Easily Improve Your Health With An Alkaline Diet

 

Because of factors like diet and stress, many people in the industrialized world have bodies that are too acidic and over-burdened with toxins, and so are afflicted with health problems that run the gamut from minor and major skin irritations to depression, chronic fatigue and back pain to arthritis, ulcers, osteoporosis and cancer.

Just consider the following facts:

• Diseased bodies are unbalanced, having a high concentration of acidity in their tissues and the blood. And yet the absence of this balance is rarely noticed by our standard medical tests. So tests may show you are fine, but you feel otherwise.

• The #1 cause of excess acidity is waste products left behind by incomplete digestion. We need hydrochloric acid to digest our food. The more difficult a food is to digest, the more acid is required to digest it.

• In general difficult-to-digest means acid-forming, and easy-to-digest means alkaline.

• Health is easier to achieve and maintain if one consumes four times as much alkaline food as acidic food. When such an ideal ratio is maintained, the body usually has a balanced body chemistry and strong resistance against disease.

SIMPLE SOLUTION: Find out what to eat (and what to avoid) to improve your health! The more alkaline foods are excellent for almost everyone, with certain exceptions like patients of ulcer, allergy and sugar-sensitivity -- who may react to sweet fruits or other specific foods.

To help you get started in improving your health, take a look at this list of alkaline and acidic foods:

Alkaline-to-Acid Food List

Lower down foods become less alkaline and more acid-forming (usually more difficult to digest)

MORE ALKALINE: The best foods, also good for detox-diet

Lemon/calamansi water with a pinch of salt
Herb tea
Honey (a little)
Apple cider vinegar
Coconut water
Citric fruit juice
Other fruit juices
Vegetable juice
Lactobacteria drinks without milk
Citric fruits
Juicy fruits
All other fruits including super-ripe banana (except 4 starchy fruits below)
Green leafy vegetables and sea vegetables , sprouts
All other vegetables (except 2 starchy veggies in next category, and 3 listed at bottom of chart)
Extra virgin oil produced without heat friction- best flax oil, hemp oil, then coconut and olive oil

SEMI-ALKALINE: Good for healthy people

Small amount of yogurt just for lactobacteria (among dairy, best is goat’s milk yogurt)
Molasses
Starchy vegetables/fruits (potato, eggplant, normal banana, avocado, jackfruit, breadfruit)
Nuts (in small quantity, blended or very well-chewed, not fried)
Raw sugar

SEMI-ACID-FORMING: Good for healthy people in smaller quantity

Buckwheat (which is an herb, not a grain)
Mildly sautéed vegetables (better use coconut oil)
Millet (the most alkaline grain)
Other whole grains (including 100% wholegrain bread/rice/noodles, corn, oats, barley)
Fresh tofu
Legumes (e.g. mung beans, lentils, soya, peanut)

ACID-FORMING: A little bit is not too bad for healthy people

Refined grains (including white bread, white rice, white noodles, veggie-meat)
Most “junk foods”

EXTREMELY ACID-FORMING: Eliminate or minimize

Deep fried foods
Fish
Poultry
Meat
Eggs (the most difficult to digest food, and also the #1 cause of bad cholesterol)

Notes: 1) Dairy products vary according to personal situation – for some it is good, for others it is bad. 2) Refined sugar, tea and coffee are not difficult to digest, but if one consumes them liberally then they are very acid-forming and also rob the body of needed nutrients. 3) Onion, garlic and mushroom are not difficult to digest, but they heat up the lower glands, and thus very much disturb the emotions.

Gradually increase the alkaline foods in your diet, and see for yourself how your health improves!

Dada Dharmavedananda has been teaching yoga and natural therapy for nearly 40 years. He is the founder-director of the Ananda Marga Wellness Center. Visit his website to find out more about natural therapy and for more health information

Alkaline & Green Food to Avoid the Dangers of Acidosis

 

Having a huge breakfast to start a healthy day is just a myth, and actually unhealthy for your metabolism. The first thing what many people do in the morning is to consume orange juice, toast, honey, sweet rolls, muffins, waffles, pancakes etc. In this way high amounts of sugar and simple carbohydrates are ingested, which doesn’t only over-acidify blood and tissue, but also promotes high levels of yeast and fungi to grow inside the body. Traditional high protein breakfast foods like omelet, bacon, sausage, meats etc. compromise the inner fluids as well and ultimately lead to high acid levels (acidosis) in your body.

Alkaline Diet for pH Balance

Should you be willing to balance your intake of daily foods according to a pH diet, you’ll make a real contribution to your health. Take a whole new look at diet and nutrition and start the day with alkaline foods that will help to get rid of acid wastes and achieve pH balance. Such foods could be millet, soaked almonds, green vegetable juices, tomato slices, fresh avocado, vegetable soups, sunflower sprouts, flax oil, or brown basmati rice.

These foods offer a low carbohydrate and high fiber way to start the new day. In this way also blood sugar levels won’t soar and won’t cause an increase in blood insulin. Fresh vegetables, greens and grasses are an excellent anti-yeast and anti-fungal. Green grasses such as barley or wheat grass are some of the lowest-calorie, lowest-sugar and most nutrient-rich foods on earth, and contain high amounts of fiber.

Healthy pH Level

The key to achieving pH balance and restoring our body to its ideal pH is to create the proper balance of alkaline food and acid forming food. Since a healthy pH level is slightly alkaline (approx. 7.35 on the pH scale), our diet and nutrition should also reflect this. Eating as much as possible alkaline and green foods will help to balance the body ph and get rid of acid wastes. In this regard we should ingest at least 80% of alkaline foods, and never more than 20% of neutral or acidifying foods. Eating alkaline foods transform our body’s pH balance from dangerously acidic to slightly above neutral.

