pH & Detox

Everyone has levels of acidity and alkalinity in their bodies. These levels are measured by the pH (potential of hydrogen) scale. According to the fourth edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by Phyllis A. Balch, a pH of 7.0 is neutral. Balch says the ideal pH range for humans is between 6.0 ad 6.8. Certain foods and supplements can help the body get back into balance by going through a detoxification process.

Significance

For humans, a pH below 7.0 is considered acidic. A pH level greater than 7.0 is alkaline. The human body should be between 6.0 and 6.8. When out of balance in either direction, you set yourself up for illness and a weakened immune system. This is when a detox for pH levels would be helpful.

You can test your own pH levels by purchasing test strips online or at the drug store. Urine or saliva can be used for the test.

Benefits

The benefits of a detox for pH include increased health and wellness. You should aim for an 80/20 balance of alkaline to acidic foods. Dietary changes can help the body detoxify. As you detox you may lose weight, gain more energy and get a stronger, healthier immune system.

Features

An informative book about detox and pH levels is "The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health" by microbiologist Robert O. Young and his wife Shelley Redford Young. In this book, they explain the benefits of detox to balance your pH levels.

They recommend doing a liquid cleanse first. If you prefer to eat solid food, they recommend detoxing with foods that have a more alkaline effect on the body. They say, "This effect is based upon the ash residue that remains after our foods are consumed. Some foods leave an acid ash, whereas others leave an alkaline ash."

Types

Types of alkaline foods for detox include most green vegetables, select fruits, seeds, nuts and grains. The website pH Miracle Living recommends eating asparagus, artichokes, lettuce, green beans, kale, onions, brussels sprouts, lemons, limes, avocado, tomato and grapefruit. It also recommends green drinks, herbal tea, vegetable broth, almond milk and almonds, pumpkin, sunflower, spelt, flax and lentils.

In "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Balch says animal protein is acidic and should be avoiding if you're trying to detox and improve your pH levels.

Prevention/Solution

Balch recommends eating a diet of 50 percent raw foods to maintain the proper pH balance in your body. She recommends apples, berries and bananas, among others, as well as avoiding processed foods.