Acidification of the body is the result of improper diet. More and more often, we include highly processed products in the diet that disturb the acid-base balance and cause he alth problems. Check how to avoid acidification of the body.

Acidification of the organismis a state in which there is some dysfunction in the acid-base balance. Its main cause is an incorrect diet consisting of highly processed foods, an excessive amount of meat, grains and dairy products, and a deficiency in vegetables and fruits. Using an alkaline diet can protect the body against acidification and various diseases.

What is acidification of the body?

Acidification of the body is a fashionable term for several years that appears frequently in advertisements for dietary supplements. Acidification is responsible for weight gain, brittle nails, dull hair, frequent infections and much more. The spectrum of symptoms is very wide and in fact may indicate nutritional deficiencies or various types of diseases. So how to approach the topic of acidification of the body? This is a myth and another advertising gimmick, is it really harmful to get too much acid-forming products into the body?

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Different body fluids have a different pH, and the regulating mechanisms are designed to keep them at the right level. The most acidic is gastric juice (pH around 2), while urine can be slightly acidic, neutral and slightly alkaline, because the kidneys are largely responsible for the removal of redundant and excess substances from the body. Acidification of the body is a state in which there is some dysfunction in the acid-base balance. It should not be confused with acidosis, in which the mechanisms regulating the body's pH, controlled, for example, by the lungs and kidneys, are disturbed. Acidosis is a he alth and life-threatening condition in which the blood pH changes. The blood reaction is normal in a very narrow range of pH=7.35 - 7.45, and any change above or below these values ​​can have serious he alth consequences. When acidified, the body's pH regulating mechanisms function properly. However, they must cope with the metabolism and excretion of more acid-forming compounds.

Causes of acidification of the organism

Acidification of the body is mainly due to an improper diet. Food products can be divided into acidic, alkaline and neutral because of their composition. During digestion, amino acids, free fatty acids, monosaccharides, organic acids, vitamins and minerals are released, which are then metabolized. The effect of these changes determines whether the food is acid-forming or alkaline-forming. This effect is influenced by the concentration of phosphorus, sulfur and chlorine (acid-forming), calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium (alkaline) in the product, as well as the formation of carbonic acid and other acids as a result of metabolism. Apart from diet, the causes of acidification include stress, lack of exercise, excessive physical activity, the use of stimulants and starvation. All these states lead to an imbalance in the organism's homeostasis.

Symptoms of acidification of the body

Acidification of the body can lead to enzymatic disturbances, aggressive effects of acids on tissues and demineralization, as a result of which the effects of this condition can be felt throughout the body. Symptoms of acidification are nonspecific, very widespread, and can be caused by many other factors. It is difficult to say whether acidification is responsible for our ailments, but it is worth looking at the symptoms of acidification of the body, which include:

  • lack of energy, constant fatigue, depression,
  • nervousness, agitation for no reason, irritability,
  • gingivitis,
  • cracking the corners of the mouth (chewing),
  • diarrhea, anal burning,
  • predisposition to enteritis,
  • irritation and burning of the urinary tract,
  • Qatar,
  • dry skin prone to irritation in areas of the highest sweating,
  • thin, brittle and splitting nails,
  • weak hair prone to falling out,
  • calf cramps,
  • neck stiffness,
  • lumbago,
  • bone loss, osteoporosis,
  • rheumatism,
  • arthritis,
  • tendinitis,
  • migrating joint pains.
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How to check if your body is acidified?

The method of controlling the acidification of the organism is certainly not measuring the pH of the blood, because the disturbance of its pH testifies to incorrect mechanisms of acid-base balance control. The acidification level of the body can be assessed by checking the pH of the urine with a litmus test several times a day, starting with the first urine after waking up. Create a graph from the results. If the resulting curve is in a straight or slightly ascending line, this indicatesacidification of the body. In the absence of problems with the supply of excessive amounts of acid-forming products in the diet, the graph should be in the form of a zigzag. Normal urine pH changes throughout the day depending on the time of eating. Eating food will have no effect on the pH of any body fluid other than urine. If this were to happen, it would be a sign of serious he alth problems.

