ACV Reduce Viral Load to Undetectable Levels

Positive Health News
Report No 20 Spring Issue (2000)
Cider Vinegar joins the war against HIV and other lipid-envelope viruses
A local PWA credits vinegar (monotherapy) with reducing his viral load to non-detectable levels
Cider Vinegar - hopes ride high for a low-cost treatment breakthrough for HIV/AIDS.
April 10, 2000

Mark Konlee

We may be on the verge of an effective treatment for HIV/AIDS that will cost about $5.00 a month. This could be very good news for 95% of the world’s population that cannot afford the use of pharmaceutical drugs for treating HIV infection. It is estimated that 40 million people worldwide are now infected with the HIV virus. Promising low-cost treatments for AIDS have been languishing for lack of attention and funding for several years. The big question is who will fund controlled studies of vinegar and other promising treatments for HIV [like bee propolis and phytic acid (IP6)] when there is little or no profit to be made from marketing these items? Only the National Institute of Health is in a position to fund and conduct such studies using taxpayer’s money. It is time for the NIH and major AIDS research organizations across the nation to stop being “politically correct” and to be more imaginative and daring in the search for practical low-cost answers to this epidemic.

Once in a “blue moon”
Reducing HIV viral loads to non-detectable levels is a common place event with pharmaceutical drug cocktails. It is a rare event when someone tries an alternative over-the-counter product and obtains the same result - a non-detectable viral load. This once in a “blue moon” event occurred here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 8, 2000.

A Call for Help
Around January 31st, I received a phone call from Stephen N., who had moved out of West Allis about 18 months ago and was living on Milwaukee’s north side. While Stephen had been diagnosed HIV+ several years ago, he had never progressed to full blown AIDS, but had many gastrointestinal problems. Late in January he told me: “I can’t keep any food down. I have constant stomach cramps.” I asked if he was taking any drugs for HIV and he said: “how can I, I would just vomit them up.”

I asked him if his physician had checked for an intestinal infection. He said they had and that he had been treated for a salmonella infection with Antibiotics . He told me the doctor stated they could no longer find any trace of the salmonella. Then I said: “there must be some other undiagnosed infection in the intestines.” I asked him: “Has your doctor prescribed any treatment?” Stephen: “Nothing other than pain killers. I still cannot keep any food down.” At this point I suggested he try apple cider vinegar.

I suggested he use 2 or 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water 3 or 4 times daily. This was on Jan 31, 2000. I told him that vinegar might kill off whatever was bothering him or it might not work at all. I added: “I could suggest several other things, but why not start with the vinegar and see if it helps.”

Later that evening, Stephen went to a local grocery store and bought a quart of vinegar, choosing the first bottle of vinegar in his sights - a quart of white vinegar. Stephen said: “As I walked out (of the store), I opened the bottle and slammed down a mouthful.” I said: “Full strength?” Stephen: “Yes, I could feel the vinegar as it traveled through my intestines.”

The next day, Stephen would add about 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a glass and add some water and slam it down. He did this 3 or 4 times a day. A few days after starting on the vinegar, he called and said that his stomach was 80% improved. At the time he called, around Feb. 2nd or 3rd, he did not tell me how much he was actually using. The details described here were not known to me until I had an extensive conversation with him around March 15th. About February 15th, he had called me and said his viral load was non-detectable and that his doctor could not figure out what was happening. Previously he had told me that he was on a drug cocktail last year and I assumed at the time that the drug cocktail was what had brought his viral load down to non-detectable levels.

Positive Health News is published twice annually (Spring and Fall) by Keep Hope Alive, Ltd., an IRS-approved non-profit organization. Keep Hope Alive Ltd., PO Box 27041, West Allis, WI 53227 414-545-6539 Progressive Health News is a monthly update of new developments and medical research for the immune-compromised. Both Positive Health News and Progressive Health News are newsletters that supplement the book on How To Reverse Immune Dysfunction. Both newsletters can be accessed free at our internet website http://www.keephopealive.org that now contains over 500 pages of information on nutritional and immune-based therapies.

Around noon on March 10th, he called to ask if I had any work for him to do to earn a few dollars and I told him I did not at this time. He again brought up the subject of his non-detectable viral load and I said that when people use drug cocktails, non-detectable viral loads are common. I asked him, what was your viral load before the last test?

Stephen: 170,000.

Mark: When was this test taken?

Stephen: Sometime in December. What you don’t understand is that I was not using the drugs.

Mark: When did you stop using the drugs (for HIV)?

Stephen: In October.

Mark: Why did you stop using the drugs?

Stephen: I did not like how they made me feel.

Mark: So what you are saying is that you stopped the drug cocktail in October and in December, your viral load was 170,000. There is nothing unusual about a viral rebound.

At the time I told Stephen that maybe the non-detectable viral load was a delayed reaction to a DNCB treatment he had done a few years earlier. I told him “I don’t know why your viral load is non-detectable - sometimes things like this just happen and we don’t understand why.” With this our conversation ended.

Later that evening, I was eating a salad at home and discussing Stephen’s case with Tim, a mutual friend. As I was pouring some apple cider vinegar on my salad, I suddenly recalled that I had told Stephen late in January or early February to drink some apple cider vinegar for an intestinal problem. I said to Tim: “I wonder if the vinegar Stephen used had anything to do with his non-detectable viral load.” I got up from the table and started to walk to the phone to call Stephen and the phone rang before I reached it. It was Stephen calling me. I asked him --

When was this test taken that showed that your viral load had become non-detectable?

Stephen: Early in February.

Mark: Do you know the date and was this test before you used the vinegar?

Stephen: No, it was after I used the vinegar. I believe it (the test) was around February 8th.

Mark: After?

Stephen: Yes, I had finished using up the quart of vinegar when the doctor called me in for a blood test. That was about 8 or 10 days after I started on it.

Mark: This means that you used about 1/2 cup of vinegar a day for 8 to 10 days before the test. Do you use any drugs (for HIV) between the test in December and the one around February 8th?

Stephen: Only a couple of times I tried but could not keep them down.

Mark: A couple of times could not explain a non-detectable viral load. What happened to your CD4’s?

Stephen: They went to 508.

Mark: And what were they in December?

Stephen: 305.

Mark: From 305 to 508, that is incredible. Is there anything else you did differently, any medication or dietary supplement other than the vinegar that you took in the week before you had this test?

Stephen: Nothing I can think of.

Mark: You know that in March of last year, I reported on research in Norway on intravenous heroin drug users who were disinfecting their needles in vinegar and that they had a very low rate of HIV transmission. Also, laboratory tests have found that vinegar can kill the HIV virus. When you took the vinegar, would you say that you used about 2 tablespoons per dose?

Stephen: Yes, about 2 tablespoons with about 1/2 cup of water. I did this 3 or 4 times a day until the quart of vinegar was gone. It was on the day I finished the quart (of vinegar) that I had blood drawn for the PCR test and the CD4 counts.

