Blood is the most important internal environment of the human body, its fluid connective tissue forms. From biology lessons, many remember that blood and plasma contain such elements as cells of white blood cells, platelets and red blood cells. It constantly circulates through the vessels, not stopping for a minute and thereby supplying oxygen to all organs and tissues. It has the ability to update very quickly due to the destruction of old cells and instantly form new ones. You will find out what pH and indicators of blood acidity are, their norm and effect on the state of the body, as well as how to measure blood pH and adjust it using diet correction, from our article.
Blood function
- Nutritious. Blood supplies all parts of the body with oxygen, hormones, enzymes, which ensures the full functioning of the whole organism.
- Breathing Due to blood circulation, oxygen flows from the lungs to the tissues, and carbon dioxide from the cells, on the contrary, to the lungs.
- Regulatory. It is with the help of blood that the flow of beneficial substances into the body is regulated, the necessary temperature level is maintained and the amount of hormones is controlled.
- Homeostatic. This function determines the internal tension and balance of the body.
A bit of history
So, why is it necessary to study the pH of human blood or, as it is also called, the acidity of the blood? The answer is simple: this is an incredibly desired value, which is stable. It forms the required course of the redox processes of the human body, the activity of its enzymes, in addition, the intensity of all kinds of metabolic processes. The acid-base level of any type of fluid (including blood) is affected by the number of active hydrogen particles contained therein. You can conduct an experiment and determine the pH of each liquid, but in this article we are talking about the pH of human blood.
For the first time, the term “hydrogen indicator” appeared at the beginning of the 20th century and was formulated in the same way as the pH scale by Danish physicist Seren Peter Lauritz Service. The system he introduced for determining the acidity of liquids had divisions from 0 to 14 units. The neutral reaction corresponds to a value of 7.0. If the pH of any liquid has a number lower than the indicated value, then a deviation towards the “acidity” has occurred, and if it is greater, towards the “alkalinity”. The stability of the acid-base balance in the human body is supported by the so-called buffer systems - liquids that ensure the stability of hydrogen ions, supporting them in the required amount. And physiological compensation mechanisms help them in this - the result of the work of the liver, kidneys and lungs. Together, they make sure that the pH value of the blood remains within the normal range, only this way the body will function smoothly, without failures. The lungs have the greatest influence on this process, because it is they who produce a huge amount of acidic products (they are removed in the form of carbon dioxide), and also support the capacity of all systems and organs. The kidneys bind and form hydrogen particles, and then return sodium ions and bicarbonate to the blood, and the liver processes and eliminates specific acids that our body no longer needs. We must not forget about the activity of the digestive system, they also contribute to maintaining the level of acid-base constancy. And this contribution is incredibly huge: the above-mentioned organs produce digestive juices (for example, gastric juices) that enter into an alkaline or acid reaction.
How to determine the pH of the blood?
Blood acidity is measured by the electrometric method, for this purpose a specific electrode made of glass is used, which determines the amount of hydrogen ions. The result is affected by the carbon dioxide contained in the blood cells. Blood pH can be determined in the laboratory. You just need to submit the material for analysis, and you will need only arterial or capillary blood (from the finger). Moreover, arterial blood gives the most reliable results, because its acid-base values ​​are most constant.
How to find out the pH of your own blood at home?
Of course, the most acceptable way will still be to contact the nearest clinic for analysis. Moreover, after the doctor will be able to give an adequate decoding of the results and relevant recommendations. But today there are many devices that will give an accurate answer to the question of how to determine the pH of the blood at home. The finest needle instantly punctures the skin and collects a small amount of material, and the microcomputer located in the device immediately performs all the necessary calculations and displays the result on the screen. Everything happens quickly and painlessly. You can purchase such a device in a specialized store of medical equipment. Large pharmacy chains can also bring this unit to order.
Human blood acidity: normal as well as abnormalities
The normal blood pH is 7.35 - 7.45 units, these are indicators of a healthy person, indicating that you have a slightly alkaline reaction. If this indicator is reduced, and ph is below 7.35, then the doctor diagnoses acidosis. And in the event that the indicators are higher than normal, then we are talking about changing the norm to the alkaline side, this is called alkalosis (when the indicator is higher than 7.45). A person should take the pH level in his body seriously, since deviations of more than 0.4 units (less than 7.0 and more than 7.8) are considered to be incompatible with life.
Acidosis
In the event that laboratory tests have revealed acidosis in the patient, this may be an indicator of the presence of diabetes mellitus, oxygen starvation or a state of shock, or it may be associated with the initial stage of even more serious diseases. Mild acidosis is asymptomatic and can only be detected in the laboratory by measuring the pH of your blood. The severe form of this ailment is accompanied by frequent breathing, nausea and vomiting. In case of acidosis, when the body acidity level drops below 7.35 (blood pH is normal - 7.35-7.45), it is first necessary to eliminate the cause of such a deviation, and along with this, the patient needs to drink plenty of water and take soda inside as a solution. In addition, it is necessary in this case to appear to specialists - a therapist or an ambulance doctor.
