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Is
Your pH Balanced?
The
human body functions best when saliva and urine have a slightly acid pH
level, even though the pH of the blood is maintained at about 7.4 or
slightly alkaline. If the body is too acidic (pH lower than 6.3 as
measured by saliva), it has to borrow minerals such as calcium, sodium and
magnesium from vital organs and bones to buffer the acid and safely remove
it from the body. Over time, this will weaken the entire system.
When
the body’s acid/alkaline balance is off, nutrients from food may not be
absorbed properly. This is especially true of minerals, which are
important for many body functions including enzyme production and cellular
metabolism. Even if you are swallowing a whole handful of supplements,
your body can’t make optimal use of them if the pH balance is not right.
When
food is digested, fruits and vegetables end up alkaline. This is true even
of the “sour-tasting” fruits like lemons and grapefruits. Protein
foods like meat, dairy, soy and eggs leave an acid residue when digested,
and starchy foods like cereals, breads and a few starchy vegetables also
leave an acid residue. Most Americans do not eat the USDA recommended 5
(minimum) to 9 (optimal) servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Our
S.A.D. habits lead us to overload on proteins and starches instead. As a
result, many suffer from the effects of over-acidity.
Those
5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables will do more for you than balance
your pH. Research has shown that the phytonutrients and antioxidants found
in brightly colored fruits and vegetables will protect you against cancer
and a host of other degenerative diseases. It will also keep your skin
younger looking and your vitality high. Best of all, fruits and vegetables
tend to be lower in calories than grains and meats which is a real bonus
for those trying to lose weight or keep from gaining.
Can
a person end up too alkaline? Yes, this does happen when people limit
their diets to only fruits and vegetables. It can also happen when the
body is so toxic it is no longer able to eliminate the acids and they
start to build up in the system. Over alkalinity is a potentially serious
problem which may take longer to correct than over acidity.
Balance
is the key. If changes in the diet are not sufficient to correct pH,
supplements may be needed for a while. These might include the correct
forms of calcium, magnesium and trace minerals, as well as enzyme
supplements to help the body digest foodss. Some people might also need to
a cleansing program to help the body eliminate toxins.
One
of the best-tasting concentrated formulas for balancing pH and providing
the body with a wide array of nutrients is made by Doctors for Nutrition
and is called Greens
First. It's a great addition to the diet for people who have trouble
eating their 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables.
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