suffer with this as I know it's sooooo difficult to get rid of. Please let me know if it works for you.
Povidone Iodine
Posted by Sarah (USA) on 09/07/2012
In lieu of povidine-iodine swabsticks, you can make your own povidine-iodine douches or purchase betadine(povidine iodine) feminine washes premade. It's an easy search online to find the studies showing this simple solution cured a majority of BV cases. The iodine is supposed to encourage the regrowth of lactobilli.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kate22 (Toronto, Ontario) on 09/07/2012
I have suffered from BV for almost 3 years. It is affecting my sexual relationship with my boyfriend and making me a nervous wreck, always wondering if other people can smell me. This past week I came across this amazing website and offered trial and error solutions.
I am now on day 3 of the H202 and water douche combo, alongside taking Acidophilus, Folic Acid, Vitamins B6/12, and Vitamin D3. Things seem to be working. For the first time of not having to take the embarrassing prescription from my GP, the smell is gone. But I'm having one question...
Im currently on Nuvaring. I have not taken it out when doing the douches. Does anyone know if the Hydrogen Peroxide will damage the Nuvaring. And will it lesson the Pregnance protection (less effective)? Has anyone ever had this question or shares in the same experience with the Nuvaring?
Thank you for saving my sanity! Kate
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Sotiredoffeelingthisway (Shreveport, La) on 09/03/2012
Thanks so much for posting this comment. I have had some success with the Hydro douche. But over time it just did not work, and actually just made the situation worse. I came to this site everyday for about 6 months trying to get a cure. I cry almost every other day about my Bv making me a outcast, a joke at my job. Strangers in public looking at you like you are disgusting, like I can change whats wrong with me. Went to multiple doctors, raked up lots of medical bills, and of course, no one had a cure. I have a little daughter that is 3 years old. She has told me at times when she gets close to me to read a book, or even to give me a hug, she backs away and says "ewww Mommy! You stink down there! " Wow, I laughed first, then cried later on like crazy. I tried the lemon and apple cider not only because you said it worked for you, but you have reasons why it would work. That was very helpful. For the first time in a long time(since I tried the Hydro) The smell was drasticly gone. It has only been a few days, but the reason I am posting this so early is because my daugter gave me a hug coming home from work, she smelled me and smelled me again and said, "Mommy, you dont smell! " I Laughed, but of course cried again, but this time a good cry. I will try to post again soon to give a update. Also I am taking A very well know probiotic for women. I also believe you need to try multiple remedy's to attack this problem. Thanks to all the wonderful ladies that post there stories. Helps me get thru the day to know there are alot of us constantly searching for a true cure for this horrible issue.
Vitamin D
Posted by Iamnotsam (Soca, Ca, Usa) on 08/29/2012
I've used vitamin D3 50,000 IU capsules 3x a week orally with great benefit, but no relief from BV. As such, I found a study that showed benefit for using the capsules as a suppository for dysplasia, HPV, and BV. I've begun doing this and after one dose, I am 50% better. I mixed in a 00 capsule the powder from a 50,000 IU Vitamin D3 and from a Lactobacillus
acidophilus capsule and used coconut oil on the outside for inserting. For resistant BV, dysplasia, or HPV, it is worth a shot!
Read this, http://scienceindex.com/stories/1563216/Chronical_cervical_infections_and_dysplasia_CIN_I_CIN_IIvaginal_vitamin_D_high_dose_treatment_a_new_effective_method.html#.UD58JBw7jww
It should be noted, I get my blood levels tested every 6 months and I've never once had an excessive level or adverse reaction from doses at 150, 000IU's per week. In fact, some times my levels are still below 50 ng/ml! I don't know why folks are so scared of high dose vitamin D, as there are few cases of adverse reactions and NOBODY has ever been documented dying from excess amounts, ever!