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition with over 22,000 people found a strong relationship between food intake and urine pH. In people on an alkaline diet rich in vegetables and fruit and poor in meat, a more alkaline urine pH was found, regardless of age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity and the habit of smoking.

Acid and alkaline food products

Generally speaking, all vegetables and fruits are de-acidifying products, while other food products are acidifying. This means that for a diet to be de-acidifying, it must abound in vegetables and fruit, which should appear in every meal and always accompany dairy products, meat or grain products. The PRAL (Potential Renal Acid Load) indicator is very helpful in determining whether a given food has an acid-forming or alkaline-forming effect. It tells about the ability of food products to burden the kidneys with acids. It takes into account the content of proteins and minerals in food, their bioavailability, products of sulfur metabolism and organic acids excreted in urine. PRAL is administered in mEq per 100 g of the product. Positive values ​​indicate an acid-forming effect, and negative values ​​indicate an alkaline-forming effect. In order to maintain an appropriate pH of urine and prevent acidification of the body, meals should be composed so that the PRAL is -10 - 60 mEq / day.

PRAL index table [mEq / 100 g] of food products

Product

PRAL

Product

PRAL

Drinks

Fats and oils

Unsweetened apple juice

- 2,2

Butter

0.6

Light beer

0.9

Margarine

- 0.5

Carrot juice

- 4.8

olive oil

0.0

Coca-cola

0.4

Sunflower oil

0.0

Brewed coffee

- 1,4

Nuts

Green tea

- 0,3

Hazelnuts

- 2,8

Lemon juice

- 2.5

Peanuts

8,3

Dry red wine

- 2,4

Pistachios

8.5

Dry white wine

- 1,2

Almonds

4,3

Mineral water

- 1,8

Walnuts

6,8

Cereals and grain products

Legumes

Amarantus

7,5

Green peas

- 3,1

Barley

5.0

Lentils

3,5

Buckwheat

3.7

Beans

1,2

Corn

3.8

Meat and meat products

Cornflakes

6.0

Beef

7,8

Millet

8.6

Veal

7,6

Oatmeal

10.7

Chicken

8.7

Brown rice

12,5

Duck

4,1

White rice

4.6

Turkey

9,9

Cooked white rice

1,7

Pork

7,9

Rice flour

4,4

Pork sausage

7.0

Whole grain rice flour

5,9

Frankfurter women

6.7

Wheat flour

6,9

Salami

11,6

Wheat flourwhole grain

8,2

Milk, dairy, and eggs

Spaghetti

6,5

Buttermilk

0.5

White wheat bread

3.7

Camembert

14.6

Wholemeal wheat bread

1,8

Cottage cheese

8.7

Rice wafers

3,3

Edam cheese

19,4

Pure grain bread

7,2

Chicken egg

8,2

Fish and seafood

Kefir

0.0

Cod

7,1

Milk

1,1

Halibut

7,8

Parmesan

34,2

Follow

7.0

Natural yoghurt

1,5

Mussels

15,3

Herbs and vinegar

Shrimp

15.5

Apple cider vinegar

- 2,3

Salmon

9.4

White Balsamic Vinegar

- 1,6

Sardines in oil

13,5

Basil

- 7.3

Sola

7.4

Parsley

- 12.0

Sweets

Vegetables

Bitter chocolate

0.4

Asparagus

- 0.4

Milk chocolate

2,4

Broccoli

- 1,2

Honey

- 0,3

Brussels sprouts

- 4,5

Vanilla ice cream

0.6

Carrot

- 4.9

Fruit sorbet

- 0.6

Cauliflower

- 4.0

Brown sugar

- 1,2

Celery

- 5,2

White sugar

0.0

Chicory

- 2.0

Fruit

Cucumber

- 0.8

Apples

- 2,2

Eggplant

- 3,4

Apricots

- 4.8

Fenkuł

- 7.9

Banana

- 5,5

Garlic

- 1.7

Blackcurrant

- 6.5

Kale

- 7.8

Cherries

- 3.6

Lettuce

- 2.5

Grapefruit

- 3,5

Mushrooms

- 1,4

Dried figs

- 18,1

Onion

- 1,5

Grapes

- 3.9

Pepper

- 1,4

Kiwi

- 4,1

Potatoes

- 4.0

Lemon

- 2.6

Radish

- 3.7

Orange

- 2,7

Rocket

- 7,5

Pear

- 2.9

Spinach

- 14.0

Ananas

- 2,7

Tomato

- 3,1

Raisins

- 21.0

Zucchini

- 4.6

Strawberries

- 2,2

Por

- 1,8

Watermelon

- 1,9

