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What is an Alkaline Diet and pH?

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What is an Alkaline Diet and pH?

What is an Alkaline Diet and pH?

The acronym pH stands for potential hydrogen. It’s used to describe the chemical acidity vs alkalinity level of a substance. Levels can range from 0, very acidic, to 14 which is very alkaline. The pH of pure water is a 7. Normal or neutral levels for body fluid pH is about 7.35-7.45.  Eating more of an Alkaline Diet will reduce the acids in the system.

Some foods are acidifying when introduced to the body, and others are alkalizing. What consumed on a daily basis does not change the pH levels of your blood, but may change the pH of your saliva and urine. Foods can either raise or lower your pH level, and this is based on the mineral content of the food, not the actual pH of the food itself. Lemon juice, has a low pH but has an alkalizing effect on the body when consumed.  Understanding the Alkaline Diet, and what foods are best for you is the greatest jump-start to great health and mental success.

To determine if a food is acid or alkaline, it is burned and the ash is mixed with water. If the solution is acid or alkaline then the food is called acid or alkaline. Ash is the mineral content of the food.  An Alkaline Diet ensures the body’s proper levels for all aspects of overall health.

Why your pH level matters

Much research suggests that having lower, or acidic pH levels is associated with greater risks of conditions like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, cancer and obesity. Higher, or alkaline pH levels are linked to improvements in memory and cognition, reduced pain and lower risk of hypertension and stroke. Therefore, it’s critical to create a healthy alkaline environment that promotes good health and decreases chronic illness and inflammation.  An Alkaline Diet aids in the body’s natural chemicals reactions for the good.

5 Reasons to eat an Alkaline Diet

  1. It may assist in decreasing Blood Pressure & improve cardiovascular health.
  2. It can ease chronic pain, inflammation and headaches.
  3. It helps to increase bone density promoting strong bones.
  4. It may prevent the development of cancer.
  5. It helps to boost vitamin absorption.

How to Test Your pH at Home

  1. Purchase pH strips online or at your local drugstore.
  2. Test at the same time each morning as your body will be more acidic the earlier you measure. Wait 2 hours after eating, fill your mouth with saliva and swallow it. Repeat this step to make sure your spit is clean and place some saliva in a spoon.
  3. Place a pH strip into spit for about 5 seconds.
  4. The strip will change colors based on the acidity/alkalinity of your saliva.   Match the color of your pH strip to the color chart on the outside of the box to determine your saliva’s pH level.  Consuming an Alkaline Diet will change your pH strips to a light yellow, to green color.  This is the color code for optimal pH.

Aim for about a 70-30 ratio of alkaline to acid foods. In addition to the foods you eat, know that stress can also affect your pH levels. Practice deep breathing, eat your veggies and drink plenty of water to lighten your acidic load.  Maintaining the Alkaline Diet will take stress off the body and brain!

For a Chart of Alkaline-Acid Foods to keep on your refrigerator go to:

https://greenopedia.com/alkaline-acid-food-chart/

For more information contact:

Dr Iris Rosenfeld
Rosenfeld Wellness Center
23121 Plaza Pointe Drive Suite 150
Laguna Hills, Ca 92653
949-380-7215
driris@driris.com

2020-05-02T21:16:34-07:00

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