Are You Too Acidic? Become Alkaline

After years of societal changes, millions of dollars spend for marketing, and great technological advances, today almost the entire Western world is facing more dietary based health challenges than ever before.  It is no coincidence that the rapidly growing numbers of degenerative conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer,  and cardiovascular disease correlate almost exactly with the rise in consumption of acid forming foods, including processed sugars, breads, saturated fats, and dairy.

At the same time, our consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and other foods that provide healthy carbohydrates, protein, enzymes, minerals, vitamins and phyto-chemicals as well as essential fatty acids has decreased dramatically. The result is an overweight and undernourished generation that is hooked on fatty, salty and sugary foods. When you hear about eating alkaline foods or starting an alkaline diet we are referring to consuming those foods and drinks which have an alkaline effect on the body.

Degenerative conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease could largely be prevented if people knew that certain foods contribute to an acidic body ph, which offers a perfect breeding ground for pathogens, that can cause serious inflammation and related conditions. People suffering from lack of energy, GERD, excessive mucous production, nasal congestion, frequent colds and flu, anxiety, nervousness, irritability, cysts and fibroids, enlarged prostate and headaches are generally too acidic and would greatly benefit from an alkaline diet.

Every food that is burnt inside your body leaves an ash. Depending on the kind of foods you consume, the "ash residue" is either acidic, neutral or alkaline. Unfortunately, most foods that we favor, after being digested, absorbed, and metabolized, release an acidic ash into our blood. Most grains, fish, meat, poultry, shellfish, cheese, milk, and salt leave an acid residue. Whereas, everybody’s biochemistry is different -  most of us would greatly benefit to eat 75-80% alkaline foods and only a maximum of 20-25% acid forming foods.

Our blood is slightly alkaline, with a normal pH level of between 7.35 and 7.45. Most health professionals believe that a diet high in acid-producing foods disrupts this balance and promotes the loss of essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium, as the body tries to restore equilibrium. This imbalance is thought to make people prone to disease, as pathogens like to feast and multiply in an acidic environment. Thus, an acid-producing diet may be the cause of a number of chronic conditions.

Even though most people are very likely to benefit from an alkaline diet, some practitioners recommend the alkaline diet if a person has the following symptoms:

  • Lack of energy
  • Excessive mucous production
  • Nasal congestion
  • Frequent colds and flu
  • Anxiety, nervousness, irritability
  • Cysts and fibroids
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Headaches

What are the Safety Concerns?
It is well known and documented, that individuals whose diets comprise of a large variety of fruits and vegetables generally enjoy better health than those who do not. Many clinical trials show that certain fruits and vegetables significantly decrease the risk to develop a number of degenerative conditions, such as those mentioned above. The alkaline diet should however NOT be followed by people with acute or chronic kidney failure unless under a doctor’s supervision. People with pre-existing heart disease and those on medications that affect potassium levels in the body should consult with their doctor first.

Alkalizing foods and supplements

  • Almonds, Apple Cider and Cider vinegar
  • Beets, Broccoli, Couli flour and other cruciferous vegetables
  • Carrots, Celery, Chard, Chestnuts, Collards and other greens (kale, lettuce, wild greens), Cucumber
  • Eggplant, Fruit (except cranberry)
  • Unsweetened fruit juices
  • Garlic, grasses (alfalfa, barley, wheat)
  • Herbs, Herbal and certain green Teas
  • Millet, Miso and other fermented vegetables
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Parsnips, Pees, Peppers, Probiotics (dairy free)
  • Radishes
  • Sprouts, Squash
  • Tempeh, Tofu, Tomatoes
  • Seeds (flax, pumpkin, squash, sunflower)
  • Vegetable juices (unsalted)

How to measure your body Ph?
There are two ways of measuring your body’s ph. You can either put a drop of saliva on a piece of litmus (ph) paper. However, in order to obtain correct results you must not have eaten or drank for 2 hours. Alternatively, you can put a few drops of urine (best in the morning after rising) on the ph paper. The color of the ph paper will change according to your status, which you can compare with the added chart on the litmus-paper box.

Enjoy in moderation
Most animal protein, fats and oils, most grains, many nuts (Brazil nuts, filberts, peanuts, pecans, walnuts) can raise acidity when eaten in large amounts.

Worst Offenders
Pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, coffee, sugars, (both, artificial and natural sweeteners) Any type of soft drinks, even fruit juices other than home-squeezed.

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