Alkalosis
The cause of metabolic alkalosis may be incessant vomiting (often with poisoning), which is accompanied by a significant loss of acid and gastric juice, or eating a large number of foods that cause the body to be oversaturated with alkali (plant-based products, dairy products). There is a kind of increased acid-base balance, such as "respiratory alkalosis." It can appear even in a completely healthy and strong person with too much nervous stress, overstrain, as well as in patients prone to fullness, or with shortness of breath in people prone to cardiovascular diseases. The treatment of alkalosis (as in the case of acidosis) begins with the elimination of the cause of this phenomenon. Also, if it is necessary to restore the pH level of human blood, this can be achieved by inhaling mixtures that contain carbon dioxide. Solutions for potassium, ammonium, calcium and insulin will also be required for recovery. But in no case can one engage in self-medication, all manipulations are carried out under the supervision of specialists, often the patient needs hospitalization. All necessary procedures are prescribed by a general practitioner.
What foods increase blood acidity
To keep the blood pH under control (norm 7.35-7.45), you need to eat right and know which foods increase acidity and which foods increase alkalinity in the body. Products that increase acidity include:
- meat and meat products;
- fish;
- eggs
- sugar;
- beer;
- dairy products and bakery products;
- pasta;
- sweet carbonated drinks;
- alcohol;
- cigarettes;
- salt;
- sweeteners;
- antibiotics
- almost all varieties of cereals;
- most legumes;
- classic vinegar;
- seafood.
What happens if blood acidity is increased
If the human diet constantly includes the above products, then in the end this will lead to a decrease in immunity, gastritis and pancreatitis. Such a person often catches a cold and infections, as the body is weakened. Excessive amounts of acid in the male body lead to impotence and infertility, since sperm need an alkaline environment for activity, and acid destroys them. Increased acidity in a woman’s body also negatively affects reproductive function, because with an increase in the acidity of the vagina, spermatozoa, falling into it, die before they reach the uterus. That is why it is so important to maintain a constant level of human blood pH within the established standards.
Alkaline blood products
The following foods increase the level of alkalinity in the human body:
- watermelons;
- melon;
- all citrus fruits;
- celery;
- mango;
- papaya;
- spinach;
- parsley;
- sweet grapes with no seeds;
- asparagus;
- pears
- raisins;
- apples
- apricots
- absolutely all vegetable juices;
- bananas
- avocado;
- ginger;
- garlic;
- peaches;
- nectarines;
- most herbs, including medicinal ones.
If a person consumes too much animal fat, coffee, alcohol and sweets, then “over-oxidation” occurs in the body, which means that the predominance of acidic environment over alkaline. Smoking and constant stress also negatively affect blood pH. Moreover, acidic metabolic products are not completely removed, but in the form of salts they settle in the intercellular fluid and joints, becoming the causes of many diseases. To replenish the acid-base balance, wellness and cleansing procedures and a healthy balanced diet are required.
Foods That Balance pH
Here is a list of ingredients that are often recommended to be included in meals or consumed separately. These include:
- lettuce;
- cereals;
- absolutely any vegetables;
- dried fruits;
- potatoes;
- nuts
- mineral water;
- simple drinking water.
To normalize the amount of alkali in the body and bring the blood plasma pH to normal, most doctors advise drinking alkaline water: enriched with ions, it is completely absorbed by the body and establishes the balance of acid and alkali in it. Among other things, such water strengthens the immune system, helps eliminate toxins, slows down the aging process and has a beneficial effect on the stomach. Therapists advise drinking 1 cup of alkaline water in the morning, and drink 2-3 cups during the day. After such an amount, the blood condition improves. It’s just undesirable to drink medicines with such water, since it reduces the effectiveness of some drugs. If you use medicines, then at least one hour should pass between them and taking alkaline water. This ionized water can be drunk in its pure form, but it can be used for cooking, boil soups and broths on it, used to make tea, coffee and stewed fruit. The pH level in such water is normal.
How to normalize blood pH with alkaline water
Such water helps not only to improve health, but also to preserve youth and flowering appearance longer. Daily use of this liquid helps the body cope with acidic waste and dissolve it faster, after which they are removed from the body. And since the accumulation of salts and acids negatively affects the general condition and well-being, getting rid of these reserves gives a person strength, energy and a charge of good mood. Gradually, it removes unnecessary substances from the body and thereby leaves in it only what is really necessary for all organs for proper functioning. As alkaline soap is used to remove unnecessary microbes, alkaline water is used to remove all excess from the body. From our article, you learned everything about the acid-base balance of blood in particular and of the whole organism. We told you about the functions of the blood, how to find out the pH of blood in the laboratory and at home, about the norms of acid and alkali in the blood, as well as about the deviations that are associated with this. Also now you have at your fingertips a list of products that increase the alkalinity or acidity of the blood. Thus, you can plan your diet in such a way as to eat not only balanced, but at the same time maintain the required level of blood pH.