Mark: Having eliminated all other possibilities, it must have been the vinegar that brought your viral load down to non-detectable levels.

Stephen: I agree, it couldn’t be anything other than the vinegar. I did not do anything else differently.

Mark: What did your doctor say?

Stephen: He asked me what I was doing? I told him nothing.

Mark: You didn’t tell about your using extreme amounts of vinegar before the test?

Stephen: No, it didn’t occur to me. He had me take another blood test on February 25th.

Mark: When will you get those results?

Stephen: In a few days.

Mark: Are you still drinking 1/2 cup of vinegar a day?

Stephen: After I finished the quart, my stomach was feeling fine, so I stopped using the vinegar or I should say I used it a couple of times a week, I’d say 2 or 3 times.

Mark: From 3 or 4 times a day to 2 or 3 times a week is quite a drop in usage. If you were on prescription drugs and you reduced your dosage to every other day, just one dose, the viral load would come back quickly. We will see what happens.

March 15th: The viral load returns while the CD4’s continue climbing
Stephen: My viral load is back - at 220,000. However, my CD4’s have increased further - now up to 670. My doctor is more confused than ever now.

Mark: Understandably. That is an interesting set of numbers. Your viral load and CD4’s are going up together. I know that you don’t read my monthly reports, but in December, 1999, I reported that Robert M from Brooklyn, NY, told me that he started taking cayenne and apple cider vinegar orally for two weeks. At the time he was also on a triple drug cocktail for HIV and there had been no upward movement in his T cell counts for the past 6 months. He used cayenne capsules with each meal and took 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before bedtime for two weeks before his last test. His CD4’s increased from 224 to 289; CD8’s from 500 to 900 and WBC’s from 5.5 to 6.9. His viral load remained the about the same declining slightly from 10,600 to 10,300. Robert credited the vinegar and the cayenne for the T cell increases as those were the only two things he did differently.

As I look at your lab results and that of Bob’s, I can initially surmise that taking vinegar once a day or once every other day may increase the CD4’s but not decrease the viral load, while taking vinegar 3 or 4 times a day may do both - increase the CD4’s and decrease the viral load. While using 2 tablespoons of vinegar 4 times a day apparently reduced your viral load to non-detectable levels, I wonder if taking one tablespoon of vinegar 4 times a day would do or taking 2 tablespoons every 12 hours (twice a day) or taking one tablespoon every eight hours (3 times a day) would do to both the CD4’s and the viral load.

Brian V of San Francisco
A third case report comes from Brian V of San Francisco. Around March 17th, I talked with Brian who shared his experiences of the past year. He picked up a copy of Positive Health News, Report No 18, in May, 1999. This was the issue on “A Consumer’s Guide to Immune Restoration.” After following much of the dietary and nutritional advice since June, 1999, he contacted me in the past month.

Brian told me that he chose not to go on drug cocktails since his HIV diagnosis last year. He told me that in May of last year, his viral load was 184,000 and this CD4 count was 347. Today he reports a viral load of 31,000 as of Feb., 2000 and a CD4 count of 288 although early in January of this year, he states that the viral load had dropped to 13,127.

Since June of last year his viral load declined first to 113,000 in July; to 45,000 in August; to 36,000 in November; to 32,000 in December and to 13,127 in early January of 2000. Starting in June of last year he reports he consumed 5 to 8 cloves of raw garlic daily but stopped in January as the raw garlic was too hard on his stomach. He switched to a garlic capsule after which his viral load increased from 13,127 to 31,000.

I asked him if used vinegar. He said: “it is interesting that you ask. I have used 2 or 3 tablespoons of Balsamic vinegar every day on a salad since last summer.” Brian also indicated that he had used olive oil daily for the past two years and since last summer, he has used some Chinese herbs and Reishi mushrooms.

After listening to his protocol, I gave him my interpretation of what happened. I told him that I thought it was the raw garlic and the vinegar that had brought his viral load down from 184,000 to 13,127. When he stopped the raw garlic and went to garlic capsules, he lost the antiviral effect from the raw garlic and his viral load rebounded to 31,000. I then told him I thought that the Balsamic vinegar he used every day had a strong antiviral effect. The reason the viral load did not go to undetectable levels was that he had used the vinegar only once a day.

I explained to him Stephen’s experience with the vinegar he used 3 or 4 times a day for 8 days that brought his viral load to non-detectable levels. I told him that I thought the secret to effective antiviral therapy against HIV or any other virus was in the timing of the doses to more effectively disrupt the viral replication cycle. I suggested that Brian try one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water 3 times a day and exactly 8 hours apart. I suggested he use the drink upon rising, once in the middle of the day (mid-afternoon) and just before bedtime. Brian can be reached at 415-922-3853 to follow his progress on this new protocol.

Timing of doses may be the key to successful anti-viral therapy.
The original Marc Correa protocol was written in July of 1997. Earlier this week, I attempted to reach him by phone at his grandfather’s home. His grandfather told me that Marc had moved out and he did not know his new phone number. I left my phone number with him and he promised to give it to Marc on his next visit.

For almost 3 years, I have analyzed the Marc Correa protocol looking for the secret of his success and have had two earlier interpretations on this subject. Now I have a third. It is this: It was the timing of the antivirals he took that brought his viral load down to non-detectable levels.

I recall that Marc told me he used the herbal antivirals exactly 3 times a day spaced at the same times he previously used when he was on a drug cocktail that had produced intolerable side effects. As I recall, they were about 8 hours apart. In hindsight, I now regret having not published this small detail that glided right past my conscious mind at the time. I now recall him telling me that he used the whole lemon/olive oil drink at times that would have been about 12 hours apart. While I now recall this information from our conversation, he also failed to include it in the written copy of the protocol he mailed me in July, 1997. “if persons with HIV used drugs cocktails like most people have used alternative therapies, most would have failed on these regimens long ago”

Last week, I met a friend, Rob, whom I haven’t seen in years who is a graduate from medical school. To my surprise, he told me he was selling pharmaceuticals. I said: “so you are a drug salesman.” He said “yes, but the legal ones.” While we both nursed a beer at a local Pub, I discussed with him the amazing results of the vinegar treatment for HIV as relayed to me by Stephen and we got into the subject of the timing of dosages.

Rob told me that the pharmaceutical companies know that the timing of doses in prescription drugs was critical for treatment success. I asked: Why would timing be important for an antiviral treatment? Rob stated: “if the timing between doses is too long, you will have a significant viral rebound. The amount of the drug in the blood has to be kept at a certain level to keep the virus suppressed.”

I then said: Why did you not tell me this 7 years ago when we held long talks on all the various alternative treatments for HIV? He replied: “I wasn’t aware of this 7 years ago and it never occurred to me. You know that the mindset of people using alternative therapies and those using only drugs are at odds. Both sides do not communicate with each other. If persons with HIV used drugs cocktails like most people have used alternative therapies, most would have failed on these regimens long ago”

I replied: “You are right. Viral rebound does not just occur when you have a lab test, it can occur in any 24 hour period that viral suppression stops. When I look back at the Marc Correa protocol, I now realize that the timing of the doses he took was just as important as what he used. This concept of timing is very simple. I wish I would have thought of this years ago. Many of the alternative treatments that we sent down the pike now need to be retrieved and properly retested on a structured schedule where the doses are properly timed.”

