The pH level of the blood is a very tightly controlled process.
pH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14. The lower the pH (closer to 0), the more acidic, and the higher the pH, the more alkaline. A pH of around 7 would be considered neutral.
Our bodies go to extraordinary lengths to maintain a blood pH level of 7.35-7.45. The pH within the body is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of fluids and tissues. Its levels are influenced by factors such as time of day, hydration, stress & inflammation, environment, and most certainly by the foods we consume.
The typical Western diet is chock full of acid-forming foods- overloaded with sugar, poor fats, excess protein, processed foods, and not enough fiber.
An overly acidic body leads to chronic inflammation, poor digestion, leeches important minerals from bones & tissues, and an increased risk for disorder and disease.
Cancer thrives in an acidic environment. It is very common for those with this diagnosis to have a more acidic pH.
Alkalizing the body keeps your pH levels balanced, reduces acidity and inflammation, and promotes health and healing.
Common acidic foods of the Standard American Diet:
- Sugar
- High-sodium/processed foods
- Cold cuts & conventional meats
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Peanuts and walnuts
- Caffeinated drinks and alcohol
- Oats and whole wheat products (all grains, whole or not, create acidity in the body).
- Pasta, rice, bread, and packaged grain products
Our bodies (including digestion) and pH are equally impacted by environmental and lifestyle factors that cause additional acidity. The biggest contributors include:
- Artificial sweeteners
- Processed and refined foods
- Food coloring & preservatives
- Pesticides & herbicides
- Poor chewing & eating habits
- Alcohol and pharmaceuticals
- Overuse of antibiotics
- Exposure to chemicals and radiation from household cleaners, building materials, computers, cell phones and microwaves
- Excess hormones from foods, beauty products, & plastics
- Pollution
- Shallow breathing
- Lack of exercise/over-exercise
- Poor quality sleep
- And the most insidious- chronic stress
Helping the body move into a more alkaline state is very important for bringing more balance back into the body and cells, for supporting the immune system to manage (remove) cancer cells.
