Alkalinity

To define whether something is acidic or alkaline there is the pH scale that ranges from 0-14. Something that is alkaline belongs to the basic end of the scale, meaning it is between 7-14. Everything below 7 belongs to the acid end.

The human body is slightly alkaline by nature. However, every body system/organ has a different pH. The blood has a pH of around 7.4 which is alkaline and our body, especially our liver is working hard to keep up this level all the time.

The stomach is on the acid side with a pH of 1.5-3.5. The liver maintains a neutral pH of about 7, almost like the colon which lies between 5.5-7.

The pH of saliva and urine always depends on what you eat and other factors. So note that measuring the pH of your urine with a pH strip won’t give you a feedback on your body’s acidity it only shows you what the body is flushing out. In the morning for example, your urine is supposed to be acidic because over night your body (liver, kidneys, etc.) is working on cleansing out waste and toxins which is then flushed out upon waking.

If you feel that your body is acidic and gives you symptoms like rashes, constipation, headache or fatigue one thing you can do besides eating the right foods is to take an alkaline Epsom Sea Salt bath for at least 1-2 hours. Alternatively if you don’t have a tub you can also take an Epsom Sea Salt foot bath or use alkaline stockings, cuffs or alkaline armpit cushions.

In terms of foods defining whether something is alkaline or acidic depends on how the body is processing it.

In order to gain energy, our body is transforming food, may it be from carbohydrates (glucose), protein or fat. This can be compared to a fire. So when our body is “burning down” food it leaves behind metabolic waste (ash). And this waste can be either alkaline, neutral or acidic. Let’s say you eat an apple; then your body will metabolize it and the remaining metabolic waste will be alkaline. That way it makes your blood more alkaline.

Below you can see a small overview of the different food types:

• Acidic: eggs, dairy, gluten, meat, poultry, fish, alcohol
• Neutral: starches, natural fats and sugars
• Alkaline: fruits, leafy greens, vegetables, nuts, legumes

Eating more foods that are alkaline improves your body’s health on many levels because pathogens only thrive in acidic surroundings. And if your body is acidic your more prone to illness and disease.

On the image below you can find an overview over the most alkalizing foods with a brief description if you swipe left.

Highly alkaline water has a pH level of about 8 or 9 and it is ionized to raise its alkalinity.

Some people say that drinking alkaline water neutralizes acidity in our body but the truth is that our body has to work really hard to raise the pH level of the water because as mentioned above our stomach has an acidic pH and our colon is tending from acidic to an neutral pH. Better would be to drink water that suits our body’s natural pH level of 7.4 and maybe a little bit above.

The ideal solution is to vitalize your water with natural vitamins and minerals form lemons/limes, herbs, fruits and raw honey. That way your body can get hydrated on a deep cellular level.

Vinegar even though it is digested alkaline has an acidic effect on the body because it pickles the liver and puts it under stress which contributes to making the liver sluggish and stagnant just like alcohol.

Apple cider vinegar is still the best vinegar to pick though. Just be aware to use it sparingly if at all because it can contribute to toxic and dirty blood.

Even though taking a bath in sodium bicarbonate can help to make our body alkaline, taking it internally is rather unbeneficial. Sodium bicarbonate taken internally is way too harsh on our intestinal tract and liver, killing off good and beneficial bacteria.

Commercials keep on promoting soaps, shower gels and body lotions, etc. as pH skin neutral, meaning the pH level resembles our skin’s pH. Well, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The truth is that the natural pH of our skin is supposed to be alkaline but due to nowadays diets, environment and toxic load it shows up as being at 5.5 and being acidic. This is because the skin is an eliminative organ just like the colon and kidneys, pushing out acids whenever the colon or kidneys are overwhelmed.

So if you want to do your skin something good choose rather alkaline body care products with a pH from 7+ and if it doesn’t show the pH make sure that the ingredients are all natural. Most of the companies add citric acid/ascorbic acid to lotions and soaps to lower the pH.

Great natural body lotions are things like shea butter, aloe vera, coconut oil, argan oil, almond oil, jojoba oil,…You can even make your own body lotion and add some essential oils.

Chemical free deodorants are essential too because under our arm pits our body is pushing out acids via the lymph system. And if we block this outlet with chemical sweat suppressing deodorants the acids have to come out another way. Plus whatever we put under our arms also finds its way into our body.

Eating a diet that is high in fat – no matter if it is healthy (nuts, seeds, avocados) or unhealthy (fried foods) – thickens the blood and decreases oxygen levels in the blood. When there’s less oxygen in the blood our liver jumps in and starts to produce more bile in order to break down the fats and to thin the blood. This is essential because our brain and heart can’t perform at their best without enough oxygen. Furthermore the liver jumps in to protect the pancreas which is responsible for producing insulin to regulate blood sugar. Without the livers assistance the pancreas would be forced to produce more and more insulin and would sooner or later struggle with producing insulin. And we end up with diabetes.

Thick blood also means that there is less less water content which can set the stage for chronic dehydration and can even worsen autoimmune conditions.  Because higher blood fat allows viruses and bacteria – which cause these autoimmune conditions – to prosper.

Decreasing the consumption of healthy fats and replacing high fat foods with foods like potatoes, mangoes, spinach, tomatoes, celery, etc. thus is essential. As mentioned above pathogens thrive in an acidic environment and if your blood becomes thick due to a high fat diet they prosper.

So I’d say that alkalinity is also dependent upon the liver and it’s ability to keep our body clean and healthy. And the liver performs it’s best when it’s on a low fat diet, especially when you’re struggling with a chronic illness.

I hope that this blog post will inspire you to eat more alkalizing fruits and veggies every day.

Are you already eating a lot of alkalizing foods? What are your favorite ones?

Please share your experiences, thoughts and questions if you like. I’m looking forward to exchange ideas and experiences with you!

Love, Eva

Disclaimer:

The information and statements on this page are made for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor.  The experiences, views and nutritional advice that are expressed by Naturally Rawsome are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service.  Please see your physician if you have a health issue or a severe medical condition.

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