Your overall pH balance is extremely important, when it comes to your health. This determines whether your body is an overly acidic state and possibly in danger or in a healthy state of alkalinity. Acidity is linked to pain, excess weight & health issues. Experts say that disease cannot exist in an alkaline state.
What is pH?
The letters pH stand for the potential of hydrogen, which is a measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration in the body. The pH scale is a scale ranging from 1-14 with 1 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral and 14 being the most alkaline. Our ideal pH reading is 7.3 – 7.45 which is slightly basic, or alkaline. Unfortunately, due to processed foods and chemical rich environments, many of us are too acidic these days.
How can you test your pH?
This is very simple! (Just like Chemistry class in high school) You can test your pH with inexpensive pH strips that you can buy online or in health food stores. You simply tear off a piece and put it in your mouth allowing the saliva to touch it for two-three seconds. Next, compare it to the color chart provided and see where you’re at! This is best done first thing in the morning, before you eat or drink anything. Food and drinks can alter the pH reading of the saliva.
Another way to test your pH, which most health experts believe is a little more accurate of total body pH is by testing your urine. This also should be done first thing in the morning. The first reading can usually be a little more acidic because the body is clearing out acid while you sleep at night. So generally the second urine test of the morning is most accurate.
Why should we test our pH?
It’s good to get a general idea of your pH reading because it is a great indicator of health status in the body. If overly acidic, you may have some underlying issues that need to be addressed. Some diseases and disorders that are associated with over-acidity are diabetes, obesity, migraines, cataracts, cancer, arthritis, stroke, gout, morning sickness, allergies and osteoporosis. Addressing over-acidity is vital to bringing the body back into balance, as every single system in the body is affected by too much acid.
Diet, lifestyle and pH
Everything we eat or drink affects our pH. Some foods make us more acidic while others make us more alkaline. In general, animal based foods such as meat and dairy products are acidic, while plant-based foods like fruits and veggies are alkaline. We do need both acid and alkaline foods in our diet, though the convenience factor of fast-foods and processed foods have made many of us overly acidic.
Environmental factors come into play as well. Household cleaning products like soap, detergent, air fresheners, glass cleaners and other various cleaning agents all contain chemicals that are toxic to the body and contribute to acidity.
It’s the same with conventional bath and body products that contain not-so-friendly chemicals and toxins in them as well. If they go directly onto your skin, which is your body’s biggest organ, than they can be some of the biggest offenders. Try switching over to more natural and safe products. There are some great ones out on the market now!
Our bodies are amazing and fierce when it comes to protecting the pH levels. Since our body must maintain a slightly alkaline level to survive, the body will start pulling alkaline minerals out of the bones to buffer the acidity else-where. Amazing survival instinct, but this can lead to osteoporosis and other health challenges like fatigue.
How to become more alkaline:
- Mix ½ tsp of baking soda in a glass of water and drink daily .This may be the most effective and easiest way to bring your pH level up in alkalinity.
- Drink the juice of half a lemon squeezed, or 2 tsp of organic lemon juice in a glass of warm water first thing in the morning (citrus fruits seem acidic but are actually very alkaline!)
- Eat a diet full of nutritious and alkaline vegetables and fruits. Think Green!
- Stay away from all processed foods and fried foods which are extremely acidic. This includes any foods with preservatives.
- Fresh Fruits are okay, but avoid refined sugar. Be wary of labels that contain different names for refined sugar. To date, there are 57 different names for sugar, and it has made its way into almost all the foods we eat.
- Eat Plant Based Foods.
- Drink quality water such as spring water or purified water (tap water usually has fluoride in it and can be very toxic to the body)
- Use natural household cleaning agents such as diluted apple cider vinegar and baking soda.
- Use natural bath and body products such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, lotions, facial creams and make-up. Commercial body products are made with harmful chemicals that have a toxic load to the body and make you acidic.
- Opt for only grass-fed, organic animal products. Such as cage free eggs, grass fed beef and organic dairy products.
La Nourriture 