My ACV Results

[hhfarang]

Not that anyone's interested, but...

About three months ago I started taking daily doses (3) of Apple Cider Vinegar at the suggestion of some forum members as a sort of a cure-all for the three chronic health problems I have.

I was pointed to a web site about ACV therapy which indeed was full of success stories using it to lower blood pressure, cure asthma, and lower cholesterol.

I've been controlling these three ailments by taking (expensive) pharmaceuticals for years so I was in deed anxious to see if I could get off the drugs and save some money in the bargain (however, the organic ACV itself is not cheap).

Anyway, I started using it in the dosages recommended on the web pages and one by one as my current supply ran out, stopped taking the (3) pharmaceuticals.

I also made some lifestyle changes by exercising daily, eating healthier foods and drinking much less than before. (I have lost 12 pounds because of these changes).

I went to the polyclinic for a physical to get blood and urine tested a few days ago mainly because I was having severe low back pains and thought I had a kidney infection.

After three months on apple cider vinegar:

1) I'm having daily asthma attacks again
2) I have the highest blood pressure I've ever had (177/110 at the clinic, a bit lower at home but still high)
3) I have total cholesterol over 200 for the first time in 20 years (since I started taking meds)

Plus I think there may be a chance that my kidney pain is caused by the vinegar as they found no infection.

This stuff may work for some, but not for me in any way and may actually be doing more damage than the prescribed meds.

It's back to the pharmacy for me...

[Chas]

I am interested and glad to read your report on ACV.
Thanks for posting on it.

I have long toyed with the idea of taking ACV and just last week I was cleaning the pantry and realized that I had an unopened bottle. I was contemplating anew starting on it and trying to figure out a way to mitigate the taste. .which is frankly horrible even in OJ! Yes I have read all the literature and the claims made for it but sometimes personal stories like yours are best.

I only share the high cholesterol problem of those you mention . .like most people in the world probably. . .for which I am taking a daily fish oil capsule.

I am beginning to suspect that this is also not working as promised. All things being about equal diet & exercise- wise . .my cholesterol is actually going UP and not down. If it is still up in a couple months, I will stop taking those!

[hhfarang]

I was taking the ACV (started out 2 tablespoons three times a day, ended up with one three times a day) in a large pint beer glass full of water. I just sipped on the three glasses all day pretty much and with it watered down that much the taste was tolerable.

[Huahinian]

I would like to add my own experience with ACV. I suffered a heart attack in March 2008 and had angioplasty with two stents implanted. I was prescribed Plavix, Lonoxin, Crestor, Blopress, Lasix and Aspent and was told that I would need to take these for life. After one month my bloodpressure was normal but the cholesterol and triglycerides were not good. Total cholesterol was within limits but the LDL (bad cholesterol) was much too high and the HDL (the god stuff) was too low.

A year later, economics forced a re-think as I was spending Baht 8000 a month on medication. After some research, I started taking ACV with honey (I have since added cayenne pepper). I gradually phased out all but two of the pills and only take lanoxin and lasix now). Last month, I saw my cardiologist in Bumrungrad Hospital and had a complete blood scan. Cholesterol levels were all within range as was the triglyceride count. My BP was 116/65. After the cardiologist said that everything was fine, I told him of the changes I had made. He suggested I continue as it seems to be working for me.

I do not believe that ACV or anything else can be used as a magic potion. I walk briskly for 45 to 60 minutes at least five times a week. My wife uses only Olive Oil in cooking. I avoid dairy products and seafood. I drink an occasional glass of wine with my dinner. I drink no other alcohol. I have halved my sugar intake. I have stopped smoking.

In summary - it works for me!

[lindosfan1]

I had a cholestorel problem once the reading went through the roof. My doctor was good asked me about my lifstyle and diet. Then gave advise. No pills or other cures just good advise. Had to go for weekly check ups at first no problems after 9 months my level was down to normal.

[Chas]

HHinian, I understand that quitting smoking alone will give your general health that terrific boost . .and you added in a lot of other healthy lifestyle changes.

ACV does seem to help some folks though. But I have been working at alternatives to it including other dietary changes.

One of the best things to come out of my workshop sessions with Mr. Plum is finding out about rice bran oil for cooking. Better than olive oil because it has a much higher burn point. ( Though I try to include olive oil in other ways . .especially in pesto. . . which I love. ) Available at Villa Mkt.

