Many websites advertise for apple vinegar - fluid or tablets - being
the ultimate help in losing weight, as well as easing arthritis. I am
interested in other than websites , experience if possible - on the
subjects. Do you know anybody who thus benefited from apple vinegar,
or trustworthy  laboratory tested results of thereof? Thanks.

Are you referring to apple cider vinegar?  If so, it certainly works
for soothing sore throats; other than that, I haven't personally
experienced other benefits.

This is a quote from Registered Dietitian and author Elizabeth Somer:

"A few vinegar pills...won't do one bit of good in helping you lose
weight either. This old diet fad dates back to the 1970s, when a
combination of apple cider, kelp, vitamin B-6, and lecithin was touted
as the miracle cure for weight loss. The rationale for this concoction
was that it tricked your body's metabolism. According to the claims,
lecithin emulsified body fat, B-6 metabolized the loosened fat, kelp
supplied iodine to stimulate the thyroid gland to manufacture more
thyroxin to speed metabolism, and vinegar supplied potassium. Like
salad dressings where oil and vinegar don't mix, this was supposed to
help rid the body of fat.

There is no scientific basis, or even rational reason, for any of these claims."

http://www.chasefreedom.com/applecidervinegar.html

From a pharmacist:

"After having received dozens of questions concerning apple cider
vinegar and its miraculous weight loss properties, I decided to do my
own research and here is what I found...
All weight loss you may experience while using this product is due
merely to the osmotic diarrhea it causes, not to mention the potential
for GI upset due to its acidity. I'd advise my patients against its
use, unless of course they need a natural alternative to Senekot to
treat their constipation, but that's a rant in and of itself."

http://www.geocities.com/diktator99/pharmacy_news.html

Dear carmi604,

There is dietary evidence that has been accepted and used in some
countries that is based on a Glycemic Index theory.  This index is
useful for distinquishing between types of carbohydrates and the
effect that they have on the release of glucose into the bloodstream. 
There is evidence that managing your blood glucose level can aid in
weight matenance, and even loss.

If one is using this method vinegar can be useful as it can reduce the
'glycemic load' of a carbohydrate, and lengthen the time it takes fore
the  available glucose to be released into your blood.

You can find some information at these sites.

http://www.mendosa.com/dws-gi.htm
http://www.glycemicindex.com/

I have found the Glycemic Index to be very useful in understanding the
food value of different carbohydrates, and it has been usefull to me
in weightloss.
If you are interested in this topic I would suggest that you read the
book The New Glucose Revolution

http://www.diabetesnet.com/ishop/product_info.php?products_id=412

Good luck
Peggy bill
--Google Researcher--