let me open by saying I Know How This Sounds (fem whose undergraduate chemistry professor recommended ze take turmeric to cure zyr arthritis, etc) so no hard feelings if you keep scrolling, but hopefully folks who know me know i'm speaking honestly about my experiences, even if those don't end up being the same for other people. so!
2 Tbsp of a common kitchen spice is doing as much or more to manage my ME/CFS as any of my meds or self-medicating drugs
@lakeeffectbitch outlines a way of trying this with a control in their reddit post (link); i just went directly to the one they thought might work so i'll put my experiences & the science/theory behind this under a cut for folks who want to avoid potential placebo effect :)
i'll get more specific about this in the "spoilers" but please be aware, especially folks with diabetes or other blood sugar conditions, that this substance may cause a blood sugar drop. it's less likely at this dose but probably keep a sugary snack on hand just in case
if you experience post-exertional malaise & want to try this but don't have spare money to spend on spices feel free to dm me & i'll see if i can help!
my experience:
i took 2 Tbsp ground sumac mixed with warm water on February 11. i tried taking it with a straw first because that's what my colonoscopy prep had said would make that go down easier but because the sumac particles were so big they didn't want to remain suspended & trying to get them in the straw was difficult, which then made it harder to swallow without, yknow, noticing that you're slurping down sediment
what worked better was getting the powder wet, putting a big clump of it on my tongue, then swallowing it with water like a pill
within about half an hour of taking the sumac it was like my fatigue just faded around me where i stood. it dissolved to the background & when i thought "oh i want to do this" or "i should do that" suddenly i found myself just doing it. i had spent the past week at least bedridden except for the bathroom, & though i took the sumac on a better day, i'd been planning to return to bed with a snack after taking it.
instead, i made myself lunch, and i sat on the couch to eat it. all of this was without taking an edible that day; usually i've gotta take at least 25mg delta 8 + 25mg cbd to even consider sitting on the couch. also, it was storming.
from my write-up the day of: "everything felt very sharp & clear & lucid." i washed the dishes from my lunch. all of these activities were about 2 hours, & at that point i emphatically needed a nap. waking up felt like after taking a muscle relaxer & sleeping: my muscles were more relaxed, & my whole body felt like it'd gotten a bit of a break
i've taken sumac at least 8 times since then on at least 5 different days (this time by modifying this sumac tart recipe to include a lot of sumac powder in the crust, which has been much more enjoyable than the Glass O' Sediment lmao) & adjusting for factors like weather, the effect has been comparable every time:
i watched Inception on the couch with my husband, & understood when she explained things to me
i watched leverage on the couch all day when it was below freezing
i worked a bit on fanfics i've barely been able to touch in a year
i "meal prepped" measuring spices, gathering ingredients, & soaking beans to make beans & rice in the instant pot later that day. i literally can't remember the last time i was able to use my instant pot, after thinking about it i think it was when i made palak paneer last summer, but that was a one-off special occasion thing, i've used it maybe 3 other times since developing ME
i wrote this post
the science:
okay a lot of this shit was over my head before i developed ME so i'm gonna be summarizing at my level lol, look to @lakeeffectbitch for a higher-level analysis
but what i do know! (all images from "The malic acid inhibiting inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis by interfering M1 macrophage polarization" by Ji et al., January 2025)
sumac contains high levels of malic acid, which is found in certain fruits (apples, peaches, etc)
the drugs.com page classifies malic acid as an inactive ingredient, so there are no known drug interactions
mice with ankylosing spondylitis had lower levels of peripheral malic acid than control mice
ID: bar graph showing mice with AS had about 0.03 micromoles per milliliter of peripheral malic acid, compared to the control mice level of over 0.2 micromoles per milliliter. the difference is labeled significant via asterisks. end ID
mice with higher malic acid concentrations had lower ESR and CRP (inflammation markers)
ID: two graphs showing lines with a downward slope. the top graph, ESR versus malic acid concentration, is labeled: r=-0.6802, 95% confidence interval =-0.8843 – -0.2578, p=-0.0053. the graph shows ESR, an inflammation marker, decreasing as malic acid concentration increases. the bottom graph, CRP versus malic acid concentration, is labeled: r=-0.6068, 95% confidence interval =-0.8537 – -0.1371, p=-0.0165. the graph shows CRP, an inflammation marker, decreasing as malic acid concentration increases. end ID
mice treated with malic acid had lower levels of TNF-alpha than the mice with untreated ankylosing spondylitis. humira & similar biologics that treat autoimmune diseases are TNF-alpha blockers
ID: a bar graph of relative mRNA expression of TNF-alpha. M0, the control mice, has a relative expression of 1. M1, the mice with ankylosing spondylitis that did not receive treatment, has a relative expression of slightly less than 4.5. M1+MA, the mice with ankylosing spondylitis who received the malic acid treatment, has a relative expression slightly less than 3. this indicates that the mice treated with malic acid had lower expression of TNF-alpha than the untreated mice. asterisks between M0 and M1 and between M1 and M1+MA indicate significance. end ID
the mitochondrial function of M2 macrophages in mice treated with malic acid "was significantly enhanced"
analysis of the mice's spinal tissue blew my fucking socks off. trying not to jump to conclusions & i know journal articles are full of errors but that looks potentially disease-modifying.
