Balancing the Body's pH: The Key to Optimal Health

The Acid-Alkaline Spectrum

The pH scale, ranging from 0 to 14, is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, exemplified by pure water. Values below 7 indicate acidity, with 0 being extremely acidic. On the other end, values above 7 signify alkalinity, with 14 being highly alkaline. This scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number change represents a tenfold increase or decrease in acidity. For example, a substance with a pH of 6 is ten times more acidic than one with a pH of 7. The pH scale is crucial in various fields, from chemistry to medicine, as it helps in understanding the chemical properties of solutions and their interactions with other substances.

Understanding Body Acidity Levels

The human body meticulously maintains its pH balance, a measure of acidity and alkalinity, across various organs and systems. The normal acidity level of the blood hovers around a slightly alkaline pH of 7.35, while the stomach, in contrast, maintains a highly acidic environment with a pH of around 1.5 to 3.5 to aid digestion. The lymph system, integral for immune function, also maintains a slightly alkaline environment.

The Cell

The pH of a cell can indeed fluctuate and is influenced by various factors, including the food we consume. While cells typically maintain a slightly acidic internal environment around pH 6.5, this balance is essential for cellular functions and overall physiological health. Dietary choices can impact the body's acid-base balance, which in turn can affect cellular pH. Consuming a diet high in acidic foods can lead to increased acidity in the body's fluids and tissues, potentially disrupting cellular processes. On the other hand, a diet rich in alkaline foods can help neutralise excess acidity. However, it's important to note that the body has robust mechanisms to regulate pH levels, such as the respiratory and renal systems. These systems work tirelessly to maintain pH within a narrow range, ensuring that cellular functions are not disrupted by normal dietary variations. Nevertheless, extreme dietary habits over prolonged periods can challenge these regulatory systems and affect cellular health.

The Impact of Dietary Choices on Body pH

Our dietary habits play a crucial role in maintaining this delicate pH balance. A diet rich in acidic foods can disrupt this equilibrium, impacting blood pH and the immune system. An overly acidic or alkaline body can lead to dire consequences, as many diseases, including cancer, thrive in an acidic environment. The body relies on the lungs and kidneys to regulate the acid-alkaline balance, illustrating the importance of respiratory and renal health.

Acidic vs. Alkaline Foods

Acidic Foods

These are foods that typically have a low pH (below 7) and can contribute to the body’s acidic load.

Consuming an excessive amount of acidic foods can lead to an imbalance in the body's natural pH level, potentially disrupting various physiological processes. This imbalance often manifests as increased acidity in the stomach and bloodstream, which can lead to digestive discomfort, acid reflux, and a heightened risk of developing gastric ulcers. Over time, a persistently acidic diet can strain the kidneys and bones, as the body may leach minerals like calcium from the bones to neutralise the excess acid. Additionally, an overly acidic environment can weaken the immune system and create a conducive environment for inflammation and chronic diseases. Maintaining a balanced diet, rich in alkaline-forming foods like vegetables and fruits, is essential for counteracting these effects and promoting overall health and well-being.

Disease, including cancer and fungal infections, tend to proliferate when the pH of cells drops to around 5.5.

Examples of acidic foods

• Coca Cola (pH 2.6)
• Coffee
• Processed Meats
• Alcohol
• Refined Sugars and Sweets
• Dairy Products
• White Bread

Neutral Foods

Neutral foods have a pH close to 7 and are considered neither acidic nor alkaline.

• The Cell (pH 6.5): A biological standard for neutrality. The PH of a cell can change, and is impacted by the food that we consume.
• Natural Fats: Foods like olive oil and other natural oils are close to neutral.
• Whole Grains: Unprocessed grains like brown rice and whole wheat tend to be more neutral.
• Fresh Water: Pure water is neutral with a pH of 7.

Alkaline Foods

Alkaline foods, which we should aim to make 80% of our diet, include lemons, dark green leafy vegetables, and grains like millet, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, spelt, and kamut. These foods are rich in alkaline minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium, and iron.

However, an exclusive diet of alkaline foods, while potentially beneficial in reducing the body's acidic load, can also lead to nutritional imbalances if not carefully managed. Overemphasis on alkaline foods may result in deficiencies in essential nutrients, proteins, and fatty acids typically found in slightly acidic or neutral foods. This could impact muscle mass, bone density, and overall energy levels. Furthermore, a restrictive diet could potentially lead to a reduction in stomach acid, which is vital for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. While incorporating alkaline foods into the diet is beneficial for overall health, it is crucial to maintain a balanced and varied diet to ensure all nutritional needs are met and to support optimal bodily functions.

• Leafy Green Vegetables
• Herbal Teas
• Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, flaxseeds, and chia seeds are examples of alkaline nuts and seeds.
• Fruits: Certain fruits like bananas, avocados, and berries are alkaline.
• Legumes: Lentils and chickpeas are among the alkaline legumes.
• Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes are examples of alkaline root vegetables.
• Lemons*

* Lemons are often mistakenly thought to be acidic because they contain citric acid, which gives them their sour taste. However, in terms of their effect on the body's pH, lemons are actually alkaline-forming. This seeming paradox is due to the metabolic processes they undergo after ingestion. When lemon juice is metabolised, the citric acid is broken down, and it ends up having an alkalising effect on the body. This process produces bicarbonate, a base, which is released into the bloodstream. Bicarbonate is a buffering agent that helps to neutralize acids, thus increasing the blood's pH towards the alkaline side of the scale. It's this ability to influence the body's pH post-digestion, rather than their inherent acidity, that categorizes lemons as an alkaline food. This distinction is crucial in understanding dietary impacts on the body's pH and underscores the difference between the acidity of a food outside the body and its effect on internal pH balance.

The Problem with Modern Wheat & Grains

Today's dietary landscape sees a dominance of hybridised wheat and grains. Unlike ancient grains like Einkorn wheat, which had a simple protein structure and was easily digestible, modern wheat has undergone significant genetic modifications. These changes have resulted in a complex gluten structure that is harder for the body to process. This can exacerbate acidity in the body, contributing to inflammation and other health issues.

Einkenhorn, the original wheat, evolved into the emmer strain and eventually into today’s hybridised wheat. The modern strain, with its complex gluten structure, poses digestive challenges. However, fermenting this wheat into sourdough can simplify the protein structure, making it more digestible, similar to the ancient Einkorn and emmer strains.

Empowerment Through Dietary Choices

Understanding the body’s need for a balanced pH is crucial, especially for individuals navigating health challenges like cancer. By choosing more alkaline foods and understanding the complexities of modern grains, we can take proactive steps towards maintaining a healthy pH balance. Remember, the food you eat can be a powerful ally in your journey toward health and wellbeing.