TEN TIPS: for Balancing Acidic PH (Acidosis) of the Human Body - by Lori Wimbish
Acidosis (over-acidic/alkaline pH) in the human body could be a contributing factor to conditions such as: arthritis ( including Rheumatoid , osteo, and joint pain), congestion, (sinus and otherwise) and colds, canker sores, headaches, ( including migraines), inflammation, restless leg syndrome, muscle weakness , urinary tract infections, kidney problems, water retention, alternating problems with diarrhea and constipation, receding gums, bone loss. gastritis and other digestive tract inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Even mental/emotional states like anxiety or depression can be linked to out of balance pH. This article focuses on ten tips/suggestions for adjusting these more commonplace over- acidic conditions as mentioned above to help the human body steer itself into proper pH balance.
PH is a measure of the acidity/alkalinity of water-soluble substances. Body fluids that the pH factor is involved are; blood, synovial (between joints), fluid between cells and in cells, lymphatic, eyes, and urine. A pH value is a number from 1 to 14, with 7 as the middle (neutral point). Values below 7 pH indicate increase in acidity – 1 pH being the most acidic. Values above 7 pH indicate increase in alkalinity with 14 pH being most alkaline. Slight alkalinity, however, is an important indicator for a healthy body - between 7.35 and 7.45. PH can be measured by blood and /or saliva and urine. Drug stores and pharmacies, health food stores, online, and of course your doctor may have the urine and saliva test strips or test paper. An ideal range for urine is 6.5 – 7.5 is the Ideal range for Saliva is 7.0-7.5. Also, the color chart that comes with many test materials will indicate the trend of the pH. Of course, one can be over-Alkaline also and have different symptoms occur…regardless, PLEASE REFER TO YOUR PHYSICIAN OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER FOR PROPER DIAGNOSIS!
Ten Tips for PH Balance in the Body
1. Add more Alkaline foods to your diet. Fresh uncooked (not canned) fruits and vegetables, raw nuts, (Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts-especially good), whole grain, less processed flour, bleached or refined, more gluten-free flours and grains like oats, millet, amaranth, and quinoa. Some of the top Alkaline foods are: Lemons/Limes/ Grapefruit, Avocados, Celery, Cucumbers, Spinach, Kale, Garlic Bananas, Apples, Cherries, Blueberries, Watermelon, Cauliflower, and Bell Peppers. You can find many charts and websites like the one above for more info on Alkaline foods. www.medical-news.com, www.naturalawakeningsdc.com, and the Journal of Environmental and Public Health has an article on studies done on the Alkaline Diet at www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov are a few references.
2. CUT DOWN (or Eliminate in intense conditions for a while) HIGH-ACID FOODS i.e. Coffee, Black Teas, Sodas, Caffeine, Alcohol, Sugar, Processed/Gluten flour products, High Amounts of Meat, and Dairy. Dairy and tends to form mucous. Stay away from canned and bottled juices that have been heated when processed causing pH to slide to the more acidic side.
3. MOVEMENT/STRETCHING /EXERCISING, can get that alkaline lymph fluid flowing between and to the Joints. Also, a lack of oxygen can cause the pH to be acidic. So that activity can bring Oxygen to all the tissues. Yoga, Tai Chi, or just plain stretching. Dance. Listen to your favorite songs for 15 minutes or so. Each song can last from 4- 6 minutes so that can add up fast. Wiggle all over for 120 seconds without stopping…like those old exercise machines that have a strap on them that vibrates and shakes them all over. That’s a quick way to get some cardio in too. Of course, running, swimming, walking, working out at the gym, traditional exercising. Pick what you enjoy. This helps with weight management too, as does the food choices above.
4. LISTEN TO, PLAY OR SING TO FREQUENCIES OF MUSIC THAT RELAXES AND /OR UPLIFTS… Karaoke, humming, ask Alexa to play you a song, etc.
5. ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY can be very helpful in balancing pH i.e. Put 2-3 drops of Lemon, Lime, or Grapefruit Therapeutic Grade, pure, Essential Oils in your water and drink throughout the day. Citrus Oils, such as lime, lemon, grapefruit, and orange are particularly producing an Alkaline climate. If acid indigestion or sensitive stomach put several drops of the essential oils into a gelatin capsules and swallow. Peppermint oil is another essential oil that works for digestive balance …works like the digestive enzyme, Pepsin.
Put the essential oil in a diffuser into the air, thus Aromatherapy. Not only are the citrus oils, like Lemon, Lime, and Grapefruit, uplifting and alkalizing but others like Peppermint, Jasmine, Lavender, Frankincense, and many, many more can help the sense of inner calmness.
6. MASSAGE, REFLEXOLOGY, ENERGY THERAPIES like Reiki or Healing Touch…even just giving or receiving a hug… These modalities take the toxins out of the muscles and joints and RELAX!! Relaxation is one of the most important factors in allowing the body to heal itself! Also relaxing the emotional mental stress is very important. Manage stressful environments and relationships.
7. PRAYER AND MEDITATION; “Listening in the Stillness” to hear and KNOW your Divine/Purpose. Find what you are passionate about. Passion for your vocation, creative gifts, hobbies. Observe and be in nature, Gardening, Walking, Hiking “Hammocking” in the back yard, watching the clouds go by, being with animals/pets… whatever helps you to connect to your Higher Power/God and focus on peacefulness.
8. LAUGH: Take the example of Dr. Norman Cousins who watched funny movies during a serious illness and laughed himself out of the grips of debilitating conditions. A healthy state of mind helps balance pH again, by increasing oxygen and endorphins, and getting that flow of alkaline lymph and synovial fluid to the joints and cells.
9. DRINK WATER – preferably Alkaline or make it alkaline as stated above i.e. putting lemon or lime juice in your water or essential oils, Purified, or Spring, …
10. DO NOT WORRY – FOCUS ON POSITIVE –If it is overwhelming to eliminate or cut down acidic foods or conditions, then ADD the foods and actions that are more Alkaline in a higher proportion to eventually ease the body into balanced pH where cravings and toxins diminish. A general guideline to aim for is 70% Alkaline to 30% Acidic. Trust your own guidance system and observations for what works for you.
Stay tuned for future articles on recipes and more ideas for keeping our pH balanced. The benefits are many and can help us prevent and arrest those common conditions listed at the beginning of this article. Thank you for checking out some tips for helping you to
“ENJOY THE JOURNEY”!!
Lori Thomas Wimbish BS – Nutrition