It is possible to eat healthy and take great supplements and still not reap the benefits. This is because you may not absorb the nutrients properly if your system is imbalanced. Acid-base balance, also known as acid-alkaline balance, is an important homeostatic function of the body. It is vital to maintain this balance because your body can only assimilate, or absorb nutrients, in a neutral environment.
Acid-Base Balance
A coordinated effort of the circulatory, respiratory, urinary and lymph systems keeps a consistent balance of hydrogen ions (pH) in body fluids. This affects the function of proteins and enzymes in the blood, ultimately influencing many of our metabolic functions.
Over-acidity
The typical Western diet of processed and fast food lacks minerals that alkalize the blood. This creates an inefficient metabolism and acid accumulation in the body; causing a continual cycle of over-adicity, also known as acidosis, that is hard to normalize, ultimately causing degeneration if not addressed.
Many chronic diseases and allergic reactions known to modern man are thought to be due to acidosis of the gastrointestinal tract and blood.
In support of this theory a recent study published in Nutrition Journal states that "evidence suggest(s) that a correction of dietary acid load could improve acid-base balance and thereby reduce chronic disease such as osteoporosis, kidney stones or sarcopenia."
Alkaline Diet
To restore restore proper pH in the body you may need to change your diet to create a more alkaline system through the foods you eat or avoid.
Following a high alkaline diet can provide foods with vital nutrients and leave the body in a state of increased metabolism, because cellular functions are carried out better in a balanced system.
Alkalizing Foods
Alkaline-forming foods include vegetables, fruits, most legumes, eggs, fermented soy (tofu or tempeh) and many seeds. Prunes, mushrooms, buttermilk, goat milk, yogurt, almonds, and coconut can also be added to the diet. Eating more of these will increase your blood pH and benefit your metabolic processing that is so crucial to optimum health.
Some other nourishing ingredients that can be added to your food include brewer's yeast and kelp; they are both high in minerals that are very alkalizing. Either can be added to food in small amounts right at the end of cooking to increase nutrient absorption rates.
Alkaline Proteins
It may seem like there are no proteins available in a diet that is high in alkalizing foods. Often classified as acidic, these foods can, however, be used throughout your cuisine in moderate amounts: eggs, whey protein powder, cottage cheese, yogurt, tofu, soybeans, sprouted seeds and nuts.
Exceptional People
In cases where carbohydrate metabolism and blood sugar regulation is weak, as in diabetes or hypoglycemia, the diet may require more alkalizing foods. These diseases can exhaust the alkaline reserves in the body and make it harder to attain the right pH balance.
Neutral Foods
There are many versions of the acidic and alkaline food chart to be considered, and some foods can be listed on either side of the line. They should be considered neutral, and include foods like cooking oils--specifically olive, corn, peanut, soy, and lard.
References
- "Nutrition Journal"; Effect of a supplement rich in alkaline minerals on acid-base balance in humans; Konig, Daniel; 2009, 8:23.
- "Structure and Function of the Body"; 12th edition; Thibodeau, Gary and Kevin Patton; Mosby, Inc.; 2004
- "Certificate in Nutrition, Bodycare and Herbalism Lesson Manual"; Australasian College of Healthcare Sciences; 2005
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