Production Of Iron And Aluminum, Water, Hydrogen, Alkaline Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, And Sodium

 

Production of Iron and Aluminum
Another use of electrolysis is the purification of pure metals from their ores. A supply of electrical current can work to spark an oxidation or reduction process, so that materials can be extracted from their electrolytic solutions, or from a mix of molten metals. In this way, materials can be won in their pure form. Besides the electrolysis of an aqueous solution, an electrolysis can be performed on a molten mass of metals. Technically, electrolysis processes can be used to purify sodium and aluminum from a molten mass.

Aluminum is one of the most prevalent metals on Earth. Yet it is a complicated process to win pure aluminum from its mixtures. Crude aluminum is found in nature most often as a component of bauxite.
The process of purifying aluminum can be divided into two phases.

Starting with bauxite, we use the Bayer process to gain aluminum in the following manner: Bauxite is allowed to react with sodium hydroxide, a base. This leads to the release of aluminum into solution in the form of aluminum hydroxide. After filtration, the aluminum is separated from the hydroxide ions as aluminum hydroxde. This is filtered off, and when heated, calcination takes place. The result is the production of an aluminum oxide compound.
This aluminum-containing product is put under electrolysis, forming pure aluminum and hydrogen. The electrolysis of a stream of molten metal means that the metal will be separated from a molten mixture of salts of the metal at high electrical current but low voltage.
Iron is known as a transition metal found in the fourth period of the periodic table. In its pure form, it is white, relatively soft and magnetic. In nature, it is usually found combined with other atoms, in compounds. Hematite is one of is most important ores. Iron is separated from its ores in large ovens.

In order to win iron, industrial furnaces are necessary, as are an iron ore, limestone and carbon. The necessary materials are placed in a large oven. The oven has a ventilation system to allow air to circulate. The heating of limestone results in the creation of a calcium oxide.

1. The oxygen in the air reacts with carbon, producing carbon dioxide.
2. At very high temperatures, this carbon dioxide reacts with oxygen to produce carbon monoxide.
3. Carbon monoxide reduces iron in the ore to pure iron, as in the reaction Fe2O3 + 3CO = 2 Fe + 3CO2

The gases produced are called exhaust gases and are released through the chimney of the industrial furnace.

The impurities, called slag, are lighter than the iron produced, so they can be separated, from the bottom to the surface of the iron. In the lower part of the industrial furnace, crude iron is produced. Crude iron contains around 2-5% carbon and 3-4% slag. In this state, iron can be used for casting or for forging. Otherwise, it is possible to use further chemical processes to produce steel.
Steel is made of iron and a certain amount of carbon, not to exceed 1.5% of the total. Carbon makes steel harder, while lowering its malleability. Other metalloids may also be added in, so that steel can attain its usual properties. For example, steel can contain as much as 11-14% chromium.
According to the latest steel production processes, slag additives and scrap iron are added to the molten mass of crude iron. The addition of oxygen works to improve the oxidation of impurities and helps to clean up the steel.


The Composition of Air and its Pollutants

No matter where we are on our planet, the Earth, we are surrounded by the atmosphere, or air. Air, however, should not be confused with oxygen. Oxygen is just one of the components of air. There are others. Air is composed of the following:
77.1% nitrogen
20.8% oxygen
1.1% water vapor
0.9% argon
0.1% other gases (hydrogen, carbon dioxide, noble gases...)
The proportions of these gases does not usually change in any significant manner, although the concentration of carbon dioxide or sulfide compounds in the air above big cities and industrial centres can increase dramatically in a rather short period of time.

Pollution of the Atmosphere
We human beings have a greater influence on the environment we live in than any other organism that has walked this Earth in all its long history. It is true that natural systems can lead to the pollution of the Earth's atmosphere, of course. For example, the breakdown of organic matter can lead to the release of some poisonous gases into the atmosphere. Plants can breakdown these pollutants, producing oxygen from the poisonous carbon dioxide.
But the plant world is not capable of breaking down and transforming all of the pollutants which are being produced today. In addition, the world's forests are being destroyed in order to obtain the large spaces needed for a demanding, growing human population whose needs are growing, too. With a quickly growing population on the Earth, more and more harmful pollutants are being produced. As of now, there is no way known to neutralise or get rid of these pollutants.

The only sure way to protect the environment is to develop chemistry and its processes in such a way that the consumer goods and processes that release harmful pollutants into the air are replaced by other, less harmful ones to the environment. For example, in the last few years, freon, which was used as an ingredient in sprays and as a refrigerant in refrigerators, has been replaced, because it was found to harm the ozone layer.
No solution has yet been found to the problem of the greenhouse effect. The sun's rays are reflected off of the Earth, only to return to the atmosphere. Gases in the atmosphere, first and foremost carbon dioxide, act as a greenhouse to hold some of that heat in the Earth's atmosphere. Of course, it should be pointed out that the greenhouse effect, in a more natural setting, is a natural phenomenon which renders life on Earth possible.

