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Apple Cider Vinegar For Joint Health

Joshua Wood

Michael Jones

5 min read
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Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for many ailments. Apple cider vinegar is made from apple cider fermented with yeast and bacteria. The fermentation process converts the sugars in the apple cider into alcohol, which is then converted into acetic acid. The acetic acid gives apple cider vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell.

Apple cider vinegar has a long history of being used as a natural remedy for various conditions. It is said to help with weight loss, digestion, and skin health, among other things. Some people even use it as a household cleaner or disinfectant.

The origins of apple cider vinegar are unknown, but it is thought to have originated in China or Europe. Apple cider vinegar made its way to the United States during the colonial era. It was used for many years as a folk remedy for various ailments before being commercially produced in the early 20th century.

Today, apple cider vinegar is made much like it was centuries ago. Fresh apples are crushed, and their juice is extracted. The juice is then combined with yeast and bacteria and left to ferment for several weeks. Once the fermentation process is complete, the vinegar is filtered and bottled for sale.

While there are many different brands of apple cider vinegar on the market, they all generally contain the same active ingredients: water, acetic acid, and trace amounts of potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and sodium. Apple Cider Vinegar is used for many lifestyle complaints. Joint pain is one of the most common complaints when people use apple cider vinegar. 

Types of Joint Pain

Joint pain is a widespread problem that can be caused by various conditions. It can be challenging to pinpoint the exact cause of joint pain, as so many potential causes exist. However, there are some common joint pain conditions that are worth mentioning. One of them being Osteoarthritis. 

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones breaks down. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling.

What causes osteoarthritis?

There are many things that can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. These include:

Age: The natural aging process can cause wear and tear on the cartilage. This can eventually lead to osteoarthritis.

Weight: Excess weight puts extra pressure on joints, damaging the cartilage over time. This is especially true for joints in the hips, knees, and lower back.

Injury: A joint injury can increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life. This is because an injury can damage the cartilage or change how the joint moves. This stresses the joint, leading to wear and tear over time.

Repetitive use: People who do a lot of repetitive motions with their joints are at higher risk for developing osteoarthritis. This includes people who play sports or have jobs that involve repetitive motions (such as typing).

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is a pain in the affected joint (or joints). This pain may be mild initially, but it can become more severe over time. Other symptoms may include:

•Stiffness in the affected joint (or joints), especially after periods of rest •Swelling in the affected joint (or joints) •Crunching or grating sensation when moving the affected joint (or joints) •Weakness or instability in the affected joint (or joints) •Difficulty moving or using the affected joint (or joints) •Decreased range of motion in the affected joint (or joints) In some cases, arthritis pain may go away for a while and then come back.

These are called flares. Flares can be caused by weather changes, stress, infection, or other factors. People with arthritis often have multiple flares throughout their lifetime.



Another common condition that can cause joint pain is rheumatoid arthritis. This is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the joints. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects people between the ages of 40 and 60, but it can occur at any age.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes and Symptoms 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints. In RA, the body’s immune system attacks its healthy tissue, causing inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues. This chronic inflammation can lead to joint damage, deformity, and disability.

RA is about two to three times more common in women than men and usually begins between 40 and 60. However, RA can occur at any age. People with RA often have a family history of the disease.

While there is no cure for RA, treatments are available that can help relieve symptoms and prevent further joint damage. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in preventing joint damage and disability.

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The cause of RA is unknown. However, it is believed to be an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In RA, the body produces antibodies that attack the lining of the joints (the synovium). This causes inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues. The inflammation can damage cartilage and bone within the joints, leading to joint deformity and disability.

What Are The Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The most common symptom of RA is joint pain and stiffness. The pain is often worse in the morning or after a period of rest. Other symptoms may include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, anemia (low red blood cell count), skin rashes or nodules (lumps under the skin), eye problems such as dryness or inflammation (uveitis), carpal tunnel syndrome (a condition that causes numbness or tingling in hand).

 

Raynaud’s phenomenon (a condition that causes fingers or toes to turn white or blue when exposed to cold temperatures). Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition that causes the blood vessels in your fingers and toes to narrow when you're cold or under stress. The blood vessels narrow so much that blood flow is reduced. This can cause your fingers or toes to feel numb, tingly, or even painful.

Raynaud's phenomenon is also called Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's syndrome. It affects women more often than men and usually starts before age 30. Raynaud's phenomenon can be annoying, but it usually isn't severe and doesn't require treatment. Sometimes, it can signify a more severe problem, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

When you have Raynaud's phenomenon, your body reacts to cold temperatures or stress by narrowing the blood vessels in your extremities — most often your fingers and toes. This process is called vasoconstriction. It happens because the muscles around your blood vessels tighten in response to the cold or stress.

