NATURAL SUPPLIMENT NEEDED FOR OUR GOOD HEALTH

9/27/2007: Annah from Hingham, Mass, usa writes: "Hello Ted, Thank you for all your contributions to this site. I have been reading your posts for over a month. I have a few questions regarding some of your remedies.
1. Should we be using aluminum free baking soda?
2. Instead of borax for boron, could we take a boron supplement?
3. How does ketosis affect the ACV baking soda, borax, H2o2 and other remedies? I ask this because of low carb diets that many people(me) are on because of insulin resistance and/or weight loss.
4. There are many salts labeled "sea salt" that range in color from light gray/pink to a medium gray. It appears that the darker gray has more magnesium but not more other trace minerals. What should we look for in terms of amount of trace minerals? I know you said the salt should be grayish but not all salts are visible-we have only the label to make a decision.
5. I am assuming a lot of your remedies should be taken for the duration of symptoms. However, could you be a bit more specific in how long to take something. I am aware that it will vary considerably by each problem.
6. What is your opinion on the current liver flush using large amounts of oil to flush out stones?
Thank you for your time."

Ted replies, "1. Should we be using aluminum free baking soda?
If it is possible to get aluminum free baking soda it would be great. Aluminum in general is poorly absorbed by the intestines, but certain consumer products and water contaminant make aluminum easily absorbed especially through the blood brain barrier in presence of fluoride or chlorine water, which is what I might worry about too.
2. Instead of borax for boron, could we take a boron supplement?
Most boron supplements uses borax, but there might be some exceptions. If not other forms of borax has also many different names that does not appear to be borax, but it still is. I prefer not to use boron supplements using boric acid, primarily because of its acidity effect rather than the more alkaline sodium borate, or sodium tetraborate, or other synonyms of borax.
Hence, boron supplements are actually more convenient, but the problem exists whether the tablets will dissolve if taken, as most fillers tend to add wax and others preventing their absorption and dissolution. Those are some of the considerations.
3. How does ketosis affect the ACV baking soda, borax, H2o2 and other remedies? I ask this because of low carb diets that many people(me) are on because of insulin resistance and/or weight loss.
Actually the ketosis can be reduce greatly if people don't take high fats diet as in Dr. Atkin's Diet when they avoid carbohydrates during a weight loss and just eat fish diet and a little complex carbohydrate which won't spike the sugar since most cells demand glucose more so than complex carbs needed. Both of these mostly fish diets and a small complex carbs won't create ketosis, yet reduced weight the same way without damaging the body. Cholesterol and other triglyceride won't be left standing out and Dr. Atkin's own level were also high himself.
It also make more sense to emulsify the fatty acids and fats so the body can get rid of fat easier than just to let the body break it down themselves such as at least 1 tablespoon of granulated lecithin between 1 to 3 times a day along with food.
In general the baking soda has the tendency to neutralize some organic acids during weight loss through increase excretion.
The negative effects of ketosis is reduced in presence of ammonium compound, urea, and other protein diets, where low fats are mostly found from eating fishes.
There's so much promotion of an unhealthy Ketosis it seems to be unavoidable, yet some people forget there was also a Dr. Stillman diets before the Atkins diet with great success. Still Dr. Stillman diet is not a perfect one due to deficiencies created, as same as Dr. Atkin's diet. I am sure they can make a nice debate over this but I don't think ketosis is a healthy issue due to high amounts of acetone and Beta Hydroxybutyric acid being created, and neither is the liver in a good shape during this changeover either.
Still, a more obvious things some might overlook is that the amino acid is what actually controls the appetite and burns the fat.
Starvation can do that too, but with starvation comes ketosis. A high fat diet with no carbohydrate insults the body and add more ketosis but a fish diet with a small amount of complex carbs may cause ketosis to be nonexistent and protect the liver from damage.
Certain supplements of amino acid l-histidine (which reduces appetite and feel fullness), glutamine which burns some fat and helps develop lean muscles, or even phenylalanine and many other amino acids actually burns the fat. I am still waiting when they will make an amino acid supplements for weight loss, but we can still get them from a body building supplements that are more geared to reducing fat and building lean muscles.
It should be noted that when the body burns fat the body needs more amino acid (either fish proteins or amino acid supplements as food source) and vitamin Bs needed to metabolize them.
Without which a straight ketosis, can lead to a vitamin B deficiency and may in one instances may lead to anorexia as in the case of the singer Karen Carpenter, extreme weight loss, or possibly liver damage due to ketosis being formed too rapidly as fats break down to fatty acids, and form toxic organic by products. Eating more fats adds more insult and ketosis worsen further. Hence it makes more sense to avoid fats altogether with the bare minimum of essential oils now and then in small amount from omega 3, evening primrose oil and flaxseed oil.
It would appear the issue of baking soda and alkaline is easily settled in this matter by just keeping the urine within normal values of urinary pH close to 7. The same is also true of salivary pH, without the need to worry whether the condition of ketosis is from starvation, or was it a diabetic ketoacidosis.
4. There are many salts labeled "sea salt" that range in color from light gray/pink to a medium gray. It appears that the darker gray has more magnesium but not more other trace minerals. What should we look for in terms of amount of trace minerals? I know you said the salt should be grayish but not all salts are visible-we have only the label to make a decision.
There are some ways to get around the problem. A good sea salt should have a pH between 7.5 to 8.5, and its is semi-moist, which means it attracts moisture, or causes the body to be well hydrated. Dehydration comes from adding certain minerals that repels moisture and taking in high amounts can also lead to dehydration. Magnesium chloride, which might be found in sea salt are hygroscopic and attract moisture, and helps cell hydrate better. While the addition of aluminum compounds in common table salt so that no moisture remains on the salt does make it look nice, but when taken, it adds aluminum and may cause the body to lose hydration of the cells too.
A simple way without all the complicated visual inspection that I do now and then is to just go to a aquarium fish shop, buy a pack of sea salt for fish aquarium, and open the pack and see if it is clean, and moist looking then I know the mineral contents are good, usually. That's because most sea salt sold for aquarium for fishes have a clear label on the mineral contents as well as pH analysis. While not a perfect analysis, it is better than the unlabeled, "surprise me" sea salt sold in most supermarkets. We take care of our pets healthier than we take care of humans.
5. I am assuming a lot of your remedies should be taken for the duration of symptoms. However, could you be a bit more specific in how long to take something. I am aware that it will vary considerably by each problem.
This is an easy one. Urinary and Salivary pH should always be monitored and stay at least close to about 7, especially the urinary pH (if not for their convenience).
If the value is off, I would know how I should continue and how often. Quite often it is like every other day or every two days with possible exception whenever I am about to be sick and the requirement for bicarbonates suddenly increases.
So it doesn't mean I go cold turkey on alkalization. I have been doing on and off for the last 35 years. So it is not a one shot deal. Our body is in constant change from acid forming food that is so hard to avoid. The one thing I have stacked against me in the past was that pH meter then was unaffordable, it was only recent that I finally be able to find an affordable pH that I know I am really not taking enough bicarbonates as I should or as frequently. Still, the body do need break, and 5 day out of 7 days seems a reasonable one. There is no fixed rules on this one. The only rule that seems to be applicable is to keep the body within a good urinary pH near 7 should be most telling of all.
Ted"

