pH Balancing

Maintaining the correct pH in the body is essential to having a healthy body. Many people who become ill with some dis-ease or another do so because the pH has become too acidic or too alkaline for an extended period of time. In order to regain a healthy body it is important to not only understand what pH is but also to know how to bring it back into balance.
pH is the measure of the alkalinity or acidity of a solution. The higher the pH number, the more alkaline, and the lower the pH number the more acidic.

pH testing of the urine and saliva shows if the body is in balance. Without testing the pH, there is no way to determine if the body is too acidic or too alkaline. Using pH test strips you can determine your pH factor quickly and easily in the privacy of your own home. The most accurate time to test the urine and saliva is the first thing in the morning, before brushing the teeth or consuming any food or drink. If your urine ph fluctuates between 6.0 and 7.0 throughout the day, your body is functioning within a normal range. If your saliva stays between 6.4 and 6.8 (averaging 6.5) all day, your body is functioning normally.

Many vital bodily functions, including digestion, enzyme activity and hormone balance are completely dependent upon the body’s ability to maintain pH balance. If the pH balance is correct, the body fluids will clearly show it.

Maintaining pH balance can be difficult. Fortunately, the body has three primary systems for maintaining the ideal pH: the respiratory system, the urinary system and the gastrointestinal system which includes the liver and pancreas. Even with these built in defense systems, stress, lack of exercise and water, chemicals and poor dietary choices can destroy the pH balance.

Acidic Tendencies

Many people have an “acidic” pH. The body may need to borrow minerals, including calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium from vital organs and the bones to neutralize the acidic level.

Alkaline Tendencies

Although it is less common than acidity, alkalinity may affect the same functions as acidity. It often takes more time and support for the person who is excessively alkaline to obtain balance, because their body might not be able to excrete acids through the kidneys. The liver and bowel may compensate by producing other substances.

The Body’s Acid Management Program – Acids do not stay in the Blood

Excretion of Acids – colon, kidneys, lungs, skin
Buffering of Acids – calcium, magnesium, sodium potassium
Storage of acids – tissue, joints, muscles, arteries
Emergency backup system to control acids – liver and bowel produce ammonia.

Urine pH

Urine pH testing can indicate how well your body is excreting acids and assimilating minerals, especially calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. These minerals function as ‘buffers’. Buffers are substances which help maintain and balance the body against the accumulation of too much acidity or alkalinity. Even with the necessary amounts of buffers, alkalinity or acidity levels can fluctuate. When too much acids or alkaline substances are ingested, the body must excrete the excess. Excretion through the urine is the most efficient way for the body to remove the excess that it is unable to buffer. If the average urine pH is below 6.5 attention should be given to lowering the ingestion of acidic substances.

Saliva pH

The indication of digestive enzymes in the body is determined by the saliva. These are the enzymes primarily manufactured in the stomach, liver and pancreas. The saliva also buffers just like the urine, it relies on the buffering process to a much lesser degree. If the saliva pH is below 6.5, the body may produce too many acids. If the saliva is over 6.8, the body should be aided by diet.

What if there is a more ‘acidic’ tendency?

Eat more alkalizing foods, especially those that contain calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium.
Do not use vitamin C with ascorbic acid, use Rose Hips or Citrus Bioflavonoids.
Take liquid Vitamin B12 Complete and Bifidophilus Flora Force.
A lemon/Thai-Go drink may be helpful to promote alkalinity. (Add 2 teaspoons lemon juice and 2 teaspoons Thai-Go to 8 oz. water and drink.)
Drink 2 ounces alkaline juice made from beet, carrot and celery once a day.
Alkaline bath soak: 1 cup Epsom salts, 1 box baking soda, 10 capsules Ginger. Soak for 20 minutes, then rinse.

What if there is a more ‘alkaline’ tendency?

Eat more acid forming foods, especially those that contain phosphorus, sulfur and chlorine, including whole grains, beans and other proteins.
Eat a lot of high-fiber foods.
Depending on digestive ability it may be necessary to avoid red meats, cheese, nuts and nut butters.
Take 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with a little honey three times a day.
Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of pure water a day.
Dry skin brushing and bath soak: 1 cup Epsom salts and 10 capsules Ginger. Soak for 20 minutes, rinse.

Maintaining the proper balance of the body’s pH can positively affect all major body systems, especially the digestive, intestinal, circulatory, respiratory, and immune systems. This balance protects the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin in the blood. PH-balanced environments maintain proper metabolic functions and allow the body to function optimally. Start your road to health by maintaining the proper pH balance in your body today.

Check out the foods you are eating, are they acid or alkaline? Most people can help balance their pH by consuming 80% alkaline foods to 20% acid foods.

Most Alkaline	Alkaline	Lowest Alkaline	Food Categories	Lowest Acid	Acid	Most Acid
Stevia	Maple Syrup Rice Syrup	Raw Honey Raw Sugar	Sweeteners	Processed Honey Molasses	White Sugar Brown Sugar	NutraSweet, Equal Sweet ‘N Low
Lemons, Watermelon, Limes, Grapefruit, Mangos, Papayas	Dates/Figs, Melons, Grapes, Papaya, Kiwi, Berries, Apples, Pears, Raisens	Oranges, Bananas, Cherries, Pineapple, Peaches, Avocados	Fruits	Plums, Processed Fruit Juices	Sour Cherries, Rhubarb	Blueberries, Cranberries, Prunes
Asparagus, Onions, Vegetable Juices, Parsley, Raw Spinach, Broccoli, Garlic	Okra, Squash, Green beans, Beets, Celery, Lettuce, Zucchini, Sweet Potato	Carrots, Tomatoes, Fresh Corn, Mushrooms, Cabbage, Peas, Potato Skins, Olives	Beans Vegetables Legumes	Cooked Spinach Kidney Beans String Beans	Potatoes, Pinto Beans, Navy Beans, Lima Beans, Soybeans	Carob
	Almonds	Chestnuts	Nuts/Seeds	Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds	Pecans Cashews	Peanuts, Walnuts
	Olive Oil		Oils	Corn Oil, Flax Oil
		Amaranth, Millet, Wild Rice, Quinoa	Grains Cereals	Sprouted Wheat Bread, Spelt, Brown Rice	White Rice, Corn, Buckwheat, Oats, Rye	Wheat, White Flour, Pastries, Pasta
			Meats	Venison, Cold Water Fish	Turkey, Chicken, Lamb	Pork, Beef, Shellfish
	Breast Milk	Goat Milk, Goat Cheese Whey	Eggs Dairy	Eggs, Butter/Yogurt, Buttermilk, Cottage Cheese, Soy Milk	Soy Cheese, Raw Milk	Cheese, Homogenized Milk, Ice Cream
Lemon Water Herb Teas	Green Tea	Ginger Tea	Beverages	Tea	Coffee	Beer, Soft Drinks