Health 101: Acidity & Alkaline Balance

Acid/alkaline balance, a.k.a. pH balance, is a simple concept we can all understand about the biochemical processes within the human body.

The pH scale, which ranges from 0 to 14, quantifies how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is considered neutral; values below 7 indicate acidity, while values above 7 represent alkalinity.

The human body strives to maintain a pH level around 7.4, which is slightly alkaline. This balance is vital for numerous bodily functions, including nutrient absorption, digestion, and energy production.

Our bodies employ various mechanisms to regulate the acid-alkaline balance, primarily through the lungs and kidneys. For instance, when the blood becomes too acidic, the lungs can expel carbon dioxide, a byproduct of metabolic processes, which helps to decrease acidity.

Get Bryan Johnson's Blueprint stack to live younger for longer

Likewise, the kidneys can excrete excess acids to maintain equilibrium. An imbalance, whether it is acidosis or alkalosis, can lead to serious health issues, affecting energy levels, mood, and overall well-being.

In terms of nutrition, the food we consume significantly influences our pH levels. Acidic foods, such as meat, dairy, and processed sugars, can lead to a decrease in pH, making the body more acidic.

Conversely, alkaline foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and certain grains, can promote an increase in pH, for a more alkaline state. Understanding the nature of these foods is essential for maintaining a proper acid/alkaline balance, which, in turn, supports healthy aging while keeping the doctor away.

What Disrupts Acid/Alkaline Balance?

The acid/alkaline balance within the human body isn't a detail to maintain optimal health. It is very, very important.

Lifestyle choices and environmental factors can significantly disrupt this equilibrium. One of the primary contributors to an imbalanced pH level is diet. Not surprisingly, blame it all on sugar again because excessive sugar consumption leads to increased acidity. Let alone excessive, our bodies are not meant to have any sugar intake, but a sugar-free social life ain't easy. You can read more on this topic here.

Back to everyone's favorite topic, common sources of sugar are sugary drinks, desserts, and processed snacks, hard to avoid in the busy lifestyle diet today. Additionally, processed foods often contain artificial additives and preservatives that can further hurt your acid/alkaline balance. Sugar is in fact, everywhere, it's sticky... Even your pasta turns into sugar in your body.

Moving on, high levels of meat consumption can also impact pH levels. Animal proteins tend to produce more acid when metabolized, which can create an acidic environment in the body if not balanced by adequate intake of alkaline-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables.

The lack of a balanced diet that incorporates these essential nutrients can lead individuals towards chronic acidity. Of course, keto diet lovers and Mikhaila Peterson are exempt from this generic statement. One size does not fit all and your body will know what is best for you.

Beyond dietary choices, other factors also play a role in disturbing the acid/alkaline balance. Stress, for example, can lead to increased acid production in the body. When we experience stress, our body releases cortisol, which contributes to an acidic environment.

A couch potato lifestyle lacking regular physical activity can also affect your circulation and sabotage detoxification processes, further exacerbating the problem.

Last but not least, environmental pollutants cannot be overlooked, including our exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and chemicals that disrupt the body's natural balance. These pollutants often enter our system through food, air, the paint on our walls and ceiling, and even water, leading to potential health complications over time.

Awareness of these (what we created as humans) is the first step towards achieving a more balanced state of health.

How to Maintain a Healthy Acid/Alkaline Balance

Maintaining a healthy acid/alkaline balance means not scaling up problem over problem in our bodies.

One of the most significant factors influencing this balance is diet. To promote an alkaline environment in the body, it's vital to incorporate more fruits and vegetables, which are rich in alkaline-forming properties. Foods such as leafy greens, cucumbers, avocados, and citrus fruits can help neutralize acidity. Additionally, whole grains like quinoa and brown rice provide necessary nutrients without tipping the scale towards acidity.

Reducing the consumption of caffeine and alcohol will also contribute to a more balanced pH level, as these beverages can increase acidity in the body. Instead, swap one or two cups of coffee a day for herbal teas and lemon-water, which provide hydration while also supporting alkaline balance.

Hydration serves as another pillar in maintaining acid/alkaline balance. Drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day is essential, as it helps to flush out toxins and sustain optimum bodily functions.

Additionally, consider incorporating alkaline water into your routine, which may help to neutralize acid levels in the body. If you think you know how to drink water to hydrate your cells, think again and read my blog post 3 Reasons You Are Dehydrated Despite Drinking Enough Water.

A Balanced Acid/Alkaline Level for Healthy Aging

Maintaining a balanced acid/alkaline level plays a critical role in aging as healthy as possible while keeping away from the hospital. As our body ages, it becomes increasingly susceptible to a variety of health issues, including inflammation, osteoporosis, cardiovascular problems, and cognitive decline. Also, the risk of developing cancer increases, partly due to the accumulation of genetic mutations and the decline in the body's ability to repair cellular damage.

Research indicates that an optimal acid/alkaline balance can mitigate these potential health complications, contributing to a more illness-free and independent lifestyle.

One of the primary benefits of a balanced acid/alkaline level is its positive impact on bone health. An acidic environment in the body can lead to calcium depletion from the bones as the body strives to neutralize the acidity.

Balanced acid/alkaline levels have been linked to improved cardiovascular health. A balanced bodily pH can promote better circulation and optimal blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of heart disease, which is a prevalent concern among aging individuals.

Another significant aspect is the enhancement of overall vitality and well-being. Aging individuals often experience fatigue and diminished energy due to various physiological changes. A balanced acid/alkaline status can improve energy levels and promote a more active lifestyle, enhancing both mental and physical health. Testimonials from senior participants in health studies often cite increased overall wellness and a greater sense of vitality when adhering to diets that support acid/alkaline balance.

Wishing you all happy days and long years ahead of you to enjoy a beautifully balanced body!