Sauerkraut

- 3.0

How to prevent acidification of the body?

Acid-forming compounds and the acids themselves can be formed as a result of many metabolic changes and be supplied with the diet. The only method of introducing alkaline compounds into the body isproper diet, so if you want to avoid acidification, you should first of all focus on your diet. Lifestyle is also important - giving up smoking, exercising in the fresh air, adequate sleep, coping with stress. In an alkaline diet, the basis of the menu should be vegetables and fruit, and meat, dairy products and cereals should only be added. You have to give up highly processed foods such as sweets, s alty snacks and ready meals. Ideally, each meal should not only contain vegetables or fruits, but also consist mainly of them.

You must do it

1. Drink approx. 2 liters of mineral water rich in calcium and magnesium every day.

2. Eat vegetables or fruits with every meal.

3. Compose meals so that vegetables and fruits constitute at least 70% of the menu.

4. Use as many herbs and spices as possible.

5. Give up sugary drinks, highly processed foods, fast food and instant foods.

6. Quit smoking.

7. Get enough sleep.

8. Spend time outdoors.

Does the alkaline diet really work?

Scientific research shows that diet and specific foods affect the acid-base balance of the body. They also suggest that an alkaline diet can reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases.

The benefits of using an alkaline diet confirmed by scientific research:

  • The modern diet is too low in potassium and provides too much sodium. The increase in vegetable and fruit consumption recommended by the alkaline diet improves the potassium to sodium ratio, which has a positive effect on bone he alth, prevents loss of muscle mass, hypertension and stroke.
  • As a result of an alkaline diet, the concentration of growth hormone increases, which affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system, memory and cognition.
  • An alkaline diet increases the level of intracellular magnesium, which is essential for the work of many enzyme systems and the activation of vitamin D.
  • Following an alkaline diet may increase the effectiveness of some chemotherapy agents that require a higher pH.

Sources:

1. Welch A.A. et al., Urine p His an indicator of dietary acid-base load, fruit and vegetables and meat intakes: results European Prospective Investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC) -Norfolk population study, British Journal of Nutrition, 2008, 99 (6) , 1335-1343

2. Remer T., Influence of diet on acid-base balance, Seminaris in Dialysis, 2000, 13 (4), 221-226

3. Frasetto L. et al., Diet, evolutionand aging - the pathophysiologic effects of the post-agricultural inversion of the potassium-to-sodium and base-to-chloride ratios in the human diet, European Journal of Nutrition, 2001, 40 (5), 200-213

4. Schwalfenberg G.K., The alakline diet: Is there evidence that an alkaline pH diet benefits he alth ?, Journal of Environmental and Public He alth, 2012, 727630. http://doi.org/10.1155/2012/727630

5. Remer T. et al., Potential renal acid load of foods and its influence on urine pH, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 1995, 95 (7), 791-797

6. http://www.precisionnutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/acid-base-foods-pral.pdf

7. http://cojesc.net/zakwaszenie-organizmu-jak-rozpoznac-jak-leczyc-jak-unikac/

8. http://www.christophervasey.ch/anglais/articles/the_acid_alkaline_diet.html

9. http://www.positivehe alth.com/article/cellular-chemistry/stress-diet-and-body-acidification

Category:

Alternative medicine