The potential of hydrogen, or pH, is a system that your body uses to stabilize conditions in your body. Your body is a naturally acid-producing environment that requires alkaline compounds to maintain an optimal pH of around 7.4. According to a Natural News article, your pH system will break down and weaken your bones, muscles and neuromuscular tissues to get the alkaline compounds it needs if your pH is too acidic for a chronic period of time. As with any diet, consult with your doctor before adopting an alkalizing diet.
Alkaline Balance
A healthy pH level for your body fluids is slightly alkaline. You reduce the alkalinity of your body fluids by ingesting foods that have an acidifying affect on your body. Higher levels of acidity increase your risk for developing diseases such as osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes and heart and kidney disease. A diet that balances your acidic and alkaline levels involves favoring foods that have an alkalizing effect on your body.
Neutralizing
Your body is a naturally acid-producing environment, because your metabolism naturally produces acidic waste. Your body must neutralize, or "balance," these acidic waste products in order to eliminate them from your body and avoid damaging tissues and organs that are responsible for detoxifying your body. Your body requires alkaline resources to neutralize and balance acidic waste.
Percentage of Diet
According to an article on the Natural News Web site, 60 to 80 percent of the food in each of your meals should consist of alkalizing foods and 20 to 40 percent acidifying foods. An imbalanced diet that is excessively acidic diet occurs when more than 20 to 40 percent of your food has an acidifying affect on your body. Excessive alkalinity may also have negative effects on your health. Alkalosis is a condition that occurs when your body fluids are too alkaline. Low concentrations of carbon dioxide or high concentrations of bicarbonate can make your body too alkaline.
Loss of Alkalinity
An imbalanced diet that contains too many acidifying foods may lead to metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis occurs when your body makes too much acid or when your kidneys do not remove enough acid from your body. A Natural News article reports that acidosis can lead to ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis and cancer. According to that article, an imbalanced diet that is overly acidic includes high consumption of meat, dairy, processed and sugary foods. Environmental pollutants, emotional stress and excessive exercise may also contribute to higher acidity in your body.
Alkalizing Diet
Higher consumption of fruits and vegetables generally promotes a balanced and alkalizing diet. Cantaloupe and watermelon are among the most alkaline fruits. Beat greens and baked potato are among the most alkalizing vegetables.The Natural News reports that juicing vegetables may provide an efficient method to increase your alkalinity. Methods of cooking affect the acidity or alkalinity of foods in your diet. For example, baked or boiled foods may be more alkaline than fried foods. The Natural News article recommends that you drink 2 liters of distilled water that is treated by reverse-osmosis every day to promote a balanced alkalizing diet.
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