I actually started cooking . . . I now make my own version of fried rice starting with the rice bran oil in a wok, adding onions and garlic, then three or four tomatoes cut up and a sliced up carrot and finally rice. Maybe with a can of tuna thrown in. Very healthy and filling and easy to make. No cholesterol involved. 150 calories from the oil . .and it ends up mostly lightly cooked vegetables as I dont add much rice.

[caller]

Interesting about the oil. Isn't one of the biggest problems in LOS the widespread use of very cheap palm oil in cooking?

[Huahinian]

Interesting about the oil. Isn't one of the biggest problems in LOS the widespread use of very cheap palm oil in cooking?

That is what my cardiologist told me and to switch to olive oil

[MrPlum]

Not that anyone's interested, but...

About three months ago I started taking daily doses (3) of Apple Cider Vinegar at the suggestion of some forum members as a sort of a cure-all for the three chronic health problems I have.

This stuff may work for some, but not for me in any way and may actually be doing more damage than the prescribed meds.

I'm sure many are interested in hearing both sides. I certainly am. I don't think I've ever heard of ACV causing kidney pain. What did your doctor say?

I have long toyed with the idea of taking ACV and just last week I was cleaning the pantry and realized that I had an unopened bottle. I was contemplating anew starting on it and trying to figure out a way to mitigate the taste. .which is frankly horrible even in OJ!

I have trouble with it myself and I'm a fan. You can sweeten with honey or take with a small amount of Baking soda. This reduces the acidity and protects the gnashers.

Taking ACV is basically following the 'Apple a day keeps the doctor away' advice. Another way (I believe) to get some of the same benefits is to eat an apple after breakfast and dinner. Peel them first.

Interesting about the oil. Isn't one of the biggest problems in LOS the widespread use of very cheap palm oil in cooking?

In the early part of this century when cancer and cardio-vascular (CVD) were almost non-existent we cooked with animal fats and ate butter. Those in the tropics cooked with Coconut Oil and animal fats. For salad dressings we had access to extra virgin olive oil, genuine cold pressed flaxseed and sunflower seed oils, or none. Margarines didn't exist and oils were not commercially extracted with chemicals. I think in the 'MK' restaurants they will give you a few gobbets of pork fat to cook your own food.

When we moved away from these the incidence of CVD, cancer, asthma, chronic ear infection, arthritis and other ailments has gone through the roof. No thinking person can possibly ignore the connection.

I don't use butter but I do use 'Ghee'. I also use organic cold-pressed olive oil, sesame oil, rice bran oil and some other oils for different purposes but all of them are cold-pressed organic. You can obtain some of these in bulk from organic collectives in the North of Thailand. If people club together they could bulk order which would bring the price per ltr right down. Otherwise just buy the expensive stuff in the shops.

As always, buyer beware. Some manufacturers mix cheaper palm oils with the better oils to increase their profits but don't make it clear.

The subject of oils is too large to be covered here but to keep it simple, unless I know it is organic cold-pressed I won't touch it. Most of the oils we see in the stores have been extracted with petro-chemicals and then heated to excessive temperatures. This destroys them as a natural food source. Canola Oil is dreadful.

Not sure what problems you refer to but Thais seem to be able to break a lot of rules and get away with it. Maybe it's the amount of chili. Maybe it's the bitter greens, maybe it's the fermented fish dishes. If I could read Thai I would know more. There is a lot of cooking with palm oil by outside vendors and watch out for those who use and re-use oils cooked at high temperatures. The 'dim-sum' brigade are good at that.

Olive Oil is great but don't cook it at high temperatures, otherwise it is said to become toxic.

Do your own research.

[lindosfan1]

Mr Plum we presume you meant the 21st century not the last 10 years.
Looking at cancer rates for stomach cancer and mortality it has dropped in the last 110 years. Source the world health organisation.
Have not looked at other cancers but it challenges your statement.
"Cancer and cardio vascular almost non existant"
The mortality rate of stomach cancer among males and females in all countries has continuously and dramatically decreased with
birth cohorts born after 1900 (Figs. 4 and 5). In Japan and Italy, although data of those born before 1900 are limited to age groups
of 70+, it seems that stomach cancer rates peaked with the 1900 birth cohort. For females in Japan, a steep decreasing trend is
observed in the 50–70 years age groups.
For younger age groups under 50 years of age (Figs. 6 and 7), successively decreasing trends are observed for all age groups
except for those of the USA in both males and females. In the USA, younger age groups under 40 years of age for both genders
reach a plateau after 1985.
Note: original data is downloaded from the WHO Mortality Database (version as of Feb. 2004). The data was then tabulated by
I. Yoshimi with 151 (ICD-7), 151 (ICD-8), 151 (ICD-9), and C16 (ICD-10). Responsibility for this presentation and interpretation
lies with the authors, not the WHO Mortality Database.
Yuka Imamura and Itsuro Yoshimi
Statistics and Cancer Control Division, Research Center for Cancer Prevention and Screening,
National Cancer Center

[lindosfan1]

Mr plum said
"Taking ACV is basically following the 'Apple a day keeps the doctor away' advice. Another way (I believe) to get some of the same benefits is to eat an apple after breakfast and dinner. Peel them first."

