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Friday, January 22, 2010

The Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar


     Alright.....Maybe you have heard of  "Grandpa Joe" Soaking his arthritic finger in apple cider Vinegar or maybe it was your crazy aunt May who toted this ancient cider as a miracle cure for the common cold, well I'm here to fill you in on what I believe to be one of the cheapest of most valuable supplements I have incorporated into my diet in the last 2 years! Obviously many of you, probably all are without a relative with either of these fictional names, but I know many have heard the name "apple cider Vinegar" in some Old wives tale and its potent medical benefits.  As far as the medical community is concerned, ACV has no such properties...well that's true, because why would anyone want you to benefit from a drink that runs at an average cost of 2$ a week!


What is it?! 
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is an effective natural bacteria-fighting agent that contains many vital minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine that are vital for a healthy body.

 "Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is made by crushing fresh, organically grown apples and allowing them to mature in wooden barrels. ..... This boosts the natural fermentation qualities of the crushed apples, which differs from the refined and distilled vinegars found in supermarkets. When the vinegar is mature, it contains a dark, cloudy, web-like bacterial foam called 
mother, which becomes visible when the rich brownish liquid is held to the light. The mother can be used to add to other vinegar to hasten maturity for making more Apple Cider Vinegar. Natural vinegars that contain the mother have enzymes and minerals that other vinegars in grocery stores may not have due to over-processing, over-heating, and filtration. For this reason, it is recommended that you purchase only Natural Apple Cider Vinegar, with an ideal acidity (pH) level of 5 to 7."(1) Basically what you are looking for , and getting with this specific vinegar is the cloudy like haze in the bottom of the container...it kinda looks like a thunderstorm going on in the glass, but this is what I, and many others believe delivers benefits of this cider! 
Now let's get to the good stuff....what this stuff can deliver!
First I'll write from my own experience... 
When I finished 4 rounds of chemo in 2007 I was experiencing extreme fatigue and pain in both my knees and hands. My body hurt from all the drugs and extreme shock my system was put through in undergoing cancer treatment. Initially my doctor put me on 25 mg of indomethacin 2x a day.  This powerful anti-inflammatory only made matters worse while offering only minimal relief from the pain I was experiencing and could feel myself becoming dependent on a drug that I would probably have to take for the rest of my life.  I remember reaching a moment when this reality simply became .....unacceptable, and I began researching body detoxification options, Natural cleanse, and up popped an article about ACV. I simply walked over to the local health foods store, "westerly market" and bought my first bottle.  Now we all know I'm an actor, and can be dramatic, but with in 4 days I ca n honestly say I felt fifty percent better. I noticed my energy improving, I felt more awake, the pain in my hands and knees subsided and after two weeks I stopped taking my prescription. I have never stopped taking  it, because well, it's vinegar...it's not going to hurt you and the more time goes buy, the  more I read to support my strong and positive reaction to ACV. here's a study I just can across...mostly touting it as a weight loss and fat flush...but   at least the medical community is giving it some notice!

"University East in Mesa suggests that vinegar packs a punch in more than just salad dressings.   Now, instead of merely being touted as a stout cleanser of the body when taken internally, it also has been shown to have beneficial effects towards weight loss and stabilizing blood sugar in non-diabetics. "  In Prevention of Diabetes "Johnston’s study showed it had a stabilizing effect on blood sugar on people who were not diabetic. The stabilizing effect was most pronounced on pre-diabetics whose blood glucose-levels were almost cut in half. In fact, the effectiveness was comparable to that of the diabetic medication" Metformin".    A Swedish research team, led by Elin M. Östman, discovered that the benefits of vinegar can be reaped by other methods as well. Participants in a study ate pickles after a high-carb breakfast and the other participants did not. It was shown that even pickles had a beneficial effect on the blood glucose levels. Other studies soon followed and it was shown that people who take two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before two meals each day lost an average of a half pound each week. It is speculated that it inhibits carbohydrate absorption.    The chemical suspected of creating this effect is the acetic acid. Due to the cringe-worthy sourness of vinegar, however, many companies have tried to formulate pill forms of vinegar. The effectiveness of the pills are highly questionable in general, though, and people are encouraged to stay with the true vinegar, instead.    An average half pound weekly weight loss would result in an overall average weight loss of 26 pounds in one year. A size-able loss if you can stand the procedure."
Now I'm going to post some of the other supposed benefits of this supplement, I am not a medical doctor although I have played one onstage...ha. ha. ha.
But i do feel the benefits of taking vinegar outweigh the risks...after all, it's vinegar, what do you have to loose!

Weight Loss

While it is not known why, many people claim that ACV. Some theories suggest that ACV helps to speed up the metabolism, while others suggest that it burns calories. A number of nutritionists also believe that combining Vitamin B6 and Lecithin with Apple Cider Vinegar is highly effective for weight loss. A suggested remedy is to mix 2 teaspoons of ACV mixed with a glass of water and drink this before every meal or sip it slowly throughout the day

Bad Breath

Due to its acidic properties, Apple Cider Vinegar makes a wonderful remedy for bad breath or halitosis. Simply add 1/2 tablespoon of ACV into a cup of water and gargle the mixture in your mouth for 10 seconds at a time until the cup is empty.

Body Odor

Apple Cider Vinegar is an effective Body odor remedy, since it can help adjust the skin's pH level which helps to eliminate odor-causing bacteria. For armpit odor, simply wipe them once each morning with undiluted apple cider vinegar (using a cotton ball). For foot odor, fill a pan with warm water and add 1/3 cup of ACV, then let your feet soak in this mixture for 15 minutes once per week.

Cellulite

Many women have found that Apple Cider Vinegar can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Stomach Problems

Constipation

Apple Cider Vinegar is frequently used as a natural cure for constipation.

Diarrhea

There are various causes for diarrhea, and although it should not be left untreated, it is often a natural way for the body to rid itself of harmful compounds and ingested materials. Apple Cider Vinegar is a fantastic natural remedy for diarrhea since the high pectin concentration acts as a protective coating which soothes the irritated lining of the colon. A suggestion is to add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a large glass of water, and drink this 3 times daily while the symptoms persist.

Major Illnesses

Diabetes

Apple Cider Vinegar may help to control high blood sugar levels, which is why it is often used as a natural treatment for Diabetes. Visit our Diabetes Remedies page to learn more about how ACV can be used to treat this condition.

What are the Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar?

There are no major known side effects of Apple Cider Vinegar when used in moderation. However, drinking vinegars, acids or even lemon juices on a regular basis can lead to a deterioration of dental enamel. This can give your teeth a yellowish look and make them more sensitive to heat and cold. To prevent this, the vinegar should always be diluted with water or a pinch of baking soda should be added in order to reduce the acidity level.
 Finally, I recommend buying the gallon...it will last long..i mean months and months and it's a better value, but if you wanna try the smaller size here's the 32-oz. option. 


Directions: Now I've mentioned it a few times but i use about 2 tablespoons in about 8 oz. of water.  Once in the morning and once at night. You can also add a table spoon of honey to cut the taste. I also drink it with a straw with is better for your teeth as the acidity can be bad for your teeth. Bur brushing them afterwards will give you the same benefit! As always enjoy and I hope you take the time to do something good for your body today!


P.s. Don't buy the  ACV vinegar pills from the vitamin store...they are proven to not work as good!

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