Dr. Brenda Gill Says: Are you Acidic or Alkaline?
By Dr. Brenda Gill
This year warmer weather has come much sooner than usual, so, working towards being slightly alkaline will prepare you for a spring cleanse and minimize seasonal allergies. So, BEFORE your allergies start, prevent them by being alkaline! Alkalinity & acidity is based on the essential metabolic processes in the body. These processes take place at the smallest cellular level. Energy is acquired in humans by the breakdown or oxidation of large carbohydrates into smaller compounds that the cell draws from for nutrients to fuel its activities. Through this process, carbonic acid is produced, which may be dangerous for the cells when produced in too great a quantity. When this occurs it makes the system “acidic”. For activities in the cell to function properly, a stable cellular acid concentration is required. This varies between pH 7.3-7.4. When outside of this range, certain enzyme reactions, which regulate the energy being utilized by the body are negatively affected. When the pH lowers, some metabolic processes can stop. This leads to toxicity and eventually the death of the cell. Therefore, if the system is too acidic, the cells become toxic.
This can be avoided through different compensations by the body. The first mechanism is breathing, which releases carbonic acid. Therefore, it is extremely important to breathe properly, deep into the lower rib cage to flood the body with oxygen. The second mechanism is using minerals, especially potassium and sodium (called bases) that neutralize the acid into a harmless salt and is eliminated through the kidneys. The minerals used up in the process must be replaced or detoxification is compromised.
To increase these minerals, we should eat 5 times the quantity of “whole” foods (salads, vegetables, fruits, grains) each day, compared to the total quantity of all other foods. Real food (which is found around the outside of the store) is rich in the minerals that are needed for optimizing pH. If the basic minerals are replaced on an everyday basis, the body will remain healthy and be properly responsive to stressors.
The body regulates the proper balance between acids and bases by constantly monitoring and co-ordinating the proper respiration, circulation, digestion, elimination, hormone production, immune response and other mechanisms. When the level of carbonic acid in the body becomes high, the regulatory mechanism stimulates the respiratory and circulatory system to respond in an attempt to re-balance the system. Tiredness and sleep disturbances are possible early signs of increased acidity. Pain is a signal that indicates the body is even more out of balance.
Typically, most people have too low a pH, which means too acidic. At the beginning of most diseases, there is an over-acidified system. The regulatory mechanisms attempt to balance the deficit to prevent damage to the cells. When these fail, chronic dis-ease develops. Conversely, an acute disease is often an attempt of the body to mobilize mineral reserves available to try and re-balance the system. Therefore, it is important to re-establish the body’s pH within the proper range as soon as possible before disease is established.
The next article will discuss how to measure and regulate your pH. If you feel you’re having a hard time evaluating what your body is doing,consider an appointment with: Dr. Brenda Gill at 250- 362-5035
