Understanding the Acid Alkaline Balance in the Body – Part Two

In part one of this series we looked at what the acid alkaline balance is, as well as the definition of pH.

Now we will continue our discussion of this topic by looking at the acidity problem that exists in our society as well as what problems having too much acid in your body can bring about.

Having too much acid that has built up in your system is a condition that is known as “acidosis.” The North American diet has made the incidence of acidosis that much greater. The average American routinely consumes a diet that is very high in foods that produce a large amount of acid. These foods include animal products and animal by-products which means meat, eggs and dairy foods.

On the other hand these foods are not balanced out with those that are high in alkaline such as fresh vegetables.

Many processed foods that are consumed often can also produce a great deal of acid. These include sugar, white flour, coffee and soda pop. There are also a variety of drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter ones that can increase the acid level in your system. The same can be said for artificial chemical sweeteners. They can lead to an overabundance of acid in the body.

Some examples of the sweeteners that are used the most often include aspartame, Nutra Sweet and Equal. In order to prevent acid from building up in your system you must become very conscious of what you are eating. You also must rid your diet of the foods and beverages that are the worst acid offenders.

It is when an individual has unbalanced pH and therefore too much acid in their body that any number of health issues can arise.

When you have unbalanced pH then your body may deem it necessary to take minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium from your organs and bones. It does this because it needs to neutralize the acid build up and rid it from the body as fast as it can. Unfortunately this can cause undue damage to the body and can lead to long-term problems.

It is not uncommon for high acidity levels to not be discovered for many years. However once they are diagnosed the damage often has already been done.

Acidosis and You:

Acidosis does not have to be extreme or severe to cause problems with your health. Even mild or moderate acidosis can cause your health to start spiraling downward. There are any number of sicknesses that acidosis can cause. Some of the most commonly seen ones include:

– Immune deficiency problems
– Damage to the heart (which includes a reduction in oxygen and the constriction of blood vessels)
– Weight gain
– An increase in the frequency and speed of free radical damage in the body (leading to mutations of precancerous cells)
– Weak and brittle bones that can cause bone spurs, hip fractures and osteoporosis
– Chronic fatigue, as well as a lack of energy and vitality
– Achy muscles and painful joints, as well as the build up of lactic acid
– Premature aging
– Bladder and kidney problems, such as kidney stones and kidney infections

Once you become aware of what the acid alkaline imbalance is you can then find ways to ensure that you keep your level within a healthy range and do not end up with too much acid in your body. By so doing you will be a healthier human being!

Samantha