alkaline_diet_harticle

What is the difference between alkaline and acidic food, and what effect does that have on our bodies?

Our overall well being relies heavily on how balanced our bodies are between acidic and alkaline, otherwise known as our PH Balance. Our bodies do not function properly when too alkaline and even worse, invite chronic illnesses with an acidic environment. How can we create a balance between being alkaline and acidic? First lets take a look at how each impact our bodies.

UNDERSTANDING THE ALKALINE PH BALANCE

In today’s fast food culture it is often difficult to create a proper PH balance in our bodies. Water is has a neutral PH balance of 7, our blood has a slightly more alkaline environment of 7.35 to 7.45. Our organs and glands function properly in the exact proportional balance of alkaline and acidic levels. Once our bodies go below 7.35PH balance a condition starts to set in called acidosis.

EFFECTS OF ACIDOSIS

Acidosis is a condition that begins to onset in the blood and tissue after ph levels drop below 7.35 while its counterpart alkalosis begins at 7.45.  Chronic acidosis leads to corrosion of body tissue and invites a diversity of diseases and cancer. The relationship between an acidic body and illness has been long established. Take for instance this quote from nobel peace prize winner Otto Heinrich Warburg

“All normal cells have an absolute requirement for oxygen, but cancer cells can live without oxygen – a rule without exception. “Deprive a cell 35% of its oxygen for 48 hours and it may become cancerous.”

What warburg discovered was that cancer cells are anaerobic (do not breathe oxygen) and do not survive in an alkaline state. To put it more simply, cancer exists because of a malfunction of the mitochondria’s ability to perform apoptosis (death of cell). This malfunction is in direct relationship to the lack of oxygen the mitochondria needs to function properly. These and other connections to illness have been concluded in the study of acidic effect on our bodies.

EFFECTS OF ALKALOSIS

As with anything in nature, there is a balance. On the other side of acidosis is alkalosis which starts with a ph level of 7.45 and above. Our bodies do require a little acidity to function. Take for instance our digestive system. This you will want to read before ever popping another antacid tablet for heartburn.

“There are two main consequences of low stomach acid: 1. You become protein malnourished. When your stomach acid is low, you are not able to digest protein. Improper digestion of protein creates toxins in your intestines that can set the stage for illness and disease. Improper digestion of protein also creates acidic blood, since protein is by nature acidic. 2. You become mineral deficient. As your blood becomes more acidic, it will look for minerals from anywhere in your body, in order to get your blood to its more ideal alkaline state. Acidic blood robs your body of minerals, even taking minerals from your bones (which is important to know if you want to prevent osteoporosis).

“Low stomach acid eventually creates a vicious cycle: low stomach acid = low minerals = acidic blood. This cycle continues because acidic blood further creates low minerals and low stomach acid. Once this vicious cycle has started, there is a cascade of consequences: You could eat plenty of protein and still be protein malnourished. This raises cortisol levels [stress hormones], thereby raising your blood glucose (blood sugar levels). Elevated cortisol adversely affects your behavior and temperament. Eventually, your adrenals become depleted (adrenal fatigue) and DHEA, the youth hormone, is suppressed, leading to premature aging. Low DHEA and high cortisol affect your brain and behavior, but that’s not all. The vicious cycle of low stomach acid affects your inner ecosystem too. Low stomach acid can lead to more bad guys (pathogenic bacteria, candida and viruses) than good guys (healthy microflora), thus lowering your immunity.

“Here are some of the common symptoms and disorders caused by low stomach acid: bloating, belching, and flatulence immediately after meals, heartburn (often thought to be caused by too much stomach acid), indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation, undigested food in stools, acne, rectal itching, chronic candida, hair loss in women, multiple food allergies, iron deficiency, weak, peeling, or cracked fingernails, chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue, dry skin, various ‘autoimmune’..diseases.”

— Donna Gates

As you just read, having a lack of acid in the body can also create complications. So a balance is necessary. It is recommended by most in the medical field to maintain a balance of 75% alkaline foods and 25% acidic. So make sure you have a good amount of veggies and fruit on your plate with a balance to anything else.

I hope you found this article on Alkaline vs Acidic Creating a Balance helpful.

Subscriber to our news feed for more informative articles such as these to help you get in the best shape of your life. And come visit us at Tiger Muay Thai one of Asia’s premiere weight-loss destinations. Our dedicated team of fitness professionals will support and lead you and can help blast away that unwanted fat and get you in the best shape of your life.