Body Chemistry, a Balancing Act

06/30/08

Despite our vast knowledge of the human body we often overlook or forget the role that pH plays in our overall health. pH is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution; in this case the solution is our blood and tissue fluids. To maintain health and to heal properly the body’s pH must be balanced. Normal body chemistry (pH) is approximately 20 per cent acid and 80 per cent alkaline. When this balance is compromised we are subject to a variety of problems and diseases. (Note: The balance we are discussing in this article relates to the body’s fluids and tissues. This is not the same as stomach acid or the pH of the stomach. )

An imbalance in the body’s pH (acidosis or alkalosis) will hinder the absorption of minerals and nutrients. It can negate even the healthiest diet and herbal supplement regimen. Since everything we eat eventually leaves either an acid or alkaline ash in the body, it is important to understand which foods can help or hinder that balance. Meats (and eggs to a lesser degree) leave highly acid ash, which lowers the alkali reserves of the blood and tissue fluids. Most fruits, green vegetables, and root vegetables are all highly alkaline-forming foods. See subheading “What to Eat” for a list of both types of foods.

What is Acidosis?
Simply put, it is too much acid in the body. The body’s pH is abnormally low. This is a breeding ground for a long list of problems and diseases, including rheumatism, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, premature aging, weight gain, cancer, kidney disease, and lung disease.

What is Alkalosis?
Alkalosis is the opposite of acidosis. The normal acidity of the blood is severely decreased. This can be caused by several factors, including excessive vomiting, hyperventilation, ingestion of too much base from substances such as baking soda (bicarbonate of soda), or loss of potassium from the use of diuretics or corticosteroids.

What to Eat?
One does not have to become a vegetarian to achieve pH balance. As mentioned earlier, it is the proper ratio of acid-forming and alkaline-forming foods that is important. It is generally recommended that our daily diet consist of four (4) times as much alkaline-forming food than acid-forming. Of course, if one is already suffering from acidosis or alkalosis, an adjustment in the ratio might be necessary. The higher the ratio of alkaline-forming foods in the diet the quicker one with acidosis will recover.

Alkaline-forming foods includes almonds, apples, apricots, bananas, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, coconut, cucumbers, dates, fatty fish (salmon, sea bass, tuna, & trout), figs, flax seed oil, grapes, leafy greens, lemons, lettuce, melons, olive oil, onions, oranges, parsley, peaches, pears, pineapples, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, raisins, spinach, soybeans, and tomatoes.

One of the most convenient ways of alkalizing the blood is by drinking fruit and citrus juices. We generally associate these juices with acid; however, they are also very high in alkaline salts, primarily potash. When the acids are used in the body, the alkaline soda or potash is left behind, which results in an increase of alkalinity of the blood rather than a decrease.

Acid-forming foods includes beef, breads, carbonated water, cereals, cakes, cheese, chicken, coffee, corn, dairy, eggs, grains (most), lentils, nuts (except almonds & brazil nuts), organ meats, oysters, peanuts, peas, pork, rice, sea food (except fatty fish), sugar, tea, and veal.

If you are not suffering from pH imbalance, eating the recommended ratio of these foods will help keep your body chemistry balanced and result in better health.

Test Your Body’s pH
A quick and easy test of your body’s pH can be done in the privacy of your own home, using pH test strips. A urine test will indicate how well your body is assimilating minerals, which the body uses to control acid levels. A saliva test indicates the activity of digestive enzymes.

These test kits can be purchased at your local pharmacy or you can Google “pH test strips for body pH” and compare the quality of the brands available online. Kits should include a pH scale chart to easily determine your levels.

Be well,
Medicine Plants™

Health Disclaimer! The information presented on this site should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. You should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to your health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors, but readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

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