Body pH

pH  is the acronym for "potential of hydrogen". It is a rating system indicating the acidity or alkalinity of a liquid. The pH value is measured based on the concentration of hydrogen ion concentrate in a liquid.  Every liquid has a pH value which falls on a scale between 0 and 14, with 7 being neutral.  A pH value less than 7 is acidic; while a value greater than 7 is alkaline.   

Our body also has pH values depending on our body fluid, i.e. bloodstream, urine, saliva, etc. These pH values play an important role in affecting our the the biochemical reactions in our body and it can be affected by the activities that we are doing, the food/fluid that we are eating/drinking, our emotion, etc. For instance, during a prolong exercise, our body may feel fatigue. This is because during the continuous exercise has resulted in gradual accumulation of lactic acid in our body and it is the accumulation of H+ ions (from the lactic acid) that causes the fatigue. This condition would normally recover once the lactic acid is removed from our body. The rate would depend on the metabolism of a person. The food and fluid that we are taking into our body also can affect the pH of our body, what comes out depends on what we put in!

Over acidity can become a dangerous condition that weakens all body systems. It gives rise to an internal environment conducive to disease, as opposed to a pH balanced environment which allows normal body function necessary for the body to resist disease. A healthy body maintains adequate alkaline reserves to meet emergency demands. When excess acids must be neutralized our alkaline reserves are depleted leaving the body in a weakened condition. A pH balanced diet, according to many experts, is a vital key to health maintenance. It is believed that diseases can be caused by acid accumulation in the body.

Mild acidosis can cause such problems as:

• Cardiovascular damage, including the constriction of blood vessels and the reduction of oxygen;
• Weight gain, obesity and diabetes;
• Bladder and kidney conditions, including kidney stones;
• Immune deficiency;
• Acceleration of free radical damage, possibly contributing to cancerous mutations;
• Hormone concerns;
• Premature aging;
• Osteoporosis; weak, brittle bones, hip fractures and bone spurs;
• Joint pain, aching muscles and lactic acid buildup;
• Low energy and chronic fatigue;
• Slow digestion and elimination; and
• Yeast/fungal overgrowth.