In the 20th century, however, the oxidation of carbon dioxide has risen dramatically, thanks to the burning of fossil fuels (organic: coal, oil, natural gas) and the burning of the rain forests. This artificial and rapid increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, some scientists have concluded, could raise the Earth's average temperature. This phenomenon is called global warming. If the Earth's average temperature does continue to rise as it has done in the last few decades, the polar ice caps could melt. Complete melting of both polar ice caps would raise sea level a few hundred metres, and reduce humanity's, and the Earth's, livable habitat in a fundamental way. The end result could be the destruction of many habitable landscapes, as well as the environment of the plants and animals which still inhabit the Earth.


Water, Hydrogen

Pure water is composed of just two atoms, oxygen and hydrogen, one atom of the former, two of the latter. Water is colorless, but it can appear as a blue liquid at its surface. At normal air pressure, water freezes at 0° C. Its boiling point is 100° C. The density of liquid water is at its highest value at 4° C. For that reason, ice floats on water, and water freezes at its surface first. When frozen, water, now ice, increases its volume by around 9% . Because of this property, leaving water in some type of container on a cold day could lead to that container breaking or cracking.
Water is the most common compound found on Earth, covering 71% of its surface. The atmosphere is made up of 4% water vapour. Most living organisms are composed of about 60-70% water, and some living organisms are composed of up to 98% water (seaweed). Water is never found in its pure form in nature. It always contains some dust or other chemical impurities. Water which, after boiling the liquid away leaves more than 1 g of residue, is considered to be freshwater. If, however, after boiling away the liquid portion of water more than 1 g of residue is present, this water is considered to be saltwater. Of the Earth's water, around 95% is saltwater (after boiling off of water portion more than 1 g of residue remains).
The hardness of water can be determined. This property depends on the amount of calcium, magnesium and other ions dissolved in the water. When water is distilled, these ions are removed, and the water, more pure than usual, can be used in chemistry and medicine. The distillation process involves boiling off the water. The water's impurities do not boil off if they have a higher boiling point than water, instead remaining in the original vessel which contained the water. The water vapour then condenses, producing liquid water which is now purified. Neither people nor other living organisms should drink distilled water, however. This would cause them problems. Drinking water contains minerals that living organisms need. It should, of course, be free of harmful bacteria.

Water has another chemically important characteristic. Water molecules can hydrogen bond with each other. This type of bonding between oxygen and the hydrogens in another molecule of water is not the type of bond in which electrons are shared. Oxygen attracts the negatively charged electrons more strongly than hydrogen, giving oxygen a partial negative charge and hydrogen a partially positive charge. Electrostatic forces then take over. The water molecules align themselves in a way which has the oxygen atom in one water molecule lined up next to the hydrogen atoms in another molecule. This creates an electrostatic force between two water molecules. A structure of alternating charges is thus created. These weak forces between water molecules are the basis of surface tension. Hydrogen bonds are also responsible for water's relatively high melting and boiling points.
Hydrogen is found in almost all compounds, whether they are inorganic or organic. It is by far the most common element in the universe. In its elementary form, it is a colourless, odourless flammable gas. It burns with a blue flame.

Uses of Water
Water is important for living organisms as a transport mechanism for needed materials including gases, and to keep up needed pressure in cells. In plants, water is an important component of photosynthesis. It is also an important solvent, refrigerant and transport mechanism in everyday life. It is especially important in chemistry. Many materials could not be studied without the help of water, because of these materials' reactivity in water. Salts, acids and bases are almost always studied as solutions in water.

When preparing water as the product of a chemical reaction, it is necessary to realise what purpose the water is going to be used for. Chemical and physical processes can be used to produce for example drinking water from surface or underground water, or to produce water which does not contain any iron or manganese. Or, soft water can be made, to be used in breweries, paint factories and textile factories. The most important processes are separation, filtration and distillation. Using these processes, unwanted components of water can be separated.

The Water Chain on Earth
Water movement around the Earth can be described exactly using water chains. From bodies of water such as lakes and oceans, from land, from living organisms, even from rain, water is constantly evaporating. After cooling in the highest reaches of the atmosphere, this water falls to the Earth again, as precipitation, onto dry ground but also into rivers, lakes, seas and oceans. Then, plants use some of the water which has fallen as rain. The rest of the water is transferred from dry ground to the Earth's rivers, seas and oceans.

