An Article presented to the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board
ABSTRACT
Life on earth depends on appropriate pH levels in and around living organisms and cells. Human life requires a tightly controlled pH level in the serum of about 7.4 (a slightly alkaline range of 7.35 to 7.45) to survive. A healthy body is considered slightly alkaline. To everything, there is a balance some sections of the human body is meant to be Acidic while some are meant to be Alkaline.
Acidosis is a disease of the whole body; it is the abnormal increase of acidity in the body fluids.
Alkalosis is a disease of the whole body; it is the abnormal increase of alkalinity in the body fluids.
Body fluids like Blood plasma, urine and electrolytes, etc. may be acidic or alkaline depending on the food we eat. Acidosis therefore leads to a diseased condition.
Acidity and Alkalinity are measured on a common scale called Ph (Presence of Hydrogen Scale). The range is from O to 14.
0 to 7 is Acidic and 7 to 14 is Alkaline. Water is close to 7. A healthy body has a pH of 7.4
When the body’s pH falls below 7.35, it means, Acidosis has set in. If the body’s pH rises above
7.45, the body is again diseased and we call it Alkalosis.
INTRODUCTION
The range of healthy to unhealthy is very small and the balance is critical. If the pH of the blood plasma drops below 6.8 or rises above 7.8 the damage to the cells is somewhat irreversible.
This balance is maintained by the Lungs and the Kidneys.
Some of the common causes of Acidosis are:
Shock Asthma Anemia Cancer
Seizures Medication Dehydration Hypoglycemia
Liver Failure Kidney Failure Eating Acidic foods Excessive amounts of Niacin and Vitamin C
TABLE
Certain diets are required to maintain a balanced pH.
When the body becomes too Acidic, blood cleanse using Alkaline fruits and green vegetables are required especially with cases such as Leukemia (Blood Cancer), Acne, Panic attacks, Depression, Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s), etc.
When the body becomes too Alkaline, blood cleanse using Acidic fruits and green vegetables are required especially with cases involving Lung problems, Liver diseases, etc.
The Role of pH in Various Cells, Organs, and Membranes
The pH in our body may vary considerably from one area to another with the highest acidity in the stomach (pH of 1.35 to 3.5) to aid in digestion and protect against opportunistic microbial organisms. But even in the stomach, the layer just outside the epithelium is quite basic to prevent mucosal injury. It has been suggested that decreased gastric lining secretion of bicarbonates and a decrease in the alkaline/acid secretion in duodenal ulcer patients may play a significant role in duodenal ulcers. The skin is quite acidic (pH 4–6.5) to provide an acid mantle as a protective barrier to the environment against microbial overgrowth. There is a gradient from the outer horny layer (pH 4) to the basal layer (pH 6.9). This is also seen in the vagina where a pH of less than 4.7 protects against microbial overgrowth.
Types of Acidosis
Respiratory Acidosis
Body fails to expel Carbon dioxide, leading to an an increase in the levels of Carbon dioxide in the body.
Metabolic Acidosis
Kidney fails to excrete the acid from the body. Under this, we have Hyperchloremic, Diabetic and Lactic acidosis.
Types of Alkalosis
Metabolic
An acid-base disorder due to kidney conditions.
Respiratory
A decrease in chlorine (Hypokalemic) or Potassium (Hypochloremic).
How to easily detect acidity/alkalinity?
A self-test will determine if your body fluids are either too acidic or too alkaline. Purchase litmus paper, and apply saliva and/or urine to the paper. The paper will change color to indicate if you are overly acidic or alkaline. Red litmus paper will turn Blue in an alkaline medium and Blue litmus will turn Red in an acidic medium.
The test is best performed before eating or at least 1 hour after eating.
How to reverse acidity?
In reversing acidity, one thing to note is that the body must have already been confirmed to be in an acidic state.
Supplementation
Coenzyme A
Dosage should be used as directed on the label. It supports the immune system’s detoxification of many dangerous substances.
Kelp
Dosage – 1,000 – 1,500 mg daily. It reduces the acidity in the body and maintains a proper balance of minerals.
Phosphorus
Dosage should be used as directed on the label. A mineral that helps in the conversion of food to energy.
Potassium
Dosage – 99mg daily. It increases metabolism and balancing the pH of the blood.
Dietary Recommendations
Eat a diet of at least 50% raw vegetables. Vegetables contain nutrients that are readily and easily assimilated into the body.
Chew food slowly, make sure your food is mixed well with your saliva before swallowing.
Do not drink fluids during meals.
Observe high hygiene when and where you cook your meals.
Don’t overcook vegetables.
Avoid animal protein such as beef and pork.
Reduce excess intake of vitamin C.
How to reverse alkalinity?
One important point to note is that the most common cause of alkalinity is from an excessive intake of alkaline drugs such as Sodium bicarbonate used in gastritis or peptic ulcer protocols. It may also result from vomiting, high cholesterol, endocrine imbalance, poor diet, diarrhea and osteoarthritis.
Supplementation
Coenzyme A
Dosage should be used as directed on the label. It supports the immune system’s detoxification of many dangerous substances.
Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids
Dosage – 3,000 – 6,000 mg daily, in divided doses. It acts as a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
Vitamin D3
Dosage – 400 IU daily. It is necessary for calcium and phosphorus absorption and utilization by the intestinal tract.
Vitamin E
Dosage should be used as directed on the label. A powerful antioxidant.
Traditional Complementary Medicine Approach to ACIDITY-ALKALINITY IMBALANCE.
Remedy 1
Get 5 limes, wash well and cut into two halves, soak in 500mls water and drink.
Drink it all day like normal water.
Remedy 2
Make juice using 7 green tomatoes, 4 green onions (Alubosa elewe), one capsicum (Ata re), 3 carrots, Two lemons and one bunch of parsley (Effirin).
Remedy 3
Make juice using 3 carrots, 2 celery stalks (seleri), one bunch of spinach (Efo tete) and one bunch of parsley.
All dosage will be one glass thrice daily; Fresh juice should be made daily.
Certain food groups are considered acidic, alkaline, or neutral:
Acidic: meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, grains, alcohol
Neutral: natural fats, starches, and sugars
Alkaline: fruits, nuts, legumes, and vegetables.
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