Many of us struggle
with our herbal programs. We fumble from diet to diet unsuccessfully.
Prescription drugs and supplements may offer us little, if any, help.
Some of us even remain in chronic pain no matter what avenues we take.
If you are in any of these categories, then it is time for you to
explore your pH levels for an improved perspective of your health
concerns.
Acid. Alkaline.
The body creates a cycle of the two. The challenge begins when the
body undergoes stress via improper diet, environment, toxic exposure
or limited exercise. Understanding this cycle, adhering to natures
needs and balancing your "acid/alkaline swing" will benefit,
energy, metabolism and can eliminate pain.
Defined as
the measure of hydrogen concentration, pH refers to the hydrogen
content of certain bodily fluids: saliva, blood and urine. The scale
runs from 1 to 14 with 7 falling at neutral. Any reading from 1 to
7 would define an acidic condition with 1 being the most acidic. Vice
versa for 7 to 14 with 14 being the most alkaline.
Many nutritionists
have avoided the implementation of pH in their programs due to its
intricate complexity. Yet with further study, one realizes that immunity,
emotions and metabolism all rely upon this factor. In general, when
ones pH is balanced, the body is in balance. When the pH is too acidic
or alkaline then the body will suffer.
When a body
is acidic, common ailments include anxiety, diarrhea, dilated
pupils, headaches (occipital/frontal), high blood pressure, insomnia,
shortness of breath and an increased appetite. Their bodies have reached
the "burnout" phase; be it adrenal, stress or just in general.
These people have taken on the effects of rapid nervous function and/or
overexerted endocrine systems.
Alkalinity
does just the opposite. This is the build-up of 'bases' within
the system. Those complaining of lethargy may be in this category.
These individuals are experiencing the effect of autointoxication
and may be familiar with the terms "sluggish bowel", "sluggish
liver" or "congested lymphatics". Common symptoms are
constipation, cellulite, headaches (temple/sides), indigestion, low
blood pressure and a slowed pulse.
pH also affects the body's assimilation of nutrients from our provisions.
The system must be within 5.3 to 7.4 in order to acquire them. Thus
an individual may continually be hungry: their body seeking out nutrients.
Yet, when they do eat, the benefits are not gained even though the
pounds are. The body is left without the nutrients that foster metabolism:
vitamins and minerals.
Differing organs
or tissues have values associated with them for optimal utilization.
Saliva should range between 6.0-7.0, gastric juices between 1.0-3.5,
urine 4.5-8.0 and venous blood 7.3-7.35. These values must all be
maintained for proper cellular function. If a body is outside of the
proper range, the body will then compensate by drawing nutrients away
from other organs or tissues in order to maintain homeostasis within
one organ or another. Thus, the body will regulate any of the pH values
in order to survive. Without the balance that our body works toward,
we we would not be able to exist. The system within the body that
maintains the balance is known as the acid-base buffer system.
The acid-base
buffer system operates by utilizing the body's storage of potassium,
magnesium, sodium and calcium. The system works by forming solutions
of these minerals in order to combat a body that may be too acid.
The intricacies of the buffers is effective, yet the body is in a
constant state of motion leaving the possibility that while the buffer
system is operating on one particular system that others may fall
out of balance. Since the body is constantly receiving more acids,
the body is in a constant state of erosion. This depletes the body's
mineral resources for nutrients as well as the sources for the buffering
system.
The body acquires
acid from many avenues, including cellular metabolism. During times
of stress, the sympathetic nervous system will compensate and accumulate
acids. Exercise will increase metabolism and will stimulate an increase
in the acid internally. During digestion, the oxidation of fats, carbohydrates
and proteins will also raise the acidity of an individual. A intelligent
individual will learn to balance the constant onslaught.
During digestion,
when tissues are profuse with oxygen and insulin is present, an excess
of carbon dioxide is produced from the oxidation of fats and carbohydrates.
This is potentially toxic and can damage the body. Some will be discarded
through the lungs, while the majority is left and is combined with
water to produce carbonic acid.
The body is unable
to store carbonic acid and hence, it will be broken down into a bicarbonate
ion (a base) and an excess hydrogen (an acid). This breakdown allows
the body to more efficiently rid itself of excess acids, yet while
the kidneys work to excrete the matter, they are also reabsorbing
the bicarbonate for assimilation in the plasma. In an acidic individual,
this process would prove to keep the body from reaching acidosis.
Yet, since it is accumulating bases in the blood plasma, it is only
compensating by creating alkalemia.
When the body
is unable to produce adequate amounts of insulin or if it is functioning
under a state of hypoxia (limited oxygen supply to tissues) then one
would experience a different outcome. In either case the body would
begin producing lactic acid and/or betahydroxybutyric acid. When the
body tries to store and eliminate these acids, it undergoes a process
similar to the stages when oxidizing and digesting proteins.
Oxidation of
amino acids will produce the harmful hydrochloric acid, sulfuric
acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid. The body must find avenues
of elimination quickly and prior to damage. These poisonous acids
are paired with mineral complexes that are then easily stored. These
minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium) are utilized
in a form known as carbonic salts. The body will then store the less
harmful acids in order to rid the system of these potentially deadly
ones.
The carbonic salts
then combine with the acids and create products safe for storage or
excretion. This is only under the stipulation that there is an adequate
amount of minerals stored that can be utilized for the production
of carbonic salts and that the respiratory system is able to handle
the excess carbon dioxide. Many times this is not the case and the
kidneys are burdened with elimination of acids and the plasma collects
more bicarbonate.