9/26/2007: Linda from Omaha, NE writes: "Ted, thank you for all your great knowledge & advice! I am a bit confused however in reading your advice on vitamins & mineral supplements. In 06 you stated powders and capsules were the best, then in 07 you said that the best thing was to eat raw liver and take fulvic acid. But I do realize your advice may change on occasion with all the new research out there. Since liver is an organ meat, isn't it hard on your liver and kidneys? & doesn't it raise cholesterol? I love liver, but not sure I could do it raw. So are you saying that if we ate raw liver and took some colloidal minerals (fulvic acid) thats all we need? (does the liver have to be raw, if so, why?) What about liquid vitamins? I found some on line (very expensive)don't know if I'm allowed to mention specific names, but here goes, guess you can delete before posting: Its the ones at drucker labs by dr. drucker. They are full of fulvic acids as well. I actually did buy one bottle for our daughter in college who keeps getting sick; tonsilitis, yeast infection, etc. IF pwd. vits. are ok, what are your thoughts on these: http://www.nutritionexpress.com/lindberg+varsity You also mentioned not having to take them everyday; if you notice on the drucker lab vits, they say you should only take them 6 days a week and alternate how much you take them so your system doesn't build an immunity to them. If you really feel all I need is a piece of raw liver and a bottle of colloidal minerals (fulvic acid), then I'm fine with that, plus it's cheap as we get a side of beef every year from a farmer. I also tried the oil pulling; just started, so the jury's still out on how I feel about it. Not sure which I should use, safflower or sunflower? Also, I'm a bit confused on the vinegar thing. Lots of people wrote in saying they have had great improvements with acne from drinking vinegar alone. Then I read that it's high in acid and can cause break outs. So which is it? I also agree with you in regards to ingesting too many oils. I bought Leo's e-book on line for 40.00 and he is pushing lots of oils to balance the hormones, they're good oils, but it's a lot of oils to ingest. I also got Perricone's book and he insists on low glycemic foods, but he also includes a LOT of olive oil in his diet, which I know for a fact causes me to break out. I think he's on the right track for keeping skin young, but again, too much oil and nuts for my skin. He also includes yogurt, cottage cheese & kefir, do you think these are a bad idea for acne? In Leo's e-book he insists the absolute only dairy we should have is kefir goat milk, which we are to make ourselves. Since I don't have access to a goat, I cheated and bought the Kefir at the store, will that cause acne too since it's made from cows milk? He also said egg whites are terrible for acne and we should only eat raw egg yolk, sorry, can't do that either. Your thoughts? If I do the colloidal minerals (fulvic acid) will I get enough minerals so I don't need to add any others? And, would the colloidal minerals help my husbands back? He's had a bad back for 20 years; no relief from chiropractors & he refuses to go to a Dr. only to tell him he has to have surgery. If you advice me to do fulvic and liver only, please tell me how often and what I can give my husband and kids in place of liver for a good vitamin? I'm brave enough to eat it raw, but there is no way they will. Thank you soooo much in advance. Do you take donations? If so, how or where? Thank you again, Linda"