On a side note, I asked Rob why the pharmaceutical companies did not come up with more cures for diseases. He said: “Cures, there is no money in cures. Most drugs are designed to alleviate symptoms. This way, the patients is dependent on the drug(s) for the rest of their lives. This generates a steady flow of you know what - the bottom line. If you cured every disease that came along, the sales of drugs would crash and so would the profits.”

My comment: “profits are more important than cures?”

Rob: “it’s all about money.”

Speaking of Timing and Cures
Sometime in February was a short televised evening report on one of the national television networks, either CNN or ABC, about a lady in either New Mexico or Arizona who is 102 years old and still practicing medicine. Her medical practice started in 1928. She was visited by parents with children who drove up to 40 or even 50 miles to see her. At her age, she could walk, talk and function normally like a person 30 or 40 years younger. While I was entranced watching this special, they never spelled out her name, so I don’t know who she is or how to contact her.

One part of the interview especially caught my attention. A mother brought a child with an ear infection that several doctors could not get rid of even after several prescriptions of Antibiotics . The 102 yr. old physician then prescribed more Antibiotics for the child with one important aspect to the protocol - timing. She prescribed smaller doses to be given to the child exactly 3 hours apart 24 hours a day for 3 days. This means that the parents had to wake up the child twice during the night to give the antibiotics. She even said: “if you are even 15 minutes late, forget it, it won’t work.” She said that when antibiotics were first introduced early in this century, this is how they were used, but everyone today has forgotten about it. The news reporter followed up on this report and found that in 3 days, the infection was gone, the child was cured.

As my mind pauses the concepts of her approach, this thought comes forth: I wonder if this timing method of therapy could completely eradicate a virus like HIV in 72 hours? How about other viruses like HHV-6, CMV, EBV, etc. etc.? Let many theories, someone will have to test it to determine if total viral eradication is possible.

OTHER PERSONS USING VINEGAR
CFIDS with HHV-6 infection: One reader called and said she had tried taking apple cider vinegar and cayenne capsules before each meal three times a day and that it had helped her significantly. She said she was up to 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 3 cayenne capsules before each meal but had to cut back to one tablespoon of vinegar and one cayenne capsule as the higher dose was too strong. With regards to pH and HHV-6, Donald Carrigan told me in March that when the pH is below 6.0, it is very difficult for any lipid envelope to replicate and that would include HHV-6A or B strains.

Several persons with HIV are now trying apple cider vinegar either alone or in combination with other alternative antivirals or in combination with pharmaceutical drug cocktails. Some persons are trying 1 tablespoon of vinegar 3 times a day 8 hours apart or 2 tablespoons 12 hours apart. Two people are trying 2 tablespoons three times a day. You can contact the following persons to monitor their progress:

Marie NaVeaux - 505-242-6305

Brian Vouglas -415-922-3853

Jerry C is on a triple drug cocktail with protease inhibitors and has an non-detectable viral load. He is using apple cider vinegar - 2 Tbsp 3 times a day to increase his CD4 counts. Results should be available in mid-May. Ph No 208-378-8145

Steven Rahn is still on a triple drug combination and has added apple cider vinegar to increase in his CD4’s. He can be reached at 559-264-7945

An e-mail message to me at khope@access4less.net on April 12th stated:

“I have been taking the vinegar orally for over a week now, and all I can say is WOW!!! I can feel it doing its work. After the first day, and this may seem unbelievable, I had great results. My stools are much more solid, more than twice their usual size (now normal) and I experience much less frequency and urgency in bowel movements. I am finally getting floaters, too! My bathroom life is actually back to normal, after many years of trouble. I have been taking 2 tablespoons 3 times daily. I don’t know the effect on my viral load or CD4’s yet. My current plan is to stay on the antiviral drugs for the next 2 weeks, and then quit for at least one month to see what happens. This is great for me! Matt (NY)

Some other readers trying the vinegar treatment for HIV include Gary B, Dennis B, Craig F and Bob M. Gary B, who has never used drug cocktails for HIV, is using 1 tablespoon of vinegar 3X along with bee propolis and IP6. Prior to adding vinegar to his protocol, three capsules of IP6 and 1/2 tsp. of bee propolis twice a day had dropped his viral load from 118000 to 41000 in 6 weeks. In my opinion, had he used the IP6 and bee propolis 3 times a day and 8 hrs. apart, the decline in viral load would have been even greater.

IP6: Scientific researchers have found that IP6 is a transcription inhibitor of the HIV LTR. Three substances (Chrysin, Caffeic acid and Ferulic acid) have been identified in propolis that inhibit or kill HIV. Several other antiviral treatments for HIV need to be retested all over again since no one reading this publication in the past 5 years (with the exception of Marc Correa) has followed a proper time sequence in taking these alternative therapies that include olive leaf extract, curcumin, lomation dissectum (LDM-100), Clarkia -100, coconut oil, elderberry extract plus glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and others.

Marie NaVeaux was interviewed in the most recent issue of POZ magazine (April, 2000) that had a special edition titled “Alternatives 2000.”

UPDATED NEWS 04/08/00 Increased energy, resolution of intestinal problems and a reduction in swollen lymph nodes reported with vinegar
April 6th: Marie NaVeaux says she has great energy since starting the use of vinegar (around March 10th) - 1 Tbsp 3 times daily 8 hours apart. She says she is also using bee propolis capsules and IP6 3 times a day at the same time. Marie is not using any prescription antivirals for HIV. She is getting labs tests for a viral load and T cell counts in the second week of April, about 14 days after starting on this new regimen and again around May 15th. Her last statistics in Dec., 1999, were: CD4’s - 10, viral load 74,000. You can call her for the latest results or check the May 1st monthly message (Voice mail or Progressive Health News on our internet website).

April 7th: New York: Frederic called to report that since he started using vinegar tablets three times daily 8 hours apart that a gastrointestinal problem he has had for some time cleared up in 2 days. He is not currently using any prescription antivirals for HIV. Update: He had two PCR tests for viral load 7 days apart while inbetween he used 10 vinegar tablets daily. Results are expected around May 15th. This will be the first test of vinegar tablets. Results to be announced June 1st.

April 7th: David D used the juice of a whole lemon 3 times a day for 2 weeks but continued to be bothered with swollen lymph nodes behind his neck and under his arm pits. On April 3rd, he stopped the lemon juice and started on 2 tablespoons of vinegar 3 times a day eight hours apart. He phoned me today to report that as of yesterday, all his swollen lymph nodes were gone. He is not using any drug cocktails at this time.

