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Apple cider vinegar has been used for
centuries as a folk remedy for a selection of ills. The ancient Egyptians, as
far back as 3000 BC, and even the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, sang
the praises of this unique, yet humble, product.
Fermenting apple juice to alcoholic
apple cider, and then letting the oxygen interact with it, turns the alcohol
into acetic acid - one of the "magic" ingredients in the finished product. To
help this process along from the alcoholic base, "mother" is added - that being
the spider web look-alike bacteria foam that forms during the fermentation
process.
Introduction
The saying of "an apple a day keeps
the doctor away" comes from the medieval English saying, which really goes "to
eat an apple before going to bed will make the doctor beg for his bread."
This would be hard to believe in our
modern day world, where our health is kept together and disease is kept at bay
by a battery of doctors - ranging from cardiologists, dermatologists,
gynecologists, internists, oncologists, neurologists, pathologists, radiologists
etc.
Some people complain that it might be
too acid to drink, but that is really a fallacy since the pH is lower than that
of commercial cola!
And to make it even easier to
swallow, we developed the apple cider vinegar capsule with gotu kola, where the
active liquid is freeze dried, combined with the greatly beneficial gotu kola (Centella
asiatica) herb, and capsulated in our laboratory - to make taking it an easy
procedure.
Substances in apple cider vinegar
Scientists have measured ninety
different substances in apple cider vinegar such as thirteen types of carbolic
acids, four aldehydes, twenty ketones, eighteen types of alcohols, eight ethyl
acetates etc.
It also contains
important
minerals, trace elements and
vitamins as well acetic
acid, propionic acid, lactic acid,
enzymes,
amino acids as well
as roughage in the form of potash and apple pectin.
Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium,
Phosphorous, Chlorine, Sodium, Sulfur, Copper, Iron, Silicon, Fluorine.
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A,
Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Provitamin beta-carotene, Vitamin P.
Useful in
-
Well functioning metabolism;
-
Reducing cholesterol (the dangerous
LDL cholesterol type);
-
Regulating the water content in the
cells and body;
-
Reducing water retention in the
body;
-
Reducing excess sodium from the
body;
-
Helps with regulating blood
pressure;
-
Assists in preventing circulatory
problems;
-
Helps with diminishing premature
calcification of the arteries;
-
Helps increase concentration and
memory;
-
Assists in blood circulation, body
temperature as well as vitality and energy.
This condition of inflammation of the
joints is a major chronic disease in the West, and is believed to be partly
caused by a build-up of toxic wastes in the tissues, causing irritation. It is
thought that these metabolic toxic wastes can be contained by eliminating food
allergies as well as unhealthy life styles such as smoking, not exercising and
being obese.
Arthritis suffers have reported a
positive influence that apple cider vinegar has on the pain experienced as well
as slowing down the progression of this disease. Most people using it as a
therapy for this problem ingest it four times a day.
Asthma
Although orthodox medicine might not
agree with this remedy, some people have found relief from asthma by ingesting
apple cider vinegar, as well as applying pads, soaked in apple cider vinegar,
under pressure to the inside of the wrists.
Blood pressure
The potassium in apple cider vinegar
is said to be beneficial to both the heart and blood pressure, and in some
quarters this remedy is said to assist in making the blood thinner, and thereby
assisting with blood pressure and in the prevention of a stroke.
The manganese, magnesium, silicon
(and calcium) found in apple cider vinegar has been linked in sustaining bone
mass, which is important in the fight against osteoporosis.
A supplement of apple cider vinegar
could for this reason be valuable to consider should you suffer from a calcium
shortage, have a problem with osteoporosis, or if you are entering your
postmenopausal stage, where a risk of bone loss could cause a problem.
Cancer
Although apple cider cannot cure
cancer, it is a valuable ally to have around to help fight free radicals in the
body, which have been shown to be indicative in the formation of various
cancers. Beta-carotene, found in apple cider vinegar, is a powerful antioxidant,
which helps in neutralizing the free radicals, formed in our bodies through
oxidation.
To prevent these free radicals, and
to keep them in check, we need antioxidants in our system to rid our bodies of
these potentially dangerous compounds. If free radicals are left alone to have
the run of our bodies, they cause major damage by severely damaging cells, which
leads to aging and degeneration.
The pectin in apple cider vinegar
adds fiber to the diet, and even the American Cancer Society promotes a high
fiber diet to help with preventing cancer, especially colon cancer. The reason
for this is that fiber binds with certain cancer causing (carcinogenic)
compounds in the colon, and speeds up their elimination from the body.
