pH Balance: Sickness and the Acidic Environment

pH Balance

Acidosis v. Alkalosis

According to Folk Medicine, cancer could be an example of a disease that could grow in the wrong environment or acidosis.

Most metabolic reactions in the body function within a balanced acid-alkaline pH range. Michael Romero, PhD of Mayo Clinic published research that states the body cannot function in either a state of acidosis or alkalosis.  Foods and beverages affect the pH range of your body.  Too much stress and lack of physical exercise can cause an increased acid pH in the body as well.  Changing and adopting a healthier diet and lifestyle will help maintain an alkaline pH. According to D. C. Jarvis MD, author of Folk Medicine, “when there is a drop in the outdoor temperature, the blood reaction is also said to immediately become more alkaline, the adrenal gland is active, blood pressure rises and as the blood becomes more alkaline, tissue chemistry is altered. The reverse happens with warmer weather.” To maintain an alkaline environment in the body, experts suggest eating lots of fruits and vegetables which are sources of nutrients that can help maintain an alkaline environment…also eating fresh salads, seafood and fish.

Body pH is measured on a scale of zero to 14, with 7.0 indicating neutral. Healthy pH ranges between 7.35 to 7.45, slightly alkaline, yet this level is conducive for maintaining metabolic processes. Excess acid in the blood, or acidosis, however, occurs when the pH falls below 7.35 and alkalosis occurs when pH is 7.45 or higher.  A fruit and vegetable diet will move the pH balance to a more alkaline level by decreasing the amount of calcium eliminated from the body. To make your own alkaline water, simply squeeze lemon or lime into your filtered drinking water.

Testing: See your physician to determine initial pH levels with accuracy. Nitrazine paper is a pH indicator dye and is also available for purchase. Test your pH daily for two weeks, three times a day and record the results in a journal. Track the foods you eat. A urine pH test usually is the lowest in the morning. A pH near 7.3 indicates a healthy balance. Note that stress and anxiety, which can result in hyperventilation, can significantly increase the amount of carbon dioxide expelled into your bloodstream as well. A high level of carbon dioxide leads to alkalosis.