Ted replies, "Linda:
stated powders and capsules were the best, then in 07 you said that the best thing was to eat raw liver and take fulvic acid.
In general most supplements would be o.k. in form of liquid vitamins and mineral supplements, or in softgel forms. The problem here appears to be that the tablet form are really problematic, as the wax substance called magnesium stearate and tricalcium phosphates and other fillers prevent their absorption.
The other thing is if there were precautions to use a softgel capsules, or that the tablets are grounded or chewed, some problems as to raising the mineral status is a real problem.
There's no problem about the vitamins. It's usually the mineral. If you put too much minerals packed in a tablet the chemical interactions with the fillers prevent their absorption as sometimes the mineral components are bounded electrostatically to the tricalcium phosphate. Or that the mineral substances are buried in the waxy magnesium stearate, or that the tablet itself is hydophobic with very thick sugar coat other fillers preventing their eventual solubility needed to get the body to absorb them.
In general, the softgels vitamins or the liquid vitamins are the better form without the worry of calcium, wax, and other fillers preventing their solubility in water. A tablet needs to dissolve itself within 15-30 minutes for the body to make use of the substance.
The other logistic problems concern certain minerals which are best absorbed if given in isolation, otherwise the other competing macromineral blocks their absorption. One peculiar mineral I found that is best absorbed if taken alone, such as manganese or molybdenum.
As to the liver issue, almost century ago in the U.S. there were a coverup by the Rockefellers of the cure for niacin deficiency which cured pellagra on the issue of eugenics and population control. The cure was simple: eat partially cooked liver as it contans vitamin B3. Therefore the liver does work, if budget is tight and there's a need to prevent such a deficiency.
So to decide whether liquid vitamins or liver plus fulvic acid is best, this very much depends on what deficiencies you are dealing with.
If a deficiency is known, liquid vitamins can deal with them, but so can a partially cooked liver. The differences is that the liver have enzymes and thousands of other components not found in ordinary vitamins. To give you a clear example of its importance, I give you an example, of a queen bee that will outlive all worker bees by many times, provided she takes her royal jelly as food. Scientist for years have tried to make an artificial royal jelly instead of a natural royal jelly so that the queen bee can have at least the same life expectancy as the natural royal jelly. The results were dismal and not even close. The queen bee died sooner than the worker bees.
The lesson is when in doubt, take both, but not frequently, to avoid possible excesses. A vitamin or mineral can be taken on a regular basis if the deficiency or the problem of the cause we are trying to preven is known.
Suppose I have a night vision problem. The known vitamins and mineral is the vitamin A and molybdenum. Assuming an unknown deficiency is suspected than both the natural forms (liver & fulvic) and the liquid vitamins might be taken.
In case a general prevention or weakeness is indicated, perhaps a liquid vitamins or a softgel vitamins is preferred, or even a tablet form that is grounded, or a tablet form that is dissolvable in 15-30 minutes, 20 is the time I usually look at when testing a tablet in a glass of water.
In summary, I may take both somewhat conventional vitamins and minerals with partially cooked, liver, which is not raw, and not on a regular basis either. A regular basis is needed when a specific indications is needed to effect a cure. Thus, associated problems from taking too much liver or even excess calcium or bioavaility problems of the man made vitamins are considered.
The other problem of man-made vitamins is most of the vitamins we take are synthetic versions and may not be helpful. In a research where they fed dogs with synthetic vitamins versus a dog not fed with it, the unfed dogs outlived the dogs fed with vitamins. And hence, my propensity to use man made vitamins when I believe there is a need and are taken whenever I am sick, or as possible prevention, but not taken on a regular basis. Liver fulfills the need of the issue that it is a natural form of vitamins. Even a regular vitamin E won't have the same punch as a natural form of vitamin E taken from rice oils. Do you ever see any tocotrienols or oryzanol in your vitamin E supplements? Chances are you will see only dl-alpha tocopherols, or a better quality d-alpha tocopherols. Yet the tocotrienols or oryzanol vitamin E are non existent. I therefore get my vitamin E from my rice oils, available quite cheap on the supermarket shelves to be sold as vegetable oil for cooking. Rice oils are higher quality and I do get people report of sickness from other vegetable oils such as soybean oil and especially corn oil, but never from rice oil, if we consider that vegetable oils are good for low temperature cooking, it would seem fitting they should not be used as cooking anyway. The oils react with starch and sugar to form a cancer causing substance. Coconut oil can withstand high temperature cooking and are more ideally suited, besides its superior ability to resolve constipation as its oils harden at low temperatures limiting their absorption, while lubricating the intestines.
I am not trying to down grade man-made vitamins, but they work at least for me when there is a need. Take for instance, when my dog was dying a couple of years back, one of my first act was to give him a man made vitamins powdered, mixed into his food to resolve the dog's inability to eat and general weaknesses is indicated. After he ate it, his energy returned and I continued to give the dog 2 more days and then stopped. Giving the dog unnecessarily lots of vitamins is good for business, but may not be too good for us, given that research study of giving the dogs regularly resulted in shortened lifespan. It is the same issue with problems associated with given livers and eating that everyday.
The reason why I am not clear on this issue is the complicated problems that lies with the issue of regular supplementation. Even if a person were to be enthusiastic enough to take it regularity, the body always works in cycles and need a rest too, such as 2 days of not taking any supplements at the very least. So the body needs a break. This is done to avoid the Herxheimer effect, but actually the Herxheimer effect is something I managed to be able to avoid by lowering the dose and especially giving the body a break, since the body has a limited capacity on certain mineral and vitamins to absorb it, but especially true is the body limited capacity to detoxify itself going through the usual bureaucratic kidney, liver,sweat gland system for example. If the liver or any other organs is a problem than it is clear that the body's detoxing to be also of limited capacity due to organ damage from long term sickness that is prevalent and hence the common problem of Herx effect in those people - their organs are weak or damaged.
You mentioned of a liquid vitamins with fulvic acid, so that is generally o.k. too but they should be taken when the body becomes weak, suspected weakness, first signs of sickness, or other indicators which may tell the body is in weak condition, such as ORP meter warning that the body's urinary ORP in millivolts exceed -50, or some other things such as urinary pH becomes below 6. Below 5.5 urinary pH the body goes through a burnout phase and the body is susceptible to weaknesses.
Hence, I give equal consideration and flexibility on the use of liver, vitamins, alkalization and antioxidants. I am not here to win at the debat club like some marketers who sell you something. A person who is susceptible to sickness quite often is the zinc and magnesium status being low, and the body is in acidosis, and alkalization is indicated. A sicknesses can be equally problematic if the body's antioxidant level is low, such as vitamin E or vitamin C. One interesting fact I found is people with sinus condition has both low level of blood oxygen and antioxidant levels are also low. This indicates both acidosis and low antioxidant, and not just the the low vitamin status alone.
If you really feel all I need is a piece of raw liver and a bottle of colloidal minerals (fulvic acid), then I'm fine with that, plus it's cheap as we get a side of beef every year from a farmer.
Partially cooked livers are a more reasonable.
I also tried the oil pulling; just started, so the jury's still out on how I feel about it. Not sure which I should use, safflower or sunflower?
