Maintaining pH Balance for Optimum Health
Maintaining pH balance in the body can positively affect all major body systems, especially the digestive, intestinal, circulatory, respiratory and immune. A pH balanced environment maintains healthy metabolic function and allows the body to function optimally.
Testing your pH level through your urine or saliva can you help you to determine how alkaline or acidic your system is, and guide you in the right direction to maintain a healthy balance.
You can test your pH levels in saliva or urine using Nature’s Sunshine pH test strips. It is best to test first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything.
The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 7 considered to be neutral. A pH less than 7 shows higher acid readings, with a pH greater than 7 being alkaline – this is the range body systems work most effectively.
When pH testing using saliva, the ideal range is between 6.4 - 6.8. When urine testing, ideally readings should be between 6.0 – 7.0.
Maintaining healthy pH balance is important as it may affect many different body systems. Below are some of the areas that are negatively affected when we have an unbalanced pH level.
Circulatory System - Acidity is the principal cause of heart disease. The body responds to acidity by lining the vessels with fatty plaques. This puts strain on the heart due to the narrowing aperture the blood needs to flow through.
Digestive System - Many digestive disorders, such as indigestion, nausea, bloating and gastric reflux are symptoms caused by excess acid in the gastric region and not enough alkaline minerals in the intestinal tract.
Immune System - Acidic environments are breeding grounds for pathogens, whereas high levels of hydrogen rich body fluids keep bad bacteria inactive.
Muscular System - When acidity increases in the muscles, it disrupts the metabolism of glucose and oxygen to energy. An alkaline system on the other hand allows for much better aerobic metabolism and energy for the body's recovery from strenuous exercise.
Nervous System - Acidity weakens the nervous system by depriving it of energy. It makes the physical, mental, and emotional body weak.
Respiratory System - When the ratio of acidity in the tissues and organs is too high then mucus, infections and viruses build up in our lungs, which can lead to colds, bronchitis, asthma, etc.
Skeletal System - Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis are related to pH imbalance. It is accumulated acid deposits in the joints that damages cartilage. When the cells that produce the lubricating fluids are acidic, this condition irritates and swells the joints.
Skin - When the body's pH is out of balance inflammation and infection can occur. As a result, the skin can develop sores, pimples or rashes.
Urinary System - If the body is overwhelmed by excess acids, alkaline minerals from your bones are pushed into the blood. If this occurs frequently, the minerals build up in the kidneys in the form kidney stones.
There are many conditions associated with high acid levels - cataracts, osteoporosis, gout, migraines, constipation, morning sickness, stroke, allergies, diabetes, obesity, etc. With an awareness of how acidity affects the body, healthy choices can be made for ongoing optimal health and vitality.
High Acidity
For those presenting with high acid levels, add more alkaline forming foods to your diet - examples shown below. Liquid Chlorophyll is also an ideal alkaline forming supplement. This superfood supports the body to cleanse, deodorise and strengthen cells. Alka Vita Liquid Silica Drops can also be used in a for a highly acidic body. Alka Vita are a modified liquid silica that is high in oxygen and is highly alkaline to help offset our acidic lifestyles.
High Alkaline
If you are showing high alkaline levels then including acid forming forms is important. Not enough acidity in the body could lead to an inability to break down proteins, and fight off certain bacteria and pathogens. Also look to include Nature’s Sunshine Food Enzyme Digestive Aid to help create an acidic environment and support optimum digestion. Apple Cider Vinegar can also be used, as this works like hydrochloric acid, which should be naturally present in our digestive system.
* Citrus Fruits, these are acidic, yet because of their high calcium content, they produce an alkaline effect during digestion. However some people experience citrus fruits as acid and others as alkaline, so may not be suitable for all people to consume.