About Melissa Anderson Expertise I have a Bachelor`s degree in biochemistry, researched metabolism and endocrinology for four years, and am currently attending medical school. Ask me anything and everything relating to Atkins and other low-carb diet plans!
Experience I've been on Atkins since 2001 and I'm still going strong!
Education/Credentials Professionally, I have a Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, researched metabolism and endocrinology for four years, and am currently attending medical school.
Question I read that taking baking soda and apple cider vinegar can help with certain ailments and from a website answered "the baking soda does not reduce the calcium. Baking soda is a bicarbonate which buffers the body against pH fluctuation so the body can protect itself against the mycobacterium"
Is this true? Is baking soda okay for the body? I feel good taking this remedy (1/8 tsp BS w/ 2 tsp ACV), but I feel like it's changing my body chemistry (ph balance) at the same time and my eating lifestyle is changing... i crave different foods.
I like taking care of myself, but I haven't lately. I "think" baking soda and apple cider vinegar is going to cure my wieght gains and make me feel normal again (like if I feel constipated and retain water and feel fat -- I'm 5'6" tall and weight 128) I think in the long run the baking soda may harm me and turn my ph balance acidic.
Can you please clarify this confusion so I can start taking a different approach to my eating habits. I know things can be turned around, it's just a matter of making that first step.
let me know what you think of this guy and his remedy for ailments with baking soda and apple cider vinegar.
Thank you,
Tricia
Answer Tricia,
Unfortunately the website you read is pretty much bunk mixed with old wive's tales. Your pH is regulated by your kidneys. Assuming you don't have kidney failure, they're able to handle any amount of acid or base food, so don't worry at all.
Baking soda IS good because it contains calcium, which will help protect your bones against osteoporosis. I'm sure you know that women who are not overweight are actually at greater risk for bone loss than big women, because carrying extra weight actually strengthens bones. (You can get this protection by doing weight bearing exercise).
Vinegar as of yet has no proven health benefits, but there's some exciting new research suggesting the possibility that drinking vinegar before carbohydrate meals may keep your blood sugar from spiking. Time your spoon of vinegar about 20 minutes before your largest meal of the day. Of course, this is very early research and it may not pan out. In addition, actually mixing in the baking soda will probably negate the benefits of vinegar, so I'd suggest that for the baking soda, you chew one or two Tums with breakfast, then have the spoon of vinegar before dinner.
