Apple Cider Vinegar

WHAT IS IT? 

Nearly everyone has heard of apple cider vinegar (ACV). As the name implies, it is made from the fermentation of apple cider. Yeast is added to the cider which begins the fermentation process – making it into ethanol (alcohol). Bacteria that have formed in the solution then turn it into acetic acid (vinegar). Water is usually added and there you have apple cider vinegar! This process can take several months. When it is not strained, a sediment remains which is called “mother”. This is purported to be the healthiest part of the ACV, but that is debatable.

Like a “liquid duct tape,” it is often considered to be the end-all-be-all cure for nearly everything. You can use it as a medicinal remedy, in recipes, and even use it to clean things around your house! Many of its medicinal properties are likely due to its probiotic properties.

HISTORY: Apple cider vinegar may have been used as far back as Ancient Greece for wound healing.

PROPERTIES: Probiotic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antifungal, and antioxidant properties (darker vinegars)

CONSIDERED USES

Respiratory: Apple cider vinegar preparations may reduce ear infections and decrease inflammation and itching

Cardiovascular: May help reduce blood pressure, may decrease varicose veins, support in heart disease

Gastrointestinal: May help prevent heartburn or GERD 1-2 tsp in 1 c warm water after a meal (but do not use with ulcerative disease), halitosis (bad breath), digestion problems,

Genitourinary: PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)

Musculoskeletal: May help with osteoporosis because it enhances calcium absorption, increases muscle efficiency, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis

Skin: Disinfectant, nail fungus, acne (diluted), jellyfish stings, dandruff, eczema, an exfoliant, insect bites

Glucose: May modestly improve blood sugar and insulin levels and increase insulin sensitivity (1 1/2 tbsp after a meal)

Cholesterol: Helps lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels may help decrease bad cholesterol (LDL and triglycerides) and increase good cholesterol (HDL)

Immunity: Reportedly helps increase immunity

Cancer: Possibly helps in warding off cancer

Infectious Disease: N/A

Other: Weight loss; may increase metabolism, vitamin B complex, head lice, decrease salmonella in your food, possibly helps with candida or chronic yeast in the body, and jellyfish stings. ACV is also rich in B and C vitamins, in minerals potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, organic fluorine, silicon, and a number of trace minerals that are healthy for us. May help with odiferous feet.

Side Effects: May cause burning of the mouth and esophagus, increase tooth sensitivity, tooth enamel erosion, and tooth decay. It may lower potassium levels, stomach upset, may lower sugar levels, may lower blood pressure, acid reflux, hypokalemia, chemical burns, topical irritation, pancreatitis

Caution/Contraindications: Diabetes and diabetic medications, high blood pressure and blood pressure medications, diuretics, laxative use, stomach ulcers, may cause chemical burns if applied directly to the skin, contraindicated in kidney disease.

Forms: Powders, gummies, hair rinse (liquid - -dilute), capsules, pills, wraps (1 c water and 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar), and gummies. Liquid tends to be more effective than other forms because it tends to contain more acetic acid than the other forms. Be sure to drink plenty of water after taking ACV – especially after pills and capsules.

Dosage: As directed

The following are reported doses and may NOT be supported by evidence (reported by various sources i.e. WebMD, RxList, Epocrates, ConsumerLabs, German Commission E). Read dosages and instructions carefully when available on the label.

• Obesity: 15 ml by mouth 2 times daily or 1/2 to 1 tbsp of ACV diluted in 8 ounces of warm water after meals

• Ear Problems: ACV to warm water 1:1-let sit in the ear for 5 minutes. Do NOT use if you have ear tubes or a punctured eardrum (may work as antibacterial or antifungal). You can also use this combination if you suspect impacted ear wax (blockage). Flush with warm water after letting ACV sit in the ear canal for 5 minutes. NOT ALL APPLE CIDER VINEGAR IS CREATED EQUAL. Read on.

• Note: There are two different types of apple cider vinegar: Filtered and unfiltered. Unfiltered (also called "apple cider vinegar with mother") is considered the more beneficial type of apple cider vinegar. When apple cider vinegar is not filtered, there are substances floating around in it called "mother". These substances include helpful yeast and bacteria - similar to some probiotics - as well as other good constituents: Labelled between 4-6% acidity

• Apple cider vinegar's acidity can be too high or too low. Ideally, you want more than 4% and less than 6% (high can cause health problems; too low can be generally less effective).