Acid-alkaline balance

I say this often, but when it comes to health, balance is everything. One aspect of balance you might not be aware of is the pH (potential for hydrogen) of your body. The body needs to maintain balance between alkalinity and acidity. The balance of acid and alkalis is essential for minute-to-minute functions and long-term survival. The pH value of the body’s fluids – blood, saliva, urine, and the fluids between and inside the cells – is an indication of the body’s state of health.

“The body is alkaline by design but acidic by function.” – Albert Szent-Gyogyi, Nobel Laureate and discoverer of vitamin C

The body’s metabolic processes produce enormous quantities of acid, and yet, in order to function properly, the cells and tissues require a slightly alkaline environment. This means that in order to maintain its health the body must neutralize or excrete the vast majority of acids that it produces. In a process known as homeostasis, healthy bodies maintain a narrow range of pH blood and tissue balance at all times. If this acid-alkaline balance gets out of balance – either too alkaline or too acidic – this means that the body is in danger of becoming unhealthy and increasingly susceptible to disease.

Chronic acid-alkaline imbalances lead to one of two states: alkalosis, a condition of excessive alkalinity in the body, or acidosis, a condition of excessive acidity. While extreme imbalances are relatively uncommon, even low levels of either condition can cause serious health problems if left unaddressed.

Of the two states, acidosis is by far the most common acid-base imbalance in the Western world. Due to the poor diets in our culture, low-grade acidizes is more the rule than the exception. The following is a list of common health disorders caused by or contributed to by acidosis.

• Impaired cellular function
• Fatigue
• Diminished immunity
• Inflammation
• Osteoporosis and other problems related to mineral loss
• Premature aging and accelerated aging muscle loss
• Problems with enzyme function

Ideally, your body should be slightly alkaline with an arterial blood pH reading of 7.35 to 7.45. We can help our bodies to maintain proper balance by our diet and lifestyle choices. To understand how the food you eat affects your body’s pH, it is necessary to recognize that foods leave behind what is known as an ash, or, an alkaline or acid compound after being consumed. It can be confusing because foods that themselves might be acidic, may leave alkaline (or base) compounds in the body. For example even though lemons and limes are thought of as acidic (they are), they have an alkalizing effect on the body.

By eating a balanced meal of alkalizing and acidifying substances, you can assist the body in maintaining homeostasis. Too many poor food choices lead to acidosis. To do this, you must have an understanding of the affect foods have on the body once they are consumed.

In general, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and spices, with green vegetables and root crops are alkalizing foods and will help correct an overly acidic internal environment. Meat, fish, poultry, milk and dairy products, refined and processed carbohydrates, coffee, soft drinks, and fast food are all acidifying. Also, natural sea salt is alkalizing whereas commercial table salt is highly acidifying.

Acid-alkaline balance is yet another reason to introduce balance into your daily diet. When the body enjoys pH balance, you experience radiant good health. When the body is out of kilter, the disease process begins. The key to a healthy pH is proper diet. I encourage you to explore further the acid-alkaline effects of foods. There are many books and online resources available including listings of specific foods. If you suspect you are out of balance, you can check your pH level yourself by testing your saliva and/or urine using pH strips available at your local pharmacy. In the meantime, choose your foods mainly from the alkalizing categories listed above.