In addition, when I am sick my doctor instructs me to take 1,000 IU's per body weight for 3 days. I've done this on numerous occasions without problem and with great results.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 08/28/2012 2048 posts
Shannon, reporting from outside the female department, I have been having success w/ a similar mix of Grapefruitseed Liquid Concentrate in standard vegetable oil inserted w/ fleet enema bottle rectally for the treatment of parasites and fungal infection. As my condition fluctuates, I must adjust the amount of Grapefruitseed as it can burn. I suppose the Oregano is about equal strength as Grapefruitseed but the latter has no odor and may be more bang-for-the-buck.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Shannon (Sanantonio, Tx) on 08/27/2012
★★★★★
Ok girls! I think I finally found the solution for bacterial vaginosis. It came to me after desperately searching for a solution to solve the horrible vaginal smell I got after my csection. Whatever caused it is unknown. All I know is that it wasn't normal. I tried hydrogen peroxide but I only got temporary relief, then the smell would come back. So what I did is I added 15 drops of oregano oil to 1 tablespoon coconut oil. I then mixed the whole thing and applied it internally and externally using a tampon. I applied generously and left the tampon in overnight. It stung for about 30 minutes then went away. The next day voila, problem solved. I had no more smell! If anyone tries this, I recommend doing the treatment for 3 nights just to be sure. You should see an improvement in the first night. This remedy also works with vaginal yeast infections. Don't ever take liver toxic diflucan again!!! I'm interested to know if anyone else has success with this. I'm sure it has multiple uses. Please give me your feedback! Parkerchic1[at] yahoo[dot] com
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Hopeful29 (Bronx, Ny, USA) on 08/17/2012
★★★★★
For the past few weeks I have been taking 3-4 acidophilus capsules (3 billion live cultures), 3 b-complex vitamin with Vit C and folic acid in the morning. I also try to do 3 vagina flushes consisting of mostly water (up to the first ring on the disposable douche bottle) the rest I fill with ACV (1st flush) H2o2 (2nd Flush) and 5-10 tea tree oil drops (depending on how I feel). I have been neglectful with the nightime regime of taking the capsules/vitamins
I have been w/o pantyliners and my underwear has remained dry from discharge (I still experience discharge as far as seeing it with my handheld mirror, but the feeling of it coming down I dont experience it at the momemt (knock on wood literally and figuratively speaking).
my first regime of just 2 probiotics 2 vitamins in the day and one/one at night and h202 vagina flushes didnt yield results like the above. I really hope that my take on things helps someone because this BV thing has plagued me since 13. The first antibotic treatment helped (early 2000s I was happy, but it came back) thought I was doomed. Next treatment feb 2011 (while pregnant nothing) last doctor I mentioned it to said it was in my head (I could have slapped her. Im just glad that I can read and was able to find Earthclinic and other little blogs that shared their insight
Yogurt
Posted by Christie 14 (Liberty, Ky, Usa) on 08/09/2012
yogurt for vaginal smell did not work. Caused cramps and pain. My homeopathic dr recommended white oak tree bark. Boil, cool, and douche t. I. D. (3x/daily) for 7 days, then b. I. D. (2x/daily) the next 7 days, and lastly... Once daily for 7 days. Stop process while on period and pick up/continue process where you left off when period stops. The process took 2 months but I'm cured.
Yogurt
Posted by Junie (Atlanta, Ga) on 07/29/2012
★★★★★
I use a turkey baster and insert about half way full of plain yogurt before going to bed at night. I do not soak it in a tampon I put the yogurt directly inside, put on ugly underwear and a sanitary napkin and go to bed for 8 hours. Then I take 1 probiotic pill a day, sometimes two and by the end of the week, it is cleared.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Deed (Richmond, Va) on 07/26/2012
I think I have finally found it! It has been two weeks and I have never felt this relief from BV. I have had the toughest battle with BV for about 12- 13 years. I have been lurking on this cite and many others for different natural remedies since my attempts with prescriptions have failed.
I realized the "strain" of bacteria I was probably fighting probably was a staph or strep type because I also had bad boils on my face and my gentile area once a month. I think that its best to attack BV right after the vagina has been flushed out naturally and during the period where your vagina is at its most vulurable point. During that time of the month a Vaginia's ph can be as high as a 7.4. My aim was to bring it down before the bad bacteria can set in and thrive.
The day after my period :
I did a colon cleanse via hydrocolonic therapy and a liver and kidney cleanse via herbal tea.
Every day I drunk cranberry juice AND acai/berry juice ( 100% no sugar added) and water
Every day for 7 days I vaginally inserted ( at night) and also took orally ( in the morning) a probiotic with prebiotic fibers from Prob**lac ( a new probiotic I just picked up from Walmart for $20). It contains Bifidum, longum, acidophilus, bulgaricus, casei, rhamnosus and Streptococus thermphilus.
Even after doing a hydroperoxide or ACV rinse, I have never felt this healthy and fresh (not just smell, but overall appearance of discharge). There is not wetness and when I sweat, I don't have that famous onion smell from bacteria. I have a normal vagina if that makes since.