Especially important for our human body system is the green plant pigment chlorophyll. Chlorophyll contained in plants and grasses is identical to the blood of humans, except of one atom. It is the only known and existing substance that is able to transform sunlight into eatable energy - a process without there wouldn’t be life on earth! In other words we “eat sunlight” when we eat salad, greens and vegetables. That is why nutritionists and scientists all over the world state that people need five servings (5!) of vegetables per day. But where and how in our fast paced lifestyle, eating on the run, are we going to be able to do this?

Alternatives to Achieve pH Balance

An easy way to do so anyway is to take, in addition to the diet, highly concentrated green food dietary supplements, which will help the body to alkalize, energize and oxygenate, and neutralize body acids, containing powdered green vegetables and grasses, leaves and grains sprouted for maximum cell absorption. In this way (or by eating vegetables all day long and constantly maintaining this acid alkaline balance diet) the body’s pH level will gradually be balanced.

When pH balance is achieved, the body naturally drops to its healthy weight, food cravings will diminish and energy levels will increase immensely. As soon as the acidic environment is eliminated, there will be no need for new fat cells to form. That means the fat in our body is no longer needed, and literally melts away. Above all, this alkaline way of life will help to balance your internal system, and is the perfect start to restore the overall health.

Balance-pH-Diet is dedicated to create awareness regarding the constantly growing over-acidification of our cell system (acidosis). Acid waste grows inside the body due to our unhealthy lifestyles. If our internal environment is too acidic, disease becomes inevitable. Balance-pH-Diet demonstrates how to alkalize, how to balance body ph levels and how to restore the overall health

Foods That Balance the pH Level - Going From an Acidic to Alkaline Body

 

An imbalance in the pH level (acid-alkaline) of your body can affect your nervous system (depression), cardiovascular system (heart disease), muscles (fatigue) and skin (aging). If your body is too acidic, mineral reserves are depleted and your body uses what ever source it can take minerals from, a process which can cause health problems. Whereas, in an alkaline environment, your body reaches an ideal weight and corrects health challenges naturally.

In order to provide your body with the nutrients it needs, introduce alkaline foods into your diet. Alkaline foods neutralize acids and toxins in the blood, lymph and tissues, and strengthen your immune system, organs and well-being. As a rule of thumb, 80% of your diet should be alkaline foods.

Shopping List - Alkaline Foods:

Produce
Avocado, Beets, Bell peppers, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Cucumber, Dark lettuce, Eggplant, Garlic, Herbs (fresh), Jicama, Kale, Leeks, Lemon, Lime, Onion, Parsley, Red new potatoes, Seasonal fruit (when in balance), Spinach, Squash, Tomato, Zucchini

Refrigerated Section
Borage Oil, Fresh salsa (no vinegar), Flax seed oil, Hummus, Sprouted Wheat Tortillas (by Alvarado Street), Tofu, Udo’s Choice- Perfected Oil Blend

Freezer Section
Boca burgers (vegan), Manna bread (sun seed or whole wheat)

Seafood/Meat
Salmon, Trout, Free range turkey (on rare occasions)

Health Food Section
Almond butter, Almond milk, Amaranth, Basmati rice, Brown rice cakes, Buckwheat, Dulse flakes, Flours (spelt, millet, amaranth, etc), Grape Seed Oil, Hummus, Kamut, Millet, Olive oil, Quinoa, Rotini (quinoa, spelt), Soba noodles (rice or buckwheat), Spelt, Soy milk, Sprouts (any), Sun-dried tomatoes (in olive oil), Tahini, Vegetable broth (yeast-free), Wild rice

Legumes
Adzuki, Black, Black-eyed, Cranberry, Garbanzo, Kidney, Lentils, Mung, Pinto

Nuts/Seeds
Almonds, Brazil nuts, Flax seeds, Filberts, Macadamia nuts, Pecans (seasonal), Pine nuts, Pumpkin seeds, Sesame seeds, Sunflower seeds, Walnuts (seasonal) Note: all nuts/seeds should be raw and unsalted

Salts
Bragg’s Aminos, Sea Salt, Real Salt Brand

Spices
Cinnamon, Cumin, Garlic, Ginger, Onion, Parsley, Thyme , Spice Hunter Brand: All Purpose Blend, California Pizza, Cowboy BBQ Rub, Curry Seasoning, Deliciously Dill, Garam Masala, Herbes de Provence, Italian Spice, Jamaican Jerk, Mexican, Pasta Seasoning, Spicy Garlic Bread, Szechwan, Thai Seasoning, The Zip

Foods to Avoid
Try to stay away from citric acid, mushrooms, yeast, vinegar, peanut products and corn products.

What is pH? The potential of Hydrogen (pH) is a logarithmic scale that measures the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Solutions are measured from 0 (totally acid) to 14 (totally alkaline). 7 is neutral. The intracellular fluid should have a pH of about 6.8. Many health food stores sell pH test paper so you can measure your pH balance at home.

See a list of foods that balance your pH level (alkaline-acid). Click here.

Click on this link to learn how depression is linked to food choices.

Click here to review a list of foods high in fiber

Alkaline Balance for Superior Health

 

Most of our immune systems are being weakened by a losing battle with bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts and molds. Antibiotics are becoming increasingly less effective as a result of over prescription over time which has caused resistant new strains of mutated bacteria. Our tissues and cells need to maintain a proper level of alkalinity to function properly.

There is growing recognition that the most significant first step you can take towards good health and to protect against sickness and disease is to maintain a healthy pH balance. An acidic body environment is also lower in oxygen and provides a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, fungus and mold. This is known as acidosis and also causes a deficiency of calcium in the body. Calcium is necessary for the process of conveying nutrition to cells.

If it is so important that our bodies maintain a healthy pH balance, then how do we recover a healthy level of alkalinity if our body currently possesses an acidic environment? The first step is to give yourself a body-cleanse to get rid of toxins. The second step is to eat foods and take supplements that provide nutritional support for the body and build new and healthy cells. Calcium, in particular, has a strongly alkalizing effect and is best taken as ionic coral calcium. The third step is to change your diet to include mostly alkalizing foods and a minimum of acid producing foods.