Water Pollution
Another environmental problem is caused by water pollution. The ever increasing use of foreign materials which do not occur naturally leads to water pollution. These foreign materials, also called pollutants, get into our water through canalisation and trash. The processes are varied, the result the same: water pollution. Water which escapes from waste dumps, and acid rain, can cause water sources to become polluted. Living organisms are capable of getting rid of a number of harmful materials on their own, as long as they occur in relatively small amounts, and the influx into their bodies is slow. Otherwise, if a harmful concentration of pollutants is infused into a living organism, that organism can die, especially if it lives in or near polluted water. Even those organisms which are capable of removing harmful pollutants from their bodies can be threatened if a high concentration of pollutant is introduced. Laws and conscientious behaviour are helping to avoid a catastrophe in the oceans and other water sources of the world. At least, we are trying to limit the scope of individual catastrophes. Chemistry, of course, has its own important role to play in the battle.


Alkaline Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Sodium

The alkaline metals include lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium and the radioactive francium. All of these elements are metals. All have one electron in their outermost shell. They are members of the first main group in the periodic table, IA.
Alkaline metals do not appear in nature in the elemental state, but rather always as compounds. All of the elements in the alkaline metal group have similar characteristics which are derived from their similar electron configuration. Like all elements in the same group, they share many of the same properties. These common group properties are not exactly the same from element to element, however. They change with increasing atomic mass (for example, hardness, burning temperature, melting and boiling point). The high reactivity of the alkaline metals is the result of their having one electron in their outermost shell. The reaction of one of these, or its oxide as the case may be, results in the formation of a hydroxide, a compound which has basic character.
When atoms react, the most important factor in how they behave is the number of electrons in their outer shell. These electrons are called valence electrons. They can form chemical bonds with other atoms. When this happens, an electron must be transferred, that is, donated or accepted, to or from the outermost electron shell of another atom. Alkaline metals have only one valence electron, and they always donate this one electron when they form chemical bonds. For this reason, all elements in this group can attain an oxidation state of +1, meaning that they have given up their one electron.
The elements of the second main group of the periodic table are called the alkaline earth metals. Their chemical properties are also similar to each other, and their physical properties are based on a few basic laws. Beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and radium are all Group IIA elements. They all have two electrons in their outermost electron shell. For this reason, they are not as reactive as the elements of Group IA. They are all metals.

The most important alkaline earth metal is sodium. This element has great significance in both the compounds which it naturally occurs in, and those which can be made synthetically. Sodium is a component of table salt, and of the dough which makes bread. It is a component of many strong bases and of soap, to mention just a few.

Formation of Table Salt
When two atoms of sodium join with one molecule of chlorine (Cl2), the one lone electron in sodium's outermost electron shell is transferred to one chlorine atom. The chlorine atoms separate from one another, then join with one atom of sodium each to form two new molecules of sodium chloride, which crystallise, in the reaction 2Na + Cl2® 2NaCl. When the sodium atom's electron is transferred, a positively charged sodium ion (cation) is formed. When chlorine captures that transferred electron, a negatively charged chlorine ion (anion) is formed. These are mutually attracted to each other. The formation of these ions allows both atoms (now ions) to reach a stable electron configuration in their outer shells, a noble gas configuration.

Electron arrangement can be thought of as an octet, as formulated by G.N. Lewis and W. Kossel. According to this theory, electrons are donated and accepted in such a way so that the atoms they belong to reach a noble gas configuration, one in which an octet of electrons is present in the valence shell of an atom. This is the energetically most advantageous state for any element. Often, reactions which lead to this electron configuration can be quite violent in nature. The release of reaction heat is one of the results of the reaction of sodium ions with chloride ions. Molecules of sodium chloride are regularly arranged in an ionic lattice. The crystals which are produced are cubic.


Halogens

The halogen group of elements
Elements in this group include fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I) and astatine (At) - an element which is not naturally occurring and can be prepared only in the laboratory. Because these elements have seven electrons in their outermost shell, they are members of the main group VIIA. They all share similar characteristics. In nature, halogens are found mostly as the negative components of salts. They are non-metals. Halogens are very reactive. They react with hydrogen to form a hydrogen-halogen compound. Oxides (compounds containing oxygen) are acidic in character. Halogens join with metals to form ionic bonds. The properties of halogens differ as a function of increasing atomic mass. The state of matter of individual group members changes from gaseous (flourine and chlorine) to solid (iodine and astatine). In the gaseous form, halogens always form two atom molecules (F2, Cl2, Br2). With increasing atomic mass, melting and boiling point rise, as does density. Solubility in water decreases as atomic mass grows.

Halogens often occur in nature bonded in salts. From these salts, pure halogen elements can be produced. These pure elements have many uses, first and foremost as raw materials in the chemical industry. They are ingredients in fertilisers, and they are used in medicine. These elements are important trace elements for living organisms (fluorine as an ingredient in toothpaste and bones). In addition, halogens are significant raw materials for the production of artificial substances (fluorine, chlorine). Pure crystals of fluorine can be used in the semiconductor industry. Iodine containing salts are used in some medicines and grocery products. Chlorine is often used to treat water, both drinking water and water for other uses.

