Is Your Body Off Balance? – The Acid-base Perspective
By Annalisa Corti
One of the greatest challenges for the human body is to maintain a physiologically acceptable acid-base balance. When we are born more than 80% of our body is made up of alkaline water, this to counteract the acids produced by cellular metabolism and digestion. Breast milk is alkaline to help this process. However, from the moment we stop breastfeeding, the downward spiral towards chronic acidity begins. The health and life of our cells are not compatible with an acidic environment.
This great brief post by B.B. Martin from UCLA clearly and simply introduces all the pertinent definitions. The author tells us that the “the ideal pH of the human body is slightly alkaline (pH of 7.0 to 8.0). Furthermore, the blood must be maintained precisely at a pH of 7.4 (slightly alkaline) and the body works ceaselessly to maintain the blood pH.” Food is eaten to create energy needed by the body to work and grow. However, most of the foods and drinks commonly enjoyed are typically acidic (meats, sugars, soft drinks, fried foods, etc). After the body has used up the needed energy, acidic toxins linger behind. Hence the body, through its physiological processes (urine, sweat, exhalations) persistently tries to eliminate such acids. Still, some of the acidic toxins are not easily expelled through the above-mentioned processes.
The human body is an extraordinary machine designed for our optimum survival. When one section is damaged, other parts jump in to compensate, oblivious to the long-term implications to our health. The priority is the survival in the present moment. The body’s intelligence system does not project into the future.
The food and drinks we intake continuously produce acidic toxins that progressively add themselves onto those being metabolized. If the body does not have at its disposal an alkaline reserve (bicarbonates) the body will not be able to neutralize and expel 100% of the acidic content. The body is compelled to keep neutralizing and / or eliminating them with limited success if left unassisted. Consequently, calcium particles are obtained from the skeletal system to neutralize the excess of acidity, creating a more alkaline environment to the detriment of our bones’ density. Furthermore, in order to maintain a constant blood pH level, the body adopts an astute strategy: it converts liquid acids into solid acids such as cholesterol or fatty acids. If these acids are not diluted and melted in blood, the blood pH will not lower. In the long run, however, the blood thickens and circulation slows down, thereby reducing the amount of oxygen carried to the body’s vital organs, potentially causing diseases and pathologies such as premature aging, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, and more.
Lo and behold, do not despair! There is something that we can do! We can help our body re-establish a healthy acid-base balance.
Water – Alkaline water is a great way to counteract this progressive acidity. We drink water to produce energy and to eliminate waste. The water, in order to be alkaline, needs to be pure and filled with vital energy, such as the one from mountain rivers and streams. In Japan, it is common to use water-ionizing depurators to the taps that make the water alkaline. The water becomes purer and is easier for the cells to be cleansed and hydrated by it. It is composed of cell clusters of a smaller range (5-6 molecules per cluster) compared to the 50-molecule clusters of an average tap water. The water ionizing method is by far the simplest and cheapest in helping the body get back its acid-alkaline balance. However, there are lengthy arguments about the efficiency of this method, if used by itself.
Magnesium Chloride – a miraculous supplement, extracted from the sea, with a wide range of beneficial properties. It can help with stomach acidity; as a natural pain killer; as an anti-inflammatory; to keep fever at bay; to help with food poisoning; and – last but not least – to assist in increasing the alkaline levels of the blood pH. For the French readers, there is a wonderful book by Marie-France Muller, otherwise the version by Carolyn Dean seems to be just as informative (though I have not read this one).
Alkaline Salts & Minerals – supplements to take in powder or tablets that increase the base level of the blood pH. If taken regularly, they offer tremendous assistance to a body that may be trying to detox. When doing a cleanse or a diet or any other major health change it is recommended to always start by alkalinizing first.
Vegetables & Fruits – Last but most definitely not least! We can eat in a way that protects and fosters the acid-alkaline balance. There are an infinite number of books and websites that clearly list what foods are alkaline. This website offers a reader-friendly chart that can be consulted when needed.
For further information and insights, Peter Jentshura is – in my opinion – the leading expert in the field. His studies and research have come up with a broad array of products to help us with this task. How much more would the human body be able to do if we did not pollute it? How much more strength and energy may we discover if we begin to truly care for it?
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About the Author
Annalisa Corti lives in Florence, Italy, is an Academic Professor, licensed Naturopath and Spiritual Counselor. She is trained in TCM, Spagyric Medicine, Psychosomatic Diagnosis, Mindfulness Meditation, and Reiki. She is writing her first book on applied spirituality and enjoys writing articles for the heart and soul. Connect with her on: www.healing-consciousness.org
