Question & Answers

Q&A With Gareth Edwards
Question One: Apple Cider Vinegar

I have long believed in apple cider vinegar every day to help with my health but I am now worried that it would be acidic! Given that lemons can be acidic but alkaline when we eat them is the same true for ACV?
Sarah

Thank you for the feedback Sarah. “Father” of holistic health care and medicine, Hippocrates, is said to have used apple cider vinegar (ACV) as a health tonic. Popular use was apparently initiated by Vermont Doctor DC Jarvis’s book published in 1958. One trial showed its use to be effective for weight loss and there are also suggestions that dilute doses can positively effect cholesterol and triglyceride levels …. in rats! A good friend of mine found that his indigestion ceased shortly after starting to take it and a practitioner I highly respect recommends its use.

But ….. I wouldn’t! People do suggest that ACV, like lemons and limes, although acidic outside the body, has an alkalising effect once it enters the blood stream. I can understand why lemons and limes would have this effect. They are fresh low sugar fruits with a high content of alkalising minerals. Apple cider vinegar on the other hand is produced by the fermentation of cider, to the point beyond alcohol, where it becomes vinegar.

I could possibly see that some short term use, in a dilute form, might break down undigested matter in the digestive tract, having a purgative effect. Pro-biotics or digestive enzymes are also acidifying but may also break down undigested matter. All of them (ACV included) will however enter the blood stream at some point. Doctors advise against long term high dose usage, due to the potential risk of osteoporosis and causing potassium deficiency.

Like the acid water from an ioniser, I think there may however be a case for using dilute solutions to “treat” fungal skin conditions including dandruff. I do however believe that this would need to be done in conjunction with an alkaline diet, hydration and lifestyle programme.

Question Two: Bicarb V’s pHour Salts

Hi Gareth I want to make my water much more alkaline. Is there anything wrong with having sodium bicarbonate in my water each time I have a glass to make the water more alkaline? Is this the same as Dr Young’s salts?

I do have patients who use regular baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) rather than Dr. Young’s pHour Salts product. One of the advantages of the pHour salts product is its purity. Baking soda can contain anti-caking agents and other additives, which are best avoided. I did see a Dove’s baking soda the other day that only seemed to list sodium bicarbonate on the ingredients list. The pHour salts are formulated with sodium and potassium bicarbonate and additional calcium and magnesium. The theory behind these additional ingredients is that they should further enhance the alkalising effect, beyond that of solely using sodium bicarbonate.

In the new, revised version of the pH miracle book, Dr. Young does recommend using sodium bicarbonate alone as part of an alkalising supplement programme. It is one of the ingredients in his new pH drops formula Activator. He does however recommend limiting intake to a tea spoon in water, up to three times a day. As with pHour salts, the dose should be reduced if you experience any discomfort or loose bowels. Remember that your diet, lifestyle and exercise all need to be alkalising too.


Question Three: Getting off coffee


Any good suggestions on how to get off coffee? Every time I do, I become depressed, my sleep during the night is disturbed and I feel physically so weak I can hardly go to work and need several naps during the day. Every time I’ve stopped, I have reduced the amount with 50% pr. day until I was down to a tiny cup and avoided the withdrawal-headache. Any good advice? Thanks!

Hmm. I think you need to swing the mental equation the other way round. Focus on really effective alkalising, fresh food nutrition. This should give you the energy you crave without needing the coffee jolt. As Dr. Young would say “once you get alkaline, the coffee will give you up”.

Drinking plenty of one of the vegetable and grass only powdered supplements available from Energise in water, with pH drops should help to energise you. That should also help wash out acids from your body tissues and fluids. Start eating as many fresh (ideally raw) vegetables as you can. Consider making some fresh green vegetable juice. Add lemon to flavour. You may also find that Dr. Young’s pHour salts mineral supplement helps you eliminate stored acid from your body and energise you with alkaline minerals. If you’re still finding it tricky, consider enrolling some further help. A pH aware nutritional therapist should be able to help you nourish your body effectively, “de-tox”, offer you moral support and keep you motivated. Great that you are actively trying to take this step to improve your health.

Question Four: Omega Three & Prostate Cancer

Dear Gareth, thank you for the great articles. I have a question regarding ALA and flaxseed oil in particular, there has been recent research and debates regarding an increase in prostate cancer (although the research is inconclusive, what is your take on this).

You’re welcome! Great question. First up, some bio-chemistry. Alpha linoleic acid (ALA) is the primary omega 3 fatty acid available from vegetarian sources, such as flax and hemp seeds (and their oils). It can be converted to EPA and DHA (also omega 3 oils) in the body. EPA and DHA are types of omega 3 fats found in the brain and also oily fish.

The paper that I think you might be referring to is referenced below [1]. Here it was found (in one trial) that men with a higher level of omega 3 fats in their blood had a greater risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer than those with lower concentrations. It seems likely that the reason for the elevated level of these supposedly beneficial fats in the trial participants was an increased fish intake. A meta-analysis (review of many research papers) where participants had higher levels of omega 3 fats from vegetarian sources [2] showed lower incidence of prostate cancer associated with higher omega 3 blood concentrations.

While Dr. Young is happy to recommend very high levels of fat consumption from healthy vegetarian sources, some complimentary health practitioners such as Dean Ornish are more wary about high fat intakes. My own view is that, I think the elevated cancer risk, if real, is more likely to be associated with animal protein consumption and potential marine toxicity, than the presence of omega three lipids alone. I am happy to recommend consumption of flax, hemp, chia and walnuts (along with dark green leafy vegetables). They all contain omega 3 fats.
For more information look at Joel Fuhrman’s excellent blog post:

http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/prostate-cancer-omega3-fatty-acids-do-they-increase-or-decrease-prostate-cancer-risk.html

1. Brasky TM, et al: Serum Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Prostate Cancer Risk: Results From the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. Am J Epidemiol 2011.

2. Carayol M, Grosclaude P, Delpierre C: Prospective studies of dietary alpha-linolenic acid intake and prostate cancer risk: a meta-analysis. Cancer Causes Control 2010;21:347-355.
Question Five: W’grass in a Green Diet

Hi Gareth – simple question for you! I take mega greens in alkalised water every morning, along with a vegetable juice – and as a veggie eat a lot of green stuff – both raw and lightly cooked. So – is there what you would call a considerable benefit to be gained by adding wheatgrass to my daily routine?
Thanks
Cookie

Great question Cookie. Here’s an area where two of the leading voices on living food nutrition firmly agree. Dr. Young and Dr. Brian Clement both extol the virtues of grasses as ultimate nutrition. Three of Dr. Young’s green powder supplements have high quantities of different grasses. The first listed ingredient in Mega Greens is barley grass. While it’s first on the list, it is the only grass listed.

I guess the real answer to your question lies in how you would take it if you added it to your regime. If you are going to juice fresh wheatgrass, I would highly recommend it. This will give you highly alkalising, chlorophyll and nutrient dense juice. Growing it yourself can be a bit of hassle, unless you are particularly green fingered, but growing your own (highly nutritious) food can be therapeutic in itself. Aconbury sprouts do deliver pre-grown trays via courier and a lot of health food shops will sell you a “shot”. You will get some of the benefits from adding wheatgrass powder to your Mega Greens or other drinks, but it won’t be quite as powerful as the fresh stuff.

If you are unwell or seeking optimum performance I would certainly recommend it, but be aware that it is …. strong!

Disclaimer: These answers are not intended to diagnose and do not replace the advice of a qualified physician.

Energise Alkaline Diet & Natural Health Blog.