Seventy to eighty percent of your diet should contain alkalizing foods and the higher alkaline they are the better.

Alkaline Foods

Vegetables are the most alkaline of foods and therefore to maintain a healthy pH balance you need to eat a diet rich in vegetables.

Alkaline Vegetables:

High Alkaline Vegetables: barley and wheat grass, sprouts (particularly alfalfa and broccoli), parsley, kale, cucumber and seaweed.

Moderately Alkaline Vegetables: avocado, beets, broccoli, cabbage, celery, endives, garlic, ginger, green beans, lettuce, okra, onion, spinach, and tomato.

Slightly Alkaline Vegetables: artichoke, asparagus, brussel sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, leeks, peas, rhubarb, turnips, watercress, and zucchini.

Beans and Legumes

Moderately Alkaline: lima beans, soy beans and white beans.

Slightly Alkaline: Lentils and tofu.

Alkaline Fruit

Slightly Alkaline: coconut, grapefruit, lemon and lime.

For oils, use olive oils to maintain a positive pH balance in preference to vegetable oils. Goat milk is slightly alkaline as opposed to dairy products from cows which are acidic. For a sweetener choose stevia as opposed sugar or honey.

The more acidic a food is the less of it you should eat. Meat tends to be moderately to highly acidic and so too are most grains. The grains that are alkaline include buckwheat, quinoa and spelt and you can eat these grains to your heart’s content. Of vegetables, mushrooms and potatoes are the most acidic. Of fruits, dried fruits are the most acidic and moderately acidic fruits include apple, apricots, bananas, berries (all types) fresh figs, grapes, honeydew melon, mangoes, oranges, papaya (paw paws) peaches, pineapple, and watermelon.

While you can certainly include acidic fruits in your diet (since most fruits are acidic), the key to restoring an alkaline pH balance is to eat a diet comprising mostly of vegetables and augmented by meat (or other complete protein), fruit, nuts seeds, oils, and grains.

You can find far more comprehensive lists of alkaline and acidic foods by doing an internet search. However, by following this guide you will be on track to restore an alkaline balance to your body and improve your health and well being.

Learn how pH balance affects your state of health at: http://www.yourphdiets.com

PH Diets.

Christmas – Awesome Festive Damage Control With ‘Alkaline’ Water – A Transformational Health Gift!

 

Christmas is a time of giving and there is no better gift than to give yourself and your family the awesome gift of alkaline water. We know that water sustains all forms of life. We now know that two thirds of our body is water and three quarters of our planet is made up of water! You need to understand that not just any water is good water.

Water Therapy: Our brain is made up of 80% water and 90% of our blood is water. Water has so many benefits for your body such as flushing out toxins, preventing dehydration, reducing fatigue, constipation, and can even reduce kidney stones and heart disease. Water therapy can minimize or reverse certain medical conditions. Having a glass of water 30 minutes before eating helps with digestion of food. It is better to avoid having a glass of water while eating your food although small sips are ok. The reason for this is that water during eating dilutes the acids in the stomach leading to improper digestion of foods. Researchers also tell us that water helps with heart burn, arthritis, hypertension, asthma (decreases the inflammatory process) and even headaches. You can benefit by simply drinking more water.

The best way to start your day is with a glass of water with a twist of lemon in it. This will help with releasing toxins and acids in the body. Know that hunger is often a mistaken signal for thirst. Drinking water decreases hunger pains. So when at a festive function reach for a glass of water when you think you are still hungry and watch those hunger pains simply disappear. This works! Even slight dehydration slows down metabolism this is why drinking more water helps with loosing weight.

We have all experienced afternoon fatigue blues and they become worse when dehydrated. Most people when feeling tired in the afternoon will reach for coffee, soda or tea. These sugary or caffeine drinks will only create more dehydration. Water is what you want to be reaching out for as it will energize, hydrate you and keep your body functions healthier and less prone to health issues!

We loose about two and a half litres of water a day. Food supplies us with about 20% of our water intake. While researchers tell us that 8 glasses a day are a good measure for our health, we now know that if you are exercising you need to add an extra 1-2 cups per hour to keep hydrated. If you exert more excessive exercise then add 2-3 cups per hour. If your urine is colorless or has a slight color you are probably drinking enough water.

What type of water is best? We know today that often house-hold water running from the tap may be less than adequate containing contaminates. So what is the best water? This has been a topic of major controversy. Should it be alkaline, distilled, reverse osmosis systems or filtered? Research today appears to conclude that alkaline water is the most beneficial. Alkaline water only has benefits compared to the others which have pros and cons. It even has minerals too!

Most people don't realize that we actually absorb more chlorine through our skin in the shower than by drinking it. Having a shower filter can make a huge difference for the health of our body and can effect topical skin conditions too. There are countless testimonials of softer healthier skin, less rashes etc after a shower filter has been applied.

Most people are acidic in lifestyle. Accumulation of acid waste increases the aging process and conditions related. The goal is to help to dispose of the acid waste build up in our bodies. Alkaline water can even change a depressed mood into a brighter mood according to Japanese doctors.

What You Must Know About Storing Water in Plastic Bottles:

Dangerous toxins can leach from plastic water bottles. Here is what you need to know. This liquid life force called water needs to be stored correctly. Today you can buy various types of water in plastic bottles. However, you need to be aware of the toxins in plastics and the best way to avoid them. When next buying water turn the bottle upside down and you will see a triangle with a number in it. The safest plastics to use are the ones with the number 2, 4 or 5. These plastics are softer. The harder types of plastics can leach toxins into the water from the bottle.

