Balancing our Body pH and it's Importance During a Detoxification

Introduction:

Maintaining a balanced pH is crucial for optimal body function, serving as a foundational element for health and well-being. The pH level determines the acidity or alkalinity of our body fluids, directly impacting various biochemical processes. A balanced pH is particularly essential when embarking on detoxification protocols to ensure that the body can effectively eliminate toxins without causing additional stress and imbalance.

The Importance of Keeping a Balanced pH:

Our bodies operate optimally at a slightly alkaline pH level, with arterial blood having a pH of approximately 7.4. A deviation, especially towards acidity, can compromise the body's bio-chemical processes, leading to decreased vitality and increased vulnerability to diseases.

1. Optimal Enzyme Function:

   • Enzymes, which catalyze biochemical reactions in the body, function optimally within a narrow pH range. An imbalance can inhibit enzyme activities, affecting digestion, metabolism, and detoxification.

2. Mineral Equilibrium:

   • Overacidification depletes essential minerals, crucial for acid buffering. A balanced pH ensures adequate mineral levels, necessary for the structural and functional integrity of the body.

3. Enhanced Detoxification:

   • Balanced pH aids in effective detoxification. When the body is alkaline, it can efficiently neutralize and excrete toxins, preventing them from causing harm to the body's cells and tissues.

Factors Contributing to Overacidification:

Various lifestyle and dietary factors contribute to overacidification, including:

• Processed and Refined Foods: High in sugars, unhealthy fats, and additives.
• Animal Proteins: High in sulfur-containing amino acids.
• Grains: Especially refined ones, are acid-forming.
• Dairy Products: Lactic acid and phosphoric acid contribute to acidity.
• Soft Drinks: Usually high in phosphoric acid.
• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Certain Medications: Produce metabolic acids.
• Stress: Leads to the production of acid-forming cortisol.

Impact on Detoxification:

When the body is over-acidified, the efficiency of detoxification organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and large intestine, is hindered. The unusual amount of toxicity being released into the bloodstream during cleansing can make the body very acidic, potentially causing detox symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended not to start any cleanse until the pH is balanced, minimizing cleansing reactions and optimizing the detoxification process.

Strategies to Improve pH Balance:

To mitigate overacidification and enhance detoxification, consider the following strategies:

• Consume a Balanced Diet: Focus on alkaline-forming fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins.
• Stay Hydrated: Water helps neutralize and flush out excess acids.
• Manage Stress: Exercise, meditation, and adequate sleep can help manage stress levels.
• Limit Acidic Foods: Reduce the consumption of processed foods, animal proteins, and other acid-forming substances.

Acid Forming Foods:

Acid-forming foods are foods that contribute to the acidity of the body’s internal environment when metabolized. Here’s a list of common acid-forming foods:

It’s crucial to maintain a balance by also consuming alkaline-forming foods, such as most fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and legumes. While it’s not necessary to completely avoid all acid-forming foods, striving for a balanced intake can help maintain optimal health and pH levels in the body.

Testing your pH:

In order to test your pH use a pHpaper strip . You want to test the mid-stream of your first morning urine.

The optimal range is between 6.4~7.2. If you are acidic (lower than 6.4), take the recommended supplements (below) and continue to test your pH daily until back in balance.

We recommend to not start any cleanse until your pH is between 6.4-7.2 to minimize cleansing reactions. When we're cleansing there is an unusual amount of toxicity been dumped into the blood stream and detox organs (kidney, liver and large intestine) which can, in turn, make our body very acidic and give detox symptoms.

Improving your pH:

If your pH is below 6.4 here is what you can add to your diet:

• Vegetable broths and fresh juices especially green juices
• Super Green Foods like:
• Premier Greens
• Supplements like:
• Pink Salt: 1/2 a teaspoon to every other glass of water you drink throughout the day.
• Microhydrin
• Calcium Magnesium Plus

Vegetable Broth Recipe:

A fresh made vegetable mineral broth is a great way to provide your body of much needed electrolyte minerals while cleansing, especially if you're cleansing during cold weather. You can read more about this recipe and the importance of achieving a balanced pH before entering a cleanse here: "Cleanse and Purify Thyself" from Dr. Richard Anderson.

How to Make a Vegetable Broth:

• 3 quarts of filtered water

• 3 medium to large potatoes cut in cubes with peel 'n all

• 2-3 stalks of cut celery

• 1-2 large leaves of any greens such as collard, mustard, kale, etc or 1 turnip or half-bunch of parsley. Even carrot or bet tops will do. Whatever is green.

• You can even add kelp if you want high concentrates of a wide variety of minerals.

Use a stainless steel pot and bring it to a light boil with the lid on. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and after it has cooled a bit, strain and throw out the chunks, keeping only the broth. Refrigerate. Drink 2/3 cups a day.

You can also add miso to it if you need a more salty taste and want to replenish the good bacteria on your digestive track. Make sure that you don't cook the miso but add it to your cup once the broth is done to preserve its probiotics.

Conclusion:

A balanced pH is integral to maintaining optimal health and enhancing the body’s detoxification capabilities. By understanding the impact of our dietary and lifestyle choices on our body's pH levels and by implementing strategies to maintain balance, we can safeguard our health and improve our body's ability to detoxify efficiently and effectively. By paying attention to the delicate acid-alkaline balance, we lay down a cornerstone for enduring health and vitality.

Quote:

"Achieving a balanced pH is not just about mitigating diseases; it is about creating an internal environment where the body can thrive and effectively rid itself of toxins, paving the way for optimal health and well-being."

Remember, taking the first step towards balanced pH is the first step towards improved health. Regularly testing your pH and adjusting your lifestyle and diet accordingly is fundamental in achieving and maintaining this balance, ensuring that the body is primed and ready for effective detoxification.

If you need help designing a balanced diet give us a call.

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