The ph Scale

The Harmful Effects of Acidity

Our bodies will always strive to keep our organs, blood, fluids and tissues functioning properly. In order to do this effectively, each part of our body must operate in its optimum pH range. When our bodies are over burdened trying to compensate for pH imbalances, they will suffer immensely. This excess stress eventually leads to toxicity and illness. Left unchecked, acidification may contribute or directly lead to arthritis, blood pressure abnormalities, blood sugar challenges, digestive problems, headaches, inflammation of joints, insomnia, skin problems, stiffness, stress and tension, weight issues and other disorders.

An acidic environment is a perfect breeding ground for pathogens, yeasts, fungi and parasites.

Our bodies can not detoxify properly when they become over acidic. As a result, toxins build up causing stress as well as the activation of

emergency mechanisms to compensate for toxicity. A good example of this is weight gain – fat is an excellent binding agent. Our bodies will use fat when necessary to bind and store toxins. Weight problems are more complex than simply a metabolic problem… it’s really an ACID problem!

Our bodies create acidity at the cellular level. Cells have a positive electrical charge on the inside (acid), and a negative electrical charge on the outside (alkaline). Once the negative charges of cells are stripped away, cells begin to stick together like glue.

The extra cellular fluids surrounding the cells must be alkaline in order to maintain the negative electrical charge on the outside of the cells.

Keeping the fluids of our bodies alkaline is essential to balancing the 75 trillion cells which make up the body. Over 65% of our body weight is made up of intra cellular and extra cellular fluid. These fluids must remain in a

n alkaline pH of 7.0 – 7.4 if our cells are to remain healthy.

What Causes Acidity?

Our bodies become pH imbalanced and overly acidic primarily as a result of three things: ingestion of acids, creating acids and improper neutralization of acids;

Ingestion of acids: Acidifying foods – like processed foods, sugar, meat, dairy, coffee and alcohol – lower the pH of our bodies. An overload of

these acids can overwhelm our bodies’ ability to neutralize them.

Creation of Acids: Microforms such as anaerobic bacteria, yeasts and fungi proliferate when our bodies become acidic. These pathogens and microforms also create acidifying toxins in the body. These living organisms steal our nutrients by feeding on them and create a host of toxins as a result. These toxins are very acidifying and are potentially very dangerous.

Improper Neutralization of Acids:

Not all acids are the same; some are weak and some are strong. Weak acids like citric and acetic acid are much easier to neutralize than strong acids like uric acid.

When our bodies’ buffering systems become depleted or compromised, acids begin to build up and they damage all systems within the body.

Is Your Body pH Balanced?

In order to maintain proper health, your body is constantly seeking to get rid of the excess acids that irritate your tissues and deplete them of minerals.

There is a strong correlation between the pH of your body’s internal environment and that of your urine and saliva. When the fluids that make up more than 70% of your body weight become acidic, your urine and saliva will reveal the degree of this acidification.

pH of Urine

One of the principal systems your body uses for eliminating acids is the renal system (kidneys). The normal rate of acid excretion through the

kidneys gives urine a pH that falls between 6.75 and 7.25.

By testing the pH of your urine, you can determine whether your body is eliminating a normal amount of acids. If the acid excretion rate is higher than normal, your urinary pH will be more acidic. This low urinary pH is also an indication that you are low in alkaline mineral reserves (electrolytes) that are used to neutralize the acids that are eliminated by your urine

pH of Saliva

Another good indicator of pH balance in your body is the pH of your saliva. When your body has an abundant supply of mineral buffers available, your saliva ph will read between 7.0 and 7.5 (and as high as 8.0 immediately following a meal). A low saliva pH reading also indicates mineral depletion.

How to test the pH of your Saliva

The best time to test the pH of your Saliva is first thing in the morning before you brush your teeth or have any thing to eat.

Gather saliva in your mouth and then swallow.

Moisten your tongue and insert the pH strip in your mouth. Hold it against your tongue for about 3 seconds.

Remove the strip and wait about 10 seconds.

If your strip goes green it’s an Alkaline reading but if it stays yellow it’s an acid reading!

If you tested alkaline, congratulations you can begin one of our cleansing programs.

If you tested acid then you can either start on one of the milder programs such as the three and a half day program or try a pre-cleanse diet of alkalizing foods for a while before starting a cleansing program.