Integrative and alternative practitioners commonly view the pH of various body fluids -- particularly saliva and urine -- as a barometer of current health status and an indicator of future chronic disease risk. Many organs and systems function best in a slightly alkaline environment, but the body is continuously producing acid as a byproduct of cellular respiration, the process of metabolizing nutrients and generating energy. Many lifestyle factors such as diet, stress and medications can contribute to the net acid load. If you do not provide your body with the means to buffer its metabolic acids, and further add to the acid burden with a poor diet and high stress levels, your health will suffer over time.
Osteoporosis
It may take years to see the consequences, but your bones are on the front lines in the effort to keep your pH balanced. Minerals are needed to buffer the acids in your body. You can get these minerals from your diet, or if not, you can get them from your natural mineral reserves, your bones. Indeed, your bones function as mineral banks; if you make too many withdrawals and insufficient deposits, the mineral density of your bones will be compromised and can ultimately lead to osteoporosis.
Arthritis
One reason for some types of arthritis is the accumulation of acid and other toxins in the joints. Excess acid can damage cartilage and cause inflammation, which result in the painful symptoms characteristic of arthritis. In addition, an alkalizing diet is also anti-inflammatory, so those with arthritis benefit from developing an awareness of acid load by checking salivary and/or urinary pH.
Cancer
An acidic environment promotes cancer in two ways. First, the body's ability to detoxify becomes compromised as the acid burden increases. More toxins (heavy metals, chemicals, etc.) that are potentially carcinogenic will remain in the body longer, because they will not be effectively metabolized and excreted. Also, cancer thrives in an acidic, anaerobic environment. Adopting an alkalizing diet and lifestyle are helpful for cancer prevention and treatment.
Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases
Because the immune system and repair mechanisms work best in an alkaline environment, too much systemic acid will worsen diseases that involve inflammation or dysregulated immune function. While an alkaline diet may not heal these conditions, it is likewise true that the healing of autoimmunity and systemic inflammation will be limited if not based on pH balancing.
References
- "Smart Medicine for Healthier Living;" Janet Zand, LAc, Allan Spreen, MD and James LaValle, RPh, ND; 1999.
- "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine;" Michael Murray, ND and Joseph Pizzorno, ND; 1998.
- Alkaline for Life
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