Personally for me it's either, since my only real objective is to remove heavy metals at the very least.
I'm a bit confused on the vinegar thing. Lots of people wrote in saying they have had great improvements with acne from drinking vinegar alone. Then I read that it's high in acid and can cause break outs. So which is it?
Traditionally people have been taking vinegar for sickness. But if a long term use an apple cider vinegar with baking soda are chemically better because it resolves the problem of acid. A short term use of apple cider vinegar is o.k., but I won't recommend such use because I get complaints from them all the time, especially in situations where longer term use is indicated. Biochemically, an apple cider vinegar with baking soda is usually better since it doesn't pressure the body or use the body's available bicarbonates to neutralize them so it puts less stress on the body.
I also agree with you in regards to ingesting too many oils. I bought Leo's e-book on line for 40.00 and he is pushing lots of oils to balance the hormones, they're good oils, but it's a lot of oils to ingest. Oils don't balance the hormones, oils and fatty acid blocks hormones functions. Oils are use to help the body attain enough essential fatty acids and certain oils needed by the body. Oils are like a vitamins in a way since omega 3, for example is needed. Somes lacking of oils or balance of oils is what causes drying cracking peeling skins and dandruff problem. Scientists give rats too much oils and fats to block of hormone function.
I also got Perricone's book and he insists on low glycemic foods, but he also includes a LOT of olive oil in his diet, which I know for a fact causes me to break out. I think he's on the right track for keeping skin young, but again, too much oil and nuts for my skin.
Too much oils lowers the immune system by blocking normal hormonal functions involved in immunity of the body. Too little can also do the same thing. I use it whenever there is a skin problem of drying skin, but not oily skin, quite obviously. Oily skin is I found is whenever the body is lacking in zinc, or an imbalance or excesses of certain essential oils happened. One example is too much omega 6, and certain oils that the body has absolutely no use for, such as margarine.
He also includes yogurt, cottage cheese & kefir, do you think these are a bad idea for acne?
Acne is more related to acidosis (oils are all acid by the way e.g. lauric acid is a coconut oil basically), cottage cheese works like an oil emulsifier, but yogurt can sometimes help, yet it is causes acidosis to the body too. They don't help the acne that much. A balance of evening primrose oil (not too much), some flaxseed oil, and some omegat 3 oils, sugar restriction, less acid forming foods, zinc and magnesium helps acne more.
the absolute only dairy we should have is kefir goat milk, which we are to make ourselves.
Most raw milk are generally healthy, because the essential nutrition supplements are not destroyed by heating. However, today's cows are not only GMO, they are also injected with growth hormones, which tends to cause obesity in humans too. Antibiotics and other things used on cows will cause the drinkers to have antibiotic resistance. Provided of course these are commercially produced milk or cows that I think aren't that healthy.
have access to a goat, I cheated and bought the Kefir at the store, will that cause acne too since it's made from cows milk?
Any raw milk where cows are naturally raised is best. I remember the best tasting eggs in Thailand the chickens are fed with some of the best foods there is, and hence the chickens were also healthy.
He also said egg whites are terrible for acne and we should only eat raw egg yolk, sorry, can't do that either.
White yolks are anti-nutrition and prevents absorption of many nutritional vitamins and minerals. For example the white eggs will block the body from absorbing biotin a critical vitamin B which helps diabetes. Chemically speaking white eggs is used as an antidote to food poisoning as the egg white proteins will bind to almost any thing that gets along the way from being absorbed into the body. It's is the same with burnt toasts and milk. If I must drink milk, it should be taken alone, without the other food, the casein component of the milk prevent absorption of nutrition too. Hence anti-nutrients if taken alone are more geared towards detox, such as charcoal, burnt toasts, and white eggs. I would drink milk if need be on an empty stomach, just to be sure that other foods won't get blocked too.
If I do the colloidal minerals (fulvic acid) will I get enough minerals so I don't need to add any others? And, would the colloidal minerals help my husbands back?
I prefer to deal with the problem of bad back rather directly by taken magnesium citrate 250 mg twice a day, five days out of a week, and alkalize to neutralize the pain from the lactic acid buildup in the muscles which brings pain and hence, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda plus if possible 1/8 teaspoon of potassium citrate, in 1/2 glass of water taken twice a day. The bicarbonate will reduce the lactic acid (from excess use of muscles which may cause pain). Vitamin E 400 i.u. every other day will increase circulation through its anti clotting and lowers the body's need for oxygen. As an extra boost, 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 3-6 drops of H2O2 in the morning. I haven't as yet resolved everything relating to muscle pain, but this should be helped greatly. It should be noted that calcium should be cleared from the muscles as calcium in tissue can also cause muscle pain. One way to do that is instead of using the bare minimum of baking soda, another one that helps reduce better is the 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda plus 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid in 1/2 glass of water twice a day. The lemon juice formula, 2 tablespoon of lime or lemon juice plus 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water will help reduce the calcium tissue buildup reducing the pain. It is the citrate form which helps the blood reduce excessive calcium that helps reduce tha muscle pain. It is also important that magnesium citrate, at least from my observation be taken at least twice a day once in the morning 250 mg, and once before bedtime 250 mg. I had one feed back where a woman who had a severe neck pain where she took it three times a day. One in the late afternoon, before sleeping and very early in the morning hours of 4 a.m., plus she was taking some tagamet before sleep (which or cemetidine reduce calcium in the body's tissue), and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda twice a day. However, she also took 10 mg of lithium citrate too before she sleeps. However, most of the muscle pain reduction were mostly from the magnesium. A lemon and baking soda would have been a more natural substitute to reduce calcium buildup than the Tagamet. She told me a significant improvement the next day and almost completely gone on the third day of the pain. It should also be noted that drinking plenty of water and deep breathing exercise helps. Taking plenty of rest during the healing period helps accelerate their recovery. A chiropractor should have recommended taking magnesium and citrates hours before the actual back treatment so that the nutrients magnesium and citrate reaches the targeted area. As to the surgery, that doesn't necessarily stop the pain and might lead to long tem pain from the surgery itself. I have seen many cases that it has actually gotten worse.
If you advice me to do fulvic and liver only, please tell me how often and what I can give my husband and kids in place of liver for a good vitamin?
It can be hidden in liver sausage sandwich as it is somewhat partially uncooked, not the best, but in case they can't handle the liver. Kids I think should try to take occasionally both the vitamins and mineral supplements and liver and fulvic acid now and then. Liver has other nutrients that is not available. As to the frequency once a week for liver if at all possible. I am no cook, but I like to eat them like a barbequed, partially uncooked and redness are in the center of the liver.
I'm brave enough to eat it raw, but there is no way they will.
Partially cooked liver or just liver sausage if at all possible. It's only once a week and can be hidden in many foods or just a simple liver sausage (not the best advice) sandwiches mixed with ground beef. I am no cook, but hidding in there somewhere is at least one way around the problem!
Do you take donations? If so, how or where?
I take donations although I usually don't receive that many, about 2-3 donations a year from earthclinic readers. The donations are either sent through western union, or sent to earthclinic's paypal account and stated that it's sent to Ted.
Ted"

