The pH levels in your body are essential to your health and wellness. pH is shorthand for power of hydrogen, a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in your body. Your pH levels depend on the acid base balance in your blood and affect your entire body. Serious imbalances will cause either acidosis or alkalosis, both of which can be serious and life threatening.
Everything you put in your body falls somewhere on the scale of being either an acid, a base, or neutral, slightly affect the pH balance of your blood. Some health professionals believe that keeping a balanced pH can fight off disease and that certain foods can bring you into a healthier, slightly alkalized zone. Keep reading to learn more about the pH levels in your body and how you can keep them balanced through supplements and lifestyle strategies.
Understanding pH Levels
Your pH levels are obtained by checking your blood or urine, and measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most basic. Your lungs and kidneys are the main organs responsible for maintaining pH. Your lungs expel carbon dioxide, a slightly acidic waste product created as your cells use oxygen. Your kidneys support the lungs by working to maintain an acid-base balance, excreting acids or bases into your blood to balance pH. Many believe that with the industrialization of our food supply, we’ve tipped the scales in the wrong direction and that corrective lifestyle measures are needed.
Causes of pH Imbalance
A number of factors influence your pH, one of which is the mineral density of the foods you eat. Imbalanced electrolytes, poor drinking water, or a lack of exercise may cause slight pH imbalances, potentially leading to inflammation, stress, and digestion issues. Exercises such as yoga and a diet right alkalizing foods may be an important part of a comprehensive wellness plan.
Natural Solutions to Balance pH Levels
Water
If you want to ensure pH balance, checking your drinking water is a good place to start. You can easily purchase a home test kit to ensure your tap water is between the safe pH range of 6.5 to 8.5 If you find it is outside this range, contact your municipality right away as this could indicate contamination. Some health practitioners also believe that drinking alkalized water is beneficial for optimal pH levels.
Foods
Eating a diet rich in alkaline foods, stems from the idea that choosing alkaline foods over acid-forming foods many improve your overall health. The alkaline diet is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and may improve pH levels by changing the acidity of the ash left behind when your body burns food for energy.
According to Healthline.com, certain food groups are considered acidic, alkaline or neutral:
- Acidic: Meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, grains and alcohol.
- Neutral: Natural fats, starches and sugars.
- Alkaline: Fruits, nuts, legumes and vegetables.
Supplements
Quality supplements can also help your body maintain slightly alkalized blood levels. If you’re looking to check your pH levels, pH strips can help you help check in regularly, ensuring you maintain slightly alkaline level of 7.35 to 7.45. To move things in the right direction, Enzymedica offers pH Basic, which can balance your body’s pH with minerals, herbs, enzymes, and superfoods. Additionally, Keto pH Alkalizing Mineral Blend from Ancient Nutrition uses a blend of electrolytes, live probiotics, and alkaline-stable protease enzymes to support cellular health and an acid/alkaline balance within the body.
Which foods or supplements do you rely on to maintain healthy pH levels? Share your methods and strategies with us in the comments section below.
