It is well known that a body that is too acidic is prone to illness. Our modern lifestyle with fast food, chemical dependencies, lack of alkaline forming vegetables and alkaline forming fermented foods, all contribute to this acidity. Over time, chronic illness sets in and can lead to frank disease. In these cases, acid/alkaline balance is another aspect of good health that should be considered.
Most healing diets advise foods that are alkaline forming even if they do not state so specifically. Inflammation is associated with acidity and this will make existing conditions worse. You know that acid will degrade any materials it comes in contact with. The same thing can happen in your body if it is too acid. Breakdown of tissue and bone leads to soft tissue problems and osteoporosis. But beyond calcium loss is loss of other equally important minerals like magnesium which is necessary for hundreds of metabolic reactions in the body.
Some of the Symptoms of Increased Acidity
- Fatigue
- Poor digestion
- Weight gain
- Aches and pains in muscles and joints
- Excess mucous production causing nasal and sinus congestion
- Lowered immunity resulting in more frequent colds and flu
- Increased anxiety and irritability
While this is a list of general symptoms that may arise from any number of conditions, the acid/alkaline balance in the body is important to take into account.
Why Over Acidity is Common
It is very common for people to have decreased stomach acid and/or decreased enzymes necessary for digestion. There are many steps along the route of digestion and many important molecules of digestion. If any of these elements are lacking, it will affect each step and then the step that follows. Consequently, a lack of enough stomach or lack of an exzyme in the early stages of digestion set the stage for completely disrupting the entire process of digestion.
When this is disrupted, food molecules are not properly broken down and so they can not be properly absorbed. They may be passed out of the body unused, or more frequently, they become an object for the immune system to identify as foreign, and get attacked. All of this contributes to inflammation and an acidic blood condition.
Mental stress is also a factor in contributing to an acidic condition through a series of hormonal changes.
More Consequences of an Acidic Condition
As a result of poor digestion as outlined above and the resulting acidic condition, , the red blood cells can’t deliver oxygen and nutrients as efficiently to all your cells. The body needs minerals for hundreds of metabolic reactions and will leach them from the teeth and bones, leaving you at risk for osteoporosis.
In addition, minerals are vital for healthy adrenal glands. When the adrenals get stressed and out of balance, energy levels drop, yet sleep disturbances may develop. Low energy and mineral deficiencies increase the risk for viral and fungal infections, like candida and herpes. These add to the vicious cycle of generalized poor health.
Foods That Increase Acidity
- Processed foods, high in sugar and salt
- Red meat from factory farms
- Chocolate made with sugar and high fructose corn syrup
- Coffee
- Grains like wheat, white flour, cakes, pasta
- Pasturized, homogenized dairy like, cheese, milk, ice cream make from this milk
- Soda
- Beer
Foods That Support Alkalinity
- Fermented or cultured beverages, vegetables, and dairy
- Lemons and other citrus fruits and tropical fruit
- Onions, garlic, parsley, asparagus
- Vegetable juices, leafy green vegetables
- Broccoli and other crucifers
- Olive oil
- Green teas
Minerals are also important
Minerals help buffer the acids. But the minerals must be bioavailable. The best way to insure the minerals are bioavailable is to eat good quality animals fats with the meal.
Dr. Price talked about the mineral activator X which we now know to be vitamin K2. It is actually found in raw butter as well as fermented natto.
How To Get More Alkalizing Foods Into Your Diet
One easy way is to drink an alkalizing beverage. Did you know I was going to say drink kombucha? It’s a good way to help digestion and increase alkalinity.
Where to Buy Organic Kombucha and Kombucha Making Supplies
This post is shared at: Mommy Club, Real Food Wednesday, Whole Food Wednesday, Healthy 2Day, Party Wave Wednesday, Seasonal Celebration, Fight Back Friday
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