READER QUESTION
5/17/2007: Sylvia from Thompson, MB, Canada writes: "Hello, I have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and hormonal imbalance, after a long struggle and many different chemical prescriptions I found nothing was helping and the chemical intake was in my opinion very unhealthy so I decided to take the natural holistic path and researched natural sources for a natural cure for P.C.O.S. now I am taking Vitamin B HI POTENCY complex, Multivitamin, Zinc, Calcium Magnesium, Flax Oil, Co Enzyme Q10, Chromium, and herbs such as Milk Thistle and Saw Palmetto. Since I have been taking these supplements it's been only about 2 weeks, I'm feeling nauseated. I have a slight feeling I am taking these in the wrong order during the day, I was wondering what would be the proper order to take these supplements without them aggravating one another or creating any kind of conflict in my body."

Ted replies, "Dear Sylvia: Most nauseation is actually due to accumulating influences of certain mineral supplements, and the fact that many of them should not be taken everyday.
It would be more reasonable to get some feel of what mineral is proper for you by doing a hair mineral analysis instead of assuming, if at all possible.
Basically, zinc assuming it is zinc gluconate 50 mg, being at least the common ones here locally, that should be taken about once a week. In my own experience I do see some who need to take it only once every 2 week. But once everyday the body simply cannot handle it.
Vitamin B complex is a water soluble vitamin and usually have no problems taken everyday.
Calcium-Magnesium, most of the problems I encountered is too much calcium. This is often seen in hair mineral analysis where the Ca:Mg ratios is too high. Therefore taken magnesium supplements alone should be safer. However, even for magnesium, depending on the dose, assuming that to be around 250 mg of magnesium citrate(or magnesium gluconate), for example, at least 2-3 times a week dose is sufficient.
Flaxseed oil, the freshness of oil is critical. If the oil is stale, becomes like a glue and no longer liquid, the oil is not good and they do cause nausea. Most oils the body have limited capacity in dealing with, so taken twice to three times a week to be sufficient assuming the dose is between around 500-1000 mg.
As to CoQ10, Chromium, and Milk Thistle, those won't cause a problem. One interesting thing about chromium sold in the market is the dose is quite often too low and as a result taking everyday showed no adverse side effect.
Saw Palmetto is an unusual one for you because those are related more in line with male hormones. While woman do need it sometime, only a doctor would know that. Assuming that is low, the best times to take it is usually before bedtime.
>polycystic ovarian syndrome and hormonal > imbalance
The remedy for polycystic ovarian syndrome and hormonal imbalance usually is iodine, in the form of sodium/potassium iodide about 5/mg day, or kelp supplements taken twice a day, assuming 250 mg/each. The other is to get the body alkaline enough and reduce the calcium buildup, usually taking, 2 times a day 8 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Another possible remedy is 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid in 1/2 glass of water taken twice a day. Usually the buildup of plaque and calcium is what causes these problem, besides the issue of fungus buildup that tends to occur frequently in glandular functions, which by the way chlorella supplements once a day, should do the job better in ridding the excess heavy metals which common whenever the fungus his high causing the body to develop mass fibrosis, for example. Drinking 1/4 teaspoon sea salt in 1 liter of water as a drinking water will also alkalize and cleanse the glandular system, as well as adding so many micromineral the body needs more.
I have observed with polycystic condition usually have high calcium and low iodine at the very least. Molybdenum in some people are nonexistent. The molybdenum I prefer is sodium molybdate, anywhere between 1- 25 mg should be more than sufficient.
Ted"

 
READER QUESTION
4/16/2007: Clyde from pittsburgh, PA writes: "i take a stress tab which is mostly made up of B vitamins. it took about 30 minutes to dissolve in water. is that all right to take in the water with a meal? thanks, clyde"

Ted replies, "Yes, it can be taken along with meals as it is better absorbed when taken."

READER QUESTION
3/7/2007: Josh writes, "Mr. Nabadalung, a.k.a. Ted: I am a huge fan. Obviously, your knowledge of health is incredible. I have a question: I am seventeen years old, and play basketball. I also lift weights for basketball, and do many plyometrics, (jumping exercises.) *What supplements would you most recommend for me?* Also, do you believe in metabolic typing? And do you recommend magnetic underlays/sheets for sleeping to reduce pain and go to sleep easier? Thanks a lot, I am extremely excited to hear back from you! Josh"

