HEALTH REPORT
The right Balance
M aintaining the correct pH balance in your body plays a key role in your health. Your body functions best in a slightly alkaline state. An overly acidic body can lead to poor body function and sub-optimal health. The correct pH balance, however, supports the body to perform at the best of its biochemical ability, resulting in vitality, energy and mental clarity. Acidity and alkalinity are measured according to the pH (potential of hydrogen) scale. On this scale of 0 to 14, 0 is the most acidic and 14 is the most alkaline. The ideal pH range for the human body falls between 7.0 to 7.4. However, the pH range in the body is in a constant state of flux, because every metabolic function - from breathing and digestion to energy production and stress - will create acidic by-products and force the body towards acidosis, a condition in which
Are you getting enough?
body chemistry becomes unbalanced and overly acidic. Testing your pH regularly is the only way of knowing how acidic your body is. Symptoms associated with low to severe acidosis include lack of energy/fatigue, weight gain, muscle aches and pains, frequent colds and flu, gout, arthritis, excess mucus production, anxiety, irritability, poor skin health and indigestion. Also of concern is that any elevation of acidity in the body will increase inflammation and trigger soft tissue
28 raw and unprocessed foods to help reduce acidity and inflammation: within the body. Raw is best, cooking foods reduces its effectiveness to some degree. Eat fruits in moderation, interestingly although it might seem that citrus fruits would be acidifying, lemons actually have an alkalising effect in the body – try it in a glass of water to start your day. Remember to test your pH first, for a few days, then see which foods work best for you to lower your acidity while continuing to test each day. Speak to your healthcare practitioner to discuss the best foods for you. All fresh vegetables, especially raw leafy green vegetables, help balance the acid/alkaline levels
degeneration and bone loss. What you can do
A basic rule of thumb to achieve the right pH balance in your body is to eat 80 per cent alkaline-forming foods and 20 per cent acid-forming foods (see “Are you getting enough?” table). In addition drink 2-3 litres of water daily. Unfortunately, the modern Western diet - with its non-raw and processed foods, over- reliance on animal and refined grain products, and too much sugar, salt, caffeine, artificial ingredients and
• Almonds • Apples • Avocados • Bananas • Brazil nuts • Broccoli • Capsicum • Coconut - virgin, cold pressed/
• Celery • Cucumber • Dates • Grapefruit • Horseradish • Kale • Lettuce • Lemons • Lima beans • Limes • Molasses
• Mushrooms • Onions • Pomegranate • Potatoes • Soy products - fermented • Spinach • Spirulina • Sprouts • Watercress
unprocessed
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ISSUE 55 • 2019
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