Halides
Halides (hals = Greek for salt, gen = Greek tribal word for produce) are produced by the synthesis of metals and halogens. If glowing iron comes into contact with a copper wire coated with chlorine, these elements react violently to produce an iron chloride or copper chloride compound. Halides are salts. The salts of bromine are called bromides, the salts of chlorine chlorides (fluorides, iodides). When halides are formed, electrons are transferred between individual atoms. Thus, ions are formed which have the characteristic ionic lattice. The ions of the various halogens have the same arrangement as the ionic lattice of sodium chloride. For this reason, this typical structure is called the sodium chloride
ionic lattice. Ionic lattices produce ionic crystals. The formula NaCl describes the smallest building block of an ionic lattice. We call this crystal a unit lattice.
Halides are easily soluble in water and other polar solvents (those which have polarly arranged molecules). When halogens are dissolved, electrically charged ions are released into solution. If we dissolve sodium chloride in water, freely moving positively charged ions of sodium (cations) and negatively charged ions of chlorine (anions) are released into solution. Ions are carriers of charge, so ionic solutions are able to conduct an electrical current. When solid halides are heated and melt, they move to the liquid state of matter, called a molten melt. Even these molten melts can conduct an electrical current.
Materials whose makeup is difficult to determine are investigated through spectroscopy. The principle of using a mass spectroscope is that a gaseous sample of some material is placed in a tube, where it is bombarded with electrons. The material is ionised (charged), and ions move to the end of the tube, where an oppositely charged electrode is placed. A magnetic field is created in the tube, and ions are separated according to their mass. On a detection screen, these ions are divided in such a way depending on their mass.

This text was drawn from the Production of Iron and Aluminum; Water, Hydrogen; Alkaline Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Sodium page, where you will find explanatory outlinks.
The full Encyclopedia.
Translated by KENAX Translation Agency

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

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

Top 5 Alkaline Fruits & Their Benefits

 

Over eighty percent of ones food should comprise of fruits and vegetables if the normal slightly alkaline body ph is to be maintained. A normal body ph of 7.4 has many benefits. Not only does it help to prevent illnesses but also assists in curing them. With an alkaline ph the life span can be increased too. There are many kinds of alkaline fruits and vegetable one can have. Below is a list of the five top alkaline fruits.

Figs are the top form of alkaline fruits. Figs have in them several qualities and help tremendously in alkalizing the body. They can be eaten raw or can be added to any recipe. Dried figs are also alkaline fruits and one can even add then to half a glass of warm water to hydrate them. But since figs are laxative fruits also it is advisable to not have more than a handful in a day.

Another alkaline fruit is the apple. An apple a day actually does keep the doctor away , and if the doctor is good looking , well in that case too do not do away with the apple, simply get his number. Apples are not only loved for their taste but can be consumed in various forms. Cut an apple into small square shapes add a little bit of iodine sea salt and lemon and mix well. A tangy flavored apple dish is ready. Apples pies smell lovely and this alkaline fruit is used even as a Halloween sweet when dipped in chocolate. Apples are most commonly consumed raw and that is the best way to have this alkaline fruit while keeping all their nutrients intact.

Third on the list of alkaline fruits are all kinds of sweet grapes. Grapes are easy to carry and consume. They do not involve much chopping and cleaning. What is more is that this alkaline fruit is a favorite with kids and one does not have to run behind them to make them eat some grapes. Just leave a bowl full of grapes lying around while the kids are playing and soon they will all be gone. Even though raisins are derived from grapes it is best to consume alkaline fruits that are fresh and thoroughly cleaned as opposed to processed alkaline fruits. All the same not only raisins but all dried fruits are alkaline fruits and can be consumed without fear.

If you have ever gotten stitches or broken a bone then for sure bananas must have been recommended for faster healing. This is because apart from being high in calcium bananas are also alkaline fruits. Since alkaline fruits help keep the alkaline ph balance of the body they help in the healing process.

For that peachy looking skin and glowing hair have a lot of peaches. Peaches are alkaline fruits and help to give the skin and hair a healthy glow. People who suffer from brittle nails will also find that having alkaline fruits helps make their nails stronger. So leave the cream bit out of those peaches and creams and enjoy the fruit for what it is.

Alkaline fruits are very healthy and nutritious. A sweet flavor is a good indicator of an alkaline fruit. Alkaline fruits should make up large parts of a persons daily food intake.

Discover How Alkaline Foods Work and Why Eating Alkaline Fruits Is Recommended, including Free Food/Fruits Chart: http://www.AcidAlkalineDiet.com/Health

Comprehensive Alkaline Foods List Download

 

More important than the emergency numbers list is the alkaline foods list. Make out an alkaline foods list and paste it not only on your kitchen wall but also in your mind. The next time you are out grocery shopping simply revise the alkaline foods list and shop in accordance with it.

