By Graham Stoking
The acid alkaline diet, otherwise called the alkaline diet, the pH diet, and by several other names, is a way of eating that attempts to make your internal pH more alkaline by controlling the kinds of foods you eat.
But before you begin this diet, you probably have several questions. For example, is too much acid a serious problem, or is it just a bunch of hype designed to sell books?
A Scientific Approach to Nutrition
It is reassuring to know that this diet is backed up by a great deal of scientific research. Well-respected studies have shown that the symptoms of an overly acidic body can include bone loss and muscle wasting. On the other hand, following the acid alkaline diet can improve the health of the bones and muscles, boost energy, and help you lose weight.
Is is an undisputed fact that the body's cells and organs operate best in a somewhat alkaline state. One of the biggest clues to the value of pH is the fact that your body has not just one, but multiple systems for maintaining a perfect pH level.
These systems operate fine as long as your diet is reasonably well-balanced. Sadly, the average diet is strongly weighted toward acid-producing foods, including meat, dairy foods, processed starches, sugar, and artificial food additives.
How Can the Alkaline Diet Help You?
There are a number of common symptoms that can show that your body is too acidic. These symptoms can range from fatigue to aches and pains, frequent colds, yeast infections, and an overall lack of well-being.
But if you live in the United States, it may be unnecessary to look at a list of symptoms to find out whether you suffer from an acidic internal pH. This is because practically everyone who lives in these countries has an acid-forming diet.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed when you figure out how many factors are pushing our bodies in a more acidic direction. The good news is that it isn't necessary to change every factor that affects your body's pH, or to remove all acid-producing foods from your diet. Following an alkaline diet can help you to dramatically improve your health, without having to give up all of your favorite foods.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
The Acid Alkaline Diet - Part Three - Supplements to Kick Start Your Way to Optimal Health
By Jo Roskilly
What Do You Need To Supplement Your Diet With And Why?
Greens
Mixing "green powder" into good water is the most powerful step you can take towards an alkaline body.
Green powder is rich in electrons and therefore a powerful neutralizer of acids. It is the equivalent of eating pounds of vegetables, grasses and herbs in every teaspoonful. It contains vitamins, minerals and macronutrients including amino acids, soluble and insoluble fiber.
Make sure your green powder contains a blend of several glasses and that it is made with low-heat hydration so the electrons are not lost.
Avoid blends with yeast, mushrooms, algaes or pro-biotics as these are all acidifying.
Fats
You will need to consume sufficient healthy fats, in particular Omega-3 and Omega-6 found in fish oils and a variety of seed oils. Unfortunately our levels of these fats are usually wildly out of balance as Omega-6 oils are far more abundant in our diet than omega-3 For this reason you should look for a supplement with a ratio of 3 parts omega-3 to 1 part omega-6 either in the form of a capsule or by using hemp oil.
Sprouts
Seeds become more alkaline as they sprout and are just about the best food you can eat. They are full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and complete proteins. Almost any seed, bean, grain or legume will undergo a nutrition explosion as it sprouts.
It only takes a few days to grow your own crop of fresh sprouts. Purpose made jars and trays are readily available from your local health food store but you can grow your own in a jam jar or on a plate if you're on a budget. Just remember to rinse and drain your sprouts twice daily and you'll be on your way to having a power packed, nutritious snack at your fingertips.
pH Drops
The most important step you can take when embarking on an acid-alkaline diet is to drink LOTS of healthy water. By healthy I mean distilled or ionized water with "pH drops" added. Stir in either sodium chlorite or sodium silicate (both available from your chemist) or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to raise the oxygen, electron and pH levels of your water. Alternatively you can buy two-step pH booster drops easily on the internet. My favorite source is here.
Weight Loss Supplements
There are additional supplements that can aid in the elimination of acid fats in the body. Whilst the scope of these is too great to cover here you can do your own research on L-carnitine, Garcinia Cambogia/HCA, tyrosine, chromium and montmorillonite clay which all have their place in an acid-alkaline diet for weight loss. Some companies sell acid drainage capsules which contain several herbs known for their stimulating effect on the excretory organs. Look for companies which sell a full range of preparations specific to pH balance to be sure that your supplements are suitable for an alkaline diet.
The Objective
There are various steps you can take to de-acidify the body's internal environment and encourage the acids embedded in the deep tissue to gradually resurface and be eliminated. Eventually this process of elimination will achieve a profound de-acidification of the body and acidic symptoms will be consigned to history. Persevere and you will reap the rewards!
Is the acid-alkaline diet right for you?
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
What Do You Need To Supplement Your Diet With And Why?
Greens
Mixing "green powder" into good water is the most powerful step you can take towards an alkaline body.
Green powder is rich in electrons and therefore a powerful neutralizer of acids. It is the equivalent of eating pounds of vegetables, grasses and herbs in every teaspoonful. It contains vitamins, minerals and macronutrients including amino acids, soluble and insoluble fiber.
Make sure your green powder contains a blend of several glasses and that it is made with low-heat hydration so the electrons are not lost.
Avoid blends with yeast, mushrooms, algaes or pro-biotics as these are all acidifying.
Fats
You will need to consume sufficient healthy fats, in particular Omega-3 and Omega-6 found in fish oils and a variety of seed oils. Unfortunately our levels of these fats are usually wildly out of balance as Omega-6 oils are far more abundant in our diet than omega-3 For this reason you should look for a supplement with a ratio of 3 parts omega-3 to 1 part omega-6 either in the form of a capsule or by using hemp oil.
Sprouts
Seeds become more alkaline as they sprout and are just about the best food you can eat. They are full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and complete proteins. Almost any seed, bean, grain or legume will undergo a nutrition explosion as it sprouts.
It only takes a few days to grow your own crop of fresh sprouts. Purpose made jars and trays are readily available from your local health food store but you can grow your own in a jam jar or on a plate if you're on a budget. Just remember to rinse and drain your sprouts twice daily and you'll be on your way to having a power packed, nutritious snack at your fingertips.
pH Drops
The most important step you can take when embarking on an acid-alkaline diet is to drink LOTS of healthy water. By healthy I mean distilled or ionized water with "pH drops" added. Stir in either sodium chlorite or sodium silicate (both available from your chemist) or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to raise the oxygen, electron and pH levels of your water. Alternatively you can buy two-step pH booster drops easily on the internet. My favorite source is here.
Weight Loss Supplements
There are additional supplements that can aid in the elimination of acid fats in the body. Whilst the scope of these is too great to cover here you can do your own research on L-carnitine, Garcinia Cambogia/HCA, tyrosine, chromium and montmorillonite clay which all have their place in an acid-alkaline diet for weight loss. Some companies sell acid drainage capsules which contain several herbs known for their stimulating effect on the excretory organs. Look for companies which sell a full range of preparations specific to pH balance to be sure that your supplements are suitable for an alkaline diet.
The Objective
There are various steps you can take to de-acidify the body's internal environment and encourage the acids embedded in the deep tissue to gradually resurface and be eliminated. Eventually this process of elimination will achieve a profound de-acidification of the body and acidic symptoms will be consigned to history. Persevere and you will reap the rewards!
Is the acid-alkaline diet right for you?
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Acid Alkaline Diet - Learn How to Balance Your Bodies pH Level and Lose Weight
By Michele Adams
Day in and day out more and more people are experiencing various health nuances which they ignore and simply shrug off as minor setbacks. Individuals working 8 hours or more per day are often prone to health nuances such as aches and pains, colds, flu, headaches and something as simple as sluggishness often believe that these irritants are simply attributed by the amount of work they clock in their daily taxing lives some however simply believe that aging is to blame. While there can be some little truths to aging as being the culprit this however cannot always be the reason especially for persons who are relatively young. Researches and studies have shown individuals as young as 30 years of age claim to get a full night of sleep and yet are unable to rouse themselves of their lethargic phase. For some no amount of medication is able to fully rid them of their colds or health concern. Trouble is people are looking into the wrong suspects, while aging and work may contribute to some health concerns the main culprit lies in a person's diet or eating habits.
Individuals who clock in so many hours at work are more likely to eat out often, order take out or worse skip out on meals altogether due to their busy schedules or their mountainous work loads. Junk foods like soda, refined sugars, fat saturated products, overly processed and artificially loaded foods coupled with alcohol and tobacco does not only make a person physically un healthy it is also more than capable of wreaking havoc in ones over all health. A great deal of junk foods are laden with sugars and proteins that when digested are broken down into acids. Acid imbalances in the body are stabilized by most major organs more specifically taking lead is the kidney. The stabilization process uses up energy and minerals therefore in order to make up for these losses stored minerals such as calcium is pulled out of the bones triggering a chain of events that will weaken the body in general. Hence leading back to how a proper diet is the key in replenishing any lost nutrients.
Alkaline acid diets are slowly becoming popular as it not only improves physical appearance via weight loss it also aids in improving ones over all health. The acid alkaline diet is a method of eliminating proteins, processed, artificial, sugar rich and fat saturated foods from the diet and replacing them instead with whole grains, fresh citrus fruits, root crops and green leafy vegetables that provide the alkaline that the body needs.
A person's blood is slightly alkalized and requires a 7.35 -7.45 pH level the alkaline acid diet method is developed in order to achieve this. The acid alkaline diet is a no frills easy to follow program just like any diet however it is best to first consult with a physician in order to make sure your body is able to handle this diet as well as be better informed with regards to the requirements and steps needed to be taken in order for this diet to be successful.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Day in and day out more and more people are experiencing various health nuances which they ignore and simply shrug off as minor setbacks. Individuals working 8 hours or more per day are often prone to health nuances such as aches and pains, colds, flu, headaches and something as simple as sluggishness often believe that these irritants are simply attributed by the amount of work they clock in their daily taxing lives some however simply believe that aging is to blame. While there can be some little truths to aging as being the culprit this however cannot always be the reason especially for persons who are relatively young. Researches and studies have shown individuals as young as 30 years of age claim to get a full night of sleep and yet are unable to rouse themselves of their lethargic phase. For some no amount of medication is able to fully rid them of their colds or health concern. Trouble is people are looking into the wrong suspects, while aging and work may contribute to some health concerns the main culprit lies in a person's diet or eating habits.
Individuals who clock in so many hours at work are more likely to eat out often, order take out or worse skip out on meals altogether due to their busy schedules or their mountainous work loads. Junk foods like soda, refined sugars, fat saturated products, overly processed and artificially loaded foods coupled with alcohol and tobacco does not only make a person physically un healthy it is also more than capable of wreaking havoc in ones over all health. A great deal of junk foods are laden with sugars and proteins that when digested are broken down into acids. Acid imbalances in the body are stabilized by most major organs more specifically taking lead is the kidney. The stabilization process uses up energy and minerals therefore in order to make up for these losses stored minerals such as calcium is pulled out of the bones triggering a chain of events that will weaken the body in general. Hence leading back to how a proper diet is the key in replenishing any lost nutrients.
Alkaline acid diets are slowly becoming popular as it not only improves physical appearance via weight loss it also aids in improving ones over all health. The acid alkaline diet is a method of eliminating proteins, processed, artificial, sugar rich and fat saturated foods from the diet and replacing them instead with whole grains, fresh citrus fruits, root crops and green leafy vegetables that provide the alkaline that the body needs.
A person's blood is slightly alkalized and requires a 7.35 -7.45 pH level the alkaline acid diet method is developed in order to achieve this. The acid alkaline diet is a no frills easy to follow program just like any diet however it is best to first consult with a physician in order to make sure your body is able to handle this diet as well as be better informed with regards to the requirements and steps needed to be taken in order for this diet to be successful.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Friday, 15 January 2010
Why Use an Acid Alkaline Food Diet?
By Charles K. Moore
Are you considering the acid alkaline food diet, but are confused about which foods are acid and which ones are alkaline? Are you asking yourself, why should I try this special diet and how can it benefit me? You probably know that the idea of balancing your pH as a dietary choice is to make sure that you are at the proper balance of pH. Since our bodies are considered to be slightly alkaline, it is thought that your health will be better if you eat foods which are alkalizing. If you eat too many acidic foods, you might wind up suffering from an inability to concentrate, fatigue, weight gain and a sluggish immunity.
When you choose to go on this diet, you will be using lists of foods which are acidic to avoid and food which are alkaline to eat more of. Alkalizing foods are thought to be better for the health and can keep your body pH balanced. You might be familiar with the terms of pH, acid and alkaline in reference to the skin or soil, but do you know how it can affect your health?
When you are dealing with the acid alkaline food diet, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the term "basic", which has to do with acidic and alkaline properties. When your pH is determined, it has to do with the "base" or "basic", meaning beginning or foundation. So, that being said, you need to help to balance out your body, according to the basic foundation.
The acid alkaline food diet deals with the chemical opposites to help you to become more healthy and have more energy while losing weight by helping you to choose more alkaline foods to eat and helping you to reduce the amount of acidic foods that you typically would eat.
You should also know that by eating acidic foods, you will release free radicals, which have been found to make you age more quickly and could affect your health. This diet can not only provide your body with the correct balance of pH, but reduce the amount of free radicals in your body and will also help you to feel healthier overall.
When you have too much acid in your body, you might find that your body becomes tired more quickly than it would if you had more alkaline in your system. So, by eating the right foods, you can find that you won't get as tired as quickly as you might ordinarily.
The long and the short of the acid alkaline food diet is that this might be what you need to begin feeling healthier, lose weight and have more energy overall. You will likely find that you can easily adapt the way you eat to meet the requirements of the diet so that you can reap all the healthy benefits.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Are you considering the acid alkaline food diet, but are confused about which foods are acid and which ones are alkaline? Are you asking yourself, why should I try this special diet and how can it benefit me? You probably know that the idea of balancing your pH as a dietary choice is to make sure that you are at the proper balance of pH. Since our bodies are considered to be slightly alkaline, it is thought that your health will be better if you eat foods which are alkalizing. If you eat too many acidic foods, you might wind up suffering from an inability to concentrate, fatigue, weight gain and a sluggish immunity.
When you choose to go on this diet, you will be using lists of foods which are acidic to avoid and food which are alkaline to eat more of. Alkalizing foods are thought to be better for the health and can keep your body pH balanced. You might be familiar with the terms of pH, acid and alkaline in reference to the skin or soil, but do you know how it can affect your health?
When you are dealing with the acid alkaline food diet, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the term "basic", which has to do with acidic and alkaline properties. When your pH is determined, it has to do with the "base" or "basic", meaning beginning or foundation. So, that being said, you need to help to balance out your body, according to the basic foundation.
The acid alkaline food diet deals with the chemical opposites to help you to become more healthy and have more energy while losing weight by helping you to choose more alkaline foods to eat and helping you to reduce the amount of acidic foods that you typically would eat.
You should also know that by eating acidic foods, you will release free radicals, which have been found to make you age more quickly and could affect your health. This diet can not only provide your body with the correct balance of pH, but reduce the amount of free radicals in your body and will also help you to feel healthier overall.
When you have too much acid in your body, you might find that your body becomes tired more quickly than it would if you had more alkaline in your system. So, by eating the right foods, you can find that you won't get as tired as quickly as you might ordinarily.
The long and the short of the acid alkaline food diet is that this might be what you need to begin feeling healthier, lose weight and have more energy overall. You will likely find that you can easily adapt the way you eat to meet the requirements of the diet so that you can reap all the healthy benefits.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
An Acid Alkaline Diet is a Healthy Diet Strategy
By C. K. Moore
Do you ever think about the foods you eat and what they might be doing to your body? Does it ever occur to you what that fatty steak dinner is doing to your arteries? When you drink too much alcohol, do you wonder what that has caused to happen in your stomach and kidneys? When you feel your heartburn flare up, do you wonder how much acid is really in your diet? Have you heard of the acid alkaline diet? If you answered no to any of these questions then you are not alone.
Many people don't think about the foods they eat on a daily basis and those who do most often think of the foods they eat in terms of weight they gain. While thinking in terms of weight gain and weight loss can be good for your body's shape, sometimes, it can actually sabotage your efforts to live a truly healthful life. In fact, many of us may not realize it, but we may be eating foods that increase the acid in our bodies, which ultimately can not only cause kidney stones and problems such as gout, but can also cause us to feel joint pain, fatigue and an inability to focus on daily projects. If this sounds like you, you have probably been thinking that it's just life and stress causing these problems, but you might need to consider changing your eating habits to reach your optimal health. It might be time to think about trying the acid alkaline diet to help you get your body back on track.
