Quite often you can hear about the acid-base balance and its relationship with health. Some propagandists of a healthy lifestyle consider that it is necessary to adhere to alkaline diets and to exclude acid. They are sure that such an approach to nutrition will rejuvenate the body, prevent diseases and even cure some ailments. Indeed, for the good work of all the internal systems of an individual, it is necessary to monitor the acid and alkaline equilibrium. In tissues, organs and body fluids, the ratios of alkalis and acids are not the same, but strictly regulated by them. The human body maintains the established stability of the internal environment, in violation of which various diseases can develop.
What is acid-base balance?
This is the ratio of alkalis and acids in the internal body fluids. In the human body, the liquid is 65, and in a newborn - up to 80%. It includes: intercellular lymph, blood, gastric juice, saliva, urine, bile. It becomes obvious that the human body is functioning properly when internal organs and fluids are normal. Problems with the operation of one system always affect the state of another and vice versa. The fluid inside the body, like any internal organ of an individual, has its own characteristics. When they deviate from the norm, health problems arise. One of these parameters is the ratio of alkalis and acids. This alignment is measured with a special pH indicator. It shows the number of hydrogen atoms in a given liquid. The environment always depends on pH values:
- 7 - neutral;
- 6.9–0 - acidic;
- 7.1-14 - alkaline.
Most body fluids have a slightly alkaline environment, only urine and gastric juice are the exception. The acid-base balance of the body is stably maintained in the range from 7.35 to 7.45. Deviations from acceptable values lead to diseases.
Increased acidity in the body
Some individuals consume large amounts of fats, meat, dairy, flour products, sugars and various processed foods that do not contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids and enzymes. One of the reasons for the increased level of acidity (acidosis) is poor nutrition and insufficient fluid intake. In violation of the acid-base balance, the body begins to fight this phenomenon and retains water, which has a negative effect on metabolism. In an acidic environment, oxygen access to cells slows down, insufficient absorption of micro and macro elements. This, in turn, negatively affects the functioning of the digestive system, cell metabolism, and the cardiovascular system. In addition, skin diseases appear, bone density decreases, and the immune system weakens. Increased acidity is a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria, fungi and viruses, and excellent conditions for the growth of cancer cells are created.
Elevated levels of alkali in the human body
This phenomenon is called alkalosis and is rare. Its cause may be the use of drugs that contain a lot of alkali and are used for a long period of time. A similar failure of the acid-base balance also causes negative changes in the body. These include liver disease, poor digestion, blood saturation with toxins, chronic constipation, skin diseases, it should be noted that alkalis, unlike acids that accumulate in the form of salts, are quite easily excreted from the body with fluid.
Alkali-containing foods
The correct diet is one of the main mechanisms in maintaining the acid-base balance of the human body at the proper level. In food, 80% of all foods should be alkaline. Preference should be given to plant foods containing proteins.
Foods rich in animal proteins and carbohydrates are best restricted, especially with an unmoving lifestyle. Citrus fruits containing a significant amount of acid should be consumed no more than two fruits per day. But a variety of greens, root vegetables (beets, carrots, radishes), fresh vegetables (cucumbers, different types of cabbage), berries, garlic, exotic fruits (dates, avocados, bananas, pineapples, kiwi) can be eaten often. Watermelon, apples, grapes, raisins, freshly squeezed juices - all this should be present on the menu daily.
How to check the pH of the body?
The ratio of acids and alkalis in the body is not a constant. To maintain them normal, sometimes it is necessary to take measurements. How to check the acid-base balance of the body? It is determined in a laboratory study in a clinic or at home. This is done simply using test strips of litmus paper, which are freely sold in the pharmacy. With their help, the acidity of urine, saliva, breast milk and other fluids is checked. Testing is best done before meals or two hours after it. Urine has a different acidity throughout the day. With morning readings from 6.0 to 6.4 and evening readings from 6.4 to 7.0, acidity is normal. At values of 5.0 and below, the body is acidified, and at 7.5 and above, on the contrary. According to these indicators, it is possible to judge the absorption of calcium, magnesium and sodium.
