The ALKALINE and ACID Myths

Maintaining a healthy pH balance in your body is crucial for overall wellness. Many believe their bodies are overly acidic and need drastic alkalizing. This post clarifies pH, separating fact from fiction, and empowering you to manage your health.

We’ll explore pH, its levels within the body, the implications of imbalances, and practical steps to achieve a healthy pH balance. This isn't about restrictive diets or expensive supplements; it's about understanding your body.

Understanding pH: A Simplified Explanation

The term "pH" might seem complex. But the concept is simple: pH measures a substance's acidity or alkalinity on a scale of 1 to 14.

A pH of 7 is neutral, like pure water. Below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is alkaline.

The Significance of pH in the Human Body

Your body fluids have specific pH levels for proper function. Blood pH level should be between 7.35 and 7.45, slightly alkaline. Even a minor dip below this range can cause serious health problems.

Other fluids have their ideal pH ranges. Your stomach should be highly acidic, between 1 and 3, for proper digestion.

This is why maintaining pH balance in your body is vital.

pH Balance: The Truth About Imbalances

Both high and low blood pH, our main pH balance indicator, can significantly impact health. It's more complex than a simple dichotomy.

Symptoms of Acidosis

Low blood pH (acidosis) can lead to health issues, including respiratory problems. People with acidosis often take calcium.

If your body becomes too alkaline, calcium absorption decreases because an acidic medium aids absorption.

Acidosis can cause coma (e.g., from diabetic ketoacidosis), erratic heartbeats, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleep problems, anxiety, and decreased oxygen. Vaginal pH balance can influence infection susceptibility.

Symptoms of Alkalosis

Excessive alkalinity reduces potassium and calcium absorption. Since we absorb fewer minerals in alkaline conditions, decreased potassium and calcium results.

High alkalinity might cause sugar cravings. It disrupts sugar storage, causing potassium issues.

This might cause calf cramps or heart rhythm problems. Low potassium negatively affects the heart, and potassium is a physiological relaxant.

Alkalosis also impacts calcium deposition, leading to tendonitis, arthritis, or bone spurs.

Causes and Solutions for pH Imbalances

Maintaining a healthy pH balance isn't just about drinking alkaline water, as overdoing it worsens imbalances.

It requires a multi-pronged approach. Daily food choices largely determine if your body stays within a healthy pH zone.

Eating less processed grains, sugar, and junk food, and more vegetables and quality nutrients naturally restores pH balance without drastic measures. This can address an underlying pH imbalance.

Ketosis and Acidosis

Ketogenic diets can lead to acidosis due to fat burning. Those on high-protein diets (e.g., Atkins) might also experience acidosis from increased ketones and uric acid. This metabolic acidosis can disrupt your blood pH.

So, how do you fix pH levels in these cases?

While fat and protein breakdown can impact pH, they aren't inherently bad.

Vegetables not only add alkalinity but also provide essential minerals to balance pH levels.

Reducing sugar intake decreases diabetic issues. Even diabetes can affect acidity.

Other Lifestyle Factors

Sometimes, pH imbalance stems from non-dietary factors. Stress can push some into higher alkalinity.

How can stress cause acidity in some and alkalinity in others? An overwhelmed body may expel necessary acids through urine, raising pH and lowering mineral levels like calcium and potassium.

Even medications can disrupt mineral stores, pH, hydration, and urinary system balance. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also causes issues with blood pH.

Simple Solutions and Prevention Strategies

The real fix is long-term healthy eating habits and regular exercise with sufficient rest.

Those seeking faster, targeted pH remedies might find doing the opposite helps. If acidity needs alkalinity or a sour system needs sweetness, there's some truth to it.

Several research studies have shown the interplay between pH, food, and health. Apple cider vinegar can restore good acidity, providing nutrients, electrolytes, and acid.

Counter-intuitively, people use Rolaids to increase stomach acid, thinking high sour levels (pH 1-3) mean higher acidity, but they actually have lower acidity.

People also grab soda during alkaline swings. The carbonic acid temporarily lowers stomach pH, offering relief.

The Role of pH Balance in Overall Health and Eye Care

Maintaining optimal pH balance in the body is essential for overall health, as it influences everything from digestion to immune function.

An overly acidic environment can contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and an increased risk of chronic conditions.

Interestingly, maintaining proper pH levels can also play a role in how to prevent cataracts, as excessive acidity in the body may accelerate oxidative damage to the eyes, leading to lens clouding over time.

To support a balanced pH, focus on a nutrient-dense diet rich in alkaline-forming foods such as leafy greens, nuts, and seeds while reducing processed foods and refined sugars that contribute to acidity.

Staying well-hydrated and incorporating lifestyle habits like intermittent fasting can further aid in regulating pH levels, promoting both eye health and overall well-being.

Conclusion

Balancing your body's pH isn't about eliminating acidity or alkalinity completely, as that can cause problems. It's about finding the right balance.

Pay attention to what triggers pH changes and understand your body's reactions. pH balance is individualized.

Healthy habits like regular exercise and sufficient rest improve acid-base balance and digestion.

This makes sense, as cells rely on balanced oxygen delivery, proper nutrition transport, and intercellular exchanges within pH-balanced systems.

FAQs about pH Balance

What happens when your body's pH balance is off?

pH imbalances can lead to various health issues. Acidosis can cause fatigue, digestive problems, and weakened immunity.

Excessive alkalinity can result in anxiety, muscle twitching, and difficulty concentrating.

These imbalances affect our systems, cellular activity, and organ function, potentially leading to chronic diseases.

How do you fix the pH level in your body?

Start with gradual dietary changes and stress reduction. Consume more vegetables, especially leafy greens, and other potassium-rich foods.

Limit processed foods, refined sugar, and excess protein, which are acid-forming.

Managing stress is important, as uncontrolled adrenals affect pH balance.

How do I fix my pH balance?

Drink plenty of water and exercise, balancing mineral levels. Address your nutritional balance, including vitamin D intake.

Regular walks outdoors and sunlight exposure benefit pH and skeletal health.

Eat a variety of colorful vegetables for their antioxidants.

Address gut bacteria dysbiosis through fasting, probiotics, and reducing harmful inflammation.

What are the symptoms of a low pH balance?

Low pH balance (acidosis) has various symptoms. These include rapid breathing, confusion, fatigue, and headaches.

Severe acidosis can cause complications like shock or organ failure. pH issues can also manifest as low immunity and high toxic burden, increasing susceptibility to coughs and infections. This may lead to lactic acidosis.

Acidity from acidic systems promotes healing, and most of this acid is made by specialized cells. Avoiding excessive alkalinity improves immunity and reduces acidosis-related coughs or ailments.