ID: a 5x3 presentation of samples of mouse spinal tissue. the control mice, which are healthy, have thick, undamaged, glowing tissue. the mice with ankylosing spondylitis have thin, curved, cracked-looking tissue. the mice treated with celecoxib, a common prescription NSAID for arthritis, appear very similar to the untreated mice. the mice treated with 250mg/kg of malic acid per day have tissue in between the untreated and healthy appearances; the tissue is "glowing" like the healthy tissue but still narrower and curved, although less so than the untreated tissue. the mice treated with 500mg/kg of malic acid per day have tissue which looks even closer to the healthy appearance, with less curvature than the other treatment groups. end ID
since i started drafting this post i've started taking these malic acid supplements from Nature's Life – the full dose made me feel weird including some heartburn so i cut the capsules & take roughly 2/3 – 3/4 of it at a time (i drop the rest into a spare pill jar to make more doses from). it's been similarly effective for me
please be aware that the supplement instructions say to only take it once a day, i haven't had any issues but everybody is different & this avenue is definitely under-researched! (the mice were given 250mg/kg per day which for me would be like 27 grams but i am not a mouse lol)
Measuring the pH of your cider is critical. You can buy litmus strips but really these are not sensitive enough. pH is a logarithmic scale so every 0.3 change doubles (or halves) the acidity. Spoiler bacteria can operate in pHs above 3.8 Hence an accurate measurement is needed. I use these electronic meters. Useful pointers; always use fresh batteries, switch on and soak the bulb for 30 minutes before use. Check the pH reading against a reference solution. Most meters come with one but this is often pH 7 which is too high to be useful. Ideally purchase a reference solution at 4 and adjust the meter accordingly so any errors are minimal. If the pH is too high bring it down with malic acid. There are commercial suppliers but think of adding an acidic apple like Bramley or Royal Wilding for a more natural product. (Commercial malic acid is industrially produced from petroleum-derived benzene by catalytic oxidation to maleic anhydride, followed by hydration #malicacid #pH #cider
Kimmy: I definitely though I was a different person and I haven’t had a little existential crisis
Spencer: that’s what we call a glow job
Courtney: I would actually murder a person for the first time in history.
Spencer: just the person making the snow cone behind the counter. *gags*
Like you want a blue apple? *gags*
Courtney: the only reason I know I have any sense of self control is that I haven’t drank soy sauce in my life.
Tommy: that’s when you hit rock bottom
I haven't interacted w/ the Smosh fandom in a while but got a question. Is Eat it or Yeet It still going or has that been discontinued? Cause if so, there's needs to be an episode that has both Damien & Spencer on it.
You seemed displeased when I asserted that apples were the colour blue
And positively rankled when I called you 'acidic'
But apples are as blue as the sky above their harvest
Cool and crisp and northern—
And they would seem too golden sweet
But for that bright, clarifying acidity
That cuts the saccharine from the floral
has anyone had negative mood changes while taking malic acid? testing it out for underdiagnosed chronic fatigue (treated hashimoto's but fatigue still disabling) and mentally i have felt absolutely atrocious the last few days.
Malic Acid Prices, News, Trend, Graph, Chart, Monitor and Forecast
Malic Acid is a crucial organic acid widely used in the food and beverage industry, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and animal feed sectors. The market for malic acid is experiencing dynamic fluctuations in pricing due to various influencing factors, including raw material costs, supply chain disruptions, demand fluctuations, and regional regulatory policies. As industries continue to expand their applications of malic acid, the pricing trends remain a focal point for manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers looking for cost-effective procurement strategies.
