Apple Cider Vinegar and Arthritis

JayneN

As well as being traditionally used as a weight loss supplement, apple cider vinegar (ACV) has many properties that are valuable to the relief of arthritis. The goody bag of minerals and vitamins that naturally make ACV special include:
• potassium
• calcium
• magnesium
• phosphorus
• chlorine
• sodium
• sulphur
• copper
• iron
• silicone
• fluorine
• vitamin C
• vitamin A
• vitamin E
• vitamin B1
• vitamin B2
• vitamin B6

Of the above list of 17 ingredients, no fewer than 10 are specifically beneficial to arthritis. They are:
o Potassium (KBr) Aids tissue repair and helps to ease stiff joints.

o Calcium (Ca) Helps to maintain healthy bones and is beneficial in the prevention of Osteoporosis.

o Phosphorus (P) Plays an important role in the repair of cells and tissues.

o Copper (Cu) Strengthens the musculatory system and has anti-inflammatory properties. It also plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system.

o Iron (Fe) Iron deficiency is a common factor in restless leg syndrome, a side effect of Fibromyalgia. It provides strength to the immune system, and is useful in the treatment of insomnia, a common side-effect of all forms of arthritis.

o Silicon (Sn) Aids flexibility of joints in the production of collagen. It also improves the quality of nails which is an important factor of Psoriatic Arthritis.

o Vitamin C Aids cellular repair and helps the body to absorb iron.

o Vitamin A Also known as Beta Carotene helps the function of the immune system.

o Vitamin B1 Also known as Thiamine, promotes good cognitive function, this is beneficial to Fibromyalgia and Lupus sufferers. Thiamine deficiency can lead to depression.

o Vitamin B6 Also known as Pyridoxine is valuable for the nerves which is excellent news for sufferers of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It is also valuable to the function of the immune system.

As well as the usual joint pain and bone damage arthritis carries many forms and attacks its victims in many different ways. This can be anything from anaemia, which is common to rheumatoid arthritis sufferers to migraine in lupus sufferers and uveitis (a painful eye condition) in ankylosing spondylitis.

Below are listed a few forms of arthritis that benefit from the use of apple cider vinegar, and a very brief description of each condition. More information can be gained from arthritis-support.wikispaces.com.

Ankylosing Spondylitis – is a genetic autoimmune disease that mainly affects younger men usually in the spine.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – the nerves in the wrist become compressed and cause inflammation and pain.

Fibromyalgia – is a chronic condition that causes widespread joint pain throughout the body.

Gout – caused by uric acid building up and entering the bloodstream where it is deposited as crystals in the extremities, usually the big toe causing extreme pain.

Lupus – is an auto-immune disease that has genetic links and has many symptoms.

Psoriatic Arthritis - associated with the skin condition psoriasis, is a chronic and painful form of widespread erosive arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis – is a genetic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and pain in joints.

It is important when buying ACV that the ‘mother’ of the vinegar is present. The ‘mother’ is actually the aceatobactors in the vinegar that are relevant to the vinegar making process. It is full of living bacteria and active enzymes and nutrients that are vital to the restorative properties of the vinegar. It rests as a sediment in the bottom of the bottle and looks like tiny brown cob-webs when held up to the light. Don’t let this put you off! It’s the best bit and when shaken the vinegar should look murky and browny-yellow coloured. The clear vinegars are only good for putting onto chips.

There are several ways to take ACV. It is important to know that you should NEVER DRINK NEAT ACV. For a start it tastes as bad as it smells, plus it can burn your throat and take the enamel off your teeth!

The easiest and manly way is to add to water 4:1, that’s 4 parts water and 1 part ACV. The nicest way is to add a little honey to sweeten the mix a little. As the saying goes a spoonful of sugar really does help the medicine to go down! The good news is it’s also available in tablet and capsule form; I can’t vouch for their effectiveness without the ‘mother’ though.

Hippocrates, the ‘Father of Medicine’ was said to have taken cider vinegar with honey for its health benefits way back in 400 BC. So if it was good enough for him...

stickywicket

Or just put the vinegar on your chips, eat the nice crunchy apple and sup the cider.

keith1971

I actually have a couple of tablespoons a day, not to help arthritis, just for general health.

Unfortunately tastes more vinegar than cider!

JayneN

Hi Stickywicket

stickywicket wrote:

Or just put the vinegar on your chips, eat the nice crunchy apple and sup the cider.

Hi Keith 1971

keith1971 wrote:

Unfortunately tastes more vinegar than cider!

How do you take your apple cider vinegar?

Personally I think its a case of "who dares wins" with apple cider vinegar.


JayneN

katie5

hi

i too have heard ACV is good for arthritis - just a word of warning though watch out for acid erosion of your lovely nashers!

i'm with stickywicket on this one - vinegar on chips just can't beat it.

katie x

keith1971

I drink a tablespoon full in a glass of water twice a day.

x

JayneN

Hi Katie

Vinegar on chips is good. I don't think ACV will have quite the same taste as a good old malt though do you?

JayneN

JayneN

Keith 1971
What a trouper! Drinking ACV not once but twice a day! :shock: What benefits have you noticed - if you don't mind my asking?

