The Importance Of Alkalinity

The human body works most efficiently in a slight alkaline environment at around pH 7.4.
The pH scale is a measure of acidity and alkalinity and runs from 0 for pure acid to 14 for pure alkali.
Neutral is at pH 7.
Certain types of food are acidic causing our body to try and neutralise the excess acid with alkaline minerals such as sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron.
Blood pH must always be between pH 7.35 and 7.45 but the pH of our urine can vary over a broader pH range without being lethal.
Our diet and the different foods we eat leave an ash or residue in our system.
The residues can be acid, alkaline or neutral.
The main foods that leave acid residues are animal proteins and other sources of protein, which are generally very high in our diets nowadays.
It is important to remember that there is nothing wrong with protein, it is needed in our diets and provides essential amino acids.

However

In today's lifestyle, we have far too much protein in our diet.
Developed countries have a much higher intake of meat protein per day than developing countries.
It is estimated that in the USA, 110g of protein is eaten per person per day.
Considering that the estimated requirements are between 35 and 45g a day this is far too much protein being consumed.
The digestive system has to deal with this excess acid, which can potentially be fatal.
When excess protein is consumed mineral buffers are used to try and neutralise the excess acid and return the pH to normal.
When we eat burgers, sausages, eggs, pasta, cheese, seafood, refined grains, coffee, tea, fizzy drinks and alcohol, minerals and water are mixed together with the acid to raise the pH towards neutral.
These are then eliminated from the body, and the minerals are lost as well.
Therefore as the body likes to be in an alkaline state but we are feeding it with acidic foods, it needs to buffer and excrete these acidic residues.
This can result in symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, diarrhoea and mineral loss resulting in mineral deficiencies.
Also we do not drink enough water or eat foods with high water content so become dehydrated leading to more health complaints.
Some people can take this too seriously and will measure protein intake in grams and have a strict diet that quite frankly takes the fun out of life.
Try to take a different view on the food you eat, eating more alkaline residue foods 80% of the time and leave the other 20% for healthy foods but foods that you enjoy. Almost all fruit and vegetables are alkali residue forming.
Even citrus fruits that are thought to be acidic leave an alkaline residue in the body.
Pears and apples that are also acidic have an alkalising effect on the body as long as they are not eaten with other food types such as protein and starch but are eaten on their own.
Therefore fruit, vegetables, pulses and legumes are the best foods to eat to alkalise your body as they contain the essential minerals that your body needs.

	Product Name	Short Description	Further Information
	PH Testing Strips (80 Strips)	These pH test strips are made specifically to test saliva and urine, and are the most accurate and economical test strips on the market. Comes complete with directions, indicator colour chart and a guide to how to interpret results. Available from Energise For Life