I will start tapering off this routine little by little and let you all know how things are going.
Apple Cider Vinegar Variations
Posted by Daphne (Memphis, Tennessee) on 07/13/2012
★★★★★
For me what has worked is to take non filtered apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and acidophilus orally on a daily bases. Each of these are best in its most natural form. Any organic non-filtered vinegar will work. Coconut oil, I order online from tropical traditions. But again, any organic virgin coconut oil will do. I'm not a big fan of yogurt, so acidophilus it is. I like natural factors brand that I get from whole foods.... Think vitamin shop sells it too. Also for the vinegar, if you can't stand the taste of it, you can do vinegar pills too. But the actual vinegar is best. 1/4 cup of vinegar, 2-4 acidophilus, and 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil. I do it first thing in the mornings to get it over with.
Unfortunately this is an on going remedy. BV will go away, but will return eventually, if you stop taking them. I did this consistently for about 6 months, however I noticed results within a week. I continued to do it inconsistently for the remaining year. Stopped taking it for a while. 2 years later, it has returned. So needless to say, I'm back on it. But the added plus about the above remedy, is that you will start to loose weight, and if you struggle with acne, like I use to, that will go away, my used to be painful sometimes irregular periods were now regular and pain free, in addition to being BV free. And they are all perfectly safe and nutritionally good for you. They each include daily things that your body is lacking from a standard American diet.
BV easily develops in people who often take antibiotics. Every time a round of antibiotics is taken, the body's immune system is weakened. So our body use to be able to naturally protect itself from this bacteria. But over the years, the American diet lacks in nutrition that supports the body to help fight off infections and diseases. In fact our diets and overuse of antibiotics may be contributing to making our body's worse at not being able to fight off these infections. The vinegar helps to naturally balance ph levels, and has good bacteria our bodies need... That's the cloudy brown stuff (mother) that settles at the bottom of the bottle. Be sure to shake it up to make sure you getting that in your body. The coconut oil is a natural anti fungal, anti viral, anti bacterial oil. Don't be concerned with it being fat. It's natural fat that the body needs that actually helps you to burn stored fat. I know it sounds crazy, but it works. Look it up, research them each, you'll be surprised at the wonderful things they can help with. Acidophilus of course has the good bacteria to help replenish the ones that we naturally have in the vagina in order to fight off BV. I hope this helps. Feel free to email me if anyone has questions about the remedy. God Bless you all and I look forward to hearing more success stories!
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Sarah (Seattle, Washington) on 06/30/2012
Tea tree oil is strong. I tried a lot of things including garlic cloves (whole peeled), and chlorophyll douches, but ultimately it was vitamin B complex that made the difference. Lots of acidophilus is good.
Supplements
Posted by Sarah (Seattle, Washington) on 06/30/2012
B vitamins definitely help. Especially if you are vegetarian you may fnd they make a huge difference.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Cyrene (Brooklyn, New York) on 06/17/2012
Can anyone give me a follow up to their experience using oregano oil? I am looking for a long term solution and really struggling. Depression over this seems to be setting in. Please help.
General Feedback
Posted by There Is Hope (Pensacola, Fl) on 06/04/2012
Hello ladies just wanted to give you an update so far I have been free from BV a few months now Yea!!!!!! And also I am having sex with no problem. I am not sure if it was the antibiotic which was climdi mycin are if its the ALKALETE ph enhancer I told you abt. But once I did the antibiotic I continued to douche with HP only after sex and I still take pro b capsules orally daily also I still take my folic acid once daily with my multi vitamin and I have not had BV since so I hope this helps.
Yogurt
Posted by Kat (Fort Worth, Tx) on 05/29/2012
Hi Ladies..... So glad I've found this site with all your comments/questions.
I have been fighting this now since December and have been VERY upset over the whole thing.... Thankfully I have a loving partner who has so far been very patient and supportive.
The DO that I've been seeing first had me insert plain natural live culture yogurt (this is messy and did not seem to work). I next tried probiotics (poked holes into the capsules and inserted).... This helped a bit but did not get rid of the BV.
Side note... Be sure to get tested at a doc to ensure that you really have BV as there are a few other things with similar symptons that are not bacterial.
I have tried hyrdogren peroxide douches (1/4 cup mixed with 3/4 cup distilled water).... This works instantly for the odor but along with that I take probiotics orally.