The reduced blood flow caused by vasoconstriction can make your fingers and toes feel numb and tingly. You may also have pain in your fingers or toes when they rewarm after exposure to the cold. In extreme cases, Raynaud's phenomenon can cause ulcers (sores) on your fingertips.


There are two types of Raynaud's: primary and secondary:
• Primary: This type isn't caused by another health condition
• Secondary: This type is caused by another health condition
Both types of Raynaud's are thought to be triggered by the same thing: an overreaction of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The SNS controls involuntary body processes, such as digestion and heart rate. It also controls how blood flows through your body.

In people with primary Raynaud's, the SNS overreacts even to small changes in temperature or stress levels. In secondary Raynaud's, an underlying health condition — such as rheumatoid arthritis — triggers the SNS overreaction.

Symptoms
The symptoms of Raynaud are different for everyone. They range from mild to severe and can last for a few minutes to a few hours.

Some people only have one symptom (such as numbness), while others have several symptoms at once (such as pain, tingling, and ulcers). The symptoms usually happen in this order:
1) Numbness: You'll first notice that your fingers or toes feel numb or cold. The skin may look pale too
2) Tingling: You'll then feel a pins-and-needles sensation followed by throbbing pain

3) Ulcers: In extreme cases, sores called ulcers could form on your skin where there was decreased blood flow

 

There are many other potential causes of joint pain as well. Some other common conditions include bursitis, tendinitis, gout, and lupus erythematosus. If you are experiencing joint pain, it is important to see a doctor so they can determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment options.

 


Apple Cider Vinegar and Joint Health

Apple cider vinegar is effective in treating several ailments, including joint pain. In a study published in the Journal of Medical Food, researchers found that apple cider vinegar was able to significantly reduce symptoms of arthritis and improve joint function.

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. This means that it can help reduce swelling and joint pain. In addition, apple cider vinegar also contains magnesium, which benefits bone health.

 

Why is Apple Cider Vinegar Helps With Joint Pain

Apple cider vinegar is effective in treating various types of inflammation. This includes inflammatory conditions such as joint conditions as arthritis, gout, and tendonitis. Apple cider vinegar can also help to reduce inflammation associated with injuries or surgery.

The anti-inflammatory properties of apple cider vinegar are due to acetic acid. Acetic acid inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory compounds called cytokines. Cytokines are responsible for promoting inflammation in the body.

Inhibitory effects of acetic acid on cytokine production have been demonstrated in animal and human studies. Animal studies have shown that acetic acid can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Human studies have shown that consuming apple cider vinegar can reduce inflammation markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells (WBCs). CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. WBCs are part of the immune system, and their levels increase during periods of inflammation.

A study published in 2009 investigated the effect of apple cider vinegar on CRP levels in people with arthritis. The study found that those who consumed two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per day for eight weeks had significantly lower CRP levels than those who did not drink apple cider vinegar.

Another study published in 2010 looked at the effect of consuming one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per day on markers of inflammation in healthy adults. The study found that those who consumed apple cider vinegar had significantly lower levels of CRP and WBCs than those who did not drink any apple cider vinegar.

The anti-inflammatory effects of apple cider vinegar may also be due to its ability to improve gut health. The gut microbiota is a collection of microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract. The microbiota plays a vital role in immunity and inflammatory responses.

 

How Do I Take Apple Cider Vinegar?

The most common way to use apple cider vinegar for joint pain is to mix it with water and drink it daily. Some people also apply it to their skin or soak a cloth in the mixture and apply it to their joints.

There are a few possible reasons why apple cider vinegar may help relieve joint pain. First, the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, including in the joints. Second, apple cider vinegar contains potassium, which is necessary for healthy bones and joints. Finally, some people believe that the enzymes in apple cider vinegar can help break down harmful toxins that may contribute to joint pain.

Start with one tablespoon (15 ml) mixed with 8 ounces (237 ml) of water once per day and increase gradually as needed or tolerated up to 3 times per day. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day while using this remedy since acetic acid can dehydrate. You should also avoid using Apple cider vinegar if you have problems with your teeth since it can erode tooth enamel over time.

If you’re interested in trying apple cider vinegar for joint pain, purchase organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with “the mother” still present. The mother is a colony of beneficial bacteria that forms during fermentation and gives raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar its murky appearance.

 

Start with one tablespoon (15 ml) mixed with 8 ounces (237 ml) of water once per day and increase gradually as needed or tolerated up to 3 times per day. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day while using this remedy since acetic acid can dehydrate. You should also avoid using Apple cider vinegar if you have problems with your teeth since it can erode tooth enamel over time

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About Michael Jones

Michael Jones, CErg. He's an Ergonomist and Speaker with 15 years of experience helping desk workers who are hunched over their computers and phone for hours, reverse their slouched posture and end text neck pain.

Do you sit at a computer for more than 7 hours per day? My course helped thousands of people beat burnout and feel great again