Most vegetable and fruits form part of the alkaline foods list. Cabbages. Lettuce, potatoes, bamboo shoots, broccoli, garlic, sprouts and almost all vegetables are alkaline vegetables. Dried beans, lentils and white asparagus tips are acidic in nature though and should be avoided. The alkaline food list ingredients should form about 80 percent of our daily diet so that the similar ratio of alkaline and acid ash can be maintained in the body for optimal functioning. There are plenty of recipes to be found to substitute alkaline foods for acidic foods. Vegetables and fruits should be washed thoroughly and then can even be eaten raw for fiber as well as alkaline ash.

Most fruits except for cranberries are also on the alkaline foods list. Apples, bananas and citrus fruits can be found at any time in most places. Melons and grapes are also highly alkaline in nature and should be consumed in plenty. Fruits should be served to children as often as possible since they are not only alkaline food but also high energy releasing foods. Bananas and apples are known to speed up the healing process, this is because they are on the alkaline foods list and so help the body to recover sooner by maintaining the alkaline body ph.

Apart from fruits and vegetables dairy products also find their way to the alkaline foods list. Acidophilus milk, buttermilk, yogurt and whey are all dairy products that are on the alkaline food chart. Milk is also alkaline but only in its raw form. All processed forms of dairy are acidic and should not be consumed in large quantities. For those who are inclined to non-vegetarian diet meats are a clear no no. If at all a protein intake is to be done then one should clearly stick to only those proteins that are on the alkaline foods list. Chicken breast is safely alkaline and can be eaten for good health. One the other hand all other meats are all-acidic and should form no more than 20 % of ones diet.

Legumes and alcohols are both acidic foods and not found on the alkaline foods list. But herbal teas and coffee substitutes can be had for those who are inclined to consuming beverages often. Herbal teas have a place on the alkaline foods list and so are safe for health. Honey is also a healing food and though children below one should not be given honey, after that it is very good for health.

Almonds, chestnuts and fresh coconut are on the alkaline foods list while other nuts are all acidic foods. Quinoa and Amaranth are on the alkaline foods chart and so are millet and buckwheat. All other grains are acidic in nature.

The higher alkaline foods we eat the more our body will function well. An alkaline foods chart is a must to follow so as to give us the complete joy of living.

Get The Free Comprehensive Alkaline Foods List: http://www.AcidAlkalineDiet.com/Health - And Find Out How Alkaline Foods Work & Why An Alkaline Diet Is Recommended.

How To Get An Alkaline Body pH Balance

 

The alkaline diet trend is fast catching up. Today many people from diverse places understand the benefits of maintaining an alkaline body. An alkaline body is much less susceptible to illnesses than an acidic body is.

It is beneficial to know that a healthy life can be maintained only if one has an alkaline body. A bit of an exercise routine along with an alkaline diet will reflect in ones inner and outer self. To achieve an alkaline body it is necessary that over 80% of our food intake constitute of alkalizing foods. To begin with one must first take the body ph test. It can be easily tested via the saliva test or the urine test. Once it is clear that the natural alkaline body ph is tilting towards the acidic side, immediate intervention is needed. A look into your diet will surely reflect an acidic trend just like your body ph. Societies like America who live primarily on meats and worse still processed food are highly prone to losing the alkaline body ph. These kinds of foods have an acidifying effect on the body and cause enormous amount of damage to it. The American society suffers not only obesity but also a lot of heart problems, this is due to their mainly acidic diet.

But there is a silver lining in this situation. An alkaline body can be achieved with just a little alteration in your diet plan. Simply put one should consume a lot of vegetables and fruits. Most of the acidic foods should be substituted by alkaline foods. A daily intake of about eight to ten glasses of water is a must. Soda should be avoided like poison is. Soda is highly acidic in nature and it takes over 30 glasses of water to balance on the acid in one glass of soda. An alkaline body helps in reversing the aging process and also maintaining a disease free body. Those who want to shed weight but do not want to loose energy should try alkaline diets and look and feel fit. Most of the other diets leave one feeling exhausted and as soon as one goes off the diet the lost weight is regained. But in an attempt to achieve an alkaline body not only does one feel fit and energetic but also the diet can be incorporated into becoming a way of life rather than a crash course in hunger.

So get our there and check your body ph right away. If you find that it alters from the natural alkaline body ph then change the way you eat immediately. You will find that as your alkaline body ph returns to normal you will feel better not only from within but also glow on the outside. Your skin will feel younger, your hair will shine and your nails will not be brittle any more. A lethargic feeling you felt all day long will be a thing of the past. So get out there and get an alkaline body and get your young life back all over again.

