ACIDS AND ALKALINES - BALANCING YOUR BODIES pH LEVELS
Are you looking for vibrant health and energy? Did you know that doing so can begin by balancing the acidity and alkalinity in your body?
The pH level (acid - alkaline measurement) of our internal fluids affects every cell in our bodies. Extended acid imbalances of any kind can overwhelm your body.
Just as the body regulates its temperature it will also manage to balance the pH levels, especially in the blood. The body will go to such great lengths to maintain a blood pH of 7.365, that it will create stress on other tissues or body systems.
The body will show signs of pH imbalance (too much acid; acidic ) by experiencing fatigue, aches and pains, low energy, poor digestion and disease.
Understanding PH
pH (potential of hydrogen) is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14—the lower the pH the more acidic the solution, the higher the pH the more alkaline (or base) the solution. When a solution is neither acid nor alkaline it has a pH of 7 which is neutral.
Water is the most abundant compound in the human body, comprising 70% of the body. The body has an acid-alkaline (or acid-base) ratio called the pH which is a balance between positively charges ions (acid-forming) and negatively charged ions (alkaline-forming.) The body continually strives to balance pH. When this balance is compromised many problems can occur.
It is important to understand that we are not talking about stomach acid or the pH of the stomach. We are talking about the pH of the body's fluids and tissues which is an entirely different matter.
Are you wondering what "pH" is?
The body is largely made up of water. This water can have either acid or alkaline properties which are measured by a graduated scale called pH (for "potential hydrogen"), wherein 1.0 to 6.9 is considered acidic, 7.0 is neutral, and 7.1 to 14.0 is alkaline. The lower the pH number, the greater the acidity, and the higher the pH number, the greater the alkalinity.
An explaination on why you should be concerned about your pH levels?
The pH level in our body has profound effects on the overall chemistry of health and disease in our bodies. The management of pH is so important that the body has developed strict accounting procedures to monitor acid-alkaline balances in every cell. Extended pH imbalances are not well tolerated by the body. If the pH deviates too far to the acid side, cells become poisoned by their own toxic wastes.
An imbalanced pH level in the body can be dangerous.
Most diets cause an unhealthy acid pH level in the body. Diet appears to be the major influence in maintaining appropriate pH levels throughout the body. Certain foods are "acid-forming" and "alkaline-forming". It is important to know which foods provide a better balance for you.
There are many benefits to balancing your bodies pH Levels.
When you rebalance your body's pH and make it more alkaline, viruses, bacteria, yeasts and other pathogens cannot survive. These microforms all need an acidic medium to survive. Degenerative diseases cannot gain a foothold in an alkaline environment.
Changing your pH levels to a more optimal level.
Changing your diet to include more foods that are alkaline in nature. The less acid foods you eat the better. Your diet should mostly consist of vegetables. Supplements are also a great addition which have great potential in returning your body to a natural state of health.
Reasons why a balanced pH level is important to the body.
Controls diseased cells.
Diseased cells thrive in an acidic environment. Providing a more alkaline balance in your body provides diseased cells an unsurvivable environment.
Proper calcium utilization.
The body will do anything to maintain a balanced pH, including the leaching of important minerals like calcium, potassium and sodium from the tissues. To maintain alkalinity, the body first goes for sodium, then potasium, and then calcium. It literally leaches the calcium from your bones, making your bones porous and fragile. This is a major contributor to both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Appropriate cholesterol levels
Balancing your pH helps to maintain proper cholesterol levels.
Healthy oxygen flow.
When we alkalize the bloodstream protects against premature aging.
Proper weight control and fat metabolism.
With the body in a natural alkaline state, insulin production and body weight are more normal. By eating more alkaline foods your body drops off excess weight.
Proper calcium utilization.
The body will do anything to maintain a balanced pH, including the leaching of important minerals like calcium, potassium and sodium from the tissues. To maintain alkalinity, the body first goes for sodium, then potasium, and then calcium. It literally leaches the calcium from your bones, making your bones porous and fragile. This is a major contributor to both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Proper heart function and electrolyte levels.