Often it is necessary to determine the acidity of human milk, when a baby begins to have problems with breastfeeding. Its values in the range of 6.9–7.5 are a normal indicator. With the accumulation in the stomach of a large amount of milk sugar, the baby begins increased gas formation and diarrhea. Increased acidity contributes to damage to the intestinal wall, and the baby’s condition worsens significantly. Do not constantly measure pH. It is enough to establish its dependence on the food consumed and draw appropriate conclusions for yourself.
How to restore acid-base balance
It is necessary to constantly maintain the ratio of acids and alkalis in the body at a stable level, eating the right foods and the required amount of water. In addition, minerals and vitamins should be included in the diet. To restore balance, not the last place is occupied by the physical activity of a person. You can control the balance of alkalis and acids by checking your indicators with a special table of food products. To reduce the level of alkali, foods containing acids are used, and to increase, on the contrary. Oxidizing products include:
- meat dishes;
- fish
- seafood;
- cheese;
- coffee;
- cottage cheese;
- confectionery and sugar;
- carbonated drinks alcohol.
To reduce acidity, you should eat vegetables that contain a lot of fiber, some fruits and the required amount of water.
Milk and its derivatives are neutral: butter, cream. To maintain the balance of acid-base balance, you need to constantly monitor the quantitative and qualitative composition of nutrition. To do this, eat a variety of foods that contain a large number of trace elements and vitamins. If there is a shortage of drugs, medication is needed to make up for it. Meat, which is an indispensable source of protein, and vegetable products should always be present in the diet.
Blood pH
The health of every person depends on the acid-base balance of the blood. Products after processing by their body form acid or alkali. It is known that simple sugars, salt, flour products and fats create an acidic environment in the body, and provisions rich in fiber, potassium, calcium and magnesium create an alkaline environment. For the proper operation of all blood systems, a slightly alkaline environment is necessary, this is the main condition for the action of enzymes. As already mentioned, to determine the acid-base balance, a special hydrogen parameter was introduced, denoted by pH symbols and varying from 0 to 14. In an acidic environment the value of the indicator is less than 7, in an alkaline medium - more than seven. Normal pH of arterial blood is 7.35–7.45, and venous - 7.26–7.36. In the human body, these numbers must have constant values. With any deviation of the indicator from the norm by 0.1, an imbalance of all systems occurs, a difference of 0.2 leads to a coma, and 0.3 leads to mortal danger.
Saliva acidity
It is directly dependent on the speed of its separation. Mixed human saliva has an acidity of 6.8 to 7.4. How to check the acid-base balance of saliva? To do this, use litmus paper. Measurements are recommended for a period of 10-12 hours two hours before or after a meal. In the evening and night hours, salivation becomes less. Lowered pH values lead to the formation of dental caries, an increase in mucus, swelling and inflammation of the gums. Saliva enriched with oxygen prevents the growth of bacteria. In a dream, when the flow of fluid becomes less, an unpleasant odor appears from the mouth. The same thing happens during excitement, stress, hunger, and mouth breathing. A decrease in saliva flow always leads to a decrease in pH.
Body balance control
Buffer systems, which are special biochemical processes that activate to increase positively or negatively charged hydrogen ions, allow normal human acid-base balance. There are four blood buffer systems:
- hemoglobin;
- bicarbonate;
- phosphate;
- protein.
They belong to the first line of defense. It prevents sudden changes, maintaining a constant pH, until the received products are not removed or used in metabolic processes. In addition, two more systems take an active part in restoring the acid-base balance:
- respiratory - carbon dioxide is removed through the lungs;
- urinary - excess acid and alkali are removed through the kidneys and sweating.
Only with the right ratio of acids and alkalis can the body absorb the necessary nutrients and exercise control over all metabolic processes.
The consequences of acidosis in the body
With increased acidity in humans, the following symptoms are observed:
- heartburn, pain in the stomach, joints and limbs;
- cramps, stiffness of muscles;
- pathology of the cardiovascular system;
- fatigue, weakness, inability to concentrate.
