Acid/Alkaline Balance – The Basics

The Acid/Alkaline Process

In order to survive, the body must maintain the proper acid/alkaline (pH) balance. The optimum pH of the blood is somewhat alkaline, 7.3-7.4, and various tissues and organ systems vary from these numbers. The pH balance can be affected by many factors including the food we eat, stress, and the quality of our thoughts, emotions, actions, etc .

If this balance cannot be maintained, the body will begin to break down and die. The body is constantly striving to maintain this balance, and there are many processes by which this is accomplished.

There are several buffer systems established in the body to neutralize acids. One example is the fat buffer system. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) fat serves to bind acids from the body fluids (blood, lymph and extracellular fluids) so the acids can be excreted from the body in the urine. However, a compromised body, overloaded with acids, may be unable to eliminate them. In order to protect the vital organs, the fat-bound acids may be dumped into storage areas such as the hips, thighs, stomach, etc., creating obesity.

Alkaline salts are also used to buffer acids. The main ones are sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and they are held in reserve in the tissues. When there is excess acid, these salts are called upon to bind with the acids to neutralize them. The acids can then be eliminated from the body through the colon, kidneys, lungs and skin.

If there are inadequate reserves in the tissues, the body will pull these salts from the bones (calcium) and muscles (magnesium). For example, the overburdened acidic body which be forced to take calcium from the bones in an attempt to restore alkaline balance. This can result in the disease called osteoporosis. Post-menopausal women who eat an acidic diet rich in animal foods and low in vegetables are especially at risk for this condition.

The lymphatic system is another buffer system, the function of which is to “clean house” and remove acid deposits and other toxins from the tissues. The lymphatic fluid is literally pumped by the movement of our muscles. If a person leads a sedentary lifestyle, the lymphatic system cannot do its job and acid deposits continue to build up in the tissues. Even if the lymphatic system can do its job, the residue it cleans up is sent back to the blood and the cycle continues. The blood must use more salts to neutralize the acids, and so on.

Over time, the body can become increasingly unbalanced as acid continues to build up in the tissues. Initial signs can be rashes, allergies, inflammation, colds, flu, etc. On the cellular level, the cells are beginning to suffer from lack of oxygen, are being poisoned and begin to die. If the process continues, eventually chronic degenerative disease, and then death, will occur.

In addition, yeast, molds, fungus and parasites thrive in an acidic body. They feed on our body’s proteins and fats, and their wastes poison us. They thrive in the anaerobic (lack of oxygen) environment of the acidic body.

Each person will have their own “weak link”, an organ system which is more susceptible to breakdown than the others. This weak link may be the first area to show signs of “disease”, for example:

Cardiovascular weakness (heart disease, high blood pressure)
Immune System dysfunction (Cancer and other illnesses)
Diabetes
Weight gain
Kidney/bladder dysfunction
Skeletal (osteoporosis)
Joints (arthritis, joint pain)
Endocrine (adrenal, thyroid exhaustion)
Respiratory (asthma and other lung disease)
Etc.

The Good News

Disease is much less likely to develop or survive when the inner terrain of the body is in balance.

When you change the internal environment of your body by feeding, alkalizing and oxygenating the tissues, your body can begin to heal. Our bodies are created to seek and maintain homeostasis (balance). The problem is, most of us are not living or eating in the way nature intended.

The most apparent cause of excess acid in the body is the food we eat. The SAD diet (Standard American Diet) is highly acidic—sodas, fried foods, meat, dairy, sugar—these foods are all highly acid-causing in the body. The SAD diet is SADly lacking in alkalizing foods—fresh vegetables, whole grains and especially WATER.

Equally important, the body can become too acid from an acid lifestyle. Think about it: Are you engaged in acid relationships? How do you treat those you love? Do you watch acid TV shows and movies? What kind of books and magazines do you read? Are you an angry driver? Are you depressed? Are you kind to yourself? Acid emotions, thoughts, actions, all create acidity in the body.

The body, mind and spirit are intimately linked. As we heal our acid emotions, thoughts and actions, we heal the acid body as well. And as we feed and alkalize the acid body, the mind becomes clear, the emotions calm, and spirit lightens. We renew and regain lost energy and joy in life.

(This is a very brief discussion of acid/alkaline balance in the body. For in-depth information and the science behind it, read Sick & Tired? by Robert O. Young, Ph.D., D.Sc.)