Candida
Although there are different factors
influencing the formation of candida (which is a yeast infection) a disturbance
of your diet, as well as an intake of antibiotics must be looked at when you
experience such an episode of candida flare-up, since the yeast balance in your
body can be thrown out of sync by these two factors.
A selection of topical creams and
lotions are available, but a cheap alternative can be found by douching twice a
day with a solution of ACV until the symptoms disappear. The solution is made
from 2 tablespoons of ACV to a quart of lukewarm water - this solution will
assist in restoring the acid balance.
Cholesterol
A good warning system for heart
disease is the presence of high blood cholesterol in the system. To help prevent
this is to follow a lifestyle which includes eating a diet high in fruits and
vegetables, maintaining your ideal weight, getting enough exercise while
avoiding processed foods, junk foods and hydrogenated oils.
Another way is to add fiber to your
diet, especially water-soluble fiber - such as the pectin found in apple cider
vinegar. Water-soluble fiber soaks up water, which adds bulk, and interacts with
your body, and also keeps on working longer than non water-soluble fiber.
Fiber also soaks up fats and
cholesterol in the body and then is excreted instead of being reabsorbed.
Non water-soluble fiber soaks up
moisture in the body, but cannot interact with the body. The amino acids
contained in apple cider vinegar have also shown promise in neutralizing some of
the harmful oxidized LDL cholesterol.
Colds
It has been found that the pH factor
(the acidity factor) of the body becomes a bit more alkaline prior to a cold or
flu striking you down. When you take apple cider vinegar it helps to rebalance
the acid level of your body.
Another remedy for colds and flu, and
said to be specifically beneficial for chest complaints during the winter, is to
soak a piece of brown paper with apple cider vinegar, and to place pepper on the
one side of the paper. You then tie the paper, pepper side down, on to your
chest and leave on for 25 - 30 minutes.
Not having proper bowel movements is
blamed for many illnesses and diseases which befall us. The logic behind it
stating that should the waste products from our bodily functions be retained in
the body, for longer than what nature intends, it will cause toxins to be
absorbed back into the system.
As we age our bodies produce less and
start to lag behind in the manufacture of digestive acids (hydrochloric acid),
pepsin and digestive enzymes - which can cause constipation. When we add fiber
to our diet, such as the pectin in apple cider vinegar, we assist our body by
having regular bowel movements and proper elimination.
Cramps
If you have never woken up in the middle of the night with cramps
tearing through your calves, feet or legs, you would not understand the agony. A
useful remedy to assist with this is to take apple cider vinegar.
This disease is becoming more and
more common, and there may be various reasons for this phenomena, but it must be
remembered that it is not only extremely serious, but needs proper medical
supervision, and a strict adherence to dietary rules and medication, as
prescribed by your medical practitioner. It is however interesting to note that
added dietary fiber, such as contained in apple cider vinegar, is beneficial in
controlling blood glucose levels.
Diarrhea
There are various causes for
diarrhea, and although it should not be left untreated, it sometimes is a way
for the body to rid itself of harmful compounds and ingested materials. The
pectin in apple cider vinegar is great to take when suffering from this problem,
since this water-soluble fiber swells up, and forms bulk.
It is also an effective ingredient to
use against certain bacteria which causes diarrhea and the intestinal flora also
transforms pectin into a protective coating which soothes the irritated lining
of the colon. Next time you have a problem, consider this most humble treatment.
Although prescribing apple cider
vinegar for depression would be classed as extremely alternative, some Eastern
medicines do believe that depression is the symptom of a "stagnant" or tired
liver. If you believe in this philosophy, then apple cider vinegar would help to
fight depression, since it is a great medium to help detoxify and clean the
liver.
Eyes
Cataract development in the eye is
associated to oxidation of the lens of the eye due to alterations caused by free
radicals changing the structure of the lens. With this in mind apple cider
vinegar can be of use with this problem, since the antioxidant properties of
beta-carotene contained in apple cider vinegar, are great in combating free
radicals.
Fatigue
Lactic acid is released in the body
during exercise as well as periods of stress, and this can lead to fatigue,
which in turn can be combated by the amino acids contained in apple cider
vinegar. The enzymes, as well as the potassium contained in apple cider vinegar
can also be of great help in the quest for more energy and vitality.