If you read my post on the health forum poll, one of the recommendations was to NOT take health medicines processed from food products.
Use natural foods, as I have said before a good balanced diet should be all you need instead of quack preparations.

[MrPlum]

as I have said before a good balanced diet should be all you need instead of quack preparations.

lindosfan1. You were very insistent that only the Professionally Qualified can dispense health advice. I look forward to you presenting your qualifications to the board.

You seem unaware of the forum rules:

'Flaming or personal attacks are not allowed or tolerated. Should anyone use inappropriate language, start a personal attack, or engage in hate speech or extremism, they will be suspended or banned from all further discussions. It is forbidden to make accusatory or slanderous comments against any other member without substantiated evidence to back up the claim and approval from the Administrator.'


Thank you for the correction. I think most people will understand the early century is not this one. Can you explain why you used the term 'we presume' when no other member has said anything? Perhaps your mum?

Please provide evidence for your claim of 'quack preparations'? There seem to be many products in the stores with vinegar and honey that you sprinkle on your salad. Shouldn't there be a health warning?

The 'qualified professional' who made the statement about cancers is a State Registered Nurse. She became disillusioned with conventional medicine and qualified in naturopathic, herbal and homeopathic medicine. SInce she has experience of both conventional and alternative medicine and has written several books and articles. Do you feel she is better able to make recommendations about health than someone who is only familiar with conventional medicine?

The WHO are saying cancer is set to double by 2020. Perhaps they meant 'halve' and it's a typo. Please advise. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articl ... id=1125643

Can you also explain in more detail what a 'good balanced diet' is. Have you studied nutrition? Do you feel hhf will be able to drop his medication on this diet?

Nice to see you are a fan of 'natural foods'. ACV is very natural. So is honey. So is ACV with honey 'natural' or a 'quack preparation'? Your expert advice is most welcome,

[Chas]

Never tried it with honey. I may give it another go . . .although I probably wont do that until I see the results of what I am currently doing.

I plan another blood test next month.

What I am doing is focusing on my "vegetable fried rice" and fruit diet, only whole wheat bread and not too much of that. Olive oil & pesto made with it . .extra virgin of course, rice bran oil for cooking. No meat, cheese or donuts ( except once in a while when I cant resist . .I love cheese.) Wine now and again of course. Got very sick of green salads but plan to start them again in moderation. Fish oil capsules & multivitamins and just started Cq10. Exercise of course. See where this gets me and if I dont get the results I want . .its ACV again, this time with honey.

And I DO eat an apple a day! Often two.

[lindosfan1]

Thank you for reminding of the rules
Quack preparations is not an insult.
1. The word quack was referring to the preparations.
2. Or an unqualified person giving medical advise
Which of these is incorrect.
You missed out on the fact tha you stated cancer was virtually nomn existent. The WHO stats do not support these facts. Therefore your source is a bit unreliable unless you prefer the opiniom of a nurse to facts.
ACV is not natural it is produced from natural foods as stated earlier therefore eat the natural food.
My qualifications are I believe are the same as yours none.
The advice of a good balanced diet is available in many publications you may benefit from reading them., and is not medical advise it is common sense.

[hhfarang]

I'm sure many are interested in hearing both sides. I certainly am. I don't think I've ever heard of ACV causing kidney pain. What did your doctor say?

"Your Doctor"... that's funny. I haven't found a way to have "my doctor" in this country. All competent medicine I've found is mostly in hospitals, mostly in Bangkok and you usually see a different doctor every time you go.

The last time I had a "my doctor" was when I lived in the land of soon to be socialized medicine where I saw the same two doctors for twenty years so they knew me inside and out (literally). It's really nice not to have to go over your entire medical history and your family's also every time you go to the doctor but that was the U.S.... I'm not in Kansas, er, California or Florida anymore!

Anyway, ranting aside, the guy at the clinic here checked my urine and said I didn't have a kidney or bladder infection (which is what I thought). He suggested a possible kidney stone but had no further instructions. I'll try to make it to a BKK hospital if the pain continues.