UNDERSTANDING THE ACID-ALKALINE BALANCE

 NATUROPATHIC NEWS & REVIEW

By Columnist Trudy Cadoo – Senior Naturopath:

Photo credit: Alkaline Foods via photopin (license) –

An acid-alkaline balance of the body is crucial to our overall health.  Our bodies are always working hard to maintain an ideal pH level.

What Does pH Mean?

The term pH stands for “potential hydrogen” which is the measure of hydrogen ion concentration in a solution.  The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is and ranges from 0 to 14. Seven is neutral. A reading of below seven becomes increasingly acidic, and above seven, increasingly alkaline.

I test the majority of people that come into my clinic for a Naturopathic screening for pH; it is a very straightforward test that involves putting a pH strip into a urine or saliva sample.  The ideal pH result should be seven, I find a large percentage of people tested show an acidic result, it’s not uncommon to see levels around  5.5.  This test may be easily done at home if you are interested in charting your pH for optimal health.

How Can a pH Balance Be of Benefit?

A balanced pH can benefit you in many ways including the:

• Promotion of healthy body weight.
• Reduction of the risk of hypertension.
• Protection of yourself against premature ageing.
• Promotion of energy, physical vitality, and stamina.
• Increasing of bone health.
• Maximisation of digestive health.
• Boosting of immunity.
• Possible reduction in the risk of gout.
• Possibility of cancer reduction.

Your diet positively affects the body’s pH although it is not the only factor.  Lack of exercise, drugs, alcohol,  stress and cigarettes can all change one’s pH. Individuals that overwork and experience high emotional stress release acid forming hormones such as cortisol that impact their general wellbeing and their pH balance.

What are the Basics of Being Alkaline?

The fundamentals of being alkaline depend on what you consume. In fact, having an alkaline diet can lead to you feeling healthy and full of vitality. Therefore, it is recommended that you:

• Eat a whole food diet based on lots of vegetables.
• Keep your body well hydrated by drinking lots of water, warm water with organic apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning is ideal
• Increase your greens; you can do this through diet or supplementing with a green vegetable powder.
• Enjoy berries – blueberries, cranberries, goji berries are the best.
• Eat soaked seeds and nuts.
• Replace sugar with stevia, xylitol, pure maple syrup or rice malt syrup.
• Limit or avoid caffeine, soft drinks, and alcohol. Swap your coffee to herbal tea.
• Avoid processed foods,  preservatives, additives, and colouring.
• Get quality sleep.
• Breathe as much fresh air as possible.
• Exercise regularly.
• Be optimistic, and laugh lots, leading to contentment, and happiness
• Indulge in relaxation – Yoga and meditation.
• Avoid environmental toxins.

What Type of Food Makes for an Alkaline Diet?

A typical pH diet consists of:

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with onion and baby spinach. Ginger tea.

Snack: Pear and toasted pumpkin seeds.

Lunch: Grilled salmon fillet with mixed greens, cucumber, carrots, and broccoli.

Snack: Soaked almonds.

Dinner: Baked organic chicken with a sweet potato and green salad.

Overall, a diet rich in quality whole foods is a way of achieving not only an acid-alkaline balance but also an overall improvement in one’s health and wellbeing.

About Our Naturopathic News and Review Columnist

Trudy Cadoo is a Senior Naturopath at Brisbane Livewