By Lee A. Murray
If you've heard of the acid alkaline diet (which I'm assuming you have since you've landed on this article) then you probably have many questions. What is the acid alkaline diet? Is it as strict as it sounds? What can I really eat on this diet? Is it expensive? Let me try to help you answer some of these questions, as I have spent quite a lot of my time, focus, and efforts on this subject.
What Is The Acid Alkaline Diet?
Quite simply, this is a way of eating, drinking, and living that is designed to plump up and oxygenate your blood cells, making them stronger and more efficient. This boosts not only your immune system, but your energy, mood, and mental clarity in a very significant way.
This occurs as the result of a shift that takes place in the pH balance of your blood. Your blood has a certain acid to alkaline ratio that must be maintained at all times. You want to be slightly alkaline. Unfortunately, thanks to the good ole industrial revolution, our very lifestyles have prevented this from being the case for most of us.
Most of us are acidic, and it shows on our bodies, as well as in our hospitals. We're sicker and fatter than ever. This is directly contributed to living an acidic lifestyle. We get fat because our bodies actually store excess fat to bind to the acids, in an attempt to keep them from harming our vital organs and killing us!
When you go alkaline, your body no longer has any reason to hold onto this fat, and it lets go of it extremely quickly!
Is It As Strict As It Sounds?
As far as the foods you should avoid are concerned, this diet is extremely strict. However, it isn't really designed to be a "diet" at all, as this usually implies a temporary change in eating habits that concludes once your desired weight loss goal has been achieved.
Instead, it is intended to be a lifestyle shift, much like vegetarianism or veganism. If you go alkaline, you should plan to be in it for the long haul. In fact, I would describe the acid alkaline diet as vegetarianism on steroids!
However, with the right education and recipes at your disposal, you will find that it's really not as limited of an eating plan as it would appear to be at first glance.
What Can I Really Eat On This Diet?
The acid alkaline diet is primary plant-based, and focuses on the pH levels of various foods. Animal products are pretty much taboo, with the exception of a bit of fish here and there, if you like. There's a term used in the alkaline community... GO GREEN!
Raw, green leafy vegetables are the cornerstone of the lifestyle, as they have the most alkalizing effect on the blood. Big main course salads are encouraged. Avocados and olive oil are huge components of this way of eating, as are raw almonds and sprouts.
With some help from "alkalarian" experts, you can find many extremely inventive meal ideas that happen to be quite tasty!
Is It Expensive?
The acid alkaline diet is not cheap. You should expect to initially invest in some educational resources to help you navigate your way through the nuances of the lifestyle. You may also want to buy a juicer, pH test strips, certain specific supplements, and a tub of "green drink" powder.
It is also most beneficial for you to buy your produce in organic form, which as we all know, jacks up the price significantly! Quite a shame, if you ask me, that we have to spend so much money on stuff that's good for us. Don't you think?
And if you really want to go for the gusto, you could invest in a water ionizer, which is a machine that purifies and alkalizes your water. Not cheap by a long shot!
In Conclusion:
I believe that theoretically the acid alkaline diet is the most life-enhancing diet ever created. I say theoretically because there are many obstacles that work against us, as consumers. It's strict, expensive, and requires an entire makeover of your current lifestyle.
If you're one of those rare human beings who like to go for the gold and live life at its very peak, then this is exactly what you want! Alkalizing yourself is perhaps the most miraculous thing you could ever do for yourself. It has literally reversed diabetes and cancer on more than one occasion!
The benefits are endless. But you have really got to see those benefits as being worth your investment of time, money, and change.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Monday, 4 January 2010
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
How to Kick Start Your Alkaline Diet in 5 Easy Steps
By Christina Baker
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Perhaps your current 'diet' is making you sick. Did you know that in 5 easy steps you can transform your life and have an amazing amount of energy? Do you really think it could be as easy as an alkaline diet?
Let's get started right away, following five easy steps to a pH alkaline diet that will have you: Changing the way you think about food; Drinking life giving water instead of death dealing over acidic beverages; Simplifying the process to fit with what you already have in your Cabinets; Looking into the top ten recipes that will jump start your life; and why you should add these secret foods right away.
1. Changing the Way You Think About Foods
Let's take stock of what you are already eating on a daily basis. Chances are you won't have to go out and buy foods you have never tried before, much less heard of. Pick up a list of alkalizing and acidifying foods. Look down the list as you forage through your cabinets. Check off the foods that are acidic and the ones that are alkaline. No food is really all that bad. In moderation, all foods can be consumed.
2. Drinking Life Giving Water and Tossing Out Poison
Chances are you drink soda, coffee, or other chemically flavored beverages on a daily basis. Slowly trading these out for water will bring the greatest improvement you have ever seen. If water tastes bad, don't drink it. Water should taste wonderful. If water doesn't taste good, then something is wrong with it. Water should have a pH of about 7.0, but what comes out of the tap may be as low as 6.0 and contain environmental toxins you don't want anyway. To ease into drinking water, try adding flavored Stevia drops to the purified ionized water. If possible, get some pH mineral drops for your water. These two little tips should be all you need to gulp water down gleefully.
3. The Process: Fit It with What You Already Have in Your Cabinets
Try to eat 3-4 meals daily and 2-3 snacks. These meals should be one of three combinations: fresh fruit, starch and some freshly cooked vegetables, meat and some freshly cooked vegetables. For some flavor, add a dash of herbs to the dish, or kick start your body into feeling great by drizzling your food with olive oil, grape seed oil, or extra virgin coconut oil. All these contain omega fatty acids that will alkalize the body and feed it nourishing energy.
4. Top Ten Recipes: Jump Start Your Life
Look up some alkalizing recipes. Rather that shocking your system, and perhaps your family, start with recipes that use foods you normally would eat. Pick about three and each week add two or three more until you have ten quick and easy alkaline diet recipes that satisfy all your craving needs. These do not need to be drawn out hard to master science projects. After a few weeks knowing how to combine foods to make tasty and satisfying will be as easy as pouring that yummy water.
5. Add Secret Foods
To really get your body off to a good start there are two secret foods to add. The first one is a green drink. While there are many on the market that taste like pond water, with a little research you can even find them in berry and mint flavors. The second secret is to make your own fresh juice. No need to run out and buy a fancy machine here, a simple run of the mill blender will do the trick. Feel free to look up a few recipes, as this is a simple and widely popular trick to speeding up the alkaline diet. And even after getting started, fresh fruit or vegetable juice may be the perfect pick-me-up after a long day.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Perhaps your current 'diet' is making you sick. Did you know that in 5 easy steps you can transform your life and have an amazing amount of energy? Do you really think it could be as easy as an alkaline diet?
Let's get started right away, following five easy steps to a pH alkaline diet that will have you: Changing the way you think about food; Drinking life giving water instead of death dealing over acidic beverages; Simplifying the process to fit with what you already have in your Cabinets; Looking into the top ten recipes that will jump start your life; and why you should add these secret foods right away.
1. Changing the Way You Think About Foods
Let's take stock of what you are already eating on a daily basis. Chances are you won't have to go out and buy foods you have never tried before, much less heard of. Pick up a list of alkalizing and acidifying foods. Look down the list as you forage through your cabinets. Check off the foods that are acidic and the ones that are alkaline. No food is really all that bad. In moderation, all foods can be consumed.
2. Drinking Life Giving Water and Tossing Out Poison
Chances are you drink soda, coffee, or other chemically flavored beverages on a daily basis. Slowly trading these out for water will bring the greatest improvement you have ever seen. If water tastes bad, don't drink it. Water should taste wonderful. If water doesn't taste good, then something is wrong with it. Water should have a pH of about 7.0, but what comes out of the tap may be as low as 6.0 and contain environmental toxins you don't want anyway. To ease into drinking water, try adding flavored Stevia drops to the purified ionized water. If possible, get some pH mineral drops for your water. These two little tips should be all you need to gulp water down gleefully.
3. The Process: Fit It with What You Already Have in Your Cabinets
Try to eat 3-4 meals daily and 2-3 snacks. These meals should be one of three combinations: fresh fruit, starch and some freshly cooked vegetables, meat and some freshly cooked vegetables. For some flavor, add a dash of herbs to the dish, or kick start your body into feeling great by drizzling your food with olive oil, grape seed oil, or extra virgin coconut oil. All these contain omega fatty acids that will alkalize the body and feed it nourishing energy.
4. Top Ten Recipes: Jump Start Your Life
Look up some alkalizing recipes. Rather that shocking your system, and perhaps your family, start with recipes that use foods you normally would eat. Pick about three and each week add two or three more until you have ten quick and easy alkaline diet recipes that satisfy all your craving needs. These do not need to be drawn out hard to master science projects. After a few weeks knowing how to combine foods to make tasty and satisfying will be as easy as pouring that yummy water.
5. Add Secret Foods
To really get your body off to a good start there are two secret foods to add. The first one is a green drink. While there are many on the market that taste like pond water, with a little research you can even find them in berry and mint flavors. The second secret is to make your own fresh juice. No need to run out and buy a fancy machine here, a simple run of the mill blender will do the trick. Feel free to look up a few recipes, as this is a simple and widely popular trick to speeding up the alkaline diet. And even after getting started, fresh fruit or vegetable juice may be the perfect pick-me-up after a long day.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
What is the Acid Alkaline Diet Anyway?
By Jason Katz
The acid alkaline diet has become quite popular in recent years, however it should not be confused with some hyped up, quick fix diet 'fad'. No the acid alkaline diet is about becoming conscious of the foods and drinks you consume and understanding their effects on your body.
The little known effects of food on the body
When I speak of 'effects' I am talking about whether these foods or drinks have an acidic or alkaline effect on the body. See what happens is once our food is digested, it leaves behind a residue in the intestines. The PH of this residue either makes it acidic or alkaline.
Now our bodies are naturally slightly alkaline so the whole theory behind the acid alkaline diet is that we need to maintain this slightly alkaline state in order to maintain good health. Sound simple enough? It really is simple.
What happens with this acidic or alkaline residue is it absorbed into the bloodstream and then travels around the body to all of the cells, tissues and organs. The whole PH of your blood is effected by this residue and the state of your blood IS the state of your health.
When the trouble starts
The health problems begin when you are consuming too many foods that create an acidic residue in the body, such as refined sugars, caffeine, dairy and meats. Studies have shown that the typical western diet is 80-90% acidic which many believe is why there is pandemics such as obesity and diabetes as well as many other debilitating ailments.
The acid alkaline diet serves to reverse this by encouraging us to create a diet lifestyle where 80-90% of our diet is alkaline forming in the body and this maintaining the natural slightly alkaline state of our blood. Remember the state of our blood equals the state of our health and our cells can only be as healthy as the fluid that surrounds them.
So what are the best alkaline foods?
Foods like fresh green vegetables including broccoli, spinach and celery, citrus fruits especially lemons, limes and grapefruits. These are just known as the strongest. Basically any raw fruit or vegetable will have an alkaline effect on the body and will work toward increased health.
The basic rule of thumb is to simply reduce the amount of fats, dairy, sugar, caffeine you consume and massively increase the fresh fruits and salads (minus the fatty dressings) in your diet. Hardly rocket science is it and certainly nothing new.
The other recommendation from this acid alkaline 'way of life' is to increase the amount of water you drink. Not by sculling down 8 glasses before breakfast, but rather sipping water throughout the day, all day long.
A simple solution
If all of this sounds too hard for you to do or you are just looking for an easy way to start, then simply squeeze some fresh lemon juice into your water bottle. The water will keep you hydrated and the lemon will help to keep you alkaline.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
The acid alkaline diet has become quite popular in recent years, however it should not be confused with some hyped up, quick fix diet 'fad'. No the acid alkaline diet is about becoming conscious of the foods and drinks you consume and understanding their effects on your body.
The little known effects of food on the body
When I speak of 'effects' I am talking about whether these foods or drinks have an acidic or alkaline effect on the body. See what happens is once our food is digested, it leaves behind a residue in the intestines. The PH of this residue either makes it acidic or alkaline.
Now our bodies are naturally slightly alkaline so the whole theory behind the acid alkaline diet is that we need to maintain this slightly alkaline state in order to maintain good health. Sound simple enough? It really is simple.
What happens with this acidic or alkaline residue is it absorbed into the bloodstream and then travels around the body to all of the cells, tissues and organs. The whole PH of your blood is effected by this residue and the state of your blood IS the state of your health.
When the trouble starts
The health problems begin when you are consuming too many foods that create an acidic residue in the body, such as refined sugars, caffeine, dairy and meats. Studies have shown that the typical western diet is 80-90% acidic which many believe is why there is pandemics such as obesity and diabetes as well as many other debilitating ailments.
The acid alkaline diet serves to reverse this by encouraging us to create a diet lifestyle where 80-90% of our diet is alkaline forming in the body and this maintaining the natural slightly alkaline state of our blood. Remember the state of our blood equals the state of our health and our cells can only be as healthy as the fluid that surrounds them.
So what are the best alkaline foods?
Foods like fresh green vegetables including broccoli, spinach and celery, citrus fruits especially lemons, limes and grapefruits. These are just known as the strongest. Basically any raw fruit or vegetable will have an alkaline effect on the body and will work toward increased health.
The basic rule of thumb is to simply reduce the amount of fats, dairy, sugar, caffeine you consume and massively increase the fresh fruits and salads (minus the fatty dressings) in your diet. Hardly rocket science is it and certainly nothing new.
The other recommendation from this acid alkaline 'way of life' is to increase the amount of water you drink. Not by sculling down 8 glasses before breakfast, but rather sipping water throughout the day, all day long.
A simple solution
If all of this sounds too hard for you to do or you are just looking for an easy way to start, then simply squeeze some fresh lemon juice into your water bottle. The water will keep you hydrated and the lemon will help to keep you alkaline.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Does An Alkaline Diet Help You Lose Weight? A Review Of The Evidence
By James Khan
Probably the first scientific studies on digestion were done by Ivan Pavlov who became famous for his 'salivating dogs'. Pavlov showed that the digestive enzymes released and the amount of acid secreted depends on the type of food.
His experiments with rats showed that starches are digested in about two hours, proteins are digested in about four hours but a protein-starch mixture could still be digesting 13 hours later. With dogs, again the protein-starch mixture took over twice as long compared to the same food consumed separately.
Pavlov also showed that food taken on top (i.e. before digestion has completed) can lead to fermentation. This happens when you eat fruit after a meal; many people say that it gives them gas.
What could account for Pavlov’s results?
The enzymes essential for digestion only function at specific pH levels; proteins and carbohydrate enzymes require opposite pH levels. If you mix them together in the same bag, you won’t be able to digest either food properly.
"Most fruits go straight through the stomach into the duodenum for digestion, which means if you put fresh fruit on top of a big meal, it has to sit and wait in the top of the stomach until the other food is digested, during which delay bacteria attack the fruit and ferment it, gobbling up all the nutrients and leaving you with gas and metabolic wastes."
Daneil Reid, Trophology: The Science of Food Combining, "The Tao of Health".
In 1908 Dr Howard Hay after practicing medicine for 16 years developed High Blood Pressure, Brights Disease and a dilated heart. As there was no treatment available, Dr Hay decided to find a cure for his own symptoms. He looked at his food intake and the chemical process of digestion, the enzymes that are essential for this process and whether the food has an overall acidifying or alkalizing effect on the body.
To the amazement of his colleagues, he had a complete remission of his symptoms in 3 months of changing his diet. He also reduced his weight by 20kg's. In 1911 he introduced his Food Combining guidelines and gave lectures till his death about the need to combine foods properly and reducing acidifying foods from the diet.
If you think there's nothing to acid-alkaline food combining, try this: one day for lunch eat a steak with chips, and monitor how you feel after an hour or so. Next day eat the same steak, but with a large vegetable salad. Which day did you feel more tired, drowsy?
Try feeding your dog meat and biscuits for a while, see how he feels!
Try an acidifying McDonald's diet for a month.
If you’re still alive, try an alkaline diet of alkaline water, fruits, vegetables, juices and super greens for a month. You’re guaranteed to lose weight from this diet – it’s over 95% water!
Some doctors maintain that all food is acid in the stomach and becomes alkaline in the intestines from the pancreas secretions. The blood pH range is so narrow that any measurable change would cause death. Even a bottle of ant-acids won’t affect the acidity of the stomach for long.
These scientific facts don’t mean that an alkaline diet is useless or that the body can magically process food in any old combination!
Remember Pavlov’s results? Why are so many people that eat at McDonald's fat and why did Spurlock nearly die? The fat content is not that high - a Big Mac apparently is 100% grilled beef, the chips are fried in vegetable oil and there's no fat in the cola! Could it be the acid, the high glycemic load and the bad combinations?
Such foods play havoc on our blood sugar and pH levels. As Daniel Reid explains the sugary 'soft drink' is an 'acid bomb':
"A 350 ml serving of Coke, Pepsi or similar drink delivers a sugar fix equivalent to about 9 teaspoons of sugar straight into the blood stream. This instantly acidifies the bloodstream to the extreme point that without an immediate emergency response from the body, it would kill you in a mater of minutes…you'd have to drink 32 glasses of alkaline water to neutralize the blood pH…to prevent death by acidosis, the body reacts swiftly by drawing huge amounts of organic calcium from the bones and teeth and pouring it into the bloodstream to neutralize the excess acid and quickly restore alkaline balance. Calcium is the body’s most potent alkalizing agent"
Are there any clinical studies to settle this issue?
A study called "Cola beverage consumption induces bone mineralization reduction in ovariectomized rats" (the rats were fed cola - acid, pH 2.5 - and the effects on bone density measured) suggests that "heavy intake of cola soft drinks has the potential of reducing femoral mineral density".
Dr L. Frassetto’s team at the University of California discovered that as we age, starting around age 45, we lose the alkaline buffer bicarbonates in our blood:
"Our group has shown that contemporary net acid-producing diets do indeed characteristically produce a low-grade systemic metabolic acidosis in otherwise healthy adult subjects, and that the degree of acidosis increases with age, in relation to the normally occurring age-related decline in renal functional capacity."
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that alkalizing diets improve bone density and serum growth hormone concentrations; the acidosis resulting from acidic diets contributes to bone and muscle loss.
Sang Whang in his book “Reverse Aging” proposed a Theory of Aging: we age because we gradually accumulate organic acid wastes. These wastes show up as uric acid, urate, sulfate, phosphate, kidney stones and other organic wastes often surrounded by cholesterol. Cellulite is a gel-like substance made up of fat in which are trapped acid wastes in pockets below the skin.
Dr Robert Young, author of “The pH Miracle” has been saying this for years – “Obesity is an acid problem, the fat is saving our lives.”
Should I eat alkaline foods and stop eating acidifying things like red meats?
Yes eat plenty of water-rich alkaline foods; but there’s no need to avoid any food that contains good nutrients in it like my favorites lamb kebabs and sashimi. As Patrick Holford, author of ‘The Optimum Nutrition Bible’ says “moderation in everything, including moderation"’!
Acid-alkaline diet food charts come from the pH of the ash that results from burning food; it’s caused by the unburned minerals. However, just as burning petrol creates exhausts, over 97% of any food metabolized creates acid wastes. At less than 1%, alkaline minerals are a fraction of the nutritional content of food and the overall acidity produced.
Clinical studies show that alkaline mineral water is the best way to obtain alkaline minerals and acid waters like colas are the best way to quickly deplete them!
The most nourishing alkaline foods are nature’s super greens – spirulina, barley and wheat grass powders. Mix half a tea spoon in alkaline water daily. This will give you more nutrients then a basket full of vegetables. Other super foods are EFA oils and bee pollen.
So eat a nutritionally balanced diet of natural whole foods and combine them sensibly. Most of all drink lots of alkaline mineral water.
Your weight will take care of itself.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Probably the first scientific studies on digestion were done by Ivan Pavlov who became famous for his 'salivating dogs'. Pavlov showed that the digestive enzymes released and the amount of acid secreted depends on the type of food.
His experiments with rats showed that starches are digested in about two hours, proteins are digested in about four hours but a protein-starch mixture could still be digesting 13 hours later. With dogs, again the protein-starch mixture took over twice as long compared to the same food consumed separately.
Pavlov also showed that food taken on top (i.e. before digestion has completed) can lead to fermentation. This happens when you eat fruit after a meal; many people say that it gives them gas.
What could account for Pavlov’s results?
The enzymes essential for digestion only function at specific pH levels; proteins and carbohydrate enzymes require opposite pH levels. If you mix them together in the same bag, you won’t be able to digest either food properly.
"Most fruits go straight through the stomach into the duodenum for digestion, which means if you put fresh fruit on top of a big meal, it has to sit and wait in the top of the stomach until the other food is digested, during which delay bacteria attack the fruit and ferment it, gobbling up all the nutrients and leaving you with gas and metabolic wastes."
Daneil Reid, Trophology: The Science of Food Combining, "The Tao of Health".
In 1908 Dr Howard Hay after practicing medicine for 16 years developed High Blood Pressure, Brights Disease and a dilated heart. As there was no treatment available, Dr Hay decided to find a cure for his own symptoms. He looked at his food intake and the chemical process of digestion, the enzymes that are essential for this process and whether the food has an overall acidifying or alkalizing effect on the body.
To the amazement of his colleagues, he had a complete remission of his symptoms in 3 months of changing his diet. He also reduced his weight by 20kg's. In 1911 he introduced his Food Combining guidelines and gave lectures till his death about the need to combine foods properly and reducing acidifying foods from the diet.
If you think there's nothing to acid-alkaline food combining, try this: one day for lunch eat a steak with chips, and monitor how you feel after an hour or so. Next day eat the same steak, but with a large vegetable salad. Which day did you feel more tired, drowsy?
Try feeding your dog meat and biscuits for a while, see how he feels!
Try an acidifying McDonald's diet for a month.
If you’re still alive, try an alkaline diet of alkaline water, fruits, vegetables, juices and super greens for a month. You’re guaranteed to lose weight from this diet – it’s over 95% water!
Some doctors maintain that all food is acid in the stomach and becomes alkaline in the intestines from the pancreas secretions. The blood pH range is so narrow that any measurable change would cause death. Even a bottle of ant-acids won’t affect the acidity of the stomach for long.
These scientific facts don’t mean that an alkaline diet is useless or that the body can magically process food in any old combination!
Remember Pavlov’s results? Why are so many people that eat at McDonald's fat and why did Spurlock nearly die? The fat content is not that high - a Big Mac apparently is 100% grilled beef, the chips are fried in vegetable oil and there's no fat in the cola! Could it be the acid, the high glycemic load and the bad combinations?
Such foods play havoc on our blood sugar and pH levels. As Daniel Reid explains the sugary 'soft drink' is an 'acid bomb':
"A 350 ml serving of Coke, Pepsi or similar drink delivers a sugar fix equivalent to about 9 teaspoons of sugar straight into the blood stream. This instantly acidifies the bloodstream to the extreme point that without an immediate emergency response from the body, it would kill you in a mater of minutes…you'd have to drink 32 glasses of alkaline water to neutralize the blood pH…to prevent death by acidosis, the body reacts swiftly by drawing huge amounts of organic calcium from the bones and teeth and pouring it into the bloodstream to neutralize the excess acid and quickly restore alkaline balance. Calcium is the body’s most potent alkalizing agent"
Are there any clinical studies to settle this issue?
A study called "Cola beverage consumption induces bone mineralization reduction in ovariectomized rats" (the rats were fed cola - acid, pH 2.5 - and the effects on bone density measured) suggests that "heavy intake of cola soft drinks has the potential of reducing femoral mineral density".
Dr L. Frassetto’s team at the University of California discovered that as we age, starting around age 45, we lose the alkaline buffer bicarbonates in our blood:
"Our group has shown that contemporary net acid-producing diets do indeed characteristically produce a low-grade systemic metabolic acidosis in otherwise healthy adult subjects, and that the degree of acidosis increases with age, in relation to the normally occurring age-related decline in renal functional capacity."
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that alkalizing diets improve bone density and serum growth hormone concentrations; the acidosis resulting from acidic diets contributes to bone and muscle loss.
Sang Whang in his book “Reverse Aging” proposed a Theory of Aging: we age because we gradually accumulate organic acid wastes. These wastes show up as uric acid, urate, sulfate, phosphate, kidney stones and other organic wastes often surrounded by cholesterol. Cellulite is a gel-like substance made up of fat in which are trapped acid wastes in pockets below the skin.
Dr Robert Young, author of “The pH Miracle” has been saying this for years – “Obesity is an acid problem, the fat is saving our lives.”
Should I eat alkaline foods and stop eating acidifying things like red meats?
Yes eat plenty of water-rich alkaline foods; but there’s no need to avoid any food that contains good nutrients in it like my favorites lamb kebabs and sashimi. As Patrick Holford, author of ‘The Optimum Nutrition Bible’ says “moderation in everything, including moderation"’!
Acid-alkaline diet food charts come from the pH of the ash that results from burning food; it’s caused by the unburned minerals. However, just as burning petrol creates exhausts, over 97% of any food metabolized creates acid wastes. At less than 1%, alkaline minerals are a fraction of the nutritional content of food and the overall acidity produced.
Clinical studies show that alkaline mineral water is the best way to obtain alkaline minerals and acid waters like colas are the best way to quickly deplete them!
The most nourishing alkaline foods are nature’s super greens – spirulina, barley and wheat grass powders. Mix half a tea spoon in alkaline water daily. This will give you more nutrients then a basket full of vegetables. Other super foods are EFA oils and bee pollen.
So eat a nutritionally balanced diet of natural whole foods and combine them sensibly. Most of all drink lots of alkaline mineral water.
Your weight will take care of itself.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Monday, 21 December 2009
What is the Acid Alkaline Diet?
The acid alkaline diet (also known as the alkaline ash diet or the alkaline acid diet) is fairly new to the public in comparison with other popular, commercialized diets. It encourages an alimentary program rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, roots, nuts and legumes, and is meant to maintain and balance the body's pH level.
While fish, meat, dairy, and salt produce acid and thereby increase the acidity level in the body, fresh fruits and vegetables decrease it.
Understanding the pH Balance
The pH refers to the alkaline-acid ratio in our body. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, and 7 is considered to be neutral. Anything lower than 7 is considered to be acidic, and anything above 7.1 is considered to be alkaline (also referred to as base).
Once the food we consume has been digested, absorbed and metabolized, it either releases an acid or a base into our bloodstream. The main function of alkaline in our system is to neutralize any excess acids and eliminate them from our body.
A body's normal pH level is between 7.35 and 7.45 (leaning towards alkaline). Those who support the acid alkaline diet believe that a diet high in acidic foods upsets the balance which, in turn, facilitates the loss of minerals essential to us, such as: magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium.
If our bodies cannot adequately neutralize the acid, a condition called acidosis can develop. High levels of acid penetrate the body's tissues and can no longer be neutralized. It is thought that acidosis is the one thing that all diseases have in common. Therefore, many doctors believe that the acid alkaline diet is a healthy regime as it helps maintain the proper PH balance.
Is the Acid Alkaline Diet for Me?
It is important to remember that before starting any kind of diet, including the acid alkaline diet, you should consult a doctor to make sure it is suitable for you.
A practitioner who believes in the theory of the acid alkaline diet will likely recommend it to patients who have the following symptoms, and only when all other potential illnesses have been medically ruled out:
* Nasal congestion
* Headache
* Nervousness, anxiety, irritability
* Excessive mucous production
* Lack of energy
* Frequent colds / flu
* Ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries, benign breast cysts
Although there has been no extensive research conducted in this field, some studies show that certain health benefits, such as an increase in bone mass, resulted in older people who took an alkaline supplement. Consequently, many believe that an acid alkaline diet could produce a similar effect, although this theory is still not widely accepted in the medical community.
Many medical professionals will encourage you to simply do things the old-fashioned way - eat right and exercise regularly.
What to Consume on the Acid Alkaline Diet
Like any other diet plan, once you know the basics, the task is simple. The fundamental rule to the acid alkaline diet is this: your food intake consists of 75% alkalizing foods and 25% acidifying foods. It is simple math - an intake of 3 times more alkaline than acid.
Here is a list of foods that are considered alkalizing and those considered acidifying. Your doctor can provide you with a more extensive list.
Alkalizing foods - the good stuff:
* Vegetables: spinach, broccoli, cucumber, celery, carrots, asparagus, zucchini, lettuce, cabbage, squash, peppers, onion, garlic, ginger, green onion and radishes
* Legumes: pinto beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, seeds, lentils and nuts (except peanuts and cashews)
* Fruits: avocado, lemon, lime, watermelon, grapefruit and tomato (NB: while other fruits are not bad for you, they should be eaten in moderation on this diet)
* Grains: barley, wheat and alfalfa
* Fish (specifically, coldwater fish)
* Essential fats: olive oil, flax or linseed oil
* Herbs and Spices: parsley, basil, mint, cumin, coriander, etc...
* Other: hummus, pesto, guacamole and tahini
Acidifying foods - the stuff to avoid:
* Sugar
* Salt
* Dairy products (cheese and milk)
* Fruits other than the ones in the above list
* Caffeine
* Tobacco
* Processed foods
* Fizzy drinks
* Meat (pork, lamb, beef and turkey) Bad fats (trans fat, saturated fat and hydrogenated fat)
* Pasta
* White rice
* Peanuts and cashews
* Condiments
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Holly_Cates
While fish, meat, dairy, and salt produce acid and thereby increase the acidity level in the body, fresh fruits and vegetables decrease it.
Understanding the pH Balance
The pH refers to the alkaline-acid ratio in our body. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, and 7 is considered to be neutral. Anything lower than 7 is considered to be acidic, and anything above 7.1 is considered to be alkaline (also referred to as base).
Once the food we consume has been digested, absorbed and metabolized, it either releases an acid or a base into our bloodstream. The main function of alkaline in our system is to neutralize any excess acids and eliminate them from our body.
A body's normal pH level is between 7.35 and 7.45 (leaning towards alkaline). Those who support the acid alkaline diet believe that a diet high in acidic foods upsets the balance which, in turn, facilitates the loss of minerals essential to us, such as: magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium.
If our bodies cannot adequately neutralize the acid, a condition called acidosis can develop. High levels of acid penetrate the body's tissues and can no longer be neutralized. It is thought that acidosis is the one thing that all diseases have in common. Therefore, many doctors believe that the acid alkaline diet is a healthy regime as it helps maintain the proper PH balance.
Is the Acid Alkaline Diet for Me?
It is important to remember that before starting any kind of diet, including the acid alkaline diet, you should consult a doctor to make sure it is suitable for you.
A practitioner who believes in the theory of the acid alkaline diet will likely recommend it to patients who have the following symptoms, and only when all other potential illnesses have been medically ruled out:
* Nasal congestion
* Headache
* Nervousness, anxiety, irritability
* Excessive mucous production
* Lack of energy
* Frequent colds / flu
* Ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries, benign breast cysts
Although there has been no extensive research conducted in this field, some studies show that certain health benefits, such as an increase in bone mass, resulted in older people who took an alkaline supplement. Consequently, many believe that an acid alkaline diet could produce a similar effect, although this theory is still not widely accepted in the medical community.
Many medical professionals will encourage you to simply do things the old-fashioned way - eat right and exercise regularly.
What to Consume on the Acid Alkaline Diet
Like any other diet plan, once you know the basics, the task is simple. The fundamental rule to the acid alkaline diet is this: your food intake consists of 75% alkalizing foods and 25% acidifying foods. It is simple math - an intake of 3 times more alkaline than acid.
Here is a list of foods that are considered alkalizing and those considered acidifying. Your doctor can provide you with a more extensive list.
Alkalizing foods - the good stuff:
* Vegetables: spinach, broccoli, cucumber, celery, carrots, asparagus, zucchini, lettuce, cabbage, squash, peppers, onion, garlic, ginger, green onion and radishes
* Legumes: pinto beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, seeds, lentils and nuts (except peanuts and cashews)
* Fruits: avocado, lemon, lime, watermelon, grapefruit and tomato (NB: while other fruits are not bad for you, they should be eaten in moderation on this diet)
* Grains: barley, wheat and alfalfa
* Fish (specifically, coldwater fish)
* Essential fats: olive oil, flax or linseed oil
* Herbs and Spices: parsley, basil, mint, cumin, coriander, etc...
* Other: hummus, pesto, guacamole and tahini
Acidifying foods - the stuff to avoid:
* Sugar
* Salt
* Dairy products (cheese and milk)
* Fruits other than the ones in the above list
* Caffeine
* Tobacco
* Processed foods
* Fizzy drinks
* Meat (pork, lamb, beef and turkey) Bad fats (trans fat, saturated fat and hydrogenated fat)
* Pasta
* White rice
* Peanuts and cashews
* Condiments
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Holly_Cates
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Acid Alkaline Diet Benefits & Why It Is Recommended
by Will Johnson
If you have heard of the Atkins diet, then the Acid Alkaline Diet is the complete opposite of that. The Atkins diet is a high protein, high fat but low carbohydrates diet. But such diets have a tendency to leave one low on energy and also they seem to be improper gastronomically speaking. An acid alkaline diet on the other hand is not only useful for weight loss but over an above that is extremely beneficial to the body functioning. An Acid alkaline diet keeps the ph level of the body balanced and so safeguards against various illnesses. Even chronic diseases like arthritis can be not only prevented but also cured if an acid alkaline diet is followed.
The basis of an acid alkaline diet lies in the fact that our body ph ideally should be a 7.3. This slightly alkaline level of the body ph keeps all the vital organs functioning well, as well as the absorption of various minerals is optimized. When this ph tilts to the acidic side trouble starts brewing. An acidic ph level leads to almost all body parts suffering in one way or the other. Now since our body needs to be alkaline in nature it should reflect in our food intake too. Foods that are alkalizing should be consumed mush more as opposed to the acidifying foods. Translated in a simpler language this would mean more of vegetable and fruit consumption and very low meats and oil intake. If the body’s alkaline minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium levels drop so will its health causing it to degenerate and its defenses to drop guard. An acid alkaline diet protects that from happening. An acid alkaline diet comprises of 80% alkalizing foods and 20 % acidic foods. Since the acid alkaline ratio in the body should be one is to four our food intake should be of similar nature.
An acid alkaline diet is not only recommended to shed those extra pounds but is also and more importantly a great means of regaining lost health and leading a longer and more diseases free life. The acid alkaline diet is especially recommended to those who feel tired most of the time. Stress and a low energy level can both be done away with an acid alkaline diet. Those who suffer from frequent viral fevers or those who have a nasal congestion most of the time can lead healthier lives if they have an acid alkaline diet. Weak nails, dryness, headaches, muscle pain, hives, joint pains, and many more such diseases find their answer in an acid alkaline diet.
