On the pH scale, which ranges from 0 on the acidic end to 14 on the alkaline end, a solution is neutral if its pH is 7. At pH 7, a substance contains equal concentrations of H+ and OH-  (hydrogen) ions. Substances with a pH less than 7 are acidic because they contain a higher concentration of H+ ions. Substances with a pH higher than 7 are alkaline because they contain a higher concentration of OH- than H+.

Importance of balancing pH

Living things are extremely sensitive to pH and function best (with certain exceptions, such as certain portions of the digestive tract) when solutions are nearly neutral. Most interior living matter (excluding the cell nucleus) has a pH of about 6.8.

Blood plasma and other fluids that surround the cells in the body have a pH of 7.2 to 7.3. Numerous special mechanisms aid in stabilizing these fluids so that cells will not be subject to appreciable fluctuations in pH. Substances, which serve as mechanisms to stabilize pH, are called buffers.

If a person has created an acidic environment in the body by years of eating or putting acidic forming substances in the body such as soft drinks, food (meat, fish, rice,), pollution, stress, mental unrest, anger,  alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes,  then that person has opened themselves up to any and all diseases.  The more acidic the more susceptible a person becomes to disease.  Acid wastes literally attack the joints, tissue, muscles, organs and glands causing minor to major dysfunction. Diseases thrive in an acidic environment and will not flourish and thrive an alkaline environment.

Acid Forming Wastes

The process of metabolism, creates residue acid waste products that the body has to get rid of.  What are these waste products? In order for our body to function and grow, we must eat food.  Food is generally classified into carbohydrates, proteins and fat.  All of these foods are made from four basic elements carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen.  Carbohydrates do not contain nitrogen.  All four elements are abundant in the air.  Mixed in with these foods are many minerals they are classified into two categories, namely acid forming elements such as sulfur, phosphorous, chlorine and iodine and alkaline forming elements such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron.  These minerals provide essential functions to sustain our body. 97% of all foods (C, N, H and O) are not completely oxidized (metabolized) by the cells and the waste products that remain are:  Examples of organic waste products are Acetic, Lactic, Uric, Carbonic and  Fatty Acids, Cholesterol and Ammonia.  Inorganic byproducts from minerals found in food are Sulfuric, Hydrochloric and Phosphoric Acids. For this reason even if you eat nothing but alkaline forming foods, your urine will be acidic and so will your perspiration. These poisonous acids must be disposed from our body.  But they must be neutralized to become less harmful substances otherwise they can damage the kidneys and other organs.  Alkaline minerals can neutralize these poisons. The disposal of these acidic waste products is what we need in order to stay young and healthy.

The Effects of Accumulated Acid Waste

Herman Aihara, in his book “Acid and Alkaline” states that: “If the condition of our extracellular fluids especially the blood becomes acidic, our physical condition will first manifest tiredness, proneness to catching colds, etc.  When these fluids become more acidic, our condition then manifests pains and suffering such as headaches, chest pains, stomach aches, etc.  According to

Keiichi Morishita in his Hidden Truth of Cancer, if the blood develops a more acidic condition, then our body inevitably deposits these excess acidic substances in some area of the body such so that the blood will be able to maintain an alkaline condition.

As this tendency continues,  such areas increase in  acidity and some cells die; then these dead cells themselves turn into acids.  Some other cells adapt to that environment and instead of dying as normal cells do in an acid environment – they become abnormal malignant cells that do not correspond  with brain function or DNA memory.  They grow indefinitely without order.  These are cancer cells.”

Many different forms of arthritis and gout are the result of acid accumulation in the joints, and this damages the cartilages and irritates the joints. Kidney diseases such as Nephritis, uremic poisoning, bladder diseases, kidney stones etc are all acid related conditions.  Both chronic diarrhea and constipation are acid build-ups.

Fat is caused by fatty acid build-up.  Acid coagulates blood, and there is not much blood flow around fat.  Usually the capillaries around the acid accumulation are clogged up.  Although there are many exceptions, these fatty acids generally form under the skin especially around the waistline for men and around hips, thighs and breasts for women.  Any organs or tissues near the acid accumulation get a smaller supply of blood and can get damaged in the long run.

What to Eat

The fresher, and more natural the food product (organic) the better, as pesticides, hormones, anti-bacterials, synthetic fertilizers all add acid wastes to the body

Alkaline Forming Substances:

Most fresh naturally ripened, organic fruit and vegetables including citrus and potatoes

Organic Eggs, Organic Milk, Cottage Cheese, Yoghurt, Tofu, Seeds, Almonds, Fresh Fruit/VegeJuices, Herbal Teas, Apple Cider Vinegar, Sea Salt, Ginger, Curry, Herbs, Millet

Acid Forming Substances:

Fats and Oils,  most grains such as rice, barley, wheat, oats, flour, processed cheeses and butter, meat, chicken, fish, pasta, beans and legumes such as beans, peas, lentils soya, alcohol, drugs, chemicals, cigarettes.

The goal of the game is to reduce acid wastes through eating and drinking more alkaline foods and helping your body dispose of more acidic waste products.  The more the better. This will help reverse the effects of disease caused by high levels of acidity in the body.

References:

4.  International School of Reflexology & Meridian Therapy, Study Notes 2003

16.  Reverse Aging, Sang Whang