Efficacy of apple cider vinegar and verjuice in the treatment of hyperlipidemia compared with lovastatin

Background: Hyperlipidemia and especially hypercholesterolemia is a known risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There are several types of drugs with different side effects, to lower blood lipid levels. Statins are the most commonly used drugs for treating high LDL cholesterol level. Apple cider vinegar and verjuice as old folk remedies claimed to have been beneficial in treating a long list of Medical ailments for at least 10,000 years. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of apple cider vinegar and verjuice, in treating hyperlipidemia in compare with Lovastatin. Materials and methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was done on 3 groups. In each groups, 25 healthy subjects [13 men and 12 women aged 40-60, with hyperlipidemia (total cholesterol, 250-390 mg/dl LDL cholesterol, 120-250 mg/dl Triglycerides, 210-380 mg/dl and HDL cholesterol 30- 60 mg/dl)] who were not being treated with any drug or agent known to affect plasma lipids concentrations, participated. Pair matching was performed for patients in 3 groups. A fasting blood sample was taken for all subjects to detect the concentrations of lipids before treatment. One group was treated with apple cider vinegar (5 cc twice a day for 4 weeks, 30 minutes before lunch and dinner). Another group was treated with verjuice with the same dosage. In the third group, subjects received either 20 mg Lovastatin daily for 4 weeks or all of the subjects instructed to consume a same diet during the study. Lipid measurement was performed after 2 and 4 weeks. Pair wise comparisons for each variable between weeks 2 and 4 and baseline were carried out for each treatment group and between groups. Results: In all treatment groups, total cholesterol and LDL concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.001) and HDL concentration increased significantly (P < 0.001). A 2 weeks treatment with vinegar, verjuice and lovastatin resulted in a mean decrease of 16%, 5% and 21% in total cholesterol. A 4 weeks treatment resulted in a mean decrease of 25%, 8% and 26% respectively. Treatment with vinegar, verjuice and lovastatin for 2 weeks resulted in a mean increase of 20%, 7% and 28% and for 4 weeks resulted in a mean increase of 35%, 8 % and 36% of HDL-C, respectively. Conclusion: Apple cider vinegar and verjuice have a significant effect on treatment of hyperlipidemia and especially vinegar has effects like lovastatin on hyperlipidemia, though vinegar and verjuice are two old folk remedies without Statins' side effects. It seems that apple cider vinegar could be a valuable alternative for lovastatin in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.