Are you too acidic?

One of the most important aspects to your overall health is discovering the body's pH (acid- alkaline ratio). The environment in which your cells are living and functioning in is extremely important, because all enzymes, hormones, and cell receptors function optimally at the proper pH. The further the body is from the optimal pH

One of the most important aspects to your overall health is discovering the body’s pH (acid- alkaline ratio). The environment in which your cells are living and functioning in is extremely important, because all enzymes, hormones, and cell receptors function optimally at the proper pH. The further the body is from the optimal pH, the more likely the body will become diseased.

What do we need to eat to assure that our pH is properly regulated? Luckily there is an easy answer and you don’t have to be a biochemist to understand it!

pH stands for “potential of hydrogen.” The concentration of hydrogen atoms determines its pH value. It is measured on a scale of 0-14, a pH of less than 7 is said to be acidic and a pH greater than 7 is alkaline. Unfortunately, most conventional doctors completely ignore this particular aspect of biology.

Your body is an accumulation of cells, which create tissues, which create organs, which make the organ systems, which make the organism…you. Therefore, all disease originates at the cellular level and not at the organ or system level. The environment in which your cells are living and functioning in is extremely important, because all enzymes, hormones, and cell receptors function optimally at the proper pH. The pH of the body can be measured by analyzing the fluids of the body using urine, saliva or blood.

Research has indicated that it can take up to twice the amount of a hormone and enzyme to elicit the same response than it would have had it occurred at a normal pH. Therefore the further the body is from the optimal pH, the more likely the body will become diseased. There have been studies relating tissue acidity to osteoporosis, muscle loss, fractures, kidney stones, high blood pressure, heart disease, hormonal problems, and cancer. Therefore, your body maintains extremely tight control over your pH.

One measurement we use to evaluate your acidity levels is to check your blood for specific minerals that help maintain your body’s pH. Your blood is never truly acidic, but it will deplete alkaline nutrients from the body in order to maintain the proper pH (rob Peter to pay Paul). Your body’s blood pH is regulated to stay within the narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45, making it slightly basic, but a one point change in your blood pH will result in a quick death.

To determine your body’s pH balancing struggles, we look at blood test values of CO2 and the Anion Gap. Depending on the lab, a normal CO2 between 22 and 26 is ideal and the optimal number is 24. An anion gap of between 13 and 18 is ideal, but the optimal number is 15. Some lab tests don’t formulate your anion gap for you, so some calculations may be necessary to determine the anion gap. You can determine your anion gap by this formula: Anion Gap = (Sodium + potassium) – (chloride + CO2).

Once you have determined your acid/alkaline balance, you can determine how hard your body is working to maintain balance and health.

What do we need to eat to assure that our pH is properly regulated?

Luckily there is an easy answer and you don’t have to be a biochemist to understand it. The food we eat has a huge effect on our pH. Namely, vegetables. So, eat a lot of vegetables – especially the green leafy ones! It’s also important to drink a lot of water (a squeeze of lemon actually has an alkalizing effect, too).

We need to also limit the amount of animal meat and grains we eat. Protein and grains have a very acidic effect on the body. Now obviously there are many other foods I have not mentioned yet, but these are the broad strokes.

Below is an additional alkaline acid food list, do not bog yourself down with the details or exceptions to the rules. Click chart for larger view.

To maintain a healthy pH, your diet should consist of 60% alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods. To restore health, your diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods. This is by weight, so you have to eat a lot of vegetables to offset a 9- ounce steak.

If you are eating foods that are more acidic, your body will steal chloride from the stomach if it has to. This leaves too little stomach acid thus causing heartburn. It will rip calcium out of bones leaving them porous; hence osteoporosis means “porous bones”. The act of pulling calcium from bone also agitates the tendons that attach to bones and causes pain in their fibers (Fibromyalgia). So osteoporosis, heart burn, and Fibromyalgia have a link in the same dysfunction…the body having difficulty in remaining alkaline! I hope we have given you the information that you may need as leverage to EAT MORE VEGGIES!

“One should eat to live, not live to eat” -Benjamin Franklin

Josh

About The Doctor

Dr. Josh Shields D.C., C.F.M.P is the clinic director and owner of Integrative Wellness Centers. He is a board certified functional medicine practitioner (1 of only 8000 in the U.S.) and has traveled the country as a consultant and educator of functional medicine for other professionals. Dr. Shields is recognized as an industry leader for pioneering and developing natural programs geared toward helping people reverse chronic disease and helping “healthy” people who want to become healthier. Don’t be surprised if you see doctors from other clinics spending the day and doing rounds trying to discover why Dr. Shields’ care is so effective.Dr. Shields has been helping patients for over thirteen years and has helped more than 2,000 patients successfully. Dr. Shields has been featured as an expert on several health and wellness topics for fortune 500 companies like GE capital and Comerica Bank. He is also a registered speaker for the American Diabetes Association.He and his wife have 3 children and currently live in the Novi, Michigan area.

To watch Dr. Shields own testimonial and why Integrative Wellness Centers was founded click this VIDEO button.

Related Posts

Instant Online Health Evaluation

76%

Adrenals

67%

Thyroid

60%

Sex Hormones

Take the Test
General
Boost Your Happy Hormone Naturally
Many of us are making plans for a happy, healthy, and fulfilling year and investing in the tools to make that happen.
Read More

Instant Online Health Evaluation

76%

Adrenals

67%

Thyroid

60%

Sex Hormones

Take the Test
General
Start Fresh: The Ultimate New Year Sugar Cleanse
The holidays are the perfect time to unwind and spend some much-needed time with friends and family, but they also happen to be loaded with sugar.
Read More

Instant Online Health Evaluation

76%

Adrenals

67%

Thyroid

60%

Sex Hormones

Take the Test
General
5 Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season
Despite all the joys of the holiday season, for many of us, it’s also a stressful time. Between family obligations, financial strain, and the pressure to create a “perfect” holiday season,
Read More

"Dr. Shields is a Doctor on a Mission to Transform the Way We Think About Health Care."

Hour Magazine

Learn More

Instant Online Hormone Evaluation

76%

Adrenals

67%

Thyroid

60%

Sex Hormones

Online Female Hormone EvaluationOnline Male Hormone Evaluation

Stay In The Know & Get Free Access

Start Living Your Best Life Today!
734.779.1650