Sometimes people do not pay due attention to these signs. They drink coffee to cheer up, take painkillers, thereby exacerbating the situation. During oxidation, the process of slag removal slows down. The body begins to accumulate them in the connective and cartilage tissues, cellulite and arthrosis appear, and then blood vessels become clogged, and a heart attack and stroke occur. Organ cells do not receive enough nutrients, vitamins, and oxygen. To maintain the speed of blood flow, blood pressure rises, hypertension occurs, the heart works with an increased load. Especially women need to monitor the pH of the body, so you need to know how to determine the acid-base balance. After all, only an acidic environment contributes to the development of such terrible diseases as cancer of the blood, breast, uterus.
Seven High Alkaline Foods
The development of diseases is mostly associated with the oxidation of the body. It was found that a decrease in the pH value of the blood indicator by 0.1, reduces the supply of oxygen to the cells by eight times. Most of the ratio of acids to alkalis depends on what we eat. You can eat any food, but you must observe the appropriate proportions. For a healthy person, products alkalizing and oxidizing should be in a ratio of 1: 1, for a patient - 8: 2. This balance will establish balance in the body. With a lack of alkali, it is recommended to use the following products:
- Lemons store a large amount of alkali. A glass of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon juice will help restore balance in the body.
- Greens are a wonderful source of alkali, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
- Beets, radishes, carrots, turnips, horseradish contain a lot of fiber, have a beneficial effect on digestion.
- Celery and cucumbers have a lot of alkali, they neutralize acid well.
- Garlic - a source of alkali, strengthens the immune system, kills bacteria, germs, fungi.
- All types of cabbage are rich in fiber, neutralize acid.
- Avocado normalizes the ratio of acids and alkalis, is a good supplier of vitamins and amino acids.
Secrets of Longevity
The human body consists of a huge number of cells. Every day, billions of them die and as many are born again, and so life goes on. To support the process of life, you need:
- Oxygen. His body receives from the atmosphere. Under the influence of water, it breaks down and is delivered to the cells by red blood cells. With its lack, hypoxia occurs - a disease or death.
- Hydrogen. It has been established that energy appears during oxygen-hydrogen interaction or in the equilibrium of acids and alkalis in the body.
- Carbon. It connects all cells together and is the basis of life.
Entering the reaction, hydrogen and oxygen form a liquid medium - water. The human body is almost 80% composed of it. The balance of acids and alkalis in it depends on maintaining constant values of the characteristics between intracellular and intercellular fluids in the tissues of the body. It is at a pH in the range from 7.35 to 7.45 in the body that occurs:
- the allocation of three thousand enzymes, without which the digestive system cannot work;
- production of protein from amino acids;
- oxygen breakdown;
- conversion of hydrogen to energy.
Normal functioning and preservation of the body is impossible without the balance of alkalis and acids. Therefore, the statement is absolutely true: the acid-base balance is the basis of a healthy life for mankind.
Indicator litmus paper
To maintain the balance of alkalis and acids, it is necessary to monitor the change in pH. For this, at home, you can use litmus paper. With its help, you can quickly find out the acidity of various fluids: saliva, urine, sperm, breast milk, water. Litmus is a coloring substance that can change its color when interacting with acid or alkali. Paper for sale on rolls of 5 m in reels-boxes. There is a color scale for pH indicators from 1 to 14. How to check the acid-base balance using indicator paper? To do this, it is necessary to tear off the desired amount of paper from the roll and place it in a biological solution for several seconds. Compare the readings with the attached color scale and determine the value of acidity.
Instead of a conclusion
The human body is designed so that it constantly maintains a balance between the acid and alkaline environments. With any deviations, a person becomes defenseless from many diseases. To maintain this balance, the necessary minerals are taken from bones and blood.
And if you do not timely fill the shortage of substances, diseases of the joints and blood vessels will begin. That is why it is very important to follow a balanced diet daily, in which a special place is given to alkalizing products, since increased acidity disrupts the work of all biochemical processes in tissues and cells. With proper nutrition and an appropriate lifestyle, your body's acid-base balance will always be normal, which will help maintain excellent health.