Baking Soda Vs Sodium Bicarbonate

Posted by Jay (Salem, OR) on 09/28/2007

Dear Sir; I've appreciated your knowledgable input on so many of the health issues brought up on this site.

Recently, in order to address a severe gout problem that developed after I had cancer surgery on my kidney, I began drinking 1-tsp of baking soda mixed with 8-oz. of water. I've been on this so-called remedy for three days now, but the gout persists, just not as painful.

In reading some of the remedies posted for other health issues, the use of baking soda was also referenced. On a recent post, a lady from Australia pointed out that baking soda and sodium bicarbonate are being confused with one another. She points out that the product being referred to is rightly sodium bicarbonate and not baking soda. As far as I'm aware, these are two different products so I'm hoping for some clarification from you. When "baking soda" is referenced, should I presume the product being referenced is actually "sodium bicarbonate"? Thank you for your willingness to help others.

Replied by Ted
Bangkok, Thailand
391 posts

Baking soda is a common name for Sodium bicarbonate. The whole confusion is actually the baking powder, which has some cream of tartar and not recommended for use.

A severe gout problem will reduce to some extent with baking soda as mentioned. However uric acid are directly soluble whenever a small amount of lithium carbonate is taken, which is 1/10 of the dose of what is given to people with bipolar disorders. The dose is seen to be about 10 to 20 mg given before sleep, but must be well diluted with water so that the uric acid dissolves. Uric acid is not soluble in water but they re soluble in presence of some alkalinity, but especially lithium carbonate, or perhaps other forms of lithium such as lithium citrate. The key is for me to start with a low dose such as 5 mg, and then maybe a gradual buildup to 20. 10-15 mg/day taken before sleep appears to be a more reasonable dose, based on my observations.

The key to uric acid, again based on my own experience, for some reason research is so corrupted, this is what I have to do. But it appears most uric acid comes from shells, clams, oysters, and coffee,being the most prolific on dietary uric acid. It goes off the charts whenever that happens.


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