PH balance and controlling over acidity in our bod...
In recent years a measure has emerged on the holistic health scene for balance and harmony within the body and in is becoming widely recognized as a true measure of health. This measure is the acid alkaline balance also known as pH balance in the body.
Research has indicated that too much acidity (or acidosis) all too commonly arising from the standard American diet has serious implications for impaired digestion, immunity and chronic disease.
Its been scientifically acknowledged by researchers that blood must maintain a state of slight alkalinity for the body’s proper functioning and almost all of our crucial physiological operations including immunity, digestion and cardiovascular as well as most of our metabolic processes and enzyme reactions require a slightly alkaline internal environment.
The number of people in America having overly acidic body chemistry is generally considered to be higher than 90% .The typical American diet is composed of foods that are either highly acidic in their chemical makeup or once eaten cause an acidic reaction in the body. Fried overly processed high sugar foods — plus animal proteins - stimulate the stomach to produce acid. Our highly stressful often sedentary with little or no exercise compounds the problem.
If all this isn’t enough the many medications we take in the course of our daily life, from aspirin to cough syrup increase significantly the acidity in the body. The commonest affect of an over acidic body on our disposition is a feeling of low energy tiredness and often depression.
Our immunity becomes lowered, inflammatory conditions increase loss of some very vital minerals such as calcium magnesium and potassium opening us to major health problems such as heart disease and osteoporosis.
What’s the solution?
Except for a small percentage of the population that has the right pH balance and an even smaller percentage (less than 1%) that may be over alkaline, almost everyone nowadays is acidic. The only question is how acidic. This can be easily determined by the use of pH test paper and checking the saliva for pH balance. The test must be continued for a few days to be sure. As the paper by changes color to either yellow (acidic) or blue (alkaline) or staying neutral (green) one can determine body’s pH balance. The same test can be performed for the urine also.
Once having determined that ones body is acidic one can embark on a regimen of diet and a more stress free lifestyle to bring about a more alkaline state .By eating alkaline forming vegetables, specially more greens, preferring whole foods to processed foods and replacing red meats with fish, organic poultry and plant based proteins, one can achieve a good acid alkaline balance in a short time. Green foods and supplements like alfalfa, chlorella and spirulina offer nutrient rich ways to increase alkalinity in the body. Some commercially available green foods also have adaptogenic and antioxidant herbs like Ashwagandha (white asparagus root) or vitamins and minerals added to the formula to counteract some of the affects of a stressful lifestyle to further help in maintaining a healthy pH balance in the body.
It’s also good to familiarize oneself with some of the common alkaline forming foods. Citrus fruits and vinegar (specially apple cider) even though acidic in themselves cause an alkaline reaction in the body Almonds and cashews are good alkalizers, so are avocados and pineapples. Unprocessed sea salt as well as Himalayan rock salt are generally considered to be alkaline as opposed to processed table salt which is acid forming.
Enzymes also help the body reach optimal pH. Enzyme supplements can be used. These products may contain amylase, cellulose, lipase and protease blends plus minerals and herbs like marshmallow. A balance internal environment falls between 6.5 and 7.5 and maintaining this slightly alkaline internal stat may be the real key to higher state of health and well being.
