Your body's pH can play a tremendous role in your health, though it is not an overly common practice for individuals to keep tabs on their internal acidity. Bodies on the acidic end of the pH scale are more susceptible to conditions such as weakened bones, according to Dr. Susan E. Brown of the Center for Better Bones. Testing your body's pH consists of using a sample fluid to determine your alkaline balance. Once you understand whether your body's pH is acidic, alkaline or neutral, you can make dietary changes to improve your body's pH and your health.
Step 1
Purchase or borrow a digital pH meter. A new one can easily cost more than $100, but if you plan to test yourself frequently, it might be a worthwhile investment.
Step 2
Calibrate the meter using two buffer solutions. Each should be at one end of the pH scale, meaning one is extremely acidic--below a 4.0 pH--while the other is extremely basic, at least 10.0 pH or higher. Packets and instructions for these buffer solutions are usually sold alongside pH meters in the stores they are available. Follow the instructions on the pH meter to calibrate the meter.
Step 3
Clean the probe after inserting them into the solution for calibration using distilled or deionized water.
Step 4
Determine what bodily fluid you will use to test for acidity. The kind you choose will determine what type of pH level you should ideally have. Urine is the most commonly used fluid because of its availability, but saliva is also an option.
Step 5
Insert the probe into the fluid until it produces a result. Perform the test at least twice to confirm the reading.
Step 6
Compare your results to the healthy ranges for the fluid you tested. A healthy range for urine acidity is 6.5 to 7.5. Saliva should ideally be between 7.0 and 7.5, according to the Center for Better Bones.
Tips and Warnings
- You might want to test your pH level several times over a few different days, because pH levels can fluctuate based on your diet.
Things You'll Need
- Digital pH meter
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