Understanding Blood pH And It’s Critical Role In The Prevention Of Cancer By Ty Bollinger 54,609 Facebook Shares Tweet Share55K Pin8K 63K Shares Remember back in high school chemistry when you learned about acid/alkaline balance, also referred to as the body’s pH (“potential Hydrogen” or “powers of Hydrogen”)? Our pH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7.35 being neutral (normal), below 7.35 is acidic (with 0 being the most acidic) and above 7.35 is alkaline (with 14 being the most alkaline. Hydrogen is both a proton and an electron. If the electron is stripped off, then the resulting positive ion is a proton. In short, it is important to note that alkaline substances (also called “bases”) are proton “acceptors” (“+” charge) while acids are proton “donors” (“-” charge). Since bases have a higher pH, they have a greater potential to absorb hydrogen ions and vice versa for acids.phbalance In chemistry, we know that water (H2O) decomposes into hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxyl ions (OH-). When a solution contains more hydrogen ions than hydroxyl ions, then it is said to be acid. When it contains more hydroxyl ions than hydrogen ions, then it is said to be alkaline. As you may have guessed, a pH of 7.35 is neutral because it contains equal amounts of hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions. Over 70% of our bodies are water. When cells create energy via aerobic respiration, they burn oxygen and glucose. In simple terms, in order for the body to create energy it requires massive amounts of hydrogen. As a matter of fact, each day your body uses about ½ pound of pure hydrogen. Even our DNA is held together by hydrogen bonds and since the pH of bases is higher, they have a greater potential to absorb hydrogen, which results in more oxygen delivered to the cells. The hydrogen ion concentration varies over 14 powers of 10, thus a change of one pH unit changes the hydrogen ion concentration by a factor of 10. The pH scale is a common logarithmic scale. For those of you who never liked math, what this means is that a substance which has a pH of 5.2 is 10 times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 6.2, while it is 100 (10 squared) times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 7.2, and it is 1,000 (10 cubed) times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 8.2, etc… Our blood must always maintain a pH of approximately 7.35 so that it can continue to transport oxygen. Thus, God has made our bodies resilient with the ability to self-correct in the event of an imbalanced pH level through a mechanism called the buffer system. In chemistry, a buffer is a substance which neutralizes acids, thus keeping the pH of a solution relatively constant despite the addition of considerable amounts of acids or bases. However, the American diet (United States) being full of junk foods, fast foods, processed foods, and sodas, puts the body through “the wringer” in order to maintain the proper pH in the blood. Although our bodies typically maintain alkaline reserves which are utilized to buffer acids in these situations, it is safe to say that many of us have depleted our reserves. When our buffering system reaches overload and we are depleted of reserves, the excess acids are dumped into the tissues. As more and more acid is accumulated, our tissues begin to deteriorate. The acid wastes oxidize (“rust”) the veins and arteries and begin to destroy cell walls and organs. Having an acidic pH is like driving your car with the “check engine” light on. It’s a sign that something is wrong with the engine and if we don’t get it fixed, then eventually the car will break down. According to Keiichi Morishita in his book, Hidden Truth of Cancer, as the blood becomes acidic, the body deposits acidic substances into cells to remove them from the blood. This allows the blood to remain slightly alkaline. However, it causes the cells to become acidic and toxic. Over time, many of these cells increase in acidity and some die. However, some of these acidified cells adapt to the new environment. In other words, instead of dying (as normal cells do in an acidic environment) some cells survive by becoming abnormal cells. These abnormal cells are called “malignant” cells, and they do not correspond with brain function or the DNA memory code. Therefore, malignant cells grow indefinitely and without order. This is cancer. Putting too much acid in your body is like putting poison in your fish tank. Several years ago, we purchased a fish tank and a couple of goldfish for our children. After killing both goldfish, we quickly learned that the key factor in keeping fish alive is the condition of the water. If their water isn’t balanced, then they die quickly. We also learned that you can kill a fish rapidly if