So best practice is to avoid hard clear plastic bottles particularly bottles with the number 1 in the triangle on the bottom as research suggests they leach toxins. In the triangle on the bottom avoid bottles with DEHA (possible cancer causing agent) and DEHP (possibly toxic to reproductive system too). Avoid bottles marked with number 7 on the bottom of hard plastics. Do not re-use clear plastic bottles. Do not use scratched plastic bottles or discolored. Get rid of them as they leach toxins into the water. Stainless steel and glass are the best to use.

So when at the festive dinner or party reach for a glass of water rather than another alcoholic, soda or caffeine drink. You will increase hydration and won't feel fatigued and end up with a hang-over either! Water has been called the elixir of life and no wonder with its amazing healing powers. Water sustains all forms of life and scientists are still discovering amazing facts about water. With an understanding of water and drinking the right kind of water you will help to give the gift of health and longevity!

Recommended great resources: Dr Mercola www.mercola.com Dr. Roopa Chari and Deepak Chari from The Chari Center (www.charicenter.com)

Visit http://www.HoHoHoChristmas.com & sign up for our FREE Newsletter full of tips, tools & resources for reviving the fun, joy, magic and real meanings of Christmas PLUS receive our bonus f*r*e*e 10 day e-course with audio - Amazing Ways to Enrich Your Christmas Experience from The HoHoHo Expert, Bernadette Dimitrov, author of the world's best Christmas ebooks and audio books. The HoHoHo Factor!’ everything you’ll love to know & share about Christmas & the new fun adventure series ‘Bluey, Santa's New Recruit!’ Your resources for creating fun, meaningful and cherished memories today!

Does An Alkaline Diet Help You Lose Weight? A Review Of The Evidence

 

Probably the first scientific studies on digestion were done by Ivan Pavlov who became famous for his 'salivating dogs'. Pavlov showed that the digestive enzymes released and the amount of acid secreted depends on the type of food.

His experiments with rats showed that starches are digested in about two hours, proteins are digested in about four hours but a protein-starch mixture could still be digesting 13 hours later. With dogs, again the protein-starch mixture took over twice as long compared to the same food consumed separately.

Pavlov also showed that food taken on top (i.e. before digestion has completed) can lead to fermentation. This happens when you eat fruit after a meal; many people say that it gives them gas.

What could account for Pavlov’s results?

The enzymes essential for digestion only function at specific pH levels; proteins and carbohydrate enzymes require opposite pH levels. If you mix them together in the same bag, you won’t be able to digest either food properly.

"Most fruits go straight through the stomach into the duodenum for digestion, which means if you put fresh fruit on top of a big meal, it has to sit and wait in the top of the stomach until the other food is digested, during which delay bacteria attack the fruit and ferment it, gobbling up all the nutrients and leaving you with gas and metabolic wastes." Daneil Reid, Trophology: The Science of Food Combining, "The Tao of Health".

In 1908 Dr Howard Hay after practicing medicine for 16 years developed High Blood Pressure, Brights Disease and a dilated heart. As there was no treatment available, Dr Hay decided to find a cure for his own symptoms. He looked at his food intake and the chemical process of digestion, the enzymes that are essential for this process and whether the food has an overall acidifying or alkalizing effect on the body.

To the amazement of his colleagues, he had a complete remission of his symptoms in 3 months of changing his diet. He also reduced his weight by 20kg's. In 1911 he introduced his Food Combining guidelines and gave lectures till his death about the need to combine foods properly and reducing acidifying foods from the diet.

If you think there's nothing to acid-alkaline food combining, try this: one day for lunch eat a steak with chips, and monitor how you feel after an hour or so. Next day eat the same steak, but with a large vegetable salad. Which day did you feel more tired, drowsy?

Try feeding your dog meat and biscuits for a while, see how he feels!

Try an acidifying McDonald's diet for a month.

If you’re still alive, try an alkaline diet of alkaline water, fruits, vegetables, juices and super greens for a month. You’re guaranteed to lose weight from this diet – it’s over 95% water!

Some doctors maintain that all food is acid in the stomach and becomes alkaline in the intestines from the pancreas secretions. The blood pH range is so narrow that any measurable change would cause death. Even a bottle of ant-acids won’t affect the acidity of the stomach for long.

These scientific facts don’t mean that an alkaline diet is useless or that the body can magically process food in any old combination!

Remember Pavlov’s results? Why are so many people that eat at McDonald's fat and why did Spurlock nearly die? The fat content is not that high - a Big Mac apparently is 100% grilled beef, the chips are fried in vegetable oil and there's no fat in the cola! Could it be the acid, the high glycemic load and the bad combinations?

Such foods play havoc on our blood sugar and pH levels. As Daniel Reid explains the sugary 'soft drink' is an 'acid bomb': "A 350 ml serving of Coke, Pepsi or similar drink delivers a sugar fix equivalent to about 9 teaspoons of sugar straight into the blood stream. This instantly acidifies the bloodstream to the extreme point that without an immediate emergency response from the body, it would kill you in a mater of minutes…you'd have to drink 32 glasses of alkaline water to neutralize the blood pH…to prevent death by acidosis, the body reacts swiftly by drawing huge amounts of organic calcium from the bones and teeth and pouring it into the bloodstream to neutralize the excess acid and quickly restore alkaline balance. Calcium is the body’s most potent alkalizing agent"

Are there any clinical studies to settle this issue?

A study called "Cola beverage consumption induces bone mineralization reduction in ovariectomized rats" (the rats were fed cola - acid, pH 2.5 - and the effects on bone density measured) suggests that "heavy intake of cola soft drinks has the potential of reducing femoral mineral density".

Dr L. Frassetto’s team at the University of California discovered that as we age, starting around age 45, we lose the alkaline buffer bicarbonates in our blood:

"Our group has shown that contemporary net acid-producing diets do indeed characteristically produce a low-grade systemic metabolic acidosis in otherwise healthy adult subjects, and that the degree of acidosis increases with age, in relation to the normally occurring age-related decline in renal functional capacity."