In case you're not familiar with what extra acid can cause to happen in your body, one of the most common problems is heartburn or acid reflux. When you eat foods or consume beverages that contain a high amount of acid, it mixes with the acids in the stomach, which makes other foods hard to digest. The extra acid causes not only heartburn, but over time, this acid can actually crystallize and form deposits in the joints, such as is the case with gout. Many times, we will chalk this up to arthritis, so most of us don't think much of it, but, if you were suffering from gout and went to the doctor, he would tell you that you needed to reduce your alcohol intake, cut down on meat and eat less acidic foods for a while. You may be advised to drink plenty of water and cranberry juice, which helps to flush your system. Now, imagine if you could apply these same principals to a new, more alkaline diet in order to prevent joint pain and fatigue.
In case you're wondering, the acid alkaline diet can help you to not only balance the amount of acid in your body to healthy levels, but it can also help you to lose weight and keep it off. Where before you may have had no energy to work out, or suffered from extreme soreness after a workout, with this diet, you will likely find that you actually have plenty of energy to get that workout in and you really feel great. No more pain in the morning!
What of your heartburn? Good question, but by reducing your overall acid intake and keeping your diet more alkaline, you will virtually eliminate and occurrences of acid reflux, which will keep you moving at a happier, healthier pace. Okay, so now, maybe you're wondering what foods are acidic and which ones are alkaline.
The Acid Alkaline Diet, explains everything you need to reduce your overall acid intake in order to keep your healthier alkaline levels higher. Not sure what foods to eat or how to cook them? This guide will tell you just that and more. Worried about what foods you should avoid in order to reduce the acid in your system? Refer to the guide to find out exactly what you should and shouldn't be eating and drinking.
Whether you're looking for a great way to lose weight and keep it off, become healthier, or do away with problems such as heartburn and sore joints, the acid alkaline diet may be perfect for you. You have nothing to lose, except some extra pounds and painful side effects.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Do you ever think about the foods you eat and what they might be doing to your body? Does it ever occur to you what that fatty steak dinner is doing to your arteries? When you drink too much alcohol, do you wonder what that has caused to happen in your stomach and kidneys? When you feel your heartburn flare up, do you wonder how much acid is really in your diet? Have you heard of the acid alkaline diet? If you answered no to any of these questions then you are not alone.
Many people don't think about the foods they eat on a daily basis and those who do most often think of the foods they eat in terms of weight they gain. While thinking in terms of weight gain and weight loss can be good for your body's shape, sometimes, it can actually sabotage your efforts to live a truly healthful life. In fact, many of us may not realize it, but we may be eating foods that increase the acid in our bodies, which ultimately can not only cause kidney stones and problems such as gout, but can also cause us to feel joint pain, fatigue and an inability to focus on daily projects. If this sounds like you, you have probably been thinking that it's just life and stress causing these problems, but you might need to consider changing your eating habits to reach your optimal health. It might be time to think about trying the acid alkaline diet to help you get your body back on track.
In case you're not familiar with what extra acid can cause to happen in your body, one of the most common problems is heartburn or acid reflux. When you eat foods or consume beverages that contain a high amount of acid, it mixes with the acids in the stomach, which makes other foods hard to digest. The extra acid causes not only heartburn, but over time, this acid can actually crystallize and form deposits in the joints, such as is the case with gout. Many times, we will chalk this up to arthritis, so most of us don't think much of it, but, if you were suffering from gout and went to the doctor, he would tell you that you needed to reduce your alcohol intake, cut down on meat and eat less acidic foods for a while. You may be advised to drink plenty of water and cranberry juice, which helps to flush your system. Now, imagine if you could apply these same principals to a new, more alkaline diet in order to prevent joint pain and fatigue.
In case you're wondering, the acid alkaline diet can help you to not only balance the amount of acid in your body to healthy levels, but it can also help you to lose weight and keep it off. Where before you may have had no energy to work out, or suffered from extreme soreness after a workout, with this diet, you will likely find that you actually have plenty of energy to get that workout in and you really feel great. No more pain in the morning!
What of your heartburn? Good question, but by reducing your overall acid intake and keeping your diet more alkaline, you will virtually eliminate and occurrences of acid reflux, which will keep you moving at a happier, healthier pace. Okay, so now, maybe you're wondering what foods are acidic and which ones are alkaline.