I have several other reports of persons who are failing drug cocktails (viral loads are increasing) who have added either 1 or 2 tablespoons of vinegar 3 times daily to their regimen while continuing on the drugs. Results are being awaited

April 10th letter from Jim H (Berkeley, ILL)
“I received the April issue of Progressive Health News and Lightening sure did strike. When your newsletter arrived, I was in the middle of a digestive attack that has occurred intermittently since last fall. In less than ten minutes, I ingested a mouthful of Apple Cider Vinegar straight out of the bottle. Eight hours later, I took more, only this time, I mixed some water with it. I knew that nothing would happen quickly. I went to bed that night with severe stomach cramps. The following morning I awoke and my stomach was strangely tender. Not cramped, but sore. My bowel movement (BM) that morning was absolutely normal! I continued the vinegar every 8 hours. By noon, 18 hours after I started, my gut, cramps, soreness etc. was all gone! The following morning my BM was putrid black. It is now the 3rd day and my BM’s are back to normal, both in color and composition. Something I have not had in at least 6 months. Where they would have lasted up to 2 weeks, the stomach cramps are now totally gone!”
Note: Jim H as been on Zerit, Epivir and Naltrexone for the past 5 years. His CD4’s are at 800. Last December, he reported a small viral load decline (16,000 to 10,000) when he added one BHT capsule daily while continuing on the drugs. In his letter, Jim also agreed that alternative antiviral therapies need to be used in a time structured sequence to be effective. He thinks that 8 hours apart, 3 times a day is a good timing pattern.

Vinegar for Health in Senior Citizens
Other reports: My oldest brother, Gary, told me he knows a women who is 96 years old, from Upper Michigan, who drinks a small glass of vinegar each day. He said: “Her physician says she has the body of someone half her age.”

Milwaukee, WI - April 15th: I seen a friend last night, Chris, who told me his aunt who is 70 years old looks 20 years younger and is always full of energy. He said: “She can get out on the dance floor and can polka like there is no tomorrow....I asked her what her secret was .... she told me she drinks apple cider vinegar every day.”

Vinegar and pH.
Three people including Steven Rahn and Jerry C have been monitoring saliva pH since starting on vinegar. They have all reported normal saliva pH (6.4 to 6.8) with no indication that vinegar is having an acidifying effect on the system, in fact, it seems to be having a normalizing effect so far, like lemon juice. Vinegar may reverse hardening of the arteries. Since vinegar ionizes minerals, drinking vinegar might well dissolve calcium deposits in the arteries and just possibly kidney stones and gall stones as well.

A trial protocol for CFIDS and HIV

1. Apple Cider Vinegar or white vinegar - 1 or 2 tablespoons in 4 to 6 ounces of water three times daily eight hours apart. Optional: with the bedtime drink add 1 tsp. of bonemeal powder to the vinegar and water.

2. Three IP6 capsules or 1/2 tsp. of IP6 powder taken with the vinegar and water at the same time 3 times a day PLUS

3. Two Bee Propolis capsules taken at the same time as the IP6 and the vinegar drink 3 times a day PLUS

4. Two Capsicool capsules (Nature’s way) taken at the same time 3 times a day.

Spacing the timing of the supplements equally is very important for sustained antiviral effect against HHV-6, HIV and other lipid envelope viruses. The cayenne is Capsicool will reduce IL-6 levels, help normalize body temperature and the Glucomannan in the Capsicool will increase butyrate production. The bee propolis and vinegar have wide spectrum antiviral effects. IP6 is a transcription inhibitor of the HIV LTR.

5. With each meal, sprinkle the juice of 1/2 lemon over the food or place the lemon juice in 4 ounces of water and take probiotics (Vital Biotics, Th-1 Probiotics, Jarrowdophilus, Bio K etc.) with each meal or probiotic powder either sprinkled over the food or mixed in with the lemon juice and water. The idea is to mix both the lemon juice and the probiotics with each meal. Lemon juice mixed with food promotes the growth of acidophilus and bifido bacteria. Eating foods high in fiber and FOS will complete the nutrients needed to promote the friendly flora.

6. ImmuPro (formerly called ImmunoPro) - 10 grams daily (to increase glutathione levels)

7. TH-1 Probiotics - 1 rounded Tsp. with each meal. Last month, I mentioned an alternative to Immunocal that is half the cost and, in my opinion, at least as effective as Immunocal. It is called ImmuPro. For more information, call 619-469-8196 or ImmuPro@aol.com or see ad in this newsletter.

Vinegar Tablets
Some health food stores sell vinegar tablets. 500 mg of dried vinegar is equal to one Tablespoon. of liquid vinegar. Depending on how much vinegar is in each tablet, you can determine how many tablets equals one tablespoon of liquid vinegar. The tablets will eliminate the strong taste of the liquid vinegar. Several brands of vinegar tablets are on the market. One made by Nature’s Life and also sold under the name “Theratech” contains 250 mg of vinegar per tablet. 250 mg would be equivalent to 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of vinegar. Will 2 of these tablets taken 3 times daily be sufficient to bring the viral load down to non-detectable levels or will it take more? Lab results will give us the answer in the coming weeks.

Mix and match. A person could use vinegar tablets during the day when taking liquid vinegar might not be convenient (such as at work on when on vacation) and then take the liquid vinegar in the morning and before bedtime while at home.

At this very preliminary stage of our investigation, there is no reason to assume that any type of vinegar will not have an equal antiviral effect. Beside apple cider vinegar, there is white vinegar, rice vinegar, malt vinegar, balsamic vinegar, wine vinegar and there may also be other types available.

As for liquid vinegar, my personal preference (for flavor, taste and freshness) is Braggs Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar. It is sold in Health Food Stores.

Kombucha tea, reported to increase CD4 counts is, like vinegar, a source of acetic acid
In the early 1990’s, before the era of PCR and protease inhibitors, interest in Kombucha tea became wide spread in the HIV/AIDS community. Several persons reported significant increases in CD4 counts. Then came along reports that some of the home-made batches had become infected with unfriendly micro-organisms and made some people sick. Since the introduction of protease inhibitors in Vancouver, the use of Kombucha tea has quietly faded away. However, vinegar, commercially made, does not have this drawback of home-made Kombucha tea. Was the acetic acid in Kombucha tea responsible for the CD4 increases?

“Natural Healing with Cider Vinegar” by Margot Hellmiss
Published in 1998, by Sterling Co, NY, this 96 page book by Margot Helmiss recommends cider vinegar for a wide range of health conditions including sore throat, cuts, wounds, digestive problems, gum infection, insomnia, poor memory, overweight, weak skin, stomach ache and slow healing wounds.

Helmiss reports that vinegar is both an antiseptic and Antibiotic killing many kinds of viruses and bacteria. She also says that the father of medicine, Hippocrates, used vinegar 2500 years ago to treat wounds and intestinal infections.

During the bubonic plague, legend tells us that 4 thieves in France drank daily a potion of vinegar that had raw garlic added and then robbed the graves of the dead without contracting the illness.

