Understanding pH

Understanding pH

pH in chemistry is a way to measure the charges of an ion. Whether an ion contains a negatively charged -OH atom or a positively charged H+ atom determines whether or not something is alkaline (basic) or acidic. These charges are measured on a pH scale that ranges from 0-14. Water is a neutral molecule and is measured on the pH scale as 7. Substances that measure 0-6 are considered acidic and substances that measure 8-14 are considered alkaline (basic).

Alkaline and acidic substances have properties that can be corrosive, so it is important that the body maintain a relatively neutral pH. The blood for instance has very little room for fluxuation, it must maintain a pH of 7.35-7.45 in order for your body to receive the nutrients it needs from your blood and for you to live The body does have a regulator for your blood to keep it within this range. pH of your colon, kidneys (urine), and saliva are maintained by a healthy diet, which includes certain foods, as well as plenty of water.

Your colon's optimal pH is 7.8-8.3. Candida can occur in a gut with too acidic of a pH. The acidity allows for overgrowth and symptoms to show up even outside of the gut (skin irritations, etc). Bad breath and pungent body odor can be a symptom of acidic conditions in the body because your skin and lungs gas off excess acidity.

Saliva is a great pH window because it is the first solution that comes in contact with foods and can change pretty easily. Saliva that continually tests acidic can be an indicator of a lack of neutralizing minerals in the body.

Urine is the best way to see the pH of the body. Urine is not generally changed by external factors. But it can fluxuate during a detox when your body uses your kidneys as a pathway for eliminating toxins. Urine that consistently remains either acidic or alkaline can be a sign that the body is in a state of pH unbalance.

pH effect of effective alkalizing activities

Generally eating less	Allows daily rest and detox
Fruit and Veggie Diet	Leaves alkaline residue in bowel
High water content foods	Adds water to expel acids
Deep breathing and relaxation	Lungs gas-off acids
Exercise with sufficient oxygen	Increased blood and oxygen to muscles
Sunlight and Skin Exposure	Skin expels more uric acid
Positivity and confidence	Relaxation aids blood flow
Acceptance and love	Relaxation aids blood flow
Negative ions (fresh air, forests, coasts)	Lessens body's positive charge

Least effective alkalizing activities

Lethargy	Decreases blood flow
Shallow breathing	Decreases lung expelation
Positive ions (Indoors, cities, pollution)	Increases body's positive charge
Negativity and worries	Generates tension
Anger and fear	Create toxic chemistry
Stress	Inhibits immune efficiency
Dehydration	Decreases acid expelation
High protein diet	Encourages uric acid build-up
Over-eating heavy foods	Builds up layers of acid saturation

Foods that neutralize pH

Green leafy vegetables, tofu and tempeh
Lemon juice in water or lime juice in water
Apple cider, apples, lemons, limes
Yams
Spinach, turnup greens, broccoli
Raw, unprocessed nuts, pumpkin seeds
Poultry, eggs
Live-cultured dairy, including yogurt, cottage cheese, blue cheese, swiss, munster.
Foods high in potassium

Foods that are not acceptable

Red meat
Milk
Refined sugar or foods that contain refined sugar
Limit intake of simple carbohydrates, such as honey and maltose
White flour products
Orange juice, bananas, pears
Phosphoric acid sources, such as when used as preservatives
Soft drinks
Corn or potatoes, or products that contain theses foods
Calcium carbonate in your calcium supplements
Antacids containing either aluminum or calcium carbonate
Sodium chloride salt

pH effects of food

Very Alkaline	Fresh, raw leaves
Very Alkaline	Fresh raw fruit
Alkaline	Fresh, raw roots
Neutral	Raw nuts and seeds
Acidic	Cooked grains
Acidic	Cooked beans
Very Acidic	Meat, fish, poultry
Very Acidic	Milk, hard cheeses (ex. cheddar)

It is generally agreed that a diet of 80% alkalizing foods maintains the best moderate balance-this allows for 20% for foods you like that don't like you.

Never eat more than 80% of your hunger- if you cannot climb a hill after eating, you ate too much too quickly- slow down and eat less!
Eat more than 25 different varieties of food each week- Chinese medicine says 55.
Exercise according to your breathing capacity-if you cannot speak afterward, then it was too vigorous for you today.
A relaxation regimen should match the exercise taken- aching limbs are a sign of lactic acid saturation caused by insufficient oxygen in available blood flow.
Sleep in complete darkness to ensure deep relaxation of the nervous system, and take every opportunity to bathe closed eyes in sunlight to stimulated hypothalamus vitality.
Immerse as much of your body as possible in sunlight as often as possible.

When diet is not enough

In most instances, dietary measures are all that are needed to bring about the desired change in pH. However, if you have chronic yeast infections, cancer, has been chronically exposed to mercury and/or other heavy metals, or has long suffered with chronic inflammation; dietary changes will bring about progress, but may not be sufficient. If any one of these situations exist, you will need to also supplement with potassium citrate or bicarbonate.

Potassium citrate or bicarbonate

Dosage is generally 1/4 - 1tsp. 3 times a day in water or apple cider for one week. It is advised to start at a lower dose and work up, if needed. Once pH has risen to the desired level, diet alone can generally hold the pH at that level. Do not administer to people with a low serum calcium, or an elevated potassium.

In The Healing Gardens Medicinal Store we do carry a product "Bi-Carb Formula" that is potassium and sodium bicarbonate in a capsule form. We also carry pH papers to keep track of your daily pH changes. For more information (970) 472-6802.

Resources

The pH Miracle is a great book to read for more information about pH.