How’s Your PH?

What is PH, you ask? PH is a measurement of the acidity of water. Those of you who have pools know that the PH has to be balanced to keep the pool from getting cloudy or going green. Well, the same is true for us – except we don’t turn green – we develop all kinds of problems: stiff joints, heart and circulation problems, weight gain, lack of energy, skin problems including acne, stomach and digestive disorders, yeast and fungus problems, memory loss and fuzziness, lack of sex drive, infertility, breathing difficulties and premature aging, to name a few.

So here is the scoop. For the body to function properly, stay healthy and age gracefully, we must have a balance between acid and alkaline levels in our blood, cells and tissues. The ideal tissue PH is 7.0 – 7.4. All of our body’s regulatory mechanisms; — breathing, circulation, digestion and hormone production–are created to work together to keep acid/alkaline (PH) levels balanced. Due to the western acid–forming diet, stress, lack of exercise, reliance on prescription drugs and other common lifestyle problems, it is easy to become too acid. In fact more likely than not, most of us are too acidic! Too much acid in the system corrodes the body tissues and interrupts cellular activities such as the proper functioning of enzymes. Enzymes are responsible for the smooth running of all biochemical and body functions. Too much acid causes inflammation which wreaks havoc on the body and underlies all chronic disease. Acidity causes the loss of alkalizing minerals in the body. They are taken from the bones or teeth (to neutralize the acid in the body) which in turn weaken the bones and teeth. We neutralize acidity with alkalizing substances. That is precisely the very important role that minerals – especially calcium, magnesium and potassium salts – play.

Causes of acidity in the body:

• Diet – especially processed foods, sugars, fats and oils, artificial sweeteners, grains and cereals, meat, fish, beans and legumes. Oh no, you say!
• Smoking, alcohol and coffee. Gosh darn it, you say!
• Stress. I could have guessed, you say!
• Lack of exercise. I knew it, you say!
• Prescription drugs. Really, you say?
• Environmental pollutants. God help us, you say!

Ways to alkalize the body:

Mineral supplements – the best being trace mineral concentrates dissolved in your drinking water on a daily basis. These can be purchased at your local health food store. My preference is Himalayan Salt Crystals. Check out: www.krytadeere.com and click on products for more information on the salts and how to purchase them. They may be available at your health food store. You can also salt your food with sea salt or Himalayan salt. You can put either gray sea salt or Himalayan salt in your bath and soak up the minerals that way. Sea salt and table salt are not the same. Sea salt is healthy. Sodium in excess is not.

Eat alkalizing foods. Strongly alkalizing: leafy greens and millet (grain). Mildly alkalizing: fruits, vegetables, berries, cottage cheese, yogurt and chicken breast. Add a teaspoon of organic raw apple cider vinegar to your water (hot or cold). Drink in the morning or after a meal. Use it in salad dressings. Drink dissolved bee pollen in warm water or another tasty fluid. Drink water with fresh lemon juice before you drink your coffee to help cut the acidity.

Manage your stress through relaxation exercises, meditation, spa, physical activity and laughter.

Exercise. Exercise has a double role in decreasing acidity; by removing existing acid wastes and helping to prevent (stress relief) the production of new acid waste.

Hydration. Drink your alkalized water (containing the minerals) and plenty of water to flush the acid out of your system and promote overall health.

Dr. Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel Prize winner said “Every health problem is directly linked to a mineral deficiency.” So get your mineral supplements now and address the problems of joint stiffness and excess weight. Boost your energy and improve your skin. Protect yourself from chronic disease and stop premature aging. It requires making an effort. I know. But, do it! Sayonara.