Helmiss reports on research by Hans Adolf Krebs who found that the body needs acetic acid (found in vinegar and also produced by bidifo bacteria in the colon) for metabolism at the cellular level and the production of energy in the body. His research has become known as the “Krebs” cycle. In theory, acetic acid should improve antigen presentation where an infected cell presents viral antigen on the cell surface to signal CD8 Killer T cells that the cell is infected. Antigen presentation and processing, with the help in intracellular glutathione, is the first event needed to trigger a cell-mediated immune response against infected cells. Conclusion: The use of vinegar and the use of a product like ImmuPro that very strongly increases gluthathione levels should be a potent combination.

The book, “Natural Healing with Cider Vinegar” is sold in health food stores or can be obtained by writing to Sterling Publishing Co, 387 Park Ave So, NY, NY 10016. $10.95 a copy plus $6.00 for shipping and handling.

If vinegar works effectively and consistently in reducing HIV viral loads to non-detectable levels, it will be a real breakthrough for treating tens of millions of persons in poor third world countries where low income prevents the more expensive medicines from being used in treating HIV.

VINEGAR MAY INACTIVATE ALL LIPID ENVELOPE VIRUSES
HIV, HHV-6, a and b strains, Epstein Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes viruses have lipid envelopes. Vinegar is known to cut grease and is used in household cleaning. Vinegar has been used as a preservative in some herbal extracts. A more natural and safe anti-viral and Antibiotic is hard to find. Acetic acid is thought to be the active ingredient in vinegar. Acetic acid could work by dissolving the lipids (fats) in the outer envelope of viruses causing the viral envelope to disintegrate and exposing the inside of the virus that will become chow for the next activated white blood cell that comes along. Could vinegar be the answer to our prayers, the Pieta prayers, for a low-cost treatment for both AIDS and CFIDS? Could vinegar be part of a future protocol that leads to total viral eradication and an ultimate cure? As in all such tantalizing and provocative questions, time will tell. We have been down this road several times before and have always ran into a dead end. Perhaps and hopefully, this time, it will be different.

About Vinegar, Candidiasis & HHV-6
Many of the earlier writers on systemic candida albican infection have advised persons to avoid vinegar as it is a fermented food. Persons were lead to believe that using vinegar might promote candidiasis. In my opinion, these writers have erred on the side of caution. Today, vinegar is sold in drug stores as a vaginal douche to prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections. In fact, there are no carbohydrates or Sugar in vinegar to support the growth of candida albicans and candida albicans prefer a neutral or alkaline pH to replicate.

Vinegar, which is very acidic, creates a hostile pH environment that suppresses candida albican activity. So why avoid vinegar? The only reason anyone with candidiasis would want to avoid vinegar is if they actually had an allergy to vinegar. Do such allergies exist? Acetic acid, found in vinegar is part of the Kreb’s cycle of acids needed for the production of energy in our cells. Both acetic acid and butyric acid are essential nutrients that support gastrointestinal health and that of our individual cells. Both of these acids are produced by friendly bifido bacteria in the large intestines, that is, if you have friendly flora in your large intestines.

While most physicians have observed chronic yeast infections in persons with either AIDS or cancer, there is a third and larger group affected with candidiasis and those are the people with active HHV-6A infection. It is the active HHV-6A infection that disregulates the immune response in favor of TH2 cytokines that allows the candidiasis condition to persist.

As we have reason to believe that vinegar will destroy HHV-6, A and B strains, its benefits should be noticeable within a few weeks. However, persons with candida overgrowth can expect a die-off effect from consuming vinegar and may feel worse before they feel better. Accordingly, start off with a small amount of vinegar and gradually increase the dose and be sure to take an effective product like ImmuPro to increase the glutathione levels and shift the immune response in favor of the TH1 cytokines. This is the path to recovery. The key to get rid of chronic candidiasis is to first effectively treat HHV-6 infection.

Glutathione (GSH) & TH1 immune responses
Jeffrey Peterson et al writing in the Proc Nat’l Acad Sci states:

“We show that in all cases, GSH depletion inhibits Th-1 associated cytokines production and/or favors Th2 associated responses. Further, by charting the responses of isolated cell populations mixed in vitro, we demonstrate clearly that the decrease in Th1 cytokine production is due to the short-term, readily reversible depletion of APC GSH.”
Note: APC stands for “Antigen Presenting Cells.” The experiments showing that glutathione depletion favors Th2 immune responses was done in mice. When glutathione levels were returned to normal, Th1 responses were favored. (1). Persons with cancer, HIV infection, HHV-6 (CFIDS), candidiasis and chronic insomnia always have a predominance of TH-2 cytokines (i.e. IL-4, IL-6) and a shortage of TH-1 cytokines (IL-12, IL-2 and IFN-gamma).

1. Proc Natl Acad. Sci; March, 1998 published in Immunology magazine

Undenatured whey proteins (Immunocal, ImuPlus and ImmuPro) increase glutathione levels. Dr. Paul Cheney on “ImmuPro”
Immunocal introduced by Immunotec from Canada is a cold processed whey protein that has demonstrated in studies to increase intracellular glutathione levels. A competitor product is ImuPlus that also contains undenatured whey proteins. Undenatured means processed without heat. The latest undenatured whey protein to hit the market is ImmuPro (December, 1999)

Dr. Paul Cheney MD who has used all three brands of undenatured whey proteins in treating thousands of patients with CFIDS and is doing a study with ImuPlus has recently commented on ImmuPro in a letter to his constituents using ImuPlus. Here are excerpts from what he wrote: “I am writing to inform you of a proposed change in the whey protein study protocol. We have recently received information about a much more powerful whey protein concentrate, which just became available in December. I am convinced that this new product is two to three times more potent than either Immunocal or ImuPlus when compared by sophisticated biochemical analyses. It is manufactured in Europe under contract with a dairy and is less expensive than ImuPlus......Compared to Immunocal, ImmuPro has 5 times more Lactoferrin, 2.5 times more Serum Albumin protein, 3 times more Immunoglobulin. It contains Glycomacroproteins which inhibit viruses and harmful bacteria. Most importantly it contains many more of the small, un-named bioactive protein bound fats which may contribute to the whey protein concentrates effects on glutathione. I propose that we change to ImmuPro and shorten the study to three months rather than the current six. A shorter study is warranted by the greater power of this product.

Reader reactions to ImmuPro: Holly Z (CFIDS and LYME).” I feel this product is doing something very beneficial to improve how I feel.”

Luke who has had chronic fatigue for 7 years told me: “This is powerful stuff. I started off using 1/2 teaspoon a day for the first week. The amount of energy I get from this product is unbelievable.” Luke (510-733-0297). I have read letters written by two other persons with CFIDS who are only using 1/2 to 1 tsp. of ImmuPro daily. The recommended dose is 10 grams or about 2 level tablespoons daily.