The Acid Alkaline Diet, explains everything you need to reduce your overall acid intake in order to keep your healthier alkaline levels higher. Not sure what foods to eat or how to cook them? This guide will tell you just that and more. Worried about what foods you should avoid in order to reduce the acid in your system? Refer to the guide to find out exactly what you should and shouldn't be eating and drinking.
Whether you're looking for a great way to lose weight and keep it off, become healthier, or do away with problems such as heartburn and sore joints, the acid alkaline diet may be perfect for you. You have nothing to lose, except some extra pounds and painful side effects.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
The Acid Alkaline Diet - Part Two - What You Need to Know to Dramatically Improve Your PH Levels
By Jo Roskilly
Re-establishing the acid-alkaline balance.
There is much that can be done to turn an unhealthy acidic environment into a health-giving alkaline environment. By taking control of your diet and making simple changes you can return yourself to optimal health.
Every meal you prepare will need to be a balance of alkalizing and acidifying foods. If you can understand which foods will add to the body's alkali reserves, and ultimately be used to neutralize acids, and which will add to the free acid overload so prevalent in today's diet, you are moving in the right direction.
A word of caution though - often the foods we consider acidic have the opposite effect once metabolized by the body. Examples would include citrus fruits and some vinegars. The point is, the pH value of an acidic food can produce alkalizing effects in the body. It is for this reason that we need to view foods from the context of their impact on the body and not their inherent pH value.
How to test your pH levels.
You will need to test your pH levels daily to monitor your body's response to the foods you are consuming. Testing is a simple procedure involving passing a special pH strip through the urine stream first thing every morning, noting the result and adjusting the proportion of acid/alkaline foods appropriately. For the most accurate pH strips available and in-depth instructions on how to obtain a reliable reading use the link at the end of this article.
How to balance you pH levels.
The bulk of your diet will need to consist of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and spices. Foods to use with caution include meat, poultry, fish, milk and dairy products. Foods to be avoided at all costs because of their highly acidifying qualities include sugar, soda, coffee, refined carbohydrates and highly processed foods. This may seem like a giant leap of faith but in essence you are returning to the diet that nature provided for us before the industrial revolution indulged our taste for processed grains and refined foods and the onset of modern day dis-eases like cancer.
If your usual pH reading is below 6.5 your meals should consist of roughly 80% alkalizing and 20% acidifying foods. If your usual reading is above 6.5 you can reduce the proportions to 60% alkalizing and 40% acidifying foods. Naturally, if your readings start to creep up you are adding to your acidic load and will need to alter your proportions accordingly.
You might be considering a diet based solely on alkalizing foods for a few days to kick start your acid/alkaline diet but this should be used with caution as your body actually needs a certain amount of acid forming proteins each day in order to maintain alkaline mineral levels in the cells and tissues.
Some words of encouragement.
Do not be discouraged if you fail to see significant improvement in your readings for weeks or months on end. You are nevertheless reducing your stored acid levels which have been built up over many years. In the same way that it can take weeks, months or even years to lose the weight that you have gained, so too will it take time to remove all the excess acids within those fat deposits. Bear in mind that once the acids are gone and your body has returned to its natural pH balance you will have created an environment where dis-ease cannot survive. Of particular interest is the fact that cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment which merits further large-scale research as both a remedy and a preventative measure.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Re-establishing the acid-alkaline balance.
There is much that can be done to turn an unhealthy acidic environment into a health-giving alkaline environment. By taking control of your diet and making simple changes you can return yourself to optimal health.
Every meal you prepare will need to be a balance of alkalizing and acidifying foods. If you can understand which foods will add to the body's alkali reserves, and ultimately be used to neutralize acids, and which will add to the free acid overload so prevalent in today's diet, you are moving in the right direction.
A word of caution though - often the foods we consider acidic have the opposite effect once metabolized by the body. Examples would include citrus fruits and some vinegars. The point is, the pH value of an acidic food can produce alkalizing effects in the body. It is for this reason that we need to view foods from the context of their impact on the body and not their inherent pH value.
How to test your pH levels.
You will need to test your pH levels daily to monitor your body's response to the foods you are consuming. Testing is a simple procedure involving passing a special pH strip through the urine stream first thing every morning, noting the result and adjusting the proportion of acid/alkaline foods appropriately. For the most accurate pH strips available and in-depth instructions on how to obtain a reliable reading use the link at the end of this article.