The one link (and my DO is now confirming her suspicions) is that my boyfriend has not done anything on his end.... We notice that if we have un-protected sex or if he does not pull out, I get the odor back almost immediatley. The DO advised that semen changes the ph of the vagina but she also had a theory that maybe he has the bacteria as well.
I have also found a product that is a combo of a boric acid sopository with an oral probiotic (it's a 14 day treatment) and really seemed to work (until we had unprotected sex. I was odor free for one month with a combo of two hydrogen peroxide/water douches, the Natren "Gy-Na-Tren" vaginal health kit (oral probiotic & sopository) and protected sex with my boyfriend using condoms all the time.
We are now going to try "Flagyl".... Both my boyfriend and I will take these antibiotics as the DO prescribed.... But I will also plan to continue the Gy-Na-Tren for the 14 day cycle. Then I will begin to take Natren's "Healthy Trinity" which supposedly balances the ph in the vagina. After one month of this we will see what happens when we have unprotected sex.
I will post again with our results. Good luck to you all.
PS... last but not least.... I'm perimenopausal and I'm going to now investigate this angle as well. As our bodies change their hormone levels, I'm wondering if that throws off our ph... No doc as advised this... Just another angle to follow up. AND I just had a period after 8 months without and that made my BV symptoms 10 times worse.... so obviously a period throws off the ph.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Orangetulips (Newark, De) on 05/26/2012
★★★★★
I've been trying to beat my BV for the past nine months. I recently started 'juicing' and I always include a 1/2 lemon. I've only been doing it for a week now, but after my period the BV discharge has not returned. My juice is 50% veggies and 50% fruits. I drink my juice instead of lunch and the micro-nutrients are doing wonders. I've had zero side-effects. Go buy a juicer! I love juicing 6 kale leaves, 1/2 cucumber, zucchini, 15 baby carrots, 55 green grapes, 2 green apples, 1/2 lemon, ginger, a dash of coconut water and a dash of pomagranite juice. It's delicious! I've also lost 5 lbs. Let's get healthy!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Uniqueako (San Antonio, Texas, Bexar) on 05/22/2012
I am HAVING BV AGAIN!!! :( I am tired of going to the doctors because this happens again and again with in couple months; for them to open me up, stick that metal in me, swab and test it, and be grossed out. I think there should be something OVER THE COUNTER FOR THIS because its like an allergy or cold in our vagina. If its so common, they really should just put the meds over the counter, sheeshhh, so they won't have to smell our BV! I just bought:
1. PROBIOTIC ACIDOPHILUS (digestive health) 2 billion active cultures
2. PROBIOTIC MULTI-ENZYME DIGESTIVE FORMULA (containing active acidophilus cultures) 1 billion active Lactobacillus acidophilus organisms - bascially same as above, I don't know why I got 2, but right now I just want to get rid of it ASAP because its so emabarassing going to the restroom and people can smell you (I don't know if they can, but if I can smell myself, pretty sure someone next stall can also).
3. PRO-B by RepHresh (probiotic feminine supplement - balances yeast and bacteria to maintain feminine health) I don't know what this one was, I am just trying all for now.
4. LAST BUT NOT LEAST = HOMEOPATHIC BV TREATMENT AND CAPSULES by VH essentials. I got this one at Walmart, well I got all of them at Walmart. One of them is the treatment, you insert a tablet in your vagina, and the other one is a 60 day capsule that you take regularly to reduce recurring symptoms of BV.
Has anyone tried the HOMEOPATHIC BV TREATMENT?
I will update you girls on my HOMEOPATHIC BV TREATMENT - I think I like this one because of the title hehe :)
Alkalize
Posted by Kknic (Honolulu, Hawaii) on 05/14/2012
★★★★★
Hi, I want to share my amazing story. I was battling recurring BV for a little over 4 years. Antibiotics didn't work. Also, I was diagnosed with gastritis. I had really bad stomach pains especially after eating certain foods. I noticed after having my stomach pains, BV would flare up. I had a feeling that food was related to BV.
I read a post on this site about a woman who suggested we follow an Alkaline diet. I sought information from my Aunt who was recently reading an alkaline diet book. Well the book listed all the foods that makes our body acidic causing our PH to be imbalanced. Coffee, Sodas, processed foods, sugars, red meat... Etc. Well I gave up most processed foods, coffee, and soda. Sugars I still eat but in moderation.