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that alkalizing diets improve bone density and serum growth hormone concentrations; the acidosis resulting from acidic diets contributes to bone and muscle loss.

Sang Whang in his book “Reverse Aging” proposed a Theory of Aging: we age because we gradually accumulate organic acid wastes. These wastes show up as uric acid, urate, sulfate, phosphate, kidney stones and other organic wastes often surrounded by cholesterol. Cellulite is a gel-like substance made up of fat in which are trapped acid wastes in pockets below the skin.

Dr Robert Young, author of “The pH Miracle” has been saying this for years – “Obesity is an acid problem, the fat is saving our lives.”

Should I eat alkaline foods and stop eating acidifying things like red meats?

Yes eat plenty of water-rich alkaline foods; but there’s no need to avoid any food that contains good nutrients in it like my favorites lamb kebabs and sashimi. As Patrick Holford, author of ‘The Optimum Nutrition Bible’ says “moderation in everything, including moderation"’!

Acid-alkaline diet food charts come from the pH of the ash that results from burning food; it’s caused by the unburned minerals. However, just as burning petrol creates exhausts, over 97% of any food metabolized creates acid wastes. At less than 1%, alkaline minerals are a fraction of the nutritional content of food and the overall acidity produced.

Clinical studies show that alkaline mineral water is the best way to obtain alkaline minerals and acid waters like colas are the best way to quickly deplete them!

The most nourishing alkaline foods are nature’s super greens – spirulina, barley and wheat grass powders. Mix half a tea spoon in alkaline water daily. This will give you more nutrients then a basket full of vegetables. Other super foods are EFA oils and bee pollen.

So eat a nutritionally balanced diet of natural whole foods and combine them sensibly. Most of all drink lots of alkaline mineral water.

Your weight will take care of itself.

James Khan is the editor of detoxifnow.com a mind-body health resource. He has been detoxifying, fasting and cleansing himself for over 15 years, and has been practicing Yogic, Tibetan and Taoist traditions for 30+ years.

Email: james@detoxifynow.com

The Acid - Alkaline Debate: Part 3 – 6 Steps To Go From Acidic to Alkaline!

 

Before I go into the steps you can take to create the proper alkaline balance in your body, I want to quickly review several items to drive home my personal belief that most dark colas, whether they be regular or diet, have been one of the leading causes of all the degenerative diseases we are seeing. It is not the sole cause but a leading contributor. Why?
 

Remember What We Said About the pH Scale?
The pH scale is not arithmetical but logarithmic. Logarithmic means that the values separating each unit are not of equal value along the scale but increases in proportion to their distance from a pH of 7. For example, a pH reading of 6 is 10 times more acidic than 7, but a pH of 5 is not 20 times more acidic but 100 times more acidic. If you’re catching on, then a pH reading of 4 is 1000 times more acidic that a pH of 7.
 

The pH value for Coca-Cola is 2!
That would make it 100,000 times more acidic than a pH of 7. If your diet is lacking in alkalizing foods, then how are you going to offset this high acidic environment? Your body is going to pull calcium and other minerals to offset this so that you can maintain a slightly alkaline environment. If your diet is high in acidic foods and drinks, poor in alkaline foods and lacking in mineral and trace mineral intake, then you are setting yourself up for calcium to be taken from your bone structure. This is a recipe for osteoporosis.
 

6 Steps to Go From Acidic to Alkaline!
To regain your optimal pH balance, you will need to take the following steps:
 

1. Change your diet to include more alkalizing foods.
2. Increase your water consumption and eliminate dark colas.
3. Cleanse and detoxify your body of microforms and the toxins they have created.
4. Replenish your mineral reserves.
5. Replenish your enzyme reserves.
6. Replenish the populations of healthy probiotics in your GI tract.
 

When someone consumes a diet rich in acid producing foods, the body’s overall pH balance can be thrown off. To counter this effect, alkaline food and water must be consumed to provide the nutrients necessary to neutralize the acids and toxins created from an acidic diet. The top alkalizing foods and nutrients are:
 

• Wheat Grass
• Calcium
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Chloride
• Bicarbonate
• Kamut Grass
• Barley Grass
• Alfalfa Grass
 

Think Green – Think Green Fusion Technology!
Notice that it is the grasses and certain key minerals that are necessary part of your diet. A good Green Fusion drink would be an excellent replacement for the dark colas. A diet rich in green and colorful vegetables would help create an alkaline diet. Increasing your intake of pure, clean water to at least ½ gallon per day will not only aid in maintaining the right pH balance but will also aid in weight management and weight loss. Get a good mineral supplement into your daily diet plan. However, Tums with Calcium is not the answer. Even though calcium is an alkalizing mineral it needs the acidic environment of the stomach to be absorbed properly. The purpose of Tums is to reduce stomach acids. This interferes with calcium absorption. I’ve never understood why doctors promote this type of product in their offices as a calcium supplement.
 

There is so much more that could be said in this area. Hopefully, these three articles on The Acid – Alkaline Debate have provided you with knowledge which is the precursor to prevention. As our American culinary tastes have evolved to the Super Size Me diet of acidic foods, we have also seen an explosion of both the waist line and degenerative diseases. Diseases that are not only preventable but robbing us of our youth and vitality as we grow older. You can see the critical importance of maintaining an alkaline environment for your body. Enjoy the foods that will help you create optimal health and wellness and potentially allow you to live a long life disease free.

Dan Hammer has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicagoland area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years. His website http://www.AgingNoMore.com provides current information on how to slow down the aging process. He offers a free daily email that breaks this information down into actionable steps that are easy to understand and implement.

The Acid Alkaline Balance Diet

 

What can be done about food addictions? Give them all up at once and see if there are any you can do without.

Suggestions For Weight Loss:

Nearly raw potatoes. These are effective in reducing hunger pangs.

Ice pack. Placed on the lower abdomen, it takes away the appetite.

