Apple cider vinegar has many benefits but first, let’s dispel a myth that apple cider vinegar contains a lot of nutrients because it really doesn’t but what it does have is something even more important. In fact, the real benefits of apple cider vinegar works for so many conditions has to do with this one thing it has called acetic acid. The reason it works is because as we age our bodies become alkaline. Now this might go against what you have heard. When we talk about pH, we really have to understand that every part of your body has a different pH. So, if someone says you are too acidic, what pH are they talking about – the urine, the saliva? The real true indicator of pH for a body should be in the blood but it is very difficult to test that because as soon as you take the blood out the body it oxidizes, and it can change the pH right away. So, to determine pH we must go by symptoms and so if you ever wanted to really know just search all the conditions of acidosis (too acidic) and all the conditions of alkalosis (to alkaline) and you will be able to see which ones you have. So, what we are looking at is the blood pH and most people have a blood pH which is excessively alkaline.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
If you can change your pH just slightly it can result in great effects because pH is so important in transporting minerals and allowing enzymes to work to stimulate the thyroid and increase metabolism. The pH of acetic acid is very acidic at 2.5. It is almost like stomach acid pH so it’s really good for the stomach. People use apple cider vinegar for heartburn and acid reflex indigestion because these are conditions where your stomach is too alkaline and the valve at the top of the stomach does not close. And, as you age especially over the age of 50,60 and 70 your pH in your stomach starts to go higher and higher so it becomes more alkaline. Therefore, you need more acid as you age to be able to digest protein and absorb minerals. When your pH is too alkaline you cannot absorb calcium or minerals so what happens, especially with calcium, is that it starts building up in the soft tissues throughout the body. When calcium builds up in soft tissue it results in calcification. What this looks like as you age is stiff joints or arthritis, bursitis, calcification on the eyes that is cataracts, on the nerves, kidney stones, gallstones, and the teeth as tartar. All these issues could come from a pH problem. Alkalinity could also be caused by too much stress because high stress increases cortisol and cortisol makes your body too alkaline.
Another benefit of apple cider vinegar is for the immune system. Most people will take vitamin C for a cold or for virus infection. But it is not the vitamin C necessarily that is creating positive effect what is creating the positive effect is the ascorbic acid in the vitamin C complex. What most people will see on the store shelves is a not truly a vitamin C complex but instead ascorbic acid and corn starch. You would be much better off taking apple cider vinegar to help your immune system if you get a cold, fever, or viral infection.
A concoction you can try is two teaspoons of ACV, one teaspoon of real lemon juice in water before each meal and along with the many other benefits it may help with weight loss because it stimulates the thyroid. Another recommendation is to make sure you are taking the fat sample vitamins to transport that calcium out like vitamin D and K2.
When not to take ACV
Three main conditions that where you want to avoid adding vinegar to your diet:
- Ulcers– because you are putting acid into your stomach on an open wound that is going to make things a lot worse. But a good remedy for ulcers is zinc carnosine, you take 50 milligrams three times a day. Try this dosage for a month and then you can reduce it with a blend of all the trace minerals because anytime you take one trace mineral without all the trace minerals you can throw things out of balance. Another thing to help ulcers would be to take chlorophyll mixed with water on an empty stomach.
- Gastritis– this is a situation where the stomach is inflamed, and you are getting a sour regurgitation of acid that comes up through the esophagus. So, if the stomach is inflamed and you add more acid, it is going to make it worse. A good remedy for this condition is DGL licorice and probiotics unless you have SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It also would not hurt to take zinc for this condition as well in addition to that marshmallow root.
- Zollinger Ellison Syndrome- this is a condition in which there is a tumor which is usually in around the pancreas or could be in small intestine that is causing an increased production of gastric acid.
As a retired registered massage therapist, I’ve always been interested in health. I grew up loving sports so that carried into my adult life in my chosen career paths and in my personal life. I now stay active with weight training, hiking and biking. My professional life has always been in health care. This has inspired me to seek out and adopt a life of natural health and wellness.