Blood pH is
quite significant. The body even sacrifices the calcium in the
bones to maintain the proper range. Deviating from this can result
in many health disorders. Individuals in a constant acidic state may
develop osteoporosis in such conditions, due to weakened bones. In
order to sustain the vitality of all of the organs, one should be
sure to supplement their diet with bioavailable minerals such as those
found in colloidal minerals and to utilize a meal schedule filled
with deep green vegetables.
Urinary pH
can be indicative of current body mechanisms. While it displays
how well the body is assimilating minerals, it is often a gauge of
kidney, adrenal, lung or gonadal function. Since the kidneys filter
out the buffer salts of pH regulation and process wastes, the urine
can range from 4.5 to 9.0 with an ideal range of 5.8 to 6.8. Those
in a warmer climate can expect a slightly higher acidity whereas in
colder climates ones pH can reach 6.5.
While salivary
pH runs more acidic than the blood, it frequently mirrors the
internal health with an optimal range between 6.4 and 6.8. One should
test immediately upon rising, before any food or drink is ingested.
Once food is digested, then a properly functioning system should rise
to approximately 7.8. Since the salivary pH is indicative of digestive
enzymes, if out of balance we will often turn to the stomach or liver.
Those that deviate from proper salivary levels over time will welcome
poor health. Utilizing digestive enzymes such as Protease Plus and
Proactazyme will help to assimilate the nutrients properly.
Digestion can
only occur within a limited range of pH. Pepsin, the enzyme in
our stomachs, is inactivated at a pH above 5. Thus, if our body's
environment or if our foods are too alkaline then one would not be
able to digest foods. One may notice this process when ingesting proteins
and dairy. This combination often leads to improper digestion. In
turn the food may putrefy within the bowel and lead to "sluggish
bowel". Supplementing with Nature's Sunshine's Small Intestine
Detox 15-20 minutes prior to meals will aid in pepsin production
and food digestion.
Some of the confusion
regarding pH surrounds the function of some acidic foods creating
an alkalinity within the body. For example, citric acid is weak and
can be easily metabolized into an alkaline solution when certain enzymes
are present. Adding lemon juice to water adds the needed element
for acidic individuals whereas those that run alkaline should seek
out the nutrients in seeds and nuts. Apple cider vinegar, containing
citric acid, produces the same effect and can also be utilized to
bring an acidic individual into equilibrium.
Acidosis
can lead to serious diseases yet can be combated with a diet consisting
of fruits, vegetables and proper protein sources. Properly assimilating
the needed minerals (potassium, magnesium and calcium) will also aid
the body by supplying a source of bioavailable nutrients. Containing
all of the above and amino acids, GreenZone will properly supplement
a diet lacking in resources for pH balancing.
Many in a state
of acidosis will begin to notice swelling in joints or tissues
within their bodies. Inflammation is acid buildup in the tissues
that can be combated with a proper diet and exercise. An inflammation
cocktail composed of 2 oz. of Noni juice, 2 tablespoons of Colloidal
Minerals, 1 scoop of Coral Calcium and 6 oz. of water is known to
alleviate acidity-influenced inflammation quickly as to alleviate
pain and the swelling associated with this disorder.
If the body is
unable to rid itself of acids by leaching minerals from organs, then
the body will begin to manufacture ammonia to combat the problem.
Many times an alkaline situation is just a congested acidic condition.
When the body can't excrete the acids, it will then begin to store
the excess in various tissues including skin, fats, joints, muscles
and arteries. Since our skin is our largest organ, it makes sense
that detoxification baths work rapidly to heal the body. Adding yarrow,
ginger, mullein and/or bentonite clay to an Epsom salt/baking soda
bath can be quite beneficial for this purpose.
Alkaline conditions,
more often that not, are overly congested acidic conditions. In other
words, the body is storing the acid rather than eliminating it. These
individuals are prone to parasites, candida and bacteria due to their
internal environments. The lymphatics tend to get clogged and since
the skin prefers acidic conditions, many alkaline individuals will
possess skin disorders. The alkaline to balanced process is more complex
in that one must become acidic before going back to balance. While
limiting carbohydrates and increasing proteins, it is necessary to
supplement with enzymes to help break down the cellular debris in
these people.
Nutrition plays
a key role in pH balancing. Red meat, sodas, sugar and most prescription
medication can intensify acidity. Excessive protein consumption is
quite debilitating. Rapidly accelerating pH, this dietary faux pa
can lead to chronic diseases. The typical American diet consists of
excessive acid and simple sugar consumption. Compounded with a system
unable to saturate cells with oxygen and a diminishing storage of
minerals in the tissues, we are overburdening our bodies with acid.
Not only adding
the colloidal minerals to your daily regimen will help. Many have
found the healing benefits of single supplements to support their
systems as well. Bioavailable sources of calcium, magnesium, and potassium
have benefited many. Herbal Ca and SKL are favorites of many Nature's
Sunshine supporters. In order to curb the side effects of stress upon
an acidic condition, adaptogens such as Siberian Ginseng will aid
the nervous system through troubled times. HS-C, a Chinese herbal
combination, is known for its support of the adrenals during exhaustion.
And Bee Pollen is a wonderful alternative to B-Complex, which is known
to exacerbate acidic tendencies.
Most cases
of acidity can be influenced greatly by diet. Watching your intake
and limiting the causatives such as sugar, sodas and red meats will
help to balance the body and to alleviate any disorder that may be
upon your horizon.
There is more
to health than food, exercise and sleep. Many times we overlook
the internal mechanisms and their operation. Even though we may be
getting all of the proper foods, our bodies may need an added push
to get them on the right track. pH is often the key that gives the
'push' its power. Understanding your body's cycle will help you to
push your way to success.