My personal reaction to ImmuPro. I tried Immunocal and think it is great product but agree with many readers that it is pricey. I find ImmuPro gives sustained energy all day long. A 10 gram serving contains 285 mg of lactoferrin, a natural substance that binds with iron to make it available to the cells and not to viruses. Iron added to dietary supplements promotes both viral and free radical activity in the body. ImmuPro contains 1.3 grams of immunoglobulins per 10 gram serving. It is the most cost effective undenatured protein currently on the market. I was sufficiently impressed with ImmuPro to invite them to place an ad in this issue.

Readers should take note that most whey proteins on the market are byproducts of cheese production and as such, contain denatured proteins. Undenatured whey proteins are the closest thing to raw milk you can find and have the most immunological value of all whey proteins. Pasteurization denatures proteins and “transfer factor” as well as destroys enzymes in milk.

Note: Persons using ImmuPro should have no need to take NAC, L Cysteine or Reduced Glutathione. In my opinion, anyone who has any kind of chronic viral infection would benefit from undenatured whey proteins like ImmuPro.

Restoring Intestinal Health - parasite Cleansing by Mark Konlee (Dec. 1, 1999 - excerpts from Progressive Health News)

One area I did not cover in Positive Health News, Report No 19, that affects the immune system is parasites, a problem that affects most persons chronically immune compromised. However, before getting into this month’s subject of parasites, I have ---

Late Breaking News
Cayenne and vinegar credited with increasing CD4, CD8 and WBC counts
Robert M of Brooklyn (HIV+) called to report these results from taking cayenne and apple cider vinegar orally for two weeks. His CD4’s increased from 224 to 289; CD8’s from 500 to 900 and WBC’s from 5.5 to 6.9. His viral load remained the about the same declining slightly from 10,600 to 10,300. He had been on a triple cocktail that did not include protease inhibitors for the past several months with a slow and gradual increase in viral load - a failing protocol. The only two changes he made was to add cayenne and vinegar to his daily diet. He also reports that his body temperature increased 2 degrees going from 97.8 to 99.8°F. He took one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before bedtime once a day. He took 2 cayenne capsules with breakfast, one for lunch and two with his evening meal. He did not do the daily enemas with vinegar and garlic.

Several persons have called in the past few weeks to report incredible increases in energy and well being since staring on the daily enemas with garlic and vinegar added ( as described in the Report No 19 - the current issue).

Boston, MA. Carl J added a parasite cleanse program to his already intensive self-treatment regimen plus started doing daily enemas with garlic and vinegar added. He reports his CD4 counts increased from 378 to 472, CD8’s from 351 to 607 and viral load decreased from 18,500 to 13,100. He did not use the cayenne or VFT extract or, in my opinion, his results would have been even better. A complete copy of his protocol is now available by writing to Keep Hope Alive. Ask for the Carl J protocol.

Note: The most effective way of using vinegar is to use it orally as well as rectally in enema water. The oral use will kill HIV, HHV-6, CMV and other lipid envelope viruses in the small intestines while the enemas will destroy most of these viruses in the large intestines. Vinegar cuts grease and all lipid envelope viruses should dissolve instantly in vinegar plus water.

Suggestion: Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 1/2 cup of aloe vera juice and add 1/2 cup of water plus 1 tsp. of psyllium powder. Mix this and drink it before bedtime. The aloe will help the vinegar penetrate deeper into the mucus membranes for a greater antiviral effect and the psyllium will create a time-release effects for further penetration into the small intestines. In enemas, try to hold the vinegar/garlic and water mixture about 5 minutes before releasing it as you finish the enema. This will allow for greater penetration in the colon. Aloe or any other substance that makes water wetter will have also enhance the penetrating effects and the antiviral effect.

By targeting the small as well as the large intestines from both ends, we should see even more impressive results that we are presently obtaining. An alternative to the before bedtime drink is to use red wine or apple cider vinegar in salads once a day. Also, dill pickles, green olives and pickled vegetables are additional sources of virus killing acetic acid. Note: do not drink pure vinegar. It is too strong and will irritate the mucus membranes. The trick is to use enough to kill the viruses without using so much as to get side effects. Lemon juice which is also acidic should also kill HIV and other envelope viruses.

CFIDS report: Jim Mayhew (IA) reported phenomenal results with the enemas. He used both garlic and more vinegar that I recommended - 1/2 cup per 1.5 qt enema bag. He said that 3 hours after doing this all his swollen lymph nodes in his neck were 100% gone. Note: Persons are advised not to use more than 3 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per pint of enema water as too much can be irritating to the colon. Personally I think that 3 tablespoons per 1.5 qt enema bag is sufficient but you might want to try higher doses to see if better results can be obtained if you can tolerate it. You can also use wine vinegar on salads or eat dill pickles, green olives and pickled vegetables as sources of vinegar and acetic acid. I wouldn’t drink vinegar straight, however, it needs to be diluted.

One person reported that his stomach could not tolerate taking the cayenne capsules. Suggestion: Use teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a small glass of water for each capsule of cayenne you take and you will find few fewer stomach problems tolerating the cayenne. i.e. if you take 2 cayenne caps, take 2 tsps of vinegar in about 4 ounces of water at the same time.

Green Coffee beans & Coffee retention enemas
In the current newsletter, I told of a person who has been doing coffee retention enemas 5 times a week for the past 10 years and kept his viral load under 7000 and his CD4’s over 600 without ever using any prescription drugs. He used regular coffee made from roasted coffee beans (the grocery store variety). I also reported on published research that has found a new class of anti-HIV drugs in green coffee beans but did not know where to locate the green coffee beans. Thanks to Robert M, a reader in Miami, green coffee beans have been located on the internet at http://www.sweetmarias.com or by calling 888-876-5917 or 614-294-1816.

Retention enemas made from freshly ground green coffee beans?
No one has yet tried this, to my knowledge. Don’t know what to expect. The website has over 30 varieties of green coffee beans. For starters, it would be best to try the Sampler Pak they offer. For persons who are caffeine sensitive, they also have decaffeinated green coffee beans. Since this is all quite new, I advise anyone to use a small amount of coffee made from the green coffee beans and observe its effects before using larger doses. Suggestion: talk to the owner at sweetmarias to see if he is aware of any problems drinking green coffee beans and drink a small amount first before trying the enema. (I was unsuccessful at reaching him earlier today).

Note: A person with CFIDS told me recently that she has been doing coffee retention enemas twice a day for several years and says she could not have survived without them. She says: “the coffee retention enemas pull a lot of toxins out of my liver every day.” Question: Will the decaffeinated coffee beans have the same effect?

Steven Rahn- Update
Steven Rahn whom I interviewed last fall called this week with some really great news finally. His viral load has dropped from 800,000 to 1500 in 8 weeks. CD4’s increased from 9 to 32; CD8’s from 400 to 704. Throughout the summer, I had tried to convince him to go on a good cocktail of Norvir, D4T and 3TC. I told him his immune system was too deteriorated to rely only on diet, nutrition and a few immune modulators on his limited budget. I told him he needed a shot gun approach combining it all together to turn his condition around. I added: “after your immune system and T cells have recovered in about 6 months and your viral load is non-detectable, you might want to try the diet, nutrition and immune modulators again without the drugs, but right now, dam the torpedoes (the drug’s side effects) and hit it hard with everything that might work.”