Discover How Alkaline Body Balancing Works and Why An Alkaline Body Is Recommended, including Free Foods Chart: http://www.AcidAlkalineDiet.com/Health

Pure Water - Alkaline Water

 

Ever dreamt of trekking into the high mountains, putting your hands into the crystalline blue glacial water that gushes forth through the rocks? Of drinking the pristinely pure cool water so refreshing and life giving, with the sweetness of minerals and the lightness of fairies? Now the water ionizers promise us the same experience in your own home or workplace.

For ages, man has suffered from acidity. Its effects are digestive problems, ulcers, low energy, fatigue, vulnerability to cold and even obesity. (An acid tongue or acid humour, however, may not be connected except by a long shot!)

The cause of acidity is the imbalance in alkaline-acid level in body fluids. The cure is drinking of alkaline water to restore the balance.

The human body does possess a self-regulatory mechanism through some proteins, minerals and kidney and lung functions. Even through breathing, we inhale alkaline oxygen and exhale acidic carbon dioxide.

Forgive us our excesses

But our food habits are not exactly tuned to keep the balance in our system. French fries, carbonated beverages, alcohol, coffee, refined sugar or flour, high protein meat / dairy products, all of which we enjoy so much create residues of acid which the body cells cannot handle.

Stress, worries, tensions, illnesses and extremely demanding physical exercises add to secretion of acids upsetting the balance. When acidity level in the body rises abnormally, the body becomes a playground for bacteria that attack cells and leave behind toxins. An overload of toxins in the body again weakens its resistance to diseases and hastens the ageing process.

The pH indicators

Science has invented a scale to gauge the alkaline-acid balance in the human body. It is known as ? pH?. It has nothing to do with photography. It is derived from the French ?Pouvoire Hydrogene? an indicator of hydrogen ion activity. It employs a count of 1 to 14. At 1 is the highest acidity level, 7 is the state of balance (neutral) and 14 is the highest alkaline level.

Our entire body structure seems to be floating in water, considering that more than seventy percent of it is composed of water. We need to drink at least 3-4 litres of alkaline water daily to replenish the losses and to ensure that all acid is neutralized and that there is enough water to carry nutrients and minerals to the cells.

All this focuses on the need to use alkaline drinking water for our daily consumption. Doctors advise an alkaline level of pH 9 to 10 in the water that we drink.

What happens in a water ionizer?

The first part of the process eliminates a major portion of both organic and inorganic contaminants. This is done using silver impregnated carbon to make sure that the filtration process eradicates as many harmful compounds as possible, leaving a water that is filtered ready for ionization.

The water ionizer then ionizes the water in a compartment that contains a number of electrodes that are negatively charged, which attracts the positive ions in your water. This water is loaded with negative ions, therefore turning it into alkaline water, which has wide ranging health benefits. Alkaline ionized water is very beneficial and healthy for us because it assists our body?s pH to gradually move down to the optimal pH, which is a little alkaline. Among many other benefits, increased alkalinity of the water assists the body to eliminate toxins that accumulate within our body. Four streams of water for your use There are well known brands like Aquasana water filters that have kitchen countertop and whole house models besides a shower filter model. If you wish, you could go in for alkaline water machines that break up your tap water into four streams.

1. An Alkaline based drinking water

? This causes an antioxidant effect and eliminates disease causing toxins (free radicals)

? helps with acidosis type conditions

? helps balance an acidic diet

2. An astringent water

? great for hair and skin care

3. A strong acidic water

? powerful antimicrobial water

4. A Strong Alkaline water

? great for cleaning and removing organic matter from surfaces

Ode to alkaline water

Man pollutes water and water machines restore it to health and gift it to man again. Today your health depends on them. If John Keats were alive today, he would have forgotten his wine and sung, a la Ode to the Nightingale, ? Oh, for a draught of crystalline drink, from a beaker full of alkaline water, with beaded bubbles winking at the brim??

http://www.vitality4lifeshop.com.au; http://www.aquasana.com.au; http://www.waterfiltercomparisons.com.au

Acid Alkaline Diet Benefits & Why It Is Recommended

 

If you have heard of the Atkins diet, then the Acid Alkaline Diet is the complete opposite of that. The Atkins diet is a high protein, high fat but low carbohydrates diet. But such diets have a tendency to leave one low on energy and also they seem to be improper gastronomically speaking. An acid alkaline diet on the other hand is not only useful for weight loss but over an above that is extremely beneficial to the body functioning. An Acid alkaline diet keeps the ph level of the body balanced and so safeguards against various illnesses. Even chronic diseases like arthritis can be not only prevented but also cured if an acid alkaline diet is followed.

