Too much acidity in the body affects all the body's major systems and is the cause of many diseases. Eliminating excess acidity is not difficult and can be done by decreasing acidic foods while increasing alkaline foods. The process can be jump-started by doing a detoxifying cleanse.
Step 1
Test your body's urine and saliva using pH test strips to determine if your body is too acidic. The lower the number, the more acidic your body is. Normal acidity is around 6.5 or 7.0, but anything between 6.0 and 7.5 is considered healthy and within normal range. The best times to test are one hour before or two hours following a meal. Testing at home is convenient and private. If the results do not seem accurate, the most reliable test of acidity is a blood test.
Step 2
Increase alkaline and decrease acidic foods if your pH tests come back and show there is too much acid in your body or if you are simply feeling acidic. Low energy, bacterial or viral infections, muscle aches, nasal congestion, migraines and hives are just a few symptoms.
Step 3
Breathe. You can make your pH more alkaline by breathing rapidly--expelling more carbon dioxide. When you breathe more slowly, you release less carbon dioxide, making your pH more acidic, according to Stephanie Vangsness, R.D., L.D.N. at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Yoga breathing is an example of the type of breathing that increases alkalinity.
Step 4
Cut out or greatly reduce your meat consumption to make your system more alkaline. Meat is alkaline before it is eaten but becomes acidic in the body. When reducing acidity in the body, it is best to avoid alcohol, meat and most fats--especially cheese, butter and ice cream. Processed foods should absolutely be avoided because most contain corn syrup and/or sugar and are both acidic in the body.
Step 5
Eat alkalizing vegetables. These include beets, carrots, broccoli, celery, greens, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, cucumbers, celery, cucumbers, garlic, green beans, onions, pumpkin and peas. Some alkalizing fruits are apples, avocados, citrus fruits (especially lemons that are acidic but become alkaline in the body), pineapple, raisins, nectarine, coconut and cantaloupe. Apple cider vinegar, molasses and mineral water are all excellent alkalizers.
Tips and Warnings
- Just as the body malfunctions when it is too acidic, the body will also fail to perform some basic functions if it becomes too acidic. The best diet is a balanced diet that includes mostly whole foods. When in doubt, check you pH or have it checked by a professional.
Things You'll Need
- pH test strips
Member Comments