He followed my suggestion and phased in the 3 drugs using D4T the first week, adding 3TC the second week and Norvir the 3rd week. He gradually increased the Norvir to 10 capsules daily taking 4 with breakfast, 2 with lunch and 4 with a late evening meal. He has tolerated the drugs well and far better than he expected.

He started the drug cocktail in September when it became apparent that his KS lesions were not going to go away on their own. The KS lesions are about 50% gone right now. He also used cayenne, Perfect Plus soluble rice bran, Ionic trace minerals (SGS Research), Methyl B12 and maintains a good diet. He stopped all supplements with B-6 a few months ago when I reported on research linking B-6 to cancer progression in laboratory animals.

One more Item. Late in October, about 6 weeks into the drug combo, his right foot swelled up badly and he could barely walk. The doctors were puzzled and one suggested a possible KS lesion blocking a lymph node in his leg. I told him I had seen this happen in Milwaukee with someone I knew who had KS whose foot swelled up tremendously due to a KS lesion blocking lymph flow in his leg. I suggested that he use up a bottle of Venus Fly-Trap extract at a real high dose - one teaspoon 3 times daily. He had stopped using the VFT extract at the time he started on the drug cocktail about 6 weeks earlier. He immediately started on the VFT extract at this high dose while continuing the drug cocktail and in 3 days, the swelling was reduced by 80%. In 5 days the swelling was completely gone. His latest blood test occurred about the time he nearly finished the VFT extract.

Note: This is the 3rd report on pulsed (intermittent) use of high doses of oral VFT extract that has produced amazing results. These reports suggest the most effective way to use the extract is one week on at a high dose of 1 tsp. 3 times daily (or 1/2 tsp. 6 times daily) and one week off before repeating the cycle. Another way to pulse VFT extract is to use take it at a high dose for 3 days per week (3 days on and 4 days off) and then repeat the cycle.

Candida Albicans are not the only cause of leaky gut syndrome, parasites also cause leaky gut and severe immune Depression in persons with HIV, CFIDS, MCS and cancer.
Anyone who follows a high fiber diet and takes probiotics like B Longum and Vital Biotics and is unable to obtain normal healthy stools in 2 weeks and who find themselves with periods of fatigue should suspect parasites as an underlying problem. Dr. Ross Anderson, one of America’s foremost parasitic infection specialists stated: “I believe the single most undiagnosed health challenge in the history of the human race is parasites. I realize that this is a pretty brave statement, but it is based on my 20 years of experience with more than 20,000 patients.”

Dr. Richard Bowman Pearce has estimated that 80% of gay males are infected with parasites. Millions of Americans not associated with any high risk groups are also infected with parasites and do not know it. Parasites can be picked up from dogs and cats, and especially from kissing pets, undercooked meat and from eating unwashed or not properly washed fruits and vegetables as well as oral/anal sexual activity.

There are many types of parasites including the intestinal flukes, Ascaris lumbricoides (estimated to have infected 1/4 of the world’s population), Schistosoma blood flukes, Giardia intestinalis, hookworms, beefworms and many others. Most people infected with parasites do not know they have them.

Symptoms of parasite infection can include any combination of the following: diarrhea, gas and bloating, leaky gut syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity and allergies, depressed immunity, malabsorption of nutrients, itching around anus, joint and muscle pain, skin conditions and rashes, weeping eczema and other skin lesions, Depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue.

Parasites especially like to live in feces and buildup in the colon. This is why a good high colonic is necessary to remove built-up fecal matter that is a hiding area and feeding ground for parasites. Parasites produce toxins, damage the mucosal membranes and can even get into the blood and infect major body organs. Dr. Shawn Wells, Ph.D. states that 90% of all disease starts in the colon.

An extensive 8 page article on Parasites-Silent Killers by Dr. Shawn Wells was published in “Alternative Medicine News, May, 1998, and copies are available by calling 800-388-7012. You can also ask them about a parasite cleanse product called “Internally Super Klean.”

Low cost suggestion: Before each meal, take 1 or 2 frozen castor oil capsules, 2 or 3 Black-Walnut capsules (from green walnut hulls) and 50 drops of Clarkia 100 in a glass of water. Do this for 21 days. This should eliminate all the parasites. You should notice results in 3 or 4 days. Repeat this cleanse once every 6 months. Don’t forget to eat 3 cloves of raw garlic daily.

A prescription drug called “Flagyl” is also used to kill parasites. One problem is that diagnostic tests from feces often fail to diagnose the presence of parasites and without a diagnosis, a doctor may not give you a prescription.

WELCOME TO THE NEW MILLENNIUM
(January 1, 2000 - from Progressive Health News)
Mark Konlee

Welcome to the new millennium. Let us pray that this is the dawn of a new age of enlightenment that will bring forth answers to resolve outstanding issues of the last century. The world needs alternative sources of energy to reduce air pollution and global warming caused by fossil fuels that produce too much carbon dioxide. Debt relief is needed and lower interest rates for all along with a dissolution of economic monopolies.

In a world that values money over virtue, there is little hope that these changes will happen without the aid of Divine intervention. Science marches forward but the inner man, the human heart must change if technology is to bring forth answers to heal a planet under growing stresses. Like the human body, the earth itself needs to be brought back to a point of balance and homeostasis.

We must increase organic farming to reduce the use of toxic chemicals that continue to poison the land and its people. The public, by its own purchasing choices, can move technology and the production of goods in a positive direction - by purchasing organically grown fruits and vegetables, using barter instead of interest-bearing debt to exchange goods and services, automobiles that run on electricity (the fuel cell), solar, hydroelectric, wind power and new technologies that remain to be developed like fusion. Many oil wells will dry up early in this century driving up fuel prices making alternative sources of energy a more viable economic option. Increased use of non-polluting sources of energy will help reduce global warming.

Great storms, earthquakes and asteroids will threaten us but the hand of God will intervene when mankind in on bended knee. In spite of the gathering storms, hope will be kept alive. The Messiah will return, although in spirit, already here.

Self-healing, balance and homeostasis
Like the earth, the human body and spirit is under stresses and needs a return to balance and homeostasis. Dis-ease disturbs the focus of the human spirit by drawing too much attention to self, to personal distress and disrupts the flow of compassion for others that comes from the heart. In the current issue of Positive Health News (Report 19), I have shifted the focus from fighting dis-ease to rebuilding health.

In taking measured steps to build health from the foundation up, the individual no longer feels powerless. The thought itself, of being a builder of one’s own health, is liberating. It reduces our dependence on the security blankets of insurance companies and large corporations (both the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industry). Convinced as I am that the foundation of building health depends on a good appetite, digestion, a healthy colon, gastrointestinal tract and mucosal immunity, I plan to continue focusing on these critical areas in the coming months - areas essential for rebuilding health and restoring maximum natural immunity against all dis-ease.

