What Is the Alkaline Diet Really…
What is the alkaline diet definition?
An alkaline diet (also called the alkaline ash diet, alkaline acid diet, acid ash diet, acid alkaline diet or the pH diet) is one that helps balance the blood pH level of the fluids in your body, including your blood and urine. Your pH is partially determined by the mineral density of the foods you eat. All living organisms and life forms on earth depend on maintaining appropriate pH levels. Some experts believe disease and disorder cannot take root in a body that has a balanced pH.
According to published research, The acid-ash hypothesis theorizes that protein and grain foods, with a low potassium intake, produce a diet acid load, net acid excretion (NAE), increased urine calcium, and release of calcium from the skeleton, leading to osteoporosis. The alkaline diet aims to prevent this from happening by considering food pH levels in an attempt to limit dietary acid intake.
Although some experts might not totally agree with this statement, nearly all agree that human life requires a very tightly controlled pH level of the blood of about 7.365–7.4. If you develop electrolyte imbalances and frequently consume too many acidic foods, your body’s changing pH level can result in increased “acidosis.”
Why does pH matter?
pH is short for the potential of hydrogen. It’s a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of our body’s fluids and tissues. It’s measured on a scale from 0 to 14. The more acidic a solution is, the lower its pH. The more alkaline, the higher the number is. A pH of around 7 is considered neutral. Since the optimal human body tends to be around 7.4, we consider the healthiest pH to be one that’s slightly alkaline. pH levels vary throughout the body, with the stomach being the most acidic region.
Tiny alterations in the pH level of various organisms can cause major problems. For example, the pH of the ocean has dropped from 8.2 to 8.1. Various life forms living in the ocean have greatly suffered. The pH level is also crucial for growing plants. This greatly affects the mineral content of the foods we eat. Minerals in the ocean, soil and human body are used as buffers to maintain optimal pH levels. When acidity rises, minerals fall.
So, how does the alkaline diet work? What is the history and benefits?
- When it comes to the total acid load of the human diet, researches contend that considerable dietary changes from hunter gather civilizations to present have affected our health. After the agricultural revolution and mass industrialization of our food supply, our food now contains significantly less potassium, magnesium and chloride. It also contains more sodium, compared to diets of the past.
- Normally, the kidneys maintain our electrolyte levels (those of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium). When we’re exposed to overly acidic substances, these electrolytes combat acidity.
- According to the Journal of Environmental Health review, the ratio of potassium to sodium in most people’s diets has changed dramatically. Potassium used to outnumber sodium by 10:1. Now the ratio has dropped to 1:3. People eating a “Standard American Diet” consume three times as much sodium as potassium on average.
- Many children and adults today consume a high-sodium diet that’s very low in magnesium and potassium, antioxidants, fiber and essential vitamins. Plus, the typical Western diet contains high quantities of refined fats, simple sugars, sodium and chloride.
- This results in increased “metabolic acidosis”, or suboptimal pH levels. On top of this, many are suffering from low nutrient intake problems such as potassium and magnesium deficiency.
- This accelerates the aging process, causes gradual loss of organ functions, and degenerates tissue and bone mass. High degrees of acidity force our bodies to rob minerals from the bones, cells, organs and tissues.
Next week, we can discuss alkaline diet benefits and include a detailed graphic to reference. As always, please leave comments, questions, or other topics of interest!
“See” you next week!
