PH BALANCE

Learn What pH Levels and Balance Are and Why it is Important That They Stay Healthy

Have you ever wondered how your body manages to keep germs and bacteria at bay each and every day? A lot of it has to do with how well your digestive system is functioning, and what level of alkalinity your body is in at any given time. Too much acidity in the body can weaken the immune system, making it very difficult for the body to resist disease. In some cases, this can lead to a condition of chronic inflammation where the tissues and skin cannot heal themselves. The only way to maintain good health from inside out is to maintain your pH balance. Here’s a close look at what pH balance is, and why it’s so important:

WHAT IS PH BALANCE?

pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a given solution. You may have done some pH tests in chemistry class, and used a test strip to determine whether a solution was an acid (6.5 or less on the pH scale), or alkaline (7.5 or more on the pH scale).  A pH of 7 indicates that the solution is neutral, but a healthy body pH range is between 6.0 and 7.5.
pH levels in the body aren’t just measured by stomach acids or the fluids present in the stomach, but are a measure of all the body’s tissues and fluids. You can conduct this type of test using test strips that measure your saliva.

According to NaturalHealthSchool.com, most people who have a pH imbalance lean towards the acidic end. This means that the body is suffering from undue stress and is prone to becoming weak, has difficulty eliminating toxins, and may be prone to lactic acid buildup. Experts including Gary Null and Dr. Robert Young are strong supporters of the acid-alkaline theory, and encourage people to pay close attention to their body’s pH level so that they can reduce their risk of certain diseases and health problems.

WHY ARE HEALTHY PH LEVEL IMPORTANT?

Healthy pH levels ensure that the body is eliminating toxins on schedule and keeping the stomach, colon and digestive system functioning properly. Without a healthy digestive system, you may be prone to developing certain diseases and experiencing premature signs of aging. People who are suffering from even mild acidosis are vulnerable to the following:

• Hormonal problems

• Bladder and kidney conditions

• Weight gain and diabetes

• Cardiovascular damage

• Low energy and chronic fatigue

• Yeast or fungal overgrowth

• Free radical damage which may contribute to cancer

• Immune deficiency

• Obesity

• Immune deficiency which can make it difficult to recover from colds, the flu or other viruses

WAYS TO MAINTAIN PH BALANCE

If you are showing signs of acidity, your physician or health practitioner may recommend several supplements and dietary changes that will help to “alkalize” your body. These strategies may include:

• Taking food enzymes between meals

• Taking a potent Vitamin A &D supplement

• Eating a high-fiber diet

• Avoiding acid-producing foods such as white flour, sugar, coffee and soft drinks

• Avoiding artificial chemical sweeteners such as Equal and NutraSweet

• Making sure calcium levels are in check

• Adding Omega-3s to the diet (may be in the form of Flax seed oil supplements or eating fatty fish)

• Eating big salads as an entire meal

• Eating bread made with very little or no yeast

• Eliminating read meat

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Article Written By: Sabah Karimi; Sabah is a busy writer from Orlando, Fla., who is passionate about writing on health and fitness, beauty, fashion and style tips, spa and travel topics. She now uses her expertise as a freelance writer to contribute to both DivaVillage.com and VillageMAMA.com.