How a Toxic Colon undermines immunity and promotes dis-ease in many forms from HIV progression to AIDS to CFIDS to heart disease, cancer and many other conditions
When the colon is toxic, it is because harmful bacteria that produce scores of toxins have multiplied in great numbers. These toxins are absorbed from the large intestines and go the liver to be broken down. The toxic overload on the liver leads to a depletion of Glutathione levels that then impairs cell-mediated immune function. The toxins also impair the ability of the liver to produce enzymes needed for metabolic functions throughout the body. The immediate result is fatigue and eventually chronic fatigue. The depleted Glutathione levels reduce the ability of the liver to remove heavy metals and more stress is placed on other organs like the adrenal glands and kidneys. In a sequence of events, toxins (poisons) in the large intestines began to adversely affect the entire person.

Some of the harmful bacteria(1) in a toxic colon have been identified as the fungal (hyphaeated) form of Candida Albicans, clostridium, e-coli, staph and strep strains. Other infections of the gastrointestinal tract that have been identified include HIV, HHV-6, herpes simplex, hepatitis B, C and D, CMV, EBV, chlamydiae, shigella, salmonella, campylobacter, mycobacteria, parasites, giardia, cryptosporidium, isopora, amoeba and strongyloides (2).

Just one or more of certain strains of unfriendly flora can produce a variety of toxins including amines, ammonia, skatol, hydrogen sulfide, histamine, indole, phenol and cadaverin (3). The liver has the job of breaking down these toxins and if the liver function is impaired, the toxins circulate and can cause neurological problems. Candidiasis increases Interluken 6 levels, a cytokine that is overproduced in HIV infection, CFIDS and cancer and contributes to the cytokine shift from TH1 to the less effective TH2 immune response.

A toxic colon by contributing to the depletion of Glutathione levels increases the activity of free radicals and oxidative stress that further damages cells and body organs. Unfriendly flora also move the pH of the colon in an alkaline direction creating an environment more favorable to their own survival. No complete or sustained recovery from chronic immune dysfunction is possible without restoring a healthy colon. This is the point of beginning, the foundation for rebuilding health.

Ref: 1. The Garden Within, by Keith Sehnert MD. (Health World Magazine, Burlingame, CA)

2. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, by King Homes MD.

3. Gall, LS, Normal Fecal Flora of Man, Am J of Clin Nutr. 23:1457-1465 1970.

The Many Benefits of Friendly Intestinal Flora
Some of the specific byproducts of friendly flora fermentation (bifidobacterium) in the large intestines are butyric acid that help rebuild the mucus membranes of the G.I. tract and heal a “leaky gut.” B. Longum and other bifidobacterium also produce lactic acid, acetic acid and proprionic acid. Researchers have found that acetic acid and proprionic acid are more effective than lactic acid in killing off bad microbes in the large intestines. Both acidophilus and bifidus fermentation of indigestible carbohydrates in the colon produce short chain fatty acids. These fatty acids cause the stools to float in water. Large diameter floating stools that are golden brown are healthy stools and indicative of a healthy colon whereas the sinkers and small diameters stools are loaded with toxins and harmful bacteria and come from a toxic colon. Little or no odor is emitted from healthy stools and strong or sour odors are emitted from toxic stools. David Webster writes that “a floating stool is often an indicator of the existence of a predominately acidophilus flora.”(1)

However, Webster states that a diet high in psyllium may produce a floating stool in some persons that is not at the normal acidic colonic pH. (5.6 to 6.8). Also, persons on a high fat diet might have unhealthy floaters if they do not digest the fats properly. Once you think you have healthy floaters, stop taking all B vitamin supplements for 24 hours and watch the color of the urine. It should be a light yellow color, an indication that B vitamins in the colon are being produced by healthy flora.

Published research has found that a diet high in fiber (30 to 35 grams daily) progressively lowers the pH of the colon (2). In vitro research has found that when the pH is a culture medium is below 6.0 that free cell HIV permanently loses its ability to infect cells.

Dr. Sehnert MD reports that acidophilus produces B-complex vitamins including folic acid, niacin, B6, B12, riboflavin, biotin and pantothenic acid (3). He also reports that acidophilus produces lactase enzyme that digest lactose in milk and inhibits the growth of Candida Albicans. FructoOligoSaccharides (FOS) and inulin, indigestible carbohydrates are found in artichokes, chicory, whole rye, bananas, onions, garlic and asparagus. FOS and inulin are potent fertilizers to promote the growth of both bifidus and acidophilus in the large intestines.

On FOS, Martin Feldman MD states: [FOS passes through the system with minimal problems and a low incidence of intolerant or allergic reactions. It is of interest that the digestive system does not break down FOS. Rather, it reaches the lower intestines intact, where it is devoured by the “friendly bacteria” without significantly assisting the “unfriendly bacteria.” These properties make FOS extremely beneficial in treating a variety of digestive problems.](4)

Other benefits of good flora like B Longum and bifidus are increased absorption of calcium, magnesium and iron as well as other nutrients. However, it is the butyric acid produced by the bifidobacterium that rebuilds the mucus membranes and heals leaky gut syndrome, a condition directly linked to allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, systemic candidiasis, depression, various skin problems, loss of mental clarity, eye floaters and an increase in activated CD4 cells in the intestines. In persons HIV+ persons, a leaky gut increases HIV replication and decreases the CD4 counts when HIV infects the activated CD4 helper cells in the intestinal epithelium. Leaky gut syndrome impairs mucosal immunity. This is why bifidus and B Longum, supported by FOS, are so important for a rebuilding and maintaining a healthy colon and G.I. tract.

In HIV/AIDS, where 86% of the HIV replicates in the intestines, we hope to find the right combination of fiber, probiotics and nutrients to stimulate their growth to restore mucosal immunity and to lower the pH of the colon to a point where HIV replication in the intestines stops and the T cells recover. There is a real possibility that a natural method to stop HIV progression (without drugs) will be discovered this year.

1. Acidophilus and Colon Health, David Webster; Hygeia Publishing, 800-943-0054.

2. Naaeder SB et al, West Afr J Med 1998 Jul-Sep;17(3):165-7

3. The Garden Within, by Keith Sehnert MD. (Health World Magazine, Burlingame, CA)

4. Health Benefits of FOS, by Robert Crayhon; Keats Publishing, New Canaan, CT.

FructoOligoSaccharides (FOS)- a potent “fertilizer” for good intestinal flora
To grow a healthy garden, it takes good soil, good seed and fertilizer among other things. Our internal garden in the colon, to be healthy, depends on fiber (the soil), indigestible carbohydrates (FOS or inulin - the fertilizer) and probiotics (the seed) - good intestinal flora, acidophilus, bifidus and B Longum among others.

The Japanese have been ahead of the Americans in many area Tweet