Body pH refers to the balance of acid and alkaline in your blood. According to the Mayo Clinic, acid is a naturally occurring by-product of the breakdown of fats, and your body balances the acidity with buffers, which are alkaline or basic in nature. The process is complex and healthy body pH is influenced by the foods and beverages you consume, as well as the management of existing health conditions. Acidosis or alkalosis of the metabolic system or respiratory system results from pH imbalance. Consistent imbalance of pH can lead to serious medical problems including cardiovascular disease, hormonal changes and symptoms of nausea, headache or digestive disturbance.
Step 1
Buy pH test strips for home testing. The local nutrition store or pharmacy sells pH test strips, also known as litmus paper, for home use. Strips are available to test your saliva or urine. In order to measure pH balance, you have to first establish a baseline. Home pH testing is not meant to replace testing from a medical professional and physician consultation is necessary in the event of severe pH imbalance.
Step 2
Read test strip product information to accurately measure your pH. Body pH is measured on a scale of zero to 14, with 7.0 indicating neutral. Healthy pH ranges between 7.35 to 7.45, which is considered slightly alkaline, yet conducive for maintaining metabolic processes. However, excess acid in the blood, or acidosis, occurs when pH falls below 7.35 and alkalosis occurs when pH is 7.45 or higher.
Step 3
Test your pH daily for two weeks and record the results. Use a journal to write the results and keep track of the foods you eat. Take a urine pH test first thing in the morning and note the result, which is likely to be the lowest value at that time of day. Test urine pH each time you use the restroom throughout the day to understand the average balance of your pH. On average, a pH near 7.3 indicates a healthy balance.
Step 4
Increase alkalinity in your body if you test acidic. Alkaline balance is achieved by eating foods such as green vegetables, berries and fruits. Once body pH is healthy, maintain an acid-alkaline balance by eating five to six servings of vegetables daily as well as three to five servings of fruit. Fruits and vegetables are considered buffers for excess acid because they are alkaline-forming once metabolized in your body. Exceptions to this include pickled produce and canned fruits.
Step 5
Eat fewer meat or animal-based products. Nutritionally, foods such as beef and pork are highly acidic once digested. Skip daily red meat consumption and opt for smaller portions of lean meats. Fish, poultry and dairy products are acid forming, however. Maintain balance in your diet with a ratio of 20 percent acid-forming foods, such as meat, to 80 percent alkaline-forming foods, such as vegetables and fruits.
Step 6
Take time to breathe and reduce stress. The way you handle stress has an impact on your pH level. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library notes that anxiety, which can result in hyperventilation, significantly increases the amount of carbon dioxide expelled into your bloodstream. A high level of carbon dioxide leads to alkalosis. Focus on slowed breathing if you experience anxiety. In the event of alkalosis from physical overexertion, replace lost electrolytes with either water or sports drinks containing sodium and potassium.
Step 7
Manage any health conditions and take your medications as prescribed. In the event of diabetes or lung disorders, your body pH can fluctuate if these conditions are not properly managed. Take your medications as prescribed, follow nutrition plans set by your physician, and seek medical intervention as needed.
Tips and Warnings
- Home pH testing is not meant to replace medical diagnosis. If you suspect symptoms related to pH imbalance, seek medical treatment before implementing home remedies. Avoid testing pH within an hour of eating meals. Slight fluctuations occur when testing at home depending on the test strips used, time of day and foods consumed. Saliva pH testing differs slightly than urine pH testing, and may show results between 6.5 to 7.5, which indicates a healthy balance.
- Consistently imbalanced pH can result in significant health risks. Vomiting and dehydration can alter your body pH. Testing at 6.5 or below on urine or saliva strips indicates acidosis.
Things You'll Need
- pH test strips
References
- Mayo Clinic: Glitches in Ion Transporters An Unlikely Disease Between Kidney Disease and Glaucoma
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Acid-Base Balance
- Lab Tests Online: Acidosis and Alkalosis
- Trans 4 Mind: Balancing Acid/Alkaline Foods
- The Best of Raw Food: What is a pH Scale
- PaleoDiet.com: Acid-Base Balance and Your Health
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