How to balance you pH levels.
The bulk of your diet will need to consist of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and spices. Foods to use with caution include meat, poultry, fish, milk and dairy products. Foods to be avoided at all costs because of their highly acidifying qualities include sugar, soda, coffee, refined carbohydrates and highly processed foods. This may seem like a giant leap of faith but in essence you are returning to the diet that nature provided for us before the industrial revolution indulged our taste for processed grains and refined foods and the onset of modern day dis-eases like cancer.
If your usual pH reading is below 6.5 your meals should consist of roughly 80% alkalizing and 20% acidifying foods. If your usual reading is above 6.5 you can reduce the proportions to 60% alkalizing and 40% acidifying foods. Naturally, if your readings start to creep up you are adding to your acidic load and will need to alter your proportions accordingly.
You might be considering a diet based solely on alkalizing foods for a few days to kick start your acid/alkaline diet but this should be used with caution as your body actually needs a certain amount of acid forming proteins each day in order to maintain alkaline mineral levels in the cells and tissues.
Some words of encouragement.
Do not be discouraged if you fail to see significant improvement in your readings for weeks or months on end. You are nevertheless reducing your stored acid levels which have been built up over many years. In the same way that it can take weeks, months or even years to lose the weight that you have gained, so too will it take time to remove all the excess acids within those fat deposits. Bear in mind that once the acids are gone and your body has returned to its natural pH balance you will have created an environment where dis-ease cannot survive. Of particular interest is the fact that cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment which merits further large-scale research as both a remedy and a preventative measure.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Acid And Alkaline Foods In The PH Miracle Diet
By Roger Mitchell
The main concept behind the pH miracle diet is to maintain a balance of pH in the foods that you eat. The human body is slightly alkaline and therefore it is better for your health to eat a diet composed of alkalizing foods. When you eat too many acidic foods, your system becomes unbalanced and it can cause a whole host of problems, including weight gain, poor concentration, fatigue and depressed immunity that can lead to more serious conditions.
The pH miracle diet relies on lists of foods that are acidic (to be avoided) and alkalizing (to be emphasized). The alkalizing foods are better for your health and help to balance the pH of your body. While acid, alkaline and pH are common terms, many people do not understand exactly what they mean and what they have to do with nutrition and health.
The word "basic" comes from the Greek word "basis" which means foundation. "Basic" relates to the properties of acidity and alkalinity. These conditions are determined at the foundation of the cells that the foods are made up of. So an external treatment does not change a food from acid to alkaline. Foods are acid or alkaline at their base, or foundation.
Acid and alkaline are chemical opposites. Whenever these bases interact with acids, there is a struggle between them and salt is the result. In the chemist's lab, these interactions are very simple and straightforward. However, in our bodies, the interaction becomes more complex because of the scale at which acids and bases meet.
However, science can make some generalizations about the effects of acids and alkaline in the human digestion system. Acidic foods are acid forming in the human body. They make blood, lymph and saliva more acid and cause a lower pH number. Alkaline foods make blood, lymph and saliva more alkaline and cause a higher pH number.
Just for reference, the "normal" range for saliva pH is between 7.3 and 7.4. Most people, however, are too acidic and have a pH that is much lower. They are burned out, tired and their bodies are starving for balance. Under the influence of acidic foods the muscles fatigue easily. You literally slow down because your body cannot produce the same physical results as before.
The free radical oxidation that occurs when you eat acidic foods makes you age faster. Vitamins and minerals are not absorbed as readily. Friendly bacteria in the small intestine die, which puts the digestive system off balance. Further hurting the function of the intestine is the fact that a high level of acidity inhibits the ability for intestinal walls to absorb nutrients. Cells become stressed with the toxins that build up and cannot remove them. The vast majority of bodily systems cannot run at full capacity.
On the other hand, alkaline foods have a wide variety of benefits to your health. Eating them improves your muscle output. They also have antioxidant effects in the body. They increase assimilation at the cellular level and allow cells to operate in the manner that they should. There is a reduction of parasites and yeast overgrowth with the use of alkaline foods. Alkaline foods promote deeper and more restful sleep, more youthful skin and relieve suffering from colds, headaches and the flu. Alkaline foods promote abundant physical energy.
Perhaps the most important differences between acid and alkaline foods are their relationship to cancer. Cancerous tissues are acidic, and health tissues are alkaline. When oxygen enters an acidic solution it combines with hydrogen ions can form water. Oxygen helps to neutralize the acid, but acid prevents oxygen from reaching tissues where it is needed. When oxygen enters an alkaline solution, the two hydroxyl ions combine with the solution to create one water molecule and one oxygen atom. The sole oxygen atom is free to go to the next cell and bring the benefits of oxygen to all of the tissue in the body. At a pH of slightly above 7.4, cancer cells become dormant. Studies show that at pH 8.5, cancer cells die and healthy cells live.
Alkalizing the diet has many benefits, in addition to cancer prevention. The alkaline food list is a selection of choices that will benefit your health when you start incorporating them into your body.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
The main concept behind the pH miracle diet is to maintain a balance of pH in the foods that you eat. The human body is slightly alkaline and therefore it is better for your health to eat a diet composed of alkalizing foods. When you eat too many acidic foods, your system becomes unbalanced and it can cause a whole host of problems, including weight gain, poor concentration, fatigue and depressed immunity that can lead to more serious conditions.
The pH miracle diet relies on lists of foods that are acidic (to be avoided) and alkalizing (to be emphasized). The alkalizing foods are better for your health and help to balance the pH of your body. While acid, alkaline and pH are common terms, many people do not understand exactly what they mean and what they have to do with nutrition and health.
The word "basic" comes from the Greek word "basis" which means foundation. "Basic" relates to the properties of acidity and alkalinity. These conditions are determined at the foundation of the cells that the foods are made up of. So an external treatment does not change a food from acid to alkaline. Foods are acid or alkaline at their base, or foundation.
Acid and alkaline are chemical opposites. Whenever these bases interact with acids, there is a struggle between them and salt is the result. In the chemist's lab, these interactions are very simple and straightforward. However, in our bodies, the interaction becomes more complex because of the scale at which acids and bases meet.
However, science can make some generalizations about the effects of acids and alkaline in the human digestion system. Acidic foods are acid forming in the human body. They make blood, lymph and saliva more acid and cause a lower pH number. Alkaline foods make blood, lymph and saliva more alkaline and cause a higher pH number.
Just for reference, the "normal" range for saliva pH is between 7.3 and 7.4. Most people, however, are too acidic and have a pH that is much lower. They are burned out, tired and their bodies are starving for balance. Under the influence of acidic foods the muscles fatigue easily. You literally slow down because your body cannot produce the same physical results as before.
The free radical oxidation that occurs when you eat acidic foods makes you age faster. Vitamins and minerals are not absorbed as readily. Friendly bacteria in the small intestine die, which puts the digestive system off balance. Further hurting the function of the intestine is the fact that a high level of acidity inhibits the ability for intestinal walls to absorb nutrients. Cells become stressed with the toxins that build up and cannot remove them. The vast majority of bodily systems cannot run at full capacity.
On the other hand, alkaline foods have a wide variety of benefits to your health. Eating them improves your muscle output. They also have antioxidant effects in the body. They increase assimilation at the cellular level and allow cells to operate in the manner that they should. There is a reduction of parasites and yeast overgrowth with the use of alkaline foods. Alkaline foods promote deeper and more restful sleep, more youthful skin and relieve suffering from colds, headaches and the flu. Alkaline foods promote abundant physical energy.
Perhaps the most important differences between acid and alkaline foods are their relationship to cancer. Cancerous tissues are acidic, and health tissues are alkaline. When oxygen enters an acidic solution it combines with hydrogen ions can form water. Oxygen helps to neutralize the acid, but acid prevents oxygen from reaching tissues where it is needed. When oxygen enters an alkaline solution, the two hydroxyl ions combine with the solution to create one water molecule and one oxygen atom. The sole oxygen atom is free to go to the next cell and bring the benefits of oxygen to all of the tissue in the body. At a pH of slightly above 7.4, cancer cells become dormant. Studies show that at pH 8.5, cancer cells die and healthy cells live.
Alkalizing the diet has many benefits, in addition to cancer prevention. The alkaline food list is a selection of choices that will benefit your health when you start incorporating them into your body.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
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