According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 percent of American adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis; it is considered a "normal" consequence of aging by many. Genetics, overuse and injury are factors in the development of arthritis, although biochemistry plays a central role. The body's biochemistry is most affected by diet, which in the United States is often highly acidic. Alkaline diets seem to promote health and discourage diseases, such as arthritis.
Definition of Alkalinity
Alkalinity is a relative measurement of the number of hydrogen ions in solution. If a solution contains many hydrogen ions, it is considered acidic, whereas alkaline, or basic, solutions contain relatively fewer hydrogen ions. Solutions with a pH between 0 and 6.9 are acidic, while solutions between 7.1 and 14 are considered alkaline. Pure water is considered neutral and rates a 7 on the pH scale. Strong acids, such as stomach acid, often have a pH as low as 3. Human blood is alkaline and must be carefully maintained at a pH close to 7.35 for many biological processes to occur.
Biochemistry of Arthritis
Human blood primarily carries nutrients, energy, oxygen, carbon dioxide and waste products. Alkaline blood performs various exchanges and biochemical reactions most effectively, as well as deterring the survival and proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, which prefer acidic mediums. Although human blood can be slightly more alkaline than 7.35, it cannot be much more acidic for long periods of time, so the body has mechanisms that can raise the blood's pH when acidic dietary choices cause a crisis. The body reacts to an acidity crisis by liberating alkaline minerals from the bones, such as calcium and magnesium, and depositing them into the blood and other acidic tissues in efforts to raise pH levels. The liberation of minerals from bones leads to weak bones, referred to as osteoporosis, and deformed bones and joints, which we call arthritis.
Alkaline Foods
The vast majority of fruits and vegetables promote alkalinity in the blood and don't put the body into acidity crises. The juice of some fruits may be acidic, such as lemons and grapefruits, but paradoxically, when consumed they have alkalizing effects. Other highly alkalizing fruits and vegetables are watermelon, cantaloupe, most melons, limes, mango, papaya, seedless grapes, dates, celery, cucumber, parsley, kelp, wheatgrass and watercress. Dairy products, such as yogurt, are alkaline, but their protein and fat content makes them less so than fruits and vegetables.
Acidic Foods to Avoid
The standard American diet is full of highly acidic foods that put the body into crises and contribute to a variety of health issues, including arthritis and even cancer. All processed and refined foods, especially those high in protein and saturated fat, have acidic effects on the body. Sugar is very acidic, as are artificial sweeteners, although the natural fructose within fruits is usually not acidic in moderate amounts. One of the acidic few fruits is blueberries, which are high in sugar. Other highly acidic foods and beverages we commonly consume are meat products, breads and pastas, cheeses, anything pickled, beer, wine, liquor, soda pop, coffee and black teas.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Arthritis-Related Statistics
- "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition"; George Gropper; 2000
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- "Contemporary Nutrition: Functional Approach"; Gordon M. Wardlaw; 2009
