A properly alkalized body plays a significant role in restoring and maintaining health. The body's organs and glands function properly in exact proportion to how much alkaline and acid levels are in our systems. Discovering the right acid/base balance, or pH balance, in this stressed, fast-food-filled society can be challenging. Understanding what an alkaline diet is and how it can affect our bodies is crucial to maintaining good health.
pH and Alkalinity
pH is a scale that measures how acidic or how alkaline a substance is. Water has a pH of 7, which is considered neutral. Human blood has a pH of 7.35 to 7.45. Your body won't allow its pH to become out of balance; there are checks and balances that the body uses to maintain a balanced pH. We need to support our bodies' natural buffering with alkaline-forming minerals like calcium, magnesium, iodine, potassium and sodium.
Understanding Alkalinity
In the book "The pH Miracle," Dr. Robert Young suggests that the health of the body is dependent upon an internal alkaline environment. He says that regulating our bodies' acid/alkaline chemistry will help with weight loss, and will increase overall strength and stamina, leaving a strong immune system. Alkalinity of the body is affected by the foods we eat and lifestyle. Eating alkaline foods and decreasing stress levels can help the body maintain alkalinity.
Balancing Your Diet for Alkalinity
Every food and beverage can be classified as acid-forming or alkalizing based on the effect it has on the body after it is digested. Unhealthy food choices can make your body work overtime to maintain a proper pH balance. Balancing food choices will help balance the pH and the work that the body has to do to maintain that balance. Striving for a balance of 80% alkaline foods and 20% acidic foods is ideal. Making fruits and vegetables the core of each meal helps to maintain that balance.
Alkalizing Your Diet
Increasing the amount of alkalizing foods in your diet by eating fruits and vegetables--which are at the top of the alkalizing food list--is crucial! Some alkalizing foods are beets, broccoli, kale, eggplant, collard greens, lemons, tangerines, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, green tea and all berries. To alkalize your diet, use green drinks or raw fruit juices. Juicing greens and fruits boosts your immune system and your energy levels; the natural enzymes, vitamins, minerals and co-factors all support alkalinity.
Decrease Acidity in Your Diet
Decrease the amount of acidic foods you consume. Reduce your consumption of extremely acidic foods such as alcohol, soda, caffeine (coffee and black tea included), white flour, white sugar, white pasta, as well as all meat and dairy products.
References
- Alkalize or Die; Theodore Baroody; 1991
- phmiracleliving.com: Discover the Alkalarian Approach to Optimal Health
- The pH Miracle; Robert Young; 2003
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