Proper levels of electrolytes is essential for a balanced energy level.
Strong blood flow.
The blood is more able to remove plaque from the arteries and veins. Which in return allows the blood to provide more oxygen to all organs.
We have listed a few important details of activities that play a big role in preventing the body from being too acidic.
- Eat a diet that is high in foods that alkalize the body.
- Drink water that is pH balanced.
- Take supplements that provide super foods or greens that support pH balnces in the body.
Time to Balance your pH levels.
An imbalanced body pH can be at the root of many common symptoms such as constipation, digestive problems, heartburn, headaches, frequent colds, fatigue, and sleeplessness.
As we age we become overly acidic due to the exposure of certain foods, environmental toxins and stress. Our bodies are less effective at balancing the pH levels with age. We go from being in a more or less continuous alkaline state at a younger age to having chronic acidosis, or chronic excess acidity.
By testing your pH with test strips, you can determine quickly and easily, in the privacy of your own home, what your pH is.
Testing your bodies pH Level.
One of the easiest ways to test the body's pH is to use pH test strips. You can get pH paper (also called hydrazine paper) in most drug stores.
By testing your pH with test strips, you can determine quickly and easily, in the privacy of your own home, what your pH is.
Foods that provide a balanced pH level.
| Most Alkaline | Alkaline | Lowest Alkaline | FOOD CATEGORY | Lowest Acid | Acid | Most Acid |
| Stevia | Maple Syrup, Rice Syrup | Raw Honey, Raw Sugar | SWEETENERS | Processed Honey, Molasses | White Sugar, Brown Sugar | NutraSweet, Equal, Aspartame, Sweet 'N Low |
| Lemons, Watermelon, Limes, Grapefruit, Mangoes, Papayas | Dates, Figs, Melons, Grapes, Papaya, Kiwi, Blueberries, Apples, Pears, Raisins | Oranges, Bananas, Cherries, Pineapple, Peaches, Avocados | FRUITS | Plums, Processed Fruit Juices | Sour Cherries, Rhubarb | Blackberries, Cranberries, Prunes |
| Asparagus, Onions, Vegetable Juices, Parsley, Raw Spinach, Broccoli, Garlic | Okra, Squash, Green Beans, Beets, Celery, Lettuce, Zucchini, Sweet Potato, Carob | Carrots, Tomatoes, Fresh Corn, Mushrooms, Cabbage, Peas, Potato Skins, Olives, Soybeans, Tofu | BEANS VEGETABLES LEGUMES | Cooked Spinach, Kidney Beans, String Beans | Potatoes (without skins), Pinto Beans, Navy Beans, Lima Beans | Chocolate |
| Almonds | Chestnuts | NUTS SEEDS | Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds | Pecans, Cashews | Peanuts, Walnuts | |
| Olive Oil | Flax Seed Oil | Canola Oil | OILS | Corn Oil | ||
| Amaranth, Millet, Wild Rice, Quinoa | GRAINS CEREALS | Sprouted Wheat Bread, Spelt, Brown Rice | White Rice, Corn, Buckwheat, Oats, Rye | Wheat, White Flour, Pastries, Pasta | ||
| MEATS | Venison, Cold Water Fish | Turkey, Chicken, Lamb | Beef, Pork, Shellfish | |||
| Breast Milk | Soy Cheese, Soy Milk, Goat Milk, Goat Cheese, Whey | EGGS DAIRY | Eggs, Butter, Yogurt, Buttermilk, Cottage Cheese | Raw Milk | Cheese, Homogenized Milk, Ice Cream | |
| Herb Teas, Lemon Water | Green Tea | Ginger Tea | BEVERAGES | Tea | Coffee | Beer, Soft Drinks |
TAKE NOTE: WORK WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER
The information on this web site is for informational and educational purposes only. Please consult a health care professional regarding the applicability of any opinion or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.
No statement on the web site should be construed as a claim for cure, treatment or prevention of any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
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