The basis of an acid alkaline diet lies in the fact that our body ph ideally should be a 7.3. This slightly alkaline level of the body ph keeps all the vital organs functioning well, as well as the absorption of various minerals is optimized. When this ph tilts to the acidic side trouble starts brewing. An acidic ph level leads to almost all body parts suffering in one way or the other. Now since our body needs to be alkaline in nature it should reflect in our food intake too. Foods that are alkalizing should be consumed mush more as opposed to the acidifying foods. Translated in a simpler language this would mean more of vegetable and fruit consumption and very low meats and oil intake. If the body?s alkaline minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium levels drop so will its health causing it to degenerate and its defenses to drop guard. An acid alkaline diet protects that from happening. An acid alkaline diet comprises of 80% alkalizing foods and 20 % acidic foods. Since the acid alkaline ratio in the body should be one is to four our food intake should be of similar nature.

An acid alkaline diet is not only recommended to shed those extra pounds but is also and more importantly a great means of regaining lost health and leading a longer and more diseases free life. The acid alkaline diet is especially recommended to those who feel tired most of the time. Stress and a low energy level can both be done away with an acid alkaline diet. Those who suffer from frequent viral fevers or those who have a nasal congestion most of the time can lead healthier lives if they have an acid alkaline diet. Weak nails, dryness, headaches, muscle pain, hives, joint pains, and many more such diseases find their answer in an acid alkaline diet.

A higher level of vegetable intake is recommended in an acid alkaline diet. Lemons should be squeezed into water drinks. Millet or quinoa is preferred over wheat, olive oil over vegetable oil and soups like miso are very useful for following an acid alkaline diet.

Lost health and vigor can be regained and many chronic illnesses prevented as well as cured if an acid alkaline diet is followed. It is a fairly easy diet plan, which should adapt for a longer and healthier life span.

Discover How Acid Alkaline Diet Works and Why An Alkaline Rich Diet Is Recommended: http://www.AcidAlkalineDiet.com/Health

High Alkaline Foods Diet & Their Benefits

 

Mostly all fruits and vegetables are alkaline but to gain maximum benefit one must try and consume high alkaline foods. High alkaline foods can help achieve optimal benefits from the food we eat while at the same time keeping our body ph balanced. Children and senior citizens have small appetites and by giving them high alkaline foods one can insure that they get enough nutrition even in small portions.

To maintain a healthy body ph one needs to consume 60 % alkaline foods and the rest 40% can be acidic but to restore a healthy ph balance the alkaline food should make up about 80% of the entire food intake. Here is where the high alkaline foods step in.

In the vegetable category mostly all the items are alkaline but there are a few that are considered high alkaline foods. Raw spinach falls in the high alkaline foods segment. But this high alkaline food if cooked becomes acidifying. Similarly asparagus which are definitely high alkaline foods are good only if green; the white tips are acidic and should be left out of the cooking. High alkaline foods are essential for the body and unless one has a death wish they should not be left out of meals. Onions, barely grass and parsley are also high alkaline foods. Onions can be eaten raw for maximum benefit or cooked with other vegetables. Green vegetables juices are also considered to be part of high alkaline foods. Salt intake should be limited but always use sea salt which has iodine so as to get alkalized by salt too. A bit of salt can make a glass of vegetable juice quite tingling for the taste buds.

Apart from vegetables, fruits are also high alkaline foods. Lemons and limes even though acidic in their essence, once digested by the body leave and alkaline ash. So this fruit even though is acidic in nature has an alkalizing affect on the body. Lemons are high alkaline foods and apart from the vitamin c in them are also loved for their tangy flavor. Lemonades can work wonders in refreshing a tried body both long and short term. High alkaline foods can help rid one of depressions as well as tiredness. Papayas are also high alkaline foods and release a lot of alkaline ash. Consuming papayas regularly leads to glowing skin as well as shiny hair. Water melons are also high alkaline foods but they should not be combined with other foods since they do not make good combination foods. Mangoes and grapefruit also are found on the high alkaline foods chart.

Olive oil has a special place on the high alkaline foods chart. It is very alkalizing and food cooked in olive oil can do wonders for the body ph. Olive oil is even recommended for the skin and hair to improve their texture. Herb teas and lemon water are also high alkaline foods. Herb teas make good beverages for those cold days while lemon water shall refresh you on a hot afternoon.

Having these high alkaline foods will help the body fight diseases and also cure them. Consuming high alkaline foods also increases the life span.

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

How I Alkaline- Without a Rabbit Food Diet!

 

The health concept of alkalinity, through consuming an alkaline diet, has been around for a long time, but it has gotten a lot more traction in the last five years, and seems to be the next up and coming health trend.

Remember High School chemistry? Liquids are either base or alkaline. Our bodies are no different. And here's a very interesting fact: While our bodies are supposed to be slightly alkaline, about 7.2 on the scale, our diets and lifestyle habits make the vast majority of us too acidic. And this acidity provides an environment where disease and germs flourish.

