The human body is a complex structure made up of billions of cells. These cells in our bodies must maintain a proper balance of acids and alkalis in order to function and stay alive. This balance is generally referred to as the pH balance. A proper pH balance acts as the strongest defence against all diseases. One of the most important health discoveries of modern medical science is that if the body maintains a proper alkaline state, no disease can ever impact the human body. This makes it potentially one of the most powerful and important balances that we all need to take care of and strictly maintain.
From the most complex to the simplest of diseases like Flu have nothing to do with germs. It’s all about acids. The body is programmed to naturally induce fever in order to force the toxins out of it by opening up the pores of the skin. It is believed that one may never contract cold or flu if the body is constantly in the alkaline state. In simple terms, if you want to stay healthy, cleanse and alkalize your body.
While the body is programmed to adjust the pH on its own, it does so at the cost to other vital organs of the body which can lead to serious health imbalances.
So what exactly is the body’s pH balance and why is it so important to maintain it?
What is pH?
The term pH stands for ‘potential of Hydrogen.’ It is the amount of hydrogen ions in a particular solution (like blood). pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. The lower the pH number, the more acidic the body is and the higher the number the more alkaline it is. For example, a pH of 3 is more acidic than a pH of 5 and a pH of 9 is more alkaline than a pH of 6. An acidic state causes a lack of oxygenation at the cellular level. When the pH level falls below 7.4, there is less than the maximum oxygen in the blood. Blood carries the maximum oxygen at pH 7.4 (alkaline). Without proper oxygenation, unfriendly bacteria, mould, and viruses will prosper.
A Balanced State
As humans, a normal pH of all tissues and fluids of the body (except the stomach) is slightly alkaline. The most critical pH is in the blood. All other organs and fluids will fluctuate in their range in order to keep the blood a strict pH between 7.35 and 7.45 (slightly alkaline). This process is called homeostasis. The body makes constant adjustments in tissue and fluids to maintain this very narrow pH range in the blood.
Doctors around the world believe that disease can only grow in an acidic body. An acidic body creates a perfect environment for the growth of bacteria, yeast, fungus, mould, viruses, and any other unwanted organisms. Diseases like cancer always strike those with an over-acidic body. . As the body becomes more acidic, calcium is depleted. The body will then leach calcium from bones, teeth, and tissue to make up for this loss. One of the first warning signs is calcium deposits in the body, which come from the calcium in our teeth and bones and not from nutritional calcium.
Risks of being too acidic
To be too acidic (or too alkaline) in the body can have far reaching consequences. For example, if the blood becomes too acidic:
1) It takes some alkaline forming elements from the enzymes in the intestine which then becomes too acidic to digest foods optimally. The pancreas, gallbladder and liver are forced to make up for this deficiency in order to metabolize foods properly. The result is lowered immune function, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, absorption and digestive problems, etc.
2) The bones will leach calcium, the most alkaline mineral. This can lead to reduced absorption of minerals and bone density problems.
3) Insulin levels increase and fat is stored instead of being metabolized. When malnutrition or starvation sets in, the body becomes acidic and as a safety, insulin is over produced so that all available calories are stored as fat for future use. As a result, weight gain is common and weight loss becomes more difficult.
4) Additional stress is placed on the kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas and other organs.
Common Symptoms that your body is too acidic
Common symptoms include but are not limited to heart burn, acid reflux, indigestion, weight gain, difficulty losing weight, poor metabolism, mineral deficiencies, constipation, fatigue, brain related problems,, frequent urination, hormonal imbalances, sore muscles and the list goes on.
Contributing factors to an acidic environment
Emotions such as anger, hatred, sadness, despair, and loneliness also change your body chemistry to acidic. Other factors include stress, environmental pollution, not enough or too much exercise, and the most important factor being improper diet. The more acid forming foods we eat, the more acidic we become.
How to know if your body is too acidic
One of the best ways to determine whether or not we are maintaining a proper pH is to test the urine. This is accurate because one of the most efficient ways for our bodies to maintain balance is to utilize the kidneys. If we become too acidic, our kidneys will eliminate acid through the urine. This will help make the blood more alkaline.The urine then is an excellent indicator to determine if our diet is too rich in foods that make us acidic or alkaline.
The optimal urine pH is between 6 and 7 on the pH scale. If your average is below six, you are too acidic. If your average is above seven you are too alkaline. In either case you should immediately consider lifestyle changes to support the proper pH for your body.
Dietary and Lifestyle changes that can help
Diet is probably the most important change. Avoid the over consumption of meat, alcohol, soft drinks, caffeine, coffee, most nuts, eggs, vinegar, pasteurized milk, cheese, white sugar and medical drugs.
By far the most effective and consistent solution to remove tissue acidity is to increase hydration with alkaline fluids (like lime water or citrus fruit juices) so that the body continues to stay in its natural alkaline state. Add more ripe fruit, vegetables, soy beans, bean sprouts, water, raw milk, onions, carrots, and beets etc. to your diet.
It also helps to reduce anxiety when possible and include moderate exercise in your daily regimen. Proper breathing, yoga and meditation are best to maintain a proper pH balance in the body.
