There have been a lot of use cases for apple cider vinegar, from being beneficial to digestion to being an antimicrobial, and even as a weight loss aid. We have seen it rise from buttery cabinet to medicine box. There has been a recent claim of using Apple Cider Vinegar for Neuropathy, this makes us wonder if there is any significance to the claims that apple cider vinegar can be a powerful natural treatment for neuropathy. Let’s quickly find out using specialist answers and scientific evidence to back up these claims.
Neuropathy And Apple Cider Vinegar
When considering the relationship between neuropathy and apple cider vinegar, we cannot rule out ACV’s many benefits. They have a long history of credibility in helping solve health-related problems.
It has proven effective in general-purpose skincare, weight-loss diets, and treating harsh conditions like kidney stones and unitary tract infections.
Some of the minerals found in ACV include; potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, and calcium. All these minerals have proven to help neuropathy in one way, and above all apple cider vinegar is a great anti-inflammatory agent and we believe that this can help combat the inflammation caused by nerve pain.
This leads us to believe there could be a mutual relationship between neuropathy and apple cider vinegar and that it could be a productive one.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a general term for a disorder that affects the nervous system. The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. These nerves send signals between the brain and the rest of the body. These nerves are responsible for which signals are sent to the brain and essential body processes.
If any of these nerves get damaged, we can refer to that as peripheral neuropathy. This condition may develop over a certain period of time.
These damages to the nerves can greatly impact the function of the whole system negatively. Processes such as blood circulation, urination, and digestion can stop if these nerves get damaged.
Neuropathy can be caused by many different things. It can be the result of an injury, disease, or exposure to certain toxins. Chemotherapy and diabetes are two common causes of neuropathy.
Symptoms of Neuropathy
The symptoms of neuropathy vary depending on the underlying cause. In general, neuropathy causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the affected area. These symptoms can occur in any part of the body, but they are most common in the hands and feet.
In some cases, neuropathy can also cause weakness, balance problems, and difficulty walking. Neuropathy can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks like brushing your teeth or buttoning your shirt.
Types of neuropathy
According to the NIDDK and the CDC, neuropathy can be broadly distributed into four different categories, they include;
- Focal: This type of nerve damage occurs in a single nerve. is most common in the hand, leg, or torso.
- Peripheral: this type of nerve damage commonly affects the feet and legs. 75% and 95% of people with diabetes have this type of nerve damage and it causes burning, tingling, a pins-and-needles sensation, or numbness in the legs.
- Autonomic: in this type of neuropathy, the damage is done to the vital nerves that control functions of the internal organs. People with this type of nerve damage may often experience problems with the heart, blood pressure, sex organs, and digestive health.
- Proximal: this type of damage often affects one side of the body. It’s rare but its damage often affects the thighs, hip, and buttock region.
Causes of Neuropathy
We cannot say for sure what causes peripheral neuropathy. Nerves are sensitive and lots of factors may contribute to their damage. We cannot rule out that there may be many possible causes of neuropathy. Some of these may include:
- Diabetes
- Chemotherapy
- Certain viruses, such as HIV and hepatitis C
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
- Kidney disease
- Exposure to certain toxins, such as lead or mercury
- Alcoholism
- Injury or surgery
- Certain medications, such as those used to treat cancer or high blood pressure
How Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help With Neuropathy?
At the moment, little scientific research is backing the claims of the effectiveness of using apple cider vinegar for neuropathy. However, two types of research have proven that ACV supports weight loss and relieves inflammation.
In 2017, a research trial to prove the anti-inflammatory properties of ACV concluded positive results on inflammation and alleviating obesity. No evidence suggests that you would benefit from using apple cider vinegar for neuropathy.
But we can’t deny that ACV contains minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, all essential in pain management. Also, one basic sign of nerve pain is inflammation and ACV is a great anti-inflammatory agent.
While there has not been any scientific evidence to prove that ACV cannot help nerve pain, it’s safe to say that based on personal experience, it has proven quite effective in relieving nerve pain. ACV shot might not give you the relief you seek in most cases, but there is no harm in trying it out.
How Do You Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Neuropathy?
There are a few ways to use ACV for neuropathy. You can take it orally by mixing 1-2 tablespoons of ACV in a glass of water or juice. They can also be applied to the affected area. To do this, mix 1 part ACV with 2 parts water and apply it to the skin with a cotton ball.
How You Can Get The Most Out Of ACV
- Mixing with natural herbs like turmeric or essential oil
- Consuming ACV gummies as part of your supplementary diet
- Mixing in your morning tea
- Using together with skin care products
Natural Treatment For Nerve Pain
Treatment for neuropathy varies depending on the underlying cause. At the early stage, the focus is to eliminate pain as much as possible. For this purpose, most people will resolve to over-the-counter painkillers to help with the pain. There are natural remedies that are equally as effective.
- Exercise: when you exercise, a hormone called endorphins is released. It acts as the body’s natural pain killer. Overall, exercise helps keeps your blood sugar low and helps with nerve pain.
- Vitamins: one-factor that can contribute to nerve pain is vitamin deficiency. Always include foods rich in vitamins D and B in your diet.
- Turmeric: a food supplement that is high in anti-inflammatory properties. This can help reduce your nerve pain greatly.
- Warm bath: you can soak your feet in a warm bath regularly to help improve the blood supply around damaged areas.
Warp Up
As there is no evidence to either back up or deny the claim of the relationship between neuropathy and apple cider vinegar. One may rely on personal experience to prove its effectiveness.
Having so many health benefits to consider, ACV makes an excellent addition to a personal health regimen.
If you ever decide to try ACV for neuropathy, be sure to talk to your doctor first. While ACV is generally safe, there’s a possibility that it could interact with certain medications or make your condition worse.