you feed it the wrong foods! Now, compare this to the condition of our internal “fish tank.” Many of us are filling our fish tanks with chemicals, toxins, and the wrong foods which lower our pH balance, and an acidic pH results in oxygen deprivation at the cellular level. blood-pH So, what other things can we do to keep our tissue pH in the proper range? The easiest thing is to eat mostly alkaline foods. The general rule of thumb is to eat 20% acid foods and 80% alkaline foods. Fresh fruit juice also supplies your body with a plethora of alkaline substances. You can take supplements, such as potassium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, and rubidium, which are all highly alkaline. Some excellent alkaline-forming foods are as follows: most raw vegetables and fruits, figs, lima beans, olive oil, honey, molasses, apple cider vinegar, miso, tempeh, raw milk, raw cheese, stevia, green tea, most herbs, sprouted grains, sprouts, wheat grass, and barley grass. Foods such as yogurt, kefir, and butter are basically neutral. Several acid-forming foods are as follows: sodas, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, tobacco, aspartame, meats, oysters, fish, eggs, chicken, pasteurized milk, processed grains, sugar, peanut butter, beans, and pasta. The Alkaline Acid Food Chart (Use This to Rejuvenate Your Health) by: Yuri Elkaim The Alkaline Acid Food Chart (Use This to Rejuvenate Your Health) The words “acidic” and “alkaline” sound like they belong in a chemistry lab – not on your plate. But these terms make up the core of the alkaline diet, which puts the focus on maintaining a healthy pH level to promote overall health. Why does having a healthy pH level matter? Following an alkaline diet is one of the best things that you can do for your health. From cancer prevention to boosting energy levels, an alkaline diet is full of benefits. Before we get into the “how” of the alkaline diet and look at some alkaline vs acidic foods, let’s start with the basics – (nerdy) pun intended. What is the Alkaline Diet? Our bodies strive to maintain a very specific pH level, which is a measure of the acidity of our blood by looking at the concentration of hydrogen ions. ph-scale Levels can range from 0 (very acidic) up to 14 (highly alkaline). The optimal pH for our body hovers right in the middle around 7.35 to 7.45, which is considered neutral. Our kidneys work hard to sustain this balance – or homeostasis – and regulate our pH level by excreting extra hydrogen ions into the urine and reabsorbing bicarbonate from urine. If the kidneys fail to do this, falling out of that tight 7.35 to 7.45 range can have serious effects on health. Acidosis, which occurs when the blood has an increased level of acid, can wreak havoc on the body and can even be fatal in severe cases. Symptoms include rapid breathing, fatigue, confusion, jaundice, a decreased appetite, and an increase in heart rate. Not only that, but cancer cells and disease thrive in acidic, low-oxygen environments. Throw them into an alkaline environment rich in oxygen and they’ll never be able to survive. This was proven in the early 1900s by Otto Warburg, a scientist who won a Nobel Prize for his research in the field (1). This is why it’s critical to create a healthy alkaline environment that promotes good health while warding off chronic disease and inflammation. But how does one achieve an alkaline environment in the body? The best way is through the diet. Just as our diet has a profound impact on virtually every other aspect of our health, it also can affect our body’s pH level. A Little Nutrition History Marcellin Berthelot In the 1870s, scientist Marcellin Berthelot used a machine called a Bomb Calorimeter to analyze how much heat was produced during chemical reactions. He used this machine to incinerate different foods, which produced an ash-like substance. By mixing the ash with water, Berthelot was able to test different foods and determine their pH levels (2). He found that most plant-based items, including many fruits and vegetables, had a higher pH and were more alkaline while meats and other processed foods typically had a lower pH and were more acidic. It was these findings that really set the groundwork for the alkaline diet. The alkaline diet encourages the intake of more alkaline-forming foods, such as plant-based proteins, fruits, and vegetables. It also limits foods that are acid forming in the body, which means less meat, grains, and processed foods. This promotes a healthy pH level. Benefits of an Alkaline Diet The benefits of the alkaline diet go far beyond a healthy pH level. In fact, keeping your acid-base level in check can affect practically every aspect of your health. Here are a few of the big bonuses you’ll see when following an alkaline diet: 1. It alleviates chronic inflammation and pain. woman with low back pain Acidosis has been associated with back pain, joint pain, chronic inflammation, and even headaches. Studies have shown that restoring acid-base balance can ease negative symptoms while relieving pain and inflammation (3). 