Raw honey. The brand Really Raw contains the starch digesting enzyme amylase, which disposes of excess nutrients.

Raw milk and butter. These are hard to find, but worth tracking down because of their rich supply of the fat-digesting enzyme lipase and the enzyme protease, which breaks down protein.

Raw beefsteak. If the steer have been raised on hormone and pesticide-free feed, raw beefsteak is a good diet food because it's loaded with protein -- and fat -- digesting enzymes. Bartenders recommend rare roast beef sandwiches for hangovers because the enzymes in the beef eliminate acid aldehyde, the poisonous by-product of alcohol, which causes the symptoms described as a hangover.

Avocados and bananas. These are filling, but when eaten raw don't cause unnecessary weight gain, and they contain more enzymes than fruits and vegetables with fewer calories.

Vitamin E. Not only normalizes thyroid function, but also neutralizes the poisonous by-products of polyunsaturated oils, which interfere with thyroid function. An underactive thyroid produces less heat energy, so less fat is burned up .

ChitoPlex. The gel in this resin absorbs fat.

Coconut and flaxseed oil. Two tablespoons daily help increase energy production.

Raw carrots. These remove fat molecules from the body.

Acidic foods. Sour-tasting foods such as grape juice, vinegar, and yogurt reduce hunger.

Bland foods. Bland foods don't excite the taste buds and stimulate hunger.

Several small meals. Eating small amounts of food often, rather than three big meals a day, keeps the digestive process working and burning up energy.

Blackstrap-lemon drink. Detoxifying the liver is an aid to weight loss because it gets rid of acidic waste. Add two heaping tablespoons of blackstrap molasses and the juice of a lemon to a glass of hot water. Drink nothing but this concoction for three days. Sip it slowly. Repeat this procedure every few months.

Ice water. Drink a lot of ice water, especially before a meal. This reduces weight because in order to maintain the body's internal temperature, which has dropped due to the cold water, the body burns up additional calories.

One hard and fast rule all dieters should follow: no junk food before breakfast. A junk-food snack first thing in the morning ferments and putrefies in the stomach. Any healthy food eaten afterward, exposed to the bacteria in the putrefying and fermenting junk-food molecules, is also broken down into toxic waste by these bacteria.

The most critical factor in any weight-loss program is the efficient digestion of foods. Complete digestion means fewer acidic wastes. This has at least three advantages. First, appetite cravings are reduced (toxic acidic food residues create abnormal hunger pangs). Second, fewer acidic wastes means less fat sticks to the ribs. Third, reduction in toxic acidic wastes makes for a more alkaline environment in the body. This in turn increases the production of food-digesting enzymes. The more enzymes that break down food molecules in the gastrointestinal tract, the less food remains undigested and the better the chances to attain the ultimate in efficient digestion and consequent weight loss: oxidation (burning) of 97 percent of the food you eat.

Felicia Drury Kliment is a nutritional consultant in private practice and is also the author of Eat Right for Your Metabolism. Please visit her websites www.theacidalkalinebalancediet.com and www.eatrightforyourmetabolism.com.

5 Simple & Delicious Alkaline Recipes

 

It is essential for us to consume large amounts of alkalizing foods. These foods help keep the ph level of the body balanced and so the body stays disease free. The general idea is to consume plenty of fruits and vegetables as opposed to meats and oils. Here are 5 simple alkaline recipes to take note of. They are simple and nutritious.

The first of the various alkaline recipes that we shall discuss is gluten free pumpkin bread. Take a small pumpkin and bake it whole in the oven till it is completely soft. Cool, peel and mash the pumpkin and add it to 300 gm of gluten free flour, 2 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp Italian seasoning. Knead adding a little water if necessary. Make small cakes and bake for half an hour. This alkaline recipe will do wonders for your health. Moreover it tastes good too.

The list of alkaline recipes continues and now we have a great alkaline recipe which doubles as a liver cleanser. Take two large grape fruits and 4 lemons. Squeeze their juice. Add water, some garlic and ginger grated juice, two tablespoons of UDO?s choice and one of acidophilus. Mix and have as a refreshing drink. This is one of the simplest of the alkaline recipes and is great to have after a good work out.

The list of alkaline recipes continues with a lovely alkaline vegetable broth. Take two carrots, two celery tops, two beetroots, two cups water, three cups celery stock, one zucchini and 2 cups of peeled red potatoes. Wash thoroughly and boil and then simmer for about half an hour. The best of the alkaline recipes is ready to consume right after straining it.

The miso soup is an ideal way to have miso, which is a highly alkalizing food. Alkaline recipes are all healthy and low of fat. So having them means you kill two birds with one stone. Not only does one shed those unwanted pounds but also gain good health. Take 2 tsp of Miso and add it to some water. Bring to a boil adding iodine sea salt to taste. This one of the alkaline recipes is ideal for a cold winter day.

Another great pick from the basket of alkaline recipes is the green salad. Take a few salad leaves, some chopped cabbage, a small chopped onion and a large tomatoes. Mix all the vegetables adding a bit of vinegar for taste and throwing in some oregano and some tofu or boiled chicken breast pieces. Of all the alkaline recipes this one is definitely my favorite. Not only is it a nice tasting filling meal but also keeps my energy level high though the day.

There are many alkaline recipes to be found in various books and on the net. Just take your pick of a few and incorporate them in your diet plan. You will see the wonders it does for your health and your skin and hair shall have a shining glow on them.

Discover How Alkaline Foods Work and Why An Alkaline Recipes Are Recommended, including Free Access To Our Alkaline Recipes Database: http://www.AcidAlkalineDiet.com/Health

Complete Alkaline Forming Food Guide

 

Our body maintains a slightly alkaline ph balance of 7.3 in its ideal condition. This ph helps the body functions to go on smoothly and keeps us away from illness. We should eat various alkaline forming foods so as to keep this ideal body ph maintained. If the ph level tilts towards the acidic side not only do we suffer from illnesses but also shorten our life span.

