The importance of maintaining the alkaline body
The body’s pH is the barometer that allows us to measure this degree of balance and that tells us if a body is healthy or sick, according to its degree of acidity or alkalinity.
New studies are showing the importance of maintaining a slightly alkaline organism to prevent diseases as severe and common as allergies, autoimmune diseases, and even cancer.
Remember the pH strips you used in high school chemistry classes? On the pH scale, 14 is totally alkaline, 7 is neutral, and between 0 and 6 acidic. Although not all the fluids in our body have the same pH degree to maintain their balance, the blood must always remain at a slightly alkaline pH of between 7.3-7, otherwise, the cells would become ill. That is why our bodies will do the impossible to maintain this balance.
AN ACIDIFYING LIFESTYLE
We always hear it said that the type of diet we follow affects our blood acidification levels but when we lead a lifestyle dominated by stress, chemicals, negative thoughts, and no sport, our body has to work harder to achieve a condition stable internal. All these factors directly affect our pH level.
We know that food is not the only thing that feeds our cells and just eating well does not guarantee us to be healthy. So we must treat health from a more holistic, much broader point of view, always considering the most primary foods, our personal relationships, and our emotions. A negative feeling such as sadness, hatred, fear, jealousy, stress, or extreme tiredness can cause more acidification in the body than eating a donut.
HOW DOES ACID BALANCE – BASE WORK?
All the cells that make up our body need to feed, eliminate waste, and constantly renew themselves. In this sense, blood fulfills two vital functions:
Bring to all cells the oxygen and nutrients they need
Remove from them the toxic and acidic residues that are produced as a result of the metabolism of said nutrients
These toxic residues are evacuated from the body through the natural elimination routes (kidneys, intestines, skin, and lungs). Therefore, it is essential to keep our natural “filters” clean, since if they become clogged, problems will arise.
When a filter is not clean and consequently can not eliminate toxic waste, such as uric acid, our body will start a battle to prevent these acid residues from going to stop in the bloodstream and vary the pH of the blood.
The “survival” mechanism that first activates the body is to remove calcium from the bones and inject it into the blood to neutralize the pH again because calcium is one of the most alkalizing minerals we have in the body.
This should not be a problem if it occurs from time to time since the body is prepared for it. But if it becomes a habitual state that lengthens over time, it will lead to serious health problems, such as bone decalcification and osteoporosis.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OUR BODY DOES NOT REMAIN ALKALINE?
When our body is not kept in a slightly alkaline state, we can suffer from a condition called acidosis.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ACIDOSIS?
Cardiovascular conditions
Weight gain, obesity, and diabetes
Excess load on the kidneys and stone formation
Wear and loss of muscle mass
Immunodeficiencies
Hormonal imbalances
Premature aging
Osteoporosis
Cavities
Joint pain, muscle pain, and gout
Lack of energy and chronic fatigue
Slow digestions
Fungi, infections, and viruses
Sadness, the tendency to depression, nervousness, and irritability
Acid saliva, inflamed and sensitive gums, high irritation of the tonsils, and pharyngitis.
WHAT FOODS HELP US ALKALIZE OUR BODY?
Although food is not everything when it comes to preventing our body from becoming too acidic, it does play a key role. There are foods that will work against us and foods that will help our bodies stay in a more alkaline state.
ACID FOODS
Generally, foods rich in saturated fats, sugars, refined flours, and proteins are acidifying. Especially foods of animal origin, such as meat or dairy products and processed and industrialized products.
ALKALINE FOOD
Those that contain a good dose of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium, like most fruits and vegetables, will be alkalizing foods. So our best alkaline allies to maintain blood balance are quintessential green juices and smoothies, sprouts, some seeds, vegetables, and especially green leafy ones.
THEN HOW CAN I KEEP MY ALKALINE BODY?
Eat well with a predominance of vegetables, with a good part raw, drink alkaline water, play sports, breathe, make love, look for moments of peace, smile, and give thanks every day.
In short, be happy! Because every thought, every attitude, and every gesture counts.