Kidney stones are an extremely painful condition that sends sufferers on a mission to find immediate relief. Home remedies, such as taking apple vinegar pills, are a common choice because they're easy to get your hands on. However, vinegar pills carry numerous side effects, and there is no evidence to indicate they will get rid of kidney stones. These pills may help to prevent kidney stones, but they won't act as a cure.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones form when materials in the urine clump together and make crystals. According to PubMed Health, common substances that do this include struvite, uric acid and calcium oxalate. When urine becomes too concentrated from being dehydrated or from being held for too long, kidney stones can develop. Typical symptoms include pain in the sides and the back, painful urination, bloody urine, nausea, upset stomach and vomiting.
Alkaline Theory
According to "Alkalize or Die" by natural health expert Thomas Baroody, Ph.D., kidney stones are caused by urine that's too acidic, and he says that this can be remedied by drinking apple cider vinegar or taking apple vinegar pills. According to Dr. Baroody, the vinegar will make your urine more alkaline. Unfortunately, this doesn't act as a treatment for active kidney stones, and it only works as a preventative in an environment that's unfavorable for the development of kidney stones.
Apple Vinegar Pills
Drinking apple vinegar or taking apple vinegar pills can cause some negative effects. For instance, according to researchers at the University of Arkansas, consuming vinegar in any form on a regular basis can cause mouth and throat irritation and stomach upset, and it may aggravate ulcers. Drug interactions are also possible, so it's best to avoid apple vinegar pills if you take insulin or diuretics.
Warnings
Beyond the standard side effects of apple cider vinegar, pills that contain vinegar can cause additional health problems. According to the University of Arkansas researchers, some apple vinegar pills on the market don't even contain vinegar, making them completely useless for helping to prevent kidney stones. On the other hand, some brands of apple vinegar pills contain large amounts of acetic acid, which could cause more severe side effects, such as burns to the throat.
References
- "Alkalize or Die"; Theodore A. Baroody, D.C., N.D., Ph.D.; 1991
- University of Arkansas Newswire; Apple Cider Vinegar? Or Just Acid?; April 2006
- PubMed Health: Kidney Stones