Ted replies: "Dear Josh:
I also lift weights for basketball, and do many plyometrics, (jumping exercises.) *What supplements would you most recommend for me?*
Most body builders will take about 4-8 grams of L-glutamine a day, plus some L-Cysteine of similar amounts. Certain amino acids such as L glycine will be taken about 4-6 grams before sleep. The vitamin B3 niacinamide only is taken at 250 mg. Vitamin B5 and vitamin B8 at 500 mg. each. The most important to build muscles, is vitamin D4 or a more available vitamin D3. In a month muscles would buildup. The dose is often between 20,000 i.u. to 40,000 i.u. The most important regimen is people who do sports suffer invariably from immunity problems and constant acidosis.
The best remedy that I can tell you so far is baking soda, taken about 1 teaspoon in the morning mixed in water and another teaspoon taken before sleep. It is good that you take sports drink, WITH the potassium in their ingredients, just read the labels. B3 B5, B8, L glutamine, l cysteine will give you energy. There are others but those are what I have tested an experiment that were proven to give energy.
do you believe in metabolic typing?
No. I believe in NOT eating bad Standard American Diets. Basically all research have found out that high fatty foods and high sugar are the worse. However for athletes, fatty and oily foods prevent and blocks hormone production. Avoid them like the plague, as it prevents efficient metabolic processes. I have never found anyone getting cured or remission of any kind of disease, be it lupus, colds from metabolic typing. The theory are just assumption. Anyone who eat metabolic typing, when I examine their tried blood samples never really improved. I think it is a farce since no research in Medical library online can actually prove the existence of metabolic typing.
And do you recommend magnetic underlays/sheets for sleeping to reduce pain and go to sleep easier.
Yes. I would use magnetic underlays sheets etc. However, the magnetic must be of North. A good way is to get a compass. If the compass points North. You got the correct one. North is anti inflammatory. I have spent months doing research on bean sprout growth and its influence on magnets. I can happily conclude that what they are saying about magnets is very true. N only magnets works the best. S only magnet work the second best. N and S mixed worked the third best. The difference between each ones are 50% different between each other in terms of its effect on growth.
Basically here is the growth pattern: 4 inches bean sprout N only magnet 2 inches bean sprout S only magnet 1 inch beans sprouts N and S mixed 1/4 each bean spouts no magnetic fields. Non magnetic metals near an electromagnetic device tends to such energy out of you. But a magnetic on the body or charged in drinking water works the best. A slight improvement in blood pressure was noticed after drinking magnetized water. The study I did was a double blind one also.
The biggest problem about athletes is pain management. Magnets help, but then so does magnesium supplements 250 mg and vitamin C, sodium ascorbate preferably. Healing is related to vitamin C, zinc and magnesium. Zinc is related to the immunity system, about 50 mg every 2 week is sufficient. I have noticed an Australian who bought or taken baking soda 1 teaspoon a day, has caused his body to be somewhat athletic in build also. Ted"

3/7/2007: Josh writes again: "Are there certain high sugar fruits/vegetables that you recommend to stay away from? Also, you talked about not eating high fatty foods either, because they block hormone production: What about virgin coconut oil/olive oil/walnuts? so if i get a magnetic underlay, i should ask if the magnetic field points north?"

Ted replies, "If it tastes sweet, it is likely to be high in sugar. The main culprit at least for me are the fruit juices. Eating whole fruits would prevent most of the problem with the exception of eating pineapples.
Also, you talked about not eating high fatty foods either, because they block hormone production: What about virgin coconut oil/olive oil/walnuts?
Any oils if taken too much are not good for you. But what is so nice about coconut oil is it is poorly absorbed as its melting points seems to be solid in room temperature all the time. Those hardly block it. It is the lighter and nimble oils that gets into every nook and cranny of the capillaries, tiny blood vessels in the glandular systems, and the liver, or pancreas for example that actually block it. The thicker the oil, the safer it is. But as in life taking too much of everything is not good for you. Personally I believe 1 tablespoon of coconut oil is more than enough, but most people tend to take about 2 tablespoons.
so if i get a magnetic underlay, i should ask if the magnetic field points north?
Yes. They work the best"

READER QUESTION
12/20/2006: Linda from Higbo, MO writes, "Just found your website so this question may have already been answered. If your daily vitamin doesn't dissolve completely in water within 15-20 minutes will it work to wait until it dissolves (or to pulverize it) and then drink it?"

Ted replies, "Linda: If a tablet doesn't dissolve in 15-20 minutes, it is best to pulverized it and mixed them in water. This way the tablet will be more bioavailable. Ted"

READER QUESTION
12/20/2006: Mary from Brooksville, FL writes, "I am a new visitor. I am just beginning to try different things from this site such as ACV, molasses, baking soda, coconut oil, etc. I find this site so helpful. I will report more when I see results. The tea tree oil, lavender and aloe does help with itching scalp. I have gone to herbalists but they have you taking so much at such great expense and with minimal results if any at all. What I would love to know but have been unable to find out: Is there a way to know what supplements are beneficial to take daily or routinely and what supplements should be taken occasionally based upon age and weight?"

Ted replies, "It should be based upon minimum dosage and how the body responds, positive or negative, and we increase or decrease accordingly. Children in general is usually half of the adult dose. As to the weight thing, there is no clear grounds, but what I do know is people with more weight need much more alkaline forming foods and this dose is weight dependent, including the baking soda too but not absolutely since the length of the intestines is still the same, for equal height. Ted"

READER QUESTION
11/29/2006: Suzie from HB writes, "Another quick question... What is to much? I take a whole food supplement everyday... 17 fruits and veggies in capsule form... ACV once a day, (would like to take it twice a day but don't know where to fit it in), Psyllium and O.J., Coconut oil, sometimes 2 t. of An employee at local health food store (Mothers Market) to me not to take Psyllium everyday... She said you can become dependent on it... Is this true? And if so, how often is not to often? Thank you, it does the trick! When is to much to much? Just a quick question... What is to much? I take a whole food supplement everyday... 17 fruits and veggies in capsule form... ACV once a day, (would like to take it twice a day but don't know where to fit it in), Psyllium and O.J., Coconut oil, sometimes 2 t. of lecithin... Am I over doing it? Or can it be harmful to mix any of these? Oh! Also Magnesium & calcium... ... Am I over doing it? Or can it be harmful to mix any of these? Oh! Also Magnesium & calcium... Thank you! I love this website and appreciate your feedback!"

Ted replies, "Suzie: How much is too much?
Simple. Your body needs a vacation just like you work for 5 days out of the week. Take any supplements you wish, but take it only 4 days out of the week is ideal.
Baking soda is missing from your diet. The body needs to control the pH, if pH is not controlled, certain biochemicals in your becomes toxic if they are too acid.
For ACV you can take between 3-5 days out of the week, with 4 being the best overall average.
Give your body a vacation, at least 2-3 days/week is ideal, based on my own personal experience. Ted"

READER QUESTION
11/18/2006: Jon from Chantilly, VA writes, "Ever heard of vitamins causing TMJ Dysfunction. Tried all kinds usually with magnesium stearate and silica as fillers. After a couple of weeks, my jaw can't move and teeth are misaligned. Stop the vits and it goes away."