The various alkaline forming foods are needed by our body to be able to fight the acidic levels of the body and also help in healing and well as curing the chronic diseases. Most vegetables and fruits are alkaline forming foods. Include a lot of greens in your diet and eat vegetarian meals as opposed to meats and eggs. There are plenty of recipes to be got from the net of alkaline forming foods and you will soon notice how much they help you. By including alkaline forming foods in your diet you will give yourself a new lease of life. A few days of following and alkaline forming food diet you will notice that your lethargy has been replaced by energy and not only do you feel fit from inside but your outer appearance changes for the better too. Alkaline forming foods increase the body function to perform optimally so increasing the glow in ones hair, skin as well as nails. People suffering from depression as well as chronic diseases will find a tremendous change for the better after including alkaline forming foods in their diet plan.

The alkaline forming foods are to be found easily. Green vegetables should be included in the meals. Fruits that are sweet are alkaline in nature. Lemon though sour in taste is not acidifying foods but alkalizing. Meats and oils are acidifying and one should steer clear of them. Almonds, yogurt, raw milk, soy milk are all alkaline forming foods. Consuming these foods helps to prevent as well as cure diseases. Wheat grass and germ grass are also alkaline forming foods.

Alkaline forming food also includes alkaline water. Water if hard does damage to the body. Since 90 % of our body is made up of water we must have at least 6 to 8 glasses of alkaline water to keep healthy. All alkaline forming foods should be eaten in plenty to lead a healthy life as well as increase the life span.

Discover How Alkaline Forming Foods Work and Why An Alkaline Forming Foods Are Recommended, including Free Foods Chart: http://www.AcidAlkalineDiet.com/Health

Complete Alkaline Food List & Rankings

 

Once you have made up your mind to follow the alkaline food diet you would be looking for a list of alkaline food to include in your diet. Consuming high alkaline food will give maximum benefit to your body so here is the best list of alkaline food.

Vegetables are fruits make up most of the alkaline food chart. When going thought the list of alkaline food try and consume those foods most that are higher on the list of alkaline food. Vegetables that are green are found higher on the lost of alkaline food. Asparagus, broccoli, artichokes, cabbages, radish, peas, leeks and many more such alkaline vegetables can be found on the list of alkaline food. White tipped asparagus is acidic though and should not be used much. Similarly the list of alkaline food includes a lot of fruits. Apart from cranberries which are acidic all other fruits are to be found on the list of alkaline food. Mangoes, papayas, lemons, grapefruits, melons are all alkaline food.

Even though most of the contents on the list of alkaline food are fruits and vegetables it does not mean that only fruits are vegetables are alkaline. Certain beverages and drinks can also b e found on the list of alkaline food. Herbal teas, green drinks, fresh vegetable juice, soymilk, almond milk and lemon water all have a place on the list of alkaline food. Certain nuts can also be found on the list of alkaline food. Almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds are also alkalizing foods. Olive oil is very high on the list of alkaline food. Olive oil is highly nutritious and helps prevent heart diseases. If you do not have a taste for olive oil one can find flax, hemp, avocado, borage and evening primrose also on the list of alkaline food. Sprouts and tahini are also alkaline food and should be consumed to keep the ph balance of the body normal.

The list of alkaline food contains no meats and other processed food. One should stay away from acidic foods and no more than 20 % of our food intake should be acidic in nature. About 60 to 80 percent of our food should be alkalizing food. It is essential to follow the list of alkaline food so as to gain health. The list of alkaline food also helps one loose those unwanted pounds.

Each person has different tastes and different needs. But the ph of the body is the same in all healthy people. So make a list of alkaline food that suits your needs and lifestyle and follow it so as to leave a healthy and long life.

Download the Comprehensive Alkaline Food List & Discover How Alkaline Food Works & Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended: http://AcidAlkalineDiet.com/Health

How To Maintain An Acid Alkaline Balance & Its Benefits

 

The human body was designed with an alkaline ph of 7.4. This is the normal and natural ph level of the body. Maintaining this acid alkaline balance is all that is required of us to stay healthy and prevent cell degeneration.

It is essential to maintain a ph balance of 7.4 so as to stay away from illnesses. An acidic ph is a magnet for all diseases. All kinds of illnesses have there roots in an acidic ph. The acid alkaline balance of the body is a must. The ratio between the acid and the alkaline ash in our body should ideally be 20 % to 80 %. Our body ph of 7.4 can be maintained only if this acid alkaline balance is reflected in our diet too. What you eat is what you are. The saying holds very true in this case. If we eat acidic foods our bodies shall be acidic in nature and if we eat alkaline foods then we shall be alkaline in our ph. It is extremely important to keep the acid alkaline balance in our body maintained. If this balance tilts towards the acidic side it spells disaster for the body. Serious ailments like arthritis, migraines, cardiovascular diseases and even cancer have their roots in an acidic ph. An acidic ph does not allow the cells to breath easily. Since oxygen gets cut off from the cells it does not remain healthy any more. So a red colored round cell looses not only its color but also its shape. A non round cell which is off color is the base of all diseases. Thus it is extremely important that the acid alkaline balance be followed thoroughly.

In keeping the acid alkaline balance in our body we have to eat alkaline foods and avoid the acidic ones. No more than 20 % of our food intake should constitute of acidic foods. A lot of green vegetables and fruits should make up most of our diet. Green vegetables are highly alkalizing foods and help maintain the acid alkaline balance. One should try and eat as many greens as possible and also keep in mind that cooking food destroys its nutrients. Consuming raw vegetables and fruits is more beneficial than cooking them. Also various green powder products in the market like ultra greens can be consumed for optimum benefits. Alkaline water is also much better to have over ordinary water. Honey, almonds and olive oil are safe to consume. All these steps help in maintaining the acid alkaline balance of the body.