"If I could live my life over again, I would devote it to proving that germs seek their natural habitat- diseased tissue- rather than being the cause of the diseased tissue; e.g., mosquitoes seek the stagnant water, but do not cause the pool to become stagnant."

-Rudolph Virchow (Father of Pathology)

I learned about this concept about a year ago. Everything I read said that an alkaline diet had to be almost exclusively green and yellow vegetables, nuts, water and "green drinks" (A.K.A. swamp water- gag), but I tried it anyway. Here are a few things an alkaline diet promises:

-Increased energy -Immunity from disease -Your body weight will drop to what it should be naturally -You will more easily build and maintain lean muscle mass

To quote Anthony Robbins, personal development guru:

"?you will experience a revolution in the quality of your life. The simple understanding of which foods produce the most energy for your body and the impact of the acid/ alkaline balance will add immeasurable value to your life."

So I jumped in, and started what I refer to now as the "rabbit food diet." I first of all bought a PH test kit from the health food store and tested my level. I was acidic, measuring 6.0. But after 6 weeks of the rabbit food diet I was much improved! I got up to 6.5. Now that may not sound that great to you, but the scale is a geometric one, 6 is ten times more acidic than 7, 5 is ten times more acidic than 6, and so on.

Here's the problem; I didn't like being on a rabbit food diet. I love food! I decided I would rather die a little earlier and take my chances than eliminate all the tasty stuff I enjoy.

But recently I was given two handy little tips that got me intrigued again. First of all I was introduced to a different water additive than the green drinks I had tried, that had no flavor and was less expensive. Before I took any I tested my alkaline level again. It was right back to where I started, 6.0. I took this handy little supplement for two weeks and didn't make any other dietary changes, and much to my surprise when I tested again my level had gone up to 6.75, higher than when I was doing the strict alkaline diet!

The other discovery I made was a simple little concept called Michi's Ladder. Michi's Ladder is a five tiered chart, that ranks foods from the best (tier one) down to the worst (tier 5). They say if you eat only foods from tiers one and two you will have a perfect diet. I don't know who "they" are, but looking at the chart it sounds right. It is more liberal than the all veggie diet. You can find this chart easily by doing a Google search for "Michi's ladder".

So I stuck the Michi's Ladder chart on my fridge and tried to pick foods from the top every time I had a meal or snack.

I can now personally vouch for the whole Alkalinity argument. I now have vibrant energy, I have lost excess fat, I don't feel like I need a nap every after noon like I used to, and at the age of 40 I am competing with the young guys in my Triathlons and basketball games. And I was able to do it without giving up my social life!




Dave Sherwin is a full time online marketer and amateur athlete. He believes life is best when you have three things: Health Freedom, Financial Freedom, and Time Freedom, and all of us has the ability to achieve each of these. To learn more about alkaline water: http://www.x2oproducts.com/escape coach@escapethematrix.net

Is my Body Too Acidic or Overly Alkaline?

 

The reason acidosis is more common in our society is mostly due to the typical American diet, which is far too high in acid-producing animal products like meat, eggs and dairy, and far too low in alkaline-producing foods like fresh vegetables. Additionally, we eat acid-producing processed foods like white flour and sugar and drink acid-producing beverages like coffee and soft drinks. We use too many drugs, which are acid-forming; and we use artificial chemical sweeteners like NutraSweet, Equal, or aspartame, which are extremely acid-forming. One of the best things we can do to correct an overly-acid body is to clean up the diet and lifestyle. (see Balance pH)

Alkalinity is relatively rare, but if your urine and/or saliva consistently test above 7.0 pH, start with steps 1, 2 and 3 below and continue adding steps until the desired results are achieved.

Step 1: Take Enzymes. Enzymes are very essential to our body to maintain proper Balance pH. Use 1-2 capsules of Proactazyme with each meal. For stronger action, add dosage between meals and on empty stomach
Step 2: The Correct Calcium is needed. Take all natural based calcium. This will give proper Balance pH.
Step 3: Vitamin C is very important. Use 3,000 mg or more, to maximum bowel tolerance. (If diarrhea occurs, reduce intake.)
Step 4: Flax Seed Oil: Use 1 capsules of Flax Seed Oil 3 times a day or 2 tablespoons of oil daily.
Step 5: Cleanse your body. It is recommended to take psyllium hulls supplement at bedtime to maintain regular bowel movements.

If we can maintain the proper pH balance, we should maintain good health. Come find out more about maintaining our proper Balance pH in our body! Your body operates ideally within a narrow pH range of 7.36 to 7.44. There is very basic explanation as to why pH balance is so important to our overall health.Find out about Body Balance pH at http://www.smartreviewguide.com/balanceph