One of the major factors driving malic acid price variations is the cost of raw materials, particularly maleic anhydride, which is a key precursor in the commercial production process. The price of maleic anhydride is highly sensitive to crude oil fluctuations, as it is derived from petrochemical sources. Any volatility in crude oil prices directly impacts the cost of maleic anhydride, subsequently affecting the overall price of malic acid. Additionally, agricultural sources of malic acid, such as apples and other fruits, also play a role in price determination. Seasonal variations, climate conditions, and agricultural yields can contribute to shifts in production costs, ultimately reflecting on malic acid pricing in the market.
The supply chain also plays a pivotal role in influencing malic acid prices. Disruptions in global trade, logistical challenges, and geopolitical uncertainties can lead to supply shortages or surpluses, affecting market stability. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, caused disruptions in manufacturing and transportation, leading to price fluctuations in many chemical markets, including malic acid. Additionally, China, a dominant player in the global malic acid supply chain, influences global pricing trends. Any shifts in production policies, export regulations, or economic conditions in China can have ripple effects on the international market.
Get Real time Prices for Malic Acid: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/malic-acid-1281
The demand for malic acid across various industries significantly impacts its pricing trends. The food and beverage industry remains the largest consumer of malic acid, where it is used as an acidulant in soft drinks, confectionery, and baked goods. With growing consumer preferences for natural and clean-label ingredients, the demand for malic acid derived from natural sources has surged, sometimes leading to higher prices compared to its synthetic counterparts. In the pharmaceutical industry, malic acid is used for its health benefits, particularly in dietary supplements and therapeutic formulations, further driving demand and influencing market prices.
Furthermore, the cosmetics and personal care industry is witnessing an increased incorporation of malic acid in skincare formulations due to its exfoliating and moisturizing properties. The rising trend of organic and sustainable beauty products has contributed to a steady demand for malic acid, subsequently affecting its market pricing. Similarly, in the animal feed sector, malic acid serves as a feed additive, improving digestion and nutrient absorption in livestock. With the growing global demand for high-quality animal feed, malic acid consumption in this segment has also expanded, influencing its overall market valuation.
Another key factor impacting malic acid pricing is regional regulatory policies and trade restrictions. Governments across different countries impose varying levels of regulations on the production and import-export of chemical compounds, including malic acid. Strict environmental policies, particularly in China and Europe, have led to increased production costs due to the implementation of stringent waste management and pollution control measures. These regulatory burdens often result in price hikes, impacting both domestic and international buyers.
Market competition also plays a significant role in determining malic acid prices. The presence of numerous manufacturers, both global and regional, creates a competitive landscape where pricing strategies differ based on production efficiency, technology adoption, and economies of scale. Leading players in the malic acid market continuously focus on improving their production processes to achieve cost efficiency and maintain competitive pricing. Additionally, mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships among key market players influence supply availability and pricing trends in different regions.
The shift towards sustainable and bio-based production of malic acid is another emerging trend impacting market prices. Companies are increasingly investing in green chemistry techniques to produce malic acid from renewable sources, reducing dependency on fossil fuels. While bio-based malic acid aligns with sustainability goals, the production costs remain relatively high compared to conventional methods, influencing the overall price structure. However, as technology advances and production scales up, bio-based malic acid is expected to become more cost-competitive, potentially stabilizing prices in the long run.
Regional variations in malic acid pricing are also notable. In North America and Europe, stringent environmental regulations and higher production costs often result in relatively higher prices compared to Asia-Pacific, where manufacturing costs are lower. China and India, being major manufacturing hubs, offer competitive pricing due to lower labor costs and government incentives for chemical production. However, any policy changes in these regions, such as tariffs or export restrictions, can create price fluctuations that impact global markets.
Future trends in the malic acid market indicate continued growth in demand, especially with the rising adoption of functional food and beverages, increased focus on nutraceuticals, and the growing popularity of clean-label cosmetic products. The expansion of emerging economies and the rising middle-class population with higher disposable incomes are also expected to drive market growth, consequently impacting pricing trends. Additionally, advancements in production technologies, such as fermentation-based synthesis, could play a crucial role in optimizing costs and ensuring a steady supply of malic acid in the coming years.
Overall, the malic acid market remains highly dynamic, with pricing trends influenced by multiple factors, including raw material costs, supply chain dynamics, regulatory policies, competitive landscape, and evolving consumer preferences. As industries continue to diversify their applications of malic acid, market participants must stay informed about these influencing factors to navigate pricing challenges effectively. With continuous research, innovation, and strategic collaborations, the malic acid market is poised for steady growth, ensuring its significance across various industries worldwide.
Get Real time Prices for Malic Acid: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/malic-acid-1281