Food poisoning
Because of the great disinfectant
qualities inherent in apple cider vinegar, some people when suffering from mild
cases of food poisoning use it with success. If you suffer from violent
symptoms, and suspect serious food poisoning please contact your medical
practitioner immediately.
Gallstones and Kidney stones
A theory exist that the acids found
in apple cider vinegar are beneficial in breaking up kidney stones and
gallstones, by softening or dissolving them. Although we cannot guarantee any
results, since there are so many other influencing factors, it might be worth
your while to supplement your diet with apple cider vinegar, should you be
suffering from gallstones or kidney stones.
Headaches
The cause of headaches can be stress,
allergies, tiredness, problems with your gallbladder, liver, kidneys, or a
variety of other factors. Although apple cider vinegar cannot be touted as a
headache treatment, is has been found that people have slightly more alkaline
urine when suffering from a headache, and with this apple cider vinegar could be
effective, since it will assist in bringing your body's acid level back into
sync.
The inhalation of apple cider vinegar
could also assist with a headache - and can be achieved by adding some apple
cider vinegar to boiling water in a big pan, removing it from the stove and
carefully inhaling the vapor.
Since apple cider vinegar is used to
promote the health of veins and capillaries, it is by implication also useful in
assisting in the health of the heart and blood pressure. The potassium found in
the apple cider vinegar is also beneficial to the heart.
Indigestion
When people start talking about
indigestion they immediately start referring to the "excess" stomach acid that
they have! In most cases it is NOT a case of an excess of stomach acid, but a
shortage of it.
Hydrochloric acid and pepsin, an
enzyme working in an acid environment, are needed to break down the food
effectively, and a shortage of these two ingredients will lead to a sluggish
digestion of food and resultant indigestion. Taking apple cider vinegar may
assist in effecting a remedy.
Metabolism
The quest for achieving the ideal
weight always will include effective and efficient metabolism. Without it, your
dietary intake will not be metabolized correctly, the nutrients will not be
available to the body, and will result in excess weight being added to the body
frame.
Apple cider vinegar has been used for
centuries in aiding the liver to detoxify the body and to help with digesting
rich, fatty and greasy foods, and for proper metabolizing of proteins, fats and
minerals. If the food cannot be broken down into the absorbable form, the body
cannot assimilate the required nutrients needed from the diet.
An added extra to help with this is
the malic acid and tartaric acid found in apple cider vinegar, since they help
to bring the acid content into balance, while killing off unwanted and
unfriendly bacteria in the digestive tract.
Muscles
Lactic acid in muscles is the cause
of the muscles feeling sore and stiff, but by adding some apple cider vinegar to
your diet, it could assist the body to get rid of it at a faster pace, since it
will help to break down the acid crystals, making it much easier to be flushed
out the body.
Nasal congestion
A constant draining of mucus from the
sinus cavities can both be sore and uncomfortable. It is best to cut out, or eat
as little as possible, of
mucus forming food - which traditionally, in most cases would be dairy
products.
Many sufferers of nasal congestion
have experienced relief by adding apple cider vinegar to their diet.
Sore throat
A gargle made from apple cider
vinegar and water could prove to be a great relief for a sore throat - be that a
bacterial or virus infection. The solution is a 50/50 mixture, and it is best to
spit out the solution after gargling, which should be repeated every hour. After
gargling rinse the mouth with clean water to prevent the acid from eroding the
enamel on your teeth.
Stiff joints
A shortage of potassium in the body
may cause stiff joints. Apple cider vinegar could help in relieving this problem
when ingesting it, since it is a good source of the needed nutrient. Another
remedy is to relax in a warm tub, with some apple cider vinegar added to the
water.
Ulcers
Apple cider vinegar is showing great
promise in helping to heal alcohol-induced ulcers, since it activates the body
to start its own defensive mechanism. This, together with other indicators
suggests that apple cider vinegar may in the near future be drawn into the fold
of alternative ulcer preventing remedies.
Weight loss
Apple cider vinegar has been used as
a weight loss remedy for centuries, and although the mechanics are not always
clear on how it works, it really does work.
It has been suggested that the apple
cider vinegar works because it makes the body burn calories better, that it
reduces the appetite or simply that it gets the entire metabolism working at top
efficiency.
But whatever the reason, the fact
remains that it has stood the test of time as a fat-busting supplement, and has
helped countless people to achieve their ideal weight.
The above opinionated
views and information serves to educated and informed consumer . The
information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or
for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. .It should not replaced
professional advise and consultation. A licensed physician should be
consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions
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