Acid - Alkaline Balance
Eating to keep your acid- alkaline balance is a tricky concept. It is just that a concept or a theory that resonates with some and not others. This concept is based on balancing the pH in our body with the foods that we eat. Food are categorized in categories based on whether the residue left behind after they have been metabolized is acid-forming or alkalizing.
What is pH?
pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity if a substance on a scale of 0 through 14. With 0 being acid, 7 neutral and 14 alkaline.
Why is this relevant to our body?
The pH in our blood plasma must remain between 7.35 and 7.45. When blood becomes too acidic the heart beat slows or in extreme scenarios the result can be a diabetic coma or worse. By contrast too alkaline heartbeat will speed up and by extreme can result in tetanic convulsions or worse.
How does this work?
In short acidity in the bloodstream is raised by movement of muscles and the breakdown of protein and starches. These acids are then used for various functions in the body.
They are then broken down into water and cabodioxide - eliminated through the kidney, skin and lungs
Used by the stomach for digestion
Neutralized and eliminated as salts by the kidneys.
Fruits and vegetables contribute alkalizing minerals such as potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium to the body. The organic acids found in these foods break down to carbon dioxide and water and are eliminated; leaving behind the alkalizing minerals that neutralize acids.
The sodium that our body need is much different than the sodium chloride found in table salt. Table salt is incredibly refined making it incredibly difficult for our body to break it down. The recommendation to cut back on sodium from processed food and table salt is often good advice. However, sodium from vegetable and fruit is essential for our body.
Excess protein, fats and refined foods are acid- forming. The acids produced must be neutralized to prevent them from harming the body - sodium, potassium and calcium are used. If the body is continuously having to be neutralized we deplete the bodies reserves of these minerals. When the body is depleted of it’s mineral stores it affects the production of enzymes. Also excess acidity can lead to fatigue, degenerative conditions and allergies.
Food and diet can already be overwhelming and confusing. The best way to look at this is to eat lots of whole colourful foods mostly plants, some grains and small amounts of meats, dairy, refined sugar and flour products.
Start to listen to your body. If you are feeling more fatigued, aches and pains arising that improve through the day, sour taste in your mouth, creaking joints, bursitis, bone spurs, chronic indigestion these are all some indications that you maybe in a more acid or alkaline state. You may need to adjust your diet if you are eating more heavy one way or the other.
Resources;
Staying Health with Nutrition By Elson M. Haas, MD
Food and Healing By Annemarie Colbin
Allergies Disease in Disguise by Carolee Bateson- Koch DC ND
Disclaimer
The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Green Thumb Health & Nutrition. Please note that Green Thumb Health & Nutrition is not a dietitian, physician, pharmacist or other licensed healthcare professional. The information on this website is NOT intended as medical advice, nor is it intended to replace the care of a qualified health care professional. This content is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. Always consult with your primary care physician or licensed healthcare provider for all diagnosis and treatment of any diseases or conditions, for medications or medical advice as well as before changing your health care regimen.
