Metabolic acidosis occurs when you accumulate excess acid in your body fluids. There are three principle types of metabolic acidosis: diabetic acidosis, hyperchloremic acidosis and lactic acidosis. Extreme dehydration, kidney disease and poisoning by certain medications can also cause metabolic acidosis. Certain dietary strategies may be helpful in managing your metabolic acidosis, but you should always consult your doctor before using foods medicinally.
About Metabolic Acidosis
In most cases, symptoms associated with metabolic acidosis are caused by its underlying health problem, although metabolic acidosis itself often causes an increase in your breathing rate, as well as sluggishness and cognitive impairment. Metabolic acidosis can be mild and long-term, or it can cause death in certain individuals. Metabolic acidosis does respond to various treatments, although the expected health outcome largely depends on the underlying cause of this condition.
Dietary Approach
Increasing your consumption of raw foods may be one of the most effective dietary approaches in treating your metabolic acidosis. Raw foods, notes certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," help maintain the proper acid/alkaline balance in your body and are loaded with nutrients that your body can more easily assimilate. Examples of beneficial foods for this health purpose include apples, avocados, bananas, strawberries, lemons, pears, pineapples and blackberries.
Featured Food
Avocados may be a beneficial food in treating your metabolic acidosis. According to nutritionist and biologist George Mateljan, author of "The World's Healthiest Foods," avocados are packed with antioxidants and are known for their numerous health actions including positive effects on heart, bone and blood health. Avocados are also a good source of dietary fiber, as well as vitamin K, potassium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B-6 and copper. Once avocados are cut, they are vulnerable to oxidation.
Considerations
Because metabolic acidosis can lead to dire health consequences, such as shock and death, this condition should always be managed by a licensed health care professional. To better understand the role of diet and nutrition in treating your metabolic acidosis, schedule an appointment with a health care practitioner who specializes in clinical nutrition. Not all foods may be appropriate for you or your condition.
References
- PubMed Health; Metabolic Acidosis; Nov. 15, 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Metabolic Acidosis; Nov. 15, 2009
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- "The World's Healthiest Foods"; George Mateljan; 2007