Ted replies, "Jon: The cause of TMJ in my opinion is often a magnesium deficiency since people who have this condition also have tinnitus. In other conditions it is food allergies, gluten issue, and salicylates. However I have observed people also had vitamin B complex and manganese deficiencies and after supplementing this the conditions are either lessened or gone after a couple of weeks.
The best form of magnesium is magnesium citrate, magnesium gluconate, or magnesium chloride. As to the vitamins, it is often low quality of vitamins and getting them in a pure form is often better since some people might be allergic of chemical additives as being the greater likelihood. Ted"

READER QUESTION
11/16/2006: Joe from Peoria, AZ writes, "Hi. I have a question for Ted. I've noticed that you often recommend taking lecithin. You say to take it before meals. I was just wondering, how should I take it? Do I dissolve it in water? Sprinkle it on the food? I'm sure you don't mean just eat it off the spoon, right? Also, what is your opinion on lecithin pills? Are they fine to take, or should I just stick to the granular stuff? Finally, is there any problem with using "soy lecithin" supplements? One store I went to only had that type. If not, what exactly should I look for? Thanks for all your help, Ted."

Ted replies, "Dear Joe: If you take lecithin before meals, the body can rid of excess fats from the food you eat better when you do eat. To dissolve lecithin in water is not easy. They are very sticky. Sprinkle on food is o.k. too so that the body will handle the fatty food better. However if I suggest to you to take it on an empty stomach then that means you take it directly by the tablespoon. In this case, I used this to remove heavy metals from the body.
Also, what is your opinion on lecithin pills? Are they fine to take, or >should I just stick to the granular stuff?
The pill kinds are oil and they don't have as much lecithin content as the old granulated kind. In fact one gram granulated lecithin is equal to about 6 grams of those liquid kind. Therefore you get higher quality lecithin using the granulated kinds.
Finally, is there any problem with using "soy lecithin" supplements?
The granulated lecithin type are often soy type. So this is the correct one. Ted"

READER QUESTION
10/19/2006: Darrel from Toronto writes, "There's tons of vitamins and mineral pills out there that are totally confusing. What does Ted recommend for someone to take for every daily use weather its pills or drinks etc.... Thanks"

Ted replies, "Dear Darrel: You will be happy (or sad) to know that a few of them do work. For the most part, all vitamins in tablet forms have almost no value since they added fillers which prevent the from dissolving and hence absorption.
Most vitamins will NOT dissolve in a glass of water within 15 minutes which is the same amount of time it stays in your stomach. If the vitamins are color coated, it is likely to look coated, but without the nice color right down the toilet.
So you want to know what vitamins I take? You will not like it. I take them in powdered form ONLY. And to do this I buy them from a chemical suppliers directly. To consume it I always dissolve them in a glass of water. This is why I never endorse any specific brands of vitamins. They generally don't work. So if you are lucky enough to buy any vitamins the form of vitamin is most important, preferably in soft gel capsules, never in tablet form.
If on the other hand you are unlucky and have bought the tablet vitamins already, the best suggestion I can tell you is get the mortal and pestle, grind them to powder and mix it with the food you eat. This is how livestock animals are fed with vitamins and this is still the most effective ways of taking them as it is best absorbed generally when taken with food.
There might be some exceptions, such as manganese, which seems to be best absorbed on an empty stomach. Ted"

READER QUESTION TO TED:
9/20/2006: Rita from St. Petersburg, FL writes, "Ph Level High, Need to lower it -- very nervous. My husband died 3 Aug 06. Very stress out, trying to maintain health need direction of how to keep a normal ph balance urine, also taking primrose oil for skin problems, 55 years of age weight 110, need to take the correct dosage of vitamins. I feel like the vitamins and distilled water recommended by health food places made my ph level acidic. Help"

Ted replies, "Dear Rita: Drink regular water or mineral water. Drinking distilled water will quickly deplete him of the needed pH buffer. So take some baking soda plus citric acid (1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid) Take once in morning, and once in evening. The pH should be in an acceptable range. Try to avoid coral calcium, as the older you are the more you need the magnesium. Therefore take magnesium citrate and zinc acetate supplements. Other forms of magnesium is magnesium gluconate and magnesium chloride are acceptable. Ted"

8/22/2006: Ben from Scottsdale, AZ writes, "I would like to ask Ted about the efficacy of multivitamin/mineral supplements. Firstly, are "whole food" vitamins preferable to regular vitamins, and does it help to choose a formula with digestive enzymes to improve bioavailability? Also, how important are the amounts of individual vitamins and minerals in the formula and their sources? For example, I see some brands that use "chelated minerals", and some brands that either include too much of one vitamin/mineral or not enough. Many seem to be far below the RDA amounts. How do you overcome these imbalance? I was using the typical centrum or one-a-day type vitamins, but later found they were not dissolving. I even talked to a septic tank pumper who said that he finds literally hundreds of undissolved vitamin pills in waste matter. So then I switched to a capsule brand from a health food store, but I'm still finding it difficult to find a formula that is both reasonably complete and balanced and that has minerals from non-carbonate and non-oxide sources for better absorption.One more thing, Is it better to choose a more comprehensive multivitamin that requires two or more tabs/caps a day versus a one-daily type? Because someone told me that a multi-dose vitamin is not very effective unless the doses are spread out over the day to improve bioavailability."