The other side of the alkaline acid balance is the acidic side. We have talked about what we should eat. Now let us discuss what we should not eat to maintain the acid alkaline balance in our body. Stay away from all animal flesh. It is highly acidic and causes the ph balance to tilt to the acidic side. All fats are also acidic and so are the various processed foods. One should steer clear of acidic foods. All sodas and alcohols are also acidic and should be avoided if the acid alkaline balance of the body is to be maintained.

Our body is nature?s gift to us; we should appreciate and look after this gift. The acid alkaline balance is the only way to achieve good health and long life and all of us owe it to ourselves.

Discover How Alkaline Foods Work and Why A Acid Alkaline Balance Diet Is Recommended, including Free Foods Chart: http://www.AcidAlkalineDiet.com/Health

Health Implications of Acid - Alkaline Imbalance

 

Have you ever checked your body's pH? Do you know what body pH is and how it plays an important role in good health? Do you suffer from acidosis? Many people never ask themselves these questions. Yet, body pH plays an important role in maintenance of your body' many intricate systems.

Acidity and alkalinity are measured according to the pH scale. Pure water, with a pH of 7.0, is considered neutral. Any substance with a pH below 7.0 is acid, while anything with a pH above 7.0 is alkaline. The ideal pH range for the human body is between 6.0 and 6.8 (slightly acid). For the body, values below pH 6.3 are considered on the acidic side. Values above pH 6.8 are on the alkaline side.

You can obtain a pH test kit and determine your own body pH by doing a self test. This test will determine whether your body fluids are either too acidic or too alkaline. Apply saliva or urine to litmus paper. The paper will change color to indicate if your system is overly acidic or alkaline. Red litmus paper turns blue in an alkaline medium and blue litmus paper turns red in an acidic medium. Always perform the test either before you eat or at least one hour after eating. If your test indicates that your body is too acidic, consult the recommendations for Acidosis.

Acidosis is a condition in which the body chemistry is imbalanced and overly acidic. Symptoms of acidosis include frequent sighing, insomnia, water retention, recessed eyes, arthritis, migraine headache, abnormally low blood pressure, acid or strong perspiration, dry hard stools, foul smelling stools accompanied by a burning sensation in the anus, alternating constipation and diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, halitosis, a burning sensation in the mouth and / or under the tongue, sensitivity of the teeth to vinegar and acidic fruits, and bumps on the tongue or the roof of the mouth.

There are two classifications of acidosis: respiratory and metabolic. Respiratory acidosis is caused by an interruption of the acid control of the body and results in an overabundance of acidic fluids or the depletion of alkali. Simply put, it occurs if the lungs are unable to remove carbon dioxide. Respiratory acidosis can be a result of asthma, bronchitis, or obstruction of the airway. It can be mild or severe.

Metabolic acidosis is caused by chemical changes in the body which disturb the acid-base balance. This results in an excessive amount of acid in the body fluids. Diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, the use of unusually large amounts of aspirin and metabolic diseases are some of the conditions that can deplete the body's alkaline base. Other contributing factors can include liver and adrenal disorders, stomach ulcers, improper diet, malnutrition, obesity, ketosis, anger, stress, fear, anorexia, toxemia, fever and the consumption of excessive amounts of niacin and vitamin C.

Guidelines for avoiding or reducing pH imbalance include:

1. Practice deep breathing.

2. Eat a diet of 50 percent raw foods including apples, avocados, bananas, bilberries, blackberries, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, pears, pineapple, strawberries, and all vegetables. Fresh fruits, especially citrus fruits and vegetables reduce acidosis. Start with small amounts of citrus fruits and gradually add larger amounts.

3, Chew your food slowly, and do not overindulge. Make sure food is mixed well with saliva. Do not drink fluids during meals.

4. Prepare cooked foods with care. Maintain clean working surfaces and wash vegetables and fruit. Keep meat and vegetables separate you can contaminate vegetables with bacteria from raw meat. Do not overcook vegetables, as this makes them lose flavor and nutritional value. Eat processed foods in moderation. They are low in nutrients and overexert the digestive system. Both cooked and processed foods tend to make the body more acidic. Also avoid eating late at night.

5. Drink potato broth every day.

6. Avoid animal protein, especially beef and pork, as they contribute to acidity.

7. Avoid beans, cereals, crackers, eggs, flour products, grains, oily foods, macaroni, and sugar. Plums, prunes, and cranberries do not oxidize and therefore remain acid to the body. Avoid these until the situation improves.

8. Since excess vitamin C may lead to acidosis, reduce your intake of vitamin C for a few weeks. When taking larger does of vitamin C, use a non-acid form.

9. Heartburn and indigestion can result from poor digestion. If you suffer from heartburn, taking small swallows of a teaspoon or two of natural cider vinegar in a glass of water may be of some help. It may cause a burning sensation when you swallow it, but then, in approximately twenty minutes, you should feel relief. If this helps it may indicate you lack sufficient acid in your stomach and the vinegar compensated. In this case, consider taking a digestive enzyme supplement containing hydrochloric acid (HCL).

Check your urine pH daily and avoid acid forming foods until your pH is corrected.

ACID Forming Foods include:

Alcohol, asparagus, beans, brussels sprouts, buckwheat, catsup, chickpeas, cocoa, coffee, cornstarch, cranberries, eggs, fish, flour and flour-based products, legumes, lentils, meat, milk, mustard, noodles, oatmeal, olives, organ meats, pasta, pepper, plums, poultry, prunes, sauerkraut, shellfish, soft drinks, sugar and all foods with sugar added.

Acidosis, if allowed to go unchecked, can adversely affect health. Fortunately, it is easily detected and, it can be avoided or corrected if found.

Tom Nuckels is owner of the LpVitamins.com website. His customers range from children to the elderly and from carpenters to doctors. To learn what liquid vitamins, phytonutrients, homeopathic medicinals and spaQuality Skin Care can do for you, visit http://www.lpvitamins.com.