JayneN

dreamdaisy

Doesn't Sir Ranulph Fiennes swear by it too? Surely if these things worked effctively rheumatologists and osteo surgeons would not be as busy as they are. I think the 'benefits' of this all depends on what type of arthritis assails one and how badly. DD

JayneN

Hi DreamDaisy

dreamdaisy wrote:

Surely if these things worked effctively rheumatologists and osteo surgeons would not be as busy as they are. I think the 'benefits' of this all depends on what type of arthritis assails one and how badly.

Housewife remedies have been used for centurys, and isn't it true that many of our drugs both OTC and prescribed are based on natural ingredients such as ACV?

Don't get me wrong I am not selling ACV or anything like that, I am simply one of the many who suffer from arthritis (PA) and fibromyalgia who thinks along the lines of 'anything that might help even the tiniest bit is good'.

JayneN

elnafinn

ACV did nothing for me, healthwise - I am the fool for continuing to take it for years, but I do use it in cooking occasionally and when I make a garlicky salad dressing which is divine It is the operations I have had, the meds, plus years of stretching exercises that have kept me as mobile as I am.

I know of one person who religiously drank ACV and put his good health all down to that. He is unfortunately no longer here now to tell his tale.

Elna x

JayneN

Hi Elnafinn

elnafinn wrote:

am the fool for continuing to take it for years

I thought that about an anti-depressant (Lofepramine) that I am prescribed for pain relief. I thought 'how can a drug for depression help my joints to feel easier and my pain to be less' so I stopped taking them. Gradually over a couple of weeks the pain in my elbows and shoulders was getting worse and worse. i am back on the anti-depressants and the pain is still there but not as severe as when I stopped the medication. I am effected in my heels, ankles, knees, hips, back, fingers, elbows and shoulders. I think that even the tiniest bit of help is good.

I will have to try your garlic salad dressing, it sounds yummy.

JayneN

elnafinn

Hi Jayne

A long time ago on the forum there was a thread started called Quick and Easy Recipes, or something like that, and so I copied and pasted the recipe from that thread for you:

The Reluctant Gourmet's Basic mustard Vinaigrette
(the best salad dressing I have tasted)

1 glove of garlic ,smashed (or much more if a garlic fan like I am!
2 tbs balsamic vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar)
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
5 - 6 tbs oil (vegetable, corn, canola, olive or some combination)
pinch of dried parsley
Pinch of dried thyme (I just use mixed herbs)
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Makes about one jar full of dressing

Method:

In a clean jar or small bowl add the vinegar, garlic, mustard and mix well. Slowly add the oil while either whisking or stirring rapidly with a fork. Add the herbs, seasoning - taste and adjust seasonings

Simple, but this straightforward recipe will blow away any store bought salad dressing on the market. ENJOY.

I love it. I treble the ingredients each time I make it and keep the bottles in the fridge. I do put in more garlic than the recipe says too. Does not last long in our house!


Meds do work for different ailments in different dosages. I take one amitriptyline 25mgs in the evening for IBSD and it works for me. Also this med can help with migraines, not being able to sleep at night and in much higher dosages as an anti depressant.

Elna x

JayneN

Hi Elna

Many thanks for the recipe. I will write it in my diary,I'll find it much easier then. I have most of the ingredients but will get some dijon mustard when I have my next shopping delivery.

Like you we love garlic here, and I would definately up the garlic content. Not sure if that has any good properties for arthritis though. but it is supposed to be good for the heart and blood I think.

Do you use ACV with the 'mother'? That is the key ingredient for all of the mineral and vitamin goodies in it.

JayneN

elnafinn

Hi Jayne

Yes, the unfiltered kind. I do find it difficult to crush the garlic because of my hands, thumbs mainly, but it is worth it

Elna x

JayneN

Elna you need to buy lazy garlic. Its all ready to use from the jar. Not as nice as fresh I must admit but it works!

We use so much of the stuff that my hubby planted some last year. Its about ready for harvesting. I'm not expecting it to be as big as the bulb he bought from the gardening site (it was massive) Also with the weather being as it has I'm sure that will have held it back anyway but it will be interesting to see how it has done.

JayneN

nimpha09

I've just read a latest findings from US Health researchers and professional doctors that Apple Cider Vinegar may help to arthritis but has short lasting effect. They recommend more for those people who had arthritis the method of taking omega 3 supplement. Maybe that's why my grandfather choose the MX Omega 3 Fish Oil rather than Apple Cider Vinegar before.

JayneN

Nimpha09
Thats really interesting, in my wiki there are also a few snippets of information about omega 3 fish oils as well. I will have to write my next article about that.

As I said earlier though, anything at all that helps, even if its only a bit is good.

I have just got a copper bracelet with magnets in it and I'm trying that out at the moment. Whether it helps I don't know but it looks nice. My uncle used to wear one all the time and he swore by his.

Thank you for your inspiration.
JayneN

nimpha09

Indeed Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplement helps to promote a healthy living for those who had arthritis like my grandfather. His so luckily to choose a great supplement like Maxalife's Omega 3 Fish Oil. It's good for you if you write an article about omega 3 and arthritis. : )