Decoding pH: What It Is and What It Reveals About You
Let's delve into the world of pH (potential hydrogen). pH is a numerical system used to gauge acidity and alkalinity. According to the National Institute of Medicine, our bodies strive to maintain homeostasis, including a delicate acid-base balance. Typically, the pH of the human body ranges between 7.35 to 7.45, with an average of 7.40. Maintaining this balance is crucial for overall health, as deviations can lead to various issues.
What are the dangers of a low pH? Ready to dive in and explore what your pH might be saying about you?
So how do you know if your pH levels are off? One simple method is to use pH saliva or urine test strips, which are readily available. It's important to note that the body’s pH levels fluctuate throughout the day, but a healthy pH will fluctuate only slightly. During the day, the best time to test your pH is one hour before a meal and two hours after a meal (purchase pH strips here).
These timings offer insights into your body's pH dynamics.
Our bodies are designed to handle acidic elements, it’s when we have too much acidity that will cause our bodies to experience complications. If you don’t properly neutralize excess acids it can lead to:
Confusion
Dizziness
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Dry skin
Cracked lips
Depression
Digestive disorders
What are the dangers of high alkaline levels?
As we learned earlier, excess acids in our bodies can disrupt our body’s functioning. It’s also important that we try to stray away from high alkalinity levels. . If the alkaline levels get too high It will lower your stomach acid, which plays an important role in breaking down proteins. High alkalinity levels also mean your blood’s pH is higher than normal.
Symptoms of being too alkaline (although rare):
Muscle spasms
Tingling or numbness in face, hands, or feet
Confusion
Diarrhea
Nausea
What can be done to improve pH naturally?
It’s important that you incorporate plentiful amounts of nutrients into your daily diet.
Implementing the following practices can effectively boost your alkalinity:
- reduce sugar
- alcohol
- eliminate highly processed foods
- cut back on caffeine
- eat more fruits and vegetables
- manage stress
- drink more water
You can also add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice into your water to help boost alkalinity. Even though ACV and lemons are acidic, they have an alkalizing effect on the body.
Overall, having a balanced pH will help your body function optimally. When the body is overly acidic or alkaline, it can lead to symptoms that could cause you to have a hard time managing your everyday activities.
Visit my website to receive a complimentary chart outlining foods that promote acidity and those that foster alkalinity.
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