A surprising number and variety of physical problems and diseases can be caused and
are contributed to by eating foods that are acid-producing after digestion. Today the vast majority of
the population in developed nations suffers from problems caused by the stress of acidosis, because both
the modern lifestyle and diet promote acidification of the body's internal environment.
The current typical Western diet is largely composed of acid-forming foods (proteins,
grains, sugars). Alkaline-producing foods such as vegetables are eaten in much smaller quantities.
Stimulants like tobacco, coffee, tea, and alcohol are also extremely acidifying, as are stress and physical
activity (both insufficient and excessive amounts).
What is pH?
pH (potential of Hydrogen) is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution - the ratio between
positively charged ions (acid-forming) and negatively charged ions (alkaline-forming.) The pH of any
solution is the measure of its hydrogen-ion concentration. The higher the pH reading, the more alkaline
and oxygen rich the fluid is. The lower the pH reading, the more acidic and oxygen deprived the fluid is.
The pH range is from 0 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral. Anything above 7.0 is alkaline, anything below 7.0
is considered acidic. In order to remain healthy and vital, your body keeps a delicate and precise balance
of blood pH between 7.35 and 7.45, which is slightly alkaline.
What makes food Acid or Alkaline?
Note that a food's acid or alkaline-forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. For example, lemons are very acidic; however the end-products they produce after digestion and assimilation are very alkaline so lemons are alkaline-forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test alkaline before digestion but it leaves acidic residue in the body so, like nearly all animal products, meat is classified as acid-forming.
How does Acid affect my health?
An imbalanced diet high in acidic-producing foods such as animal protein, sugar, caffeine, and processed foods puts pressure on the body's regulating systems to maintain pH neutrality. The extra buffering (neutralizing) required can deplete the body of alkaline minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, making the person prone to chronic and degenerative disease. Minerals are leached from vital organs and bones to neutralize the acid and safely remove it from the body. Because of this strain, the body can suffer severe and prolonged damage; a condition that may go undetected for years.
It is important that your daily dietary intake of food naturally acts to balance your body pH. To maintain health, the diet should consist of at least 60% alkaline forming foods and at most 40% acid forming foods. To restore health (detoxify), the diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods.
Health problems caused by acidosis
If you have a health problem, most likely you are suffering from acidosis. Research shows that unless the body's pH level is slightly alkaline, the body cannot heal itself. So no matter what means you choose to take care of your health, it won't be effective until the pH level is balanced. If your body's pH is not balanced, for example, you cannot effectively assimilate vitamins, minerals and food supplements. Your body pH affects everything.
Acidosis will decrease the body's ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the energy production in the cells, decrease its ability to repair damaged cells, decrease its ability to detoxify heavy metals, make tumor cells thrive, and make it more susceptible to fatigue and illness.
An acidic pH can not only occur from an acid-forming diet, but also un-managed emotional stress, toxic overload, and/or immune reactions or any process that deprives the cells of oxygen and other nutrients. The body will try to compensate for acidic pH by using alkaline minerals. If the diet does not contain enough minerals to compensate, a build up of acids in the cells will occur. Acidosis can cause such problems as:
Cardiovascular damage
Weight gain, obesity and diabetes
Bladder conditions
Kidney stones
Immune deficiency
Acceleration of free radical damage
Hormonal problems
Premature aging
Osteoporosis and joint pain
Aching muscles and lactic acid buildup
Low energy and chronic fatigue
Slow digestion and elimination
Yeast/fungal overgrowth
Lack of energy and fatigue
Lower body temperature
Tendency to get infections
Loss of drive, joy, and enthusiasm |
Depression and anxiety
Poor stress management
Pale complexion
Headaches
Inflammation of the corneas and eyelids
Loose and painful teeth
Inflamed, sensitive gums
Mouth and stomach ulcers
Cracks at the corners of the lips
Esophageal reflux
Gastritis
Nails are thin and split easily
Hair looks dull, has split ends, and falls out
Dry skin
Skin easily irritated
Leg cramps and spasms |
Does any of this sound familiar? You don't have to suffer. But you do have to be willing to change, because we truly are what we eat. Our body depends on us to supply it with nutritious nutrient rich food to function and efficiently remove waste. As the environment around us becomes more toxic, our diet becomes more crucial. This is why we are seeing a constant rise in chronic diseases despite our increased knowledge of disease processes and technological advances in standard medicine. There is no magic pill that will allow you to eat a diet high in acidic foods and not suffer the consequences. With a properly balanced diet you hold the key to unlocking the mystery of your health problems and achieving the wellness that you seek.
For more information about how to optimize your pH and safely do a spring cleanse
and detox, please make an appointment with Dr. Ananda Stiegler.
