There has been a lot of talk lately in the mainstream media about health in relation to acid and alkaline balance. However, to understand the importance and impact of an acid or alkaline environment in the body, we must first look to the processes that take place at the smallest cellular level.

Energy is acquired in humans by the breakdown or oxidation of large carbohydrates into smaller compounds from which cells draw nutrients for their activities. Through this process, carbonic acid is naturally produced. When this acid is produced in too great a quantity, however, it makes the system acidic, which may be dangerous for cells.

For activities in a cell to function properly, a stable cellular acid concentration is required. This stable level varies between pH (a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution) 7.3 and 7.4.

When outside of this range, certain enzyme reactions that regulate the energy being utilized by the body are negatively affected. When the pH lowers, indicating more acidity, some metabolic processes can stop. This leads to toxicity and eventually the death of a cell. In short, if the system is too acidic, cells become toxic.

However, an acidic body environment and the resulting toxicity and cell damage can be avoided. Tiredness and sleep disturbances are
possible early signs of increased acidity. Pain is a signal that indicates the body is even more out of balance. Typically, most people have too low of a pH (are too acidic). At the beginning of most diseases,
there is an over-acidified system. The body's regulatory mechanisms attempt to balance the deficit to prevent damage to the cells. Regulating the proper balance between acids and bases in the body is done internally through constant monitoring of proper respiration, circulation, digestion, elimination, hormone production, immune response and other mechanisms.

When the level of carbonic acid in the body becomes high, the regulatory mechanism stimulates the respiratory and circulatory system to respond in an attempt to rebalance the system. When the body fails to reestablish
balance, chronic disease develops.

Conversely, an acute disease is often an attempt of the body to mobilize available mineral reserves to try and rebalance the system. (Minerals neutralize the acid into a harmless salt, which is eliminated through the kidneys.) Therefore, it is important to be aware of and reestablish the body's pH to proper range as soon as possible, before disease is established.

If the buildup of acids becomes excessive, the connective tissue surrounding the cells and organs acts to absorb and store acid. This storage reduces the burden on the kidneys. Following strenuous activity, or after eating a large meal, larger quantities of acid are produced.

Since the kidneys work quite slowly, they are not able to eliminate salts quickly enough. As a result, the connective tissue has to function as a "pre-kidney" and stores these salts. During the night, the salts are transported by the bloodstream to the kidneys for elimination. Therefore the urine is more concentrated and has its maximum acid concentration in the mornings.

When the collection of acids in the connective tissue is no longer adequate to protect the kidney and other organs, over-acidification, called acidosis, occurs. Acidosis causes over-activity of the excretory organs and is characterized by acute or chronic inflammation.

The first way to prevent acidity is through proper breathing, which releases carbonic acid. It is extremely important to breathe deep into the lower rib cage to flood the body with oxygen. Becoming physically active reduces the acids in the body as does getting sufficient amounts of sleep and reducing mental and emotional stressors.

The second way to prevent acidity is through proper intake of minerals,
especially acid-neutralizing potassium and sodium. We need to eat natural foods that are rich in minerals needed for optimizing pH.

I recommend eating four times the quantity of natural foods (salads, vegetables and fruits) each day, compared to the total quantity of all other foods. If your base minerals are replaced every day, the body will remain healthy and respond properly to stressors. In general, all fruits and vegetables, with very few exceptions, will promote an alkaline environment in the body, while protein foods, including meat, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds will promote an acid environment. Sugar, grains, caffeine
and alcohol are also acidifying.

Testing and controlling the pH is simple. For one day, test every urination with an indicator paper (available at health and drug stores), which show the pH values from 4.0 to 7.5. If the value shows repeatedly below pH 6.2 or if it consistently shows approximately pH 5 to 6, danger exists because one cannot detoxify if in a constant state of acidity.

You should adopt a diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables
and continue testing your pH to give you an idea of how much vegetables
and fruit you need to add to your typical diet for ongoing balance. A holistic approach to correcting an over-acidified system, therefore, involves dietary changes, proper breathing, sufficient sleep and exercise and lowering stress.

[Brenda Gill is a naturopathic doctor practising in Rossland, BC. She treats the cause of her patients' ills by rebalancing the body using herbs, supplements, homeopathy and exercise. (250) 362-5035]

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