Alkaline/Acid Balance

- Problem: "The theory behind the alkaline diet is our blood is slightly alkaline, with a normal pH level of between 7.35 and 7.45. Our diet should reflect this pH level and be slightly alkaline. All foods we eat, after being digested and metabolized, release either an acid or alkaline base (bicarbonate) into blood. The foods that people tend to overeat –- grains, meat, dairy products -- all produce acid. "

- Solution: "Despite being an acidic solution, some proponents of apple cider vinegar believe it has an alkalizing effect on the body, which is why one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in water is recommended as a daily health tonic."

- Summary: The general idea is that the food we commonly eat (especially in the american diet) causes our blood to become more acidic which leads to health problems. The ACV helps to balance the blood pH level's back to normal, so you don't want to make your body too alkalitic if your body is at a normal pH level already.

To regulate this balance, you can test your body's pH levels using Litmus Paper or pH test strips that you can purchase online (easiest source) or at a local drugstore.

Also, remember that this is a process, and you don't want to take large amounts of ACV hoping to reach a normal level overnight. Take the recommended dosage regardless of how acidic your test results are, and eventually you'll reach the desired normal pH balance.

Blood Glucose Levels:
- Problem: "The recent low glycemic-load hypothesis postulates that rapidly digested carbohydrate foods (such as soft drinks, sweets, white bread) produce an overload in blood glucose (hyperglycemia) that stimulates the secretion of insulin, which in turn triggers the release of IGF-1. IGF-1 has direct effects on the pilosebaceous unit (and insulin at high concentrations can also bind to the IGF-1 receptor) and has been shown to stimulate hyperkeratosis and epidermal hyperplasia. These events facilitate acne formation. Sugar consumption might also influence the activity of androgens via a decrease in sex hormone-binding globulin concentration."

- Solution: "Studies suggest that vinegar (both apple cider vinegar and other types) may help to lower glucose levels."

"The acetic acid in vinegar is thought to slow starch digestion and reduce the glycemic index of starchy foods."

- Summary: High glycemic-load foods over-stimulate the secretion of insulin which triggers the release of IGF-1. The release of too much IGF-1 causes physiological events that can facilitate in acne formation. Taking ACV lowers blood glucose levels which reduces the secretion of insulin and IGF-1.

Reference:
1.) "Apple Cider Vinegar" Written by Cathy Wong for About.com, Updated: December 28, 2007