In this post I’ll be discussing a home remedy that I have been using for a few years now and a internet favourite remedy on health forums and websites, used as a cure-all to treat anything from diabetes, weight loss, blood pressure, acne, dandruff and of course gout. I’ll be discussing the age oldApple Cider Vinegar which has been used for at least 10 000 years to treat many different ailments and having been used as a condiment and preservative, utilized also for flavouring and healing purposes, deodorant, healing tonic and a preserver of youth. Christopher Columbus had barrels of apple cider vinegar on his ships to prevent scurvy and it was also used in the American Civil War to disinfect and heal wounds. All in all you can see that apple cider vinegar has many uses and you as a gout sufferer should include it in your diet.
Apple Cider Vinegar otherwise also known as cider vinegar or AVC, is a type of vinegar made from cider or apple must and has a pale to medium amber color. ACV is used in salad dressings, marinades, vinaigrettes, food preservatives, and chutneys, among other things. It is made by crushing apples and squeezing out the liquid. Bacteria and Yeast are added to the liquid to start the alcoholic fermentation process, and the sugars are turned into alcohol. In a second fermentation process, the alcohol is converted into vinegar by acetic acid-forming bacteria (acetobacter). Acetic acid and malic acid give vinegar its sour taste.
Apple cider vinegar is full of nutrients like potassium, which helps remove toxins and excess water, iron, calcium and amino acids that reduce toxin buildup and serve as antibiotics. The main ingredient thought to be the most effective in treating and preventing gout is acetic acid. What happens is acetic acid is turned alkaline inside the body forming a pH balanced environment that prevents gout whereas having a pH balance that’s acidic can cause gout but shifting your pH balance toward alkaline can cure you of gout and prevent it from coming back. Do note that no research has been done to verify these claims.
Drinking apple cider vinegar breaks up the uric acid crystals and prevents them from reforming in the joints by aiding blood circulation and purification. It reduces inflammation and swelling in the joints allowing for better flexibility of the joints. AVC contains higher amounts of malic acid which explains the fact that consuming AVC in appropriate quantities is more beneficial to you than eating an apple directly. Many people have experienced relief from gout symptoms a few hours after using apple cider vinegar, while others have reported relief after a few days.
How to gout sufferers use apple cider vinegar?
For a full therapeutic effect one must take 2-3 tablespoons, 2 to 3 times a day. If you can manage to take it straight up with no dilution or sweetening, then go for it but if you do need to make your gout concoction taste better, mix it in a glass of water. You can also add a teaspoon of raw honey (not recommended for diabetics) and mix the AVC with your water or why not use some cherry juice with it for that double punch! Don’t forget to dress your salad with it too!
What type of AVC do I buy?
Make sure the AVC you buy at the store is organic and non-pasteurized, non-fermented making sure that it has not been processed and heated while still containing the nutrients, minerals and enzymes required to combat your gout symptoms. The clear AVC which you see at the supermarket and is cheaper than the organic-raw type has been heated and distilled removing many of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar. The raw type contains what we call “mother of vinegar”, which is a strand-like structure of living bacteria that is found in AVC and don’t forget to check the acetic acid content on the bottle. In addition, make sure not to use AVC as a substitute for other treatments or without a doctor’s consent and if you are allergic to apples this obviously won’t work for you.
As a topical treatment, when dealing with a gout attack, you can soak your foot for about 30 minutes in a bucket full of 4 cups of hot water and 1 cup of apple cider vinegar. You can also soak a clean, dry cloth in apple cider vinegar and wrap it around the affected area for about 15 minutes.
Apple cider vinegar can be very effective in relieving gout symptoms for many people. But not everybody will experience the same level of relief with ACV. I personally have used it for many years; I take it daily without fail. Apart from gout, I also use to have a problem with my oesophagus, with very bad heartburn. Since consuming AVC, I haven’t suffered from heartburn since. I strongly recommend this super-food in your daily diet.
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