Ted replies, "Usually natural vitamin sources are the best. "Whole foods" are good, but often get destroyed in cooking. So if whole food, it has to be raw organically grown. If not, then it has to be washed with weak hydrogen peroxide to rid of pesticides. The problem about certain foods is the high heavy metals, which makes hydroponically grown food better. Also what kinds of feed are given to livestock animal are important for whole foods to work. Vitamins in generally are poorly absorbed. I have instances of seeing mothers giving zinc supplements for years and the levels never went up because it was given in tablet form.
Also how important are the amounts of individual vitamins and minerals in the formula and their sources? For example,I see some brands that use "chelated minerals",and some brands that either include too much of one vitamin /mineral or not enough.
Chelated mineral is actually a fancy name for metal oxide or mineral compound mixed in pure amino acid. Since amino acid are good chelators of metals anyway, it instantly becomes chelated. Or in simple language, buy a _______s Amino acid soy sauce (more like your Japanese Kikkoman soy sauce) and ground the Centrum supplement and you get instant chelated mineral. Since you ground the tablet form, its bioavailability just suddenly increases. Another way to deal with this is simply to consider all soy sauce an amino acid supplement, since they are fermented rich in amino acids and eat all your food with it. It will instantly increase the bioavailability of all the foods you eat. And your food suddenly becomes "chelated" increasing the biovailability of most anything.
Many seem to be far below the RDA amounts. How do you overcome these imbalances? I was using the typical centrum or one-a-day type vitamins,but later found they were not dissolving ,I even talked to a septic tank pumper who said that he finds literally hundreds of undissolved vitamin pills in waste matter.
Therapeutic levels are several times the RDA. You need to buy them separate to get above RDA or buy them in bulk and make them yourself. Manganese is a strange mineral. You need to take them alone, generally speaking, since it is poorly absorbed. And the best form for this is manganese sulfate. Other forms are a real problem. Adding soy sauce should help increase bioavailability, as in all minerals if you are forced to do so, like I did.
Because someone told me that a multi-dose vitamin is not very effective unless the doses are spread out over the day to improve bioavailability.
True, but it is best taken in crushed powdered from. Do not take it in tablet is your best approach. Sometimes taken throughout the day is not a good idea, especially if we talk about zinc, which is best taken once a week. Ted"

READER QUESTION
7/31/2006: Dona from Colville, WA writes, "Hi, I'm new to your web site and appreciate it a lot. Q: I've noticed that 99% of all vitamin supplements have added magnesium stearate and am wondering WHY and if this will cause an imbalance of magnesium? Thank you for your time. :) Dona"
Ted responds, "Dona: Magnesium stearate is a stearic acid with magnesium ions attached. It is used as fillers in vitamin capsules to prevent sticking during vitamin production. It also gives the vitamin tablets its waxy appearance and it melts at 88 degrees celsius.
As a result, any vitamin tablets with magnesium stearate will reduce bioavailability of the vitamins as it reduces the ability for vitamin to dissolve in your stomach. Just imagine eating a candle mixed with vitamins and you get the picture.
I will always try to avoid any vitamins with magnesium stearate, not only does it prevent the absorption of the vitamins by reducing the solubility, magnesium stearate alone cannot be used as a nutrition either. The only best thing I can say about magnesium stearate is to prevent or reduce constipation a little bit by providing some lubricating effect to your intestines, however this is so minor, it is not even worth using. When I take vitamins I go the old fashion way. I take them in either powder form or take vitamins in soft capsules. They get dissolve faster.
A test for bioavailability is to put your vitamin supplements in a glass of water. If the entire tablets will dissolve in less than 10-15 minutes then it is o.k. This is the approximate length of time an average vitamin spends its time in your stomach. So by the time it reaches the intestines, vitamin should be absorbed. Now for the bad news: no vitamins I have ever tested in tablet form passed the test. Capsules do, but not entirely.
The one form of vitamin that does pass the test is the most obvious ones, a vitamin in powder form and dissolve them yourself. This is what I do.
Parents have often come screaming at me all the time that they cannot raise their child's zinc or magnesium levels despite two years of supplementation.
The answer is simple, two fillings that seems to be interfering with absorption is the magnesium stearate, and also tricalcium phosphate. Therefore, it is best to avoid tablet form of vitamin altogether. The reason I know this fact is I used to moonlight making these vitamin tablets and just knew that companies don't care whether it is bioavailability, all the want is to get those numbers (mg. of minerals, or vitamins) show on the packaging since this is how consumers judge the quality of the vitamins.
The funny thing about bioavailable vitamins that manufacturers fear a lot is that people don't need to take them everyday. And as soon as they take it for the entire month, I found myself recommend them to pare of taking it and take only either once a week or two week and sometimes once a month. So in terms of sales, you can see why manufacturers rather give you an oxide form so that you can take them forever, without raising the mineral levels. It helps with sales, two years of sales is not bad, compared to a more bioavailable one which roughly calculates to only one month's sales for a better quality one. I make a very bad salesman, if you ask me. So that is why I avoid doing this kind of "vitamin business" altogether.
Here is the proper way (to be fair with everyone):
1. Vitamin and minerals should dissolve in 10-15 minutes in glass of water. Tricalcium phosphate often blocks absorption. Magnesium stearate will slow solubility and also block vitamin absorption.
2. Powder form is generally the best, followed by soft capsules, and tablets that dissolve in less than 15 minutes in the glass. Soft capsules usually will be better than tablets because to get tablets in their "form" the machine must be pressed heavily, making them quite invulnerable often even to moisture.
3. Absolutely avoid all ingredients in oxide form. Oxide forms of mineral include magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, etc. They don't dissolve in water and will generally stay in their original form. It is poorly absorbed. The second worse form is carbonate form of mineral, such as magnesium carbonate, zinc carbonate, etc. These are also poorly soluble. Aspartate are soluble, but they are toxic of the likes similar in some ways to aspartame, such as magnesium aspartate. Generally the best form are also the hardest ones you can find, minerals in the form of citrate, bicarbonates, and chloride. These has been my favorites.
Therefore, it is best to generally avoid magnesium stearate that is used in fillings. If you INSIST in using it, then may I suggest you get the tablet and pound them in mortal and pestle so they become powder. Take this ALONG with the food you eat or mix it with the food. This is the best way to work around a problem, make them into powder form again. I know the kids won't like the powder, so you just hide them in honey, molasses, or strong food with strong taste. You just have to get your vitamin to go stealth. Ted"