BUT WHAT REALLY HELPED, was ALKALINE WATER. I found some at my local health food store and within two days the dishcharge was barely noticable. Within a week it was gone! The smell and dishcharge disappeared! I've been drinking the water for a little over two weeks and no symptoms. I continue taking probiotics, vitamins, and acidopholus pills. I don't feel ashamed anymore. I can't wait to see my OBGYN and give him a piece of my mind.
Alkalize
Posted by Kknic (Honolulu, Hawaii) on 05/14/2012
★★★★★
I found my cure for recurring BV!!!!!! I'm sure we all know that bv means our ph balance is more acidic. I read a posting and this person mentioned our bodies need to be on an alkaline diet. Well I went to a health food store and bought a gallon of alkaline water and within two days my symptoms cleared and its now been a month and my symptoms are completely gone!!! Drink alkaline water.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Zoohead1 (Newnan, Ga) on 05/08/2012
This started in 2008-9. Thanks to the internet I diagnosed myself w/ bv. never heard of it, went 2 Dr. tried pill(metronidazole) 1st time worked, tried gel. Waste of time, money & energy. They only think ur crazy on the 3rd or n my case 10th visit. My doc cld nt understand why it kept comin bk & whn it came bk it was worst everytime. So I left the problem alone 4 awhile until I met a new guy I was feelin. Its now 2012, so I got serious about it & went 2 the internet did some research again. Went 2 visit my local herb shop & got some useful info. The (metro pills & gel) kill good & bad bacteria. Thats why it comes back. Most of your vitamins(folic acid 800mcg, olive leaf, hydro 3%, cranberry pill & cran body wash, etc. ) can b purchased from wal-mart or cvs. Bt get probiotic acidoplius (cold) frm your local herb shop. They go up to 80bill. ($20-$30per bottle). When inserting the pill n ur vajay-jay. Put them n water 2 soften them. I scoop them up w/ a spoon, put it at the tip of my vajay & push up w/ my fingers. Right nw I'm trying all the above. Thanks Earth Clinic you guys at least got me stated & feeling like I can beat this.
Baking Soda Douche
Posted by Gm (Spring Hill, Fl - Florida) on 04/26/2012
★★★★★
I noticed that embarrassing, fishy smell that comes along with BV so I went to a clinic. The doctor who examined me said there was no odor or any signs of it but tested me, anyway. She returned with her tail between her legs and told me I tested positive for BV (it felt good being right! ) She gave me Flagyl, which I took as directed for 7 days. However, I noticed the other day that I wasn't feeling or smelling "right" again. I have a pH test kit for just such situations, so I used it last night and my pH was dangerously low, indicating another infection. I took out a new douche and carefully added some baking soda for alkalinity. This morning, there was no itch or odor, and my pH had risen to normal range. I would suggest buying pH test strips, which can be found at health food stores and are not expensive. You can monitor yourself at home and try home remedies before you drop $75 at the nearest clinic (and then God-know-how-much-more for a prescription! ) just to be told you have what you already thought you did. Be aware that I'm not a doctor and have no medical training. I'm going by how I felt when I saw a doctor only weeks ago and assumed that my condition didn't completely clear up. Good luck, ladies.
Lemons
Posted by Chrysalis (Los Angeles, California) on 04/14/2012
★★★★★
Hello sisters. I just came down with BV for the first time in my life. I feel all of your pain. BV is unacceptable! I strongly believe the underlying problem that causes BV (and tons of other ailments) is an overly acidic body. The standard American diet (SAD) perpetuates an acidic body, which is a favorable environment for bacteria and viruses. Healthy body functions depends on an ALKALINE environment. You do need to shift your diet if you want to beat BV for the long haul. There is lots of info online about which foods help promote an alkaline body. You need to eliminate all of the things that we intuitively know are bad - sugar, coffee, processed foods, dairy, meats, bread. Sorry, I know this sounds impossible. Also, try reading "The pH Miracle" by Robert Young. A quick way to alkalize your body is a lemon/baking soda concoction. Add about a 1/2 tsp of baking soda to a glass of water with half or whole fresh lemon. Sweeten with a couple drops of stevia if necessary. I drink this twice a day when I feel a cold coming on and it stops it every time. I also eat several cloves of raw garlic. So the moral of the story - ALKALIZE ALKALIZE ALKALIZE. I promise you will feel better. Good luck.