2. It reduces blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health. sphygmomanometer Research has found that a diet high in acid is associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Following an alkaline diet can reduce inflammation while dropping blood pressure and keeping your heart healthy (4). 3. It can prevent the development of cancer. Cancer Cell Development Cancer cells love acidic environments and actually depend on them to survive. Following an alkaline diet can help shift your pH to prevent cancer development. Plus, the alkaline diet is rich in fruits and veggies, meaning you’ll be getting tons of cancer-fighting antioxidants through your food as well. 4. It promotes strong bones. Strong Bones Reducing your dietary acid load by following an alkaline diet can actually help you have stronger bones. In fact, studies have shown that a low acid load is associated with an increase in bone mineral density and a lower risk of fractures (5). 5. It increases vitamin absorption. Banana You’ll get plenty of alkaline minerals, like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, in the alkaline diet. These vitamins are crucial for many different functions throughout the body, from the formation of bones to supporting immune function. Plus, getting enough magnesium can help with the absorption of other vitamins, like vitamin D, making it easier to meet your needs (6). Alkaline vs Acidic Foods Guessing which foods are alkaline and which are acidic seems like it should be simple enough, right? Lemons, for example, must be acidic because they’re one of the most tart and sour foods around. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple. Even though lemons may have an acidic taste, once they’re digested in the body, they have an alkalizing effect and raise the pH of the blood. This is where an alkaline food chart can really come in handy. Paired with an acidic foods chart, you have an awesome visual for which foods you should limit and which foods are brimming with alkalizing health benefits. Alkaline Acid Food Chart “Alkaline forming foods” are further broken down into low, medium, and high alkaline foods. These foods are the best choices if you’re looking to really take advantage of the benefits of an alkaline diet. Meanwhile, foods labeled as “acid forming” should be incorporated into your diet in moderation. Similarly, these foods are grouped into their degree of acidity, from low acid to high acid. While they are categorized as acidic, this doesn’t mean you need to cut them out completely. Enjoy these foods in moderation, and take other factors, like overall healthfulness and nutrition, into consideration when determining if they should be part of your diet. Top Alkaline Foods As illustrated on the alkaline acid food chart, there are a few groups of foods that are always generally considered alkaline, low acid foods. These are all excellent options to include in your diet to maximize the health benefits: Fresh fruits and vegetables Plant-based proteins Most nuts and seeds Anti-inflammatory herbs and spices Olive oil Top Acid-Forming Foods On the other hand, these foods should be included only in limited quantities in your diet. These are foods that will increase acid load in the diet and are usually not great choices to have in excess in a healthy diet anyways. Dairy Processed meats Refined grains Processed foods and junk foods Caffeine and alcohol Other Acid-Forming Habits It’s true that a healthy diet is critical for creating an alkaline environment. But there are other habits that can also increase acidity in the body and cause plenty of harmful side effects. Try to limit these to improve both your alkalinity and your overall health. Stress Physical inactivity Over-exercise Overuse of antibiotics Frequent alcohol consumption Drug use Exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and pollution Frequent caffeine intake Low fiber intake Alkaline Diet for All If you take a look at the alkaline acid food chart, you’ll notice that the most alkaline foods are the ones that we should all be eating more of anyway. Fruits and vegetables top the list while meat, dairy, and processed foods end up being pretty acidic. However, taking advantage of the benefits of the alkaline diet doesn’t mean you have to prescribe to a totally raw, vegan diet. They key is moderation. Personally, I eat meat on a fairly regular basis and yet I still follow an alkaline diet; my diet is full of the good stuff with some of the acidic foods included in moderation.