A higher level of vegetable intake is recommended in an acid alkaline diet. Lemons should be squeezed into water drinks. Millet or quinoa is preferred over wheat, olive oil over vegetable oil and soups like miso are very useful for following an acid alkaline diet.
Lost health and vigor can be regained and many chronic illnesses prevented as well as cured if an acid alkaline diet is followed. It is a fairly easy diet plan, which should adapt for a longer and healthier life span.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
If you have heard of the Atkins diet, then the Acid Alkaline Diet is the complete opposite of that. The Atkins diet is a high protein, high fat but low carbohydrates diet. But such diets have a tendency to leave one low on energy and also they seem to be improper gastronomically speaking. An acid alkaline diet on the other hand is not only useful for weight loss but over an above that is extremely beneficial to the body functioning. An Acid alkaline diet keeps the ph level of the body balanced and so safeguards against various illnesses. Even chronic diseases like arthritis can be not only prevented but also cured if an acid alkaline diet is followed.
The basis of an acid alkaline diet lies in the fact that our body ph ideally should be a 7.3. This slightly alkaline level of the body ph keeps all the vital organs functioning well, as well as the absorption of various minerals is optimized. When this ph tilts to the acidic side trouble starts brewing. An acidic ph level leads to almost all body parts suffering in one way or the other. Now since our body needs to be alkaline in nature it should reflect in our food intake too. Foods that are alkalizing should be consumed mush more as opposed to the acidifying foods. Translated in a simpler language this would mean more of vegetable and fruit consumption and very low meats and oil intake. If the body’s alkaline minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium levels drop so will its health causing it to degenerate and its defenses to drop guard. An acid alkaline diet protects that from happening. An acid alkaline diet comprises of 80% alkalizing foods and 20 % acidic foods. Since the acid alkaline ratio in the body should be one is to four our food intake should be of similar nature.
An acid alkaline diet is not only recommended to shed those extra pounds but is also and more importantly a great means of regaining lost health and leading a longer and more diseases free life. The acid alkaline diet is especially recommended to those who feel tired most of the time. Stress and a low energy level can both be done away with an acid alkaline diet. Those who suffer from frequent viral fevers or those who have a nasal congestion most of the time can lead healthier lives if they have an acid alkaline diet. Weak nails, dryness, headaches, muscle pain, hives, joint pains, and many more such diseases find their answer in an acid alkaline diet.
A higher level of vegetable intake is recommended in an acid alkaline diet. Lemons should be squeezed into water drinks. Millet or quinoa is preferred over wheat, olive oil over vegetable oil and soups like miso are very useful for following an acid alkaline diet.
Lost health and vigor can be regained and many chronic illnesses prevented as well as cured if an acid alkaline diet is followed. It is a fairly easy diet plan, which should adapt for a longer and healthier life span.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Alkaline Diet - The Top Way to Gain Energy is With an Alkaline Diet
by Benjamin Robert Ehinger
Have you struggled to wake up in the morning? Are you sleeping more than you need to or have a lack of energy? There are ways to gain energy and you can drink the energy drinks or coffee to do so, but they will only give you a temporary solution. The alkaline diet can give you a full change in your diet to give you energy you need without the energy drinks. Here is how.
When you eat foods that involve alkaline and raise the alkaline in your blood so that you can have a better balance in your body. Having a balance in your blood makes you healthier and allows you to have more energy than you are used to. You will be able to sleep less, wake up easier, and have a larger amount of energy than you are used to.
Some of these foods include: lemons, limes, spinach, avocado, almonds, bananas, melons, blueberries, and many other natural foods. There are many lists out there that you can get for free that give you the full amount of foods that are alkaline and are good for your ph level. However, there is one other thing you need to understand and that is balance.
You need to keep the balance in your body. You need the meats, proteins, and dairy products that many alkaline diet guides will tell you to shut out. These are important for your immune system and for many of the other nutrients you need. You will have to keep that balance in your body. It is important to eat the foods that are not alkaline, but make sure you do so in moderation.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
Have you struggled to wake up in the morning? Are you sleeping more than you need to or have a lack of energy? There are ways to gain energy and you can drink the energy drinks or coffee to do so, but they will only give you a temporary solution. The alkaline diet can give you a full change in your diet to give you energy you need without the energy drinks. Here is how.
When you eat foods that involve alkaline and raise the alkaline in your blood so that you can have a better balance in your body. Having a balance in your blood makes you healthier and allows you to have more energy than you are used to. You will be able to sleep less, wake up easier, and have a larger amount of energy than you are used to.
Some of these foods include: lemons, limes, spinach, avocado, almonds, bananas, melons, blueberries, and many other natural foods. There are many lists out there that you can get for free that give you the full amount of foods that are alkaline and are good for your ph level. However, there is one other thing you need to understand and that is balance.
You need to keep the balance in your body. You need the meats, proteins, and dairy products that many alkaline diet guides will tell you to shut out. These are important for your immune system and for many of the other nutrients you need. You will have to keep that balance in your body. It is important to eat the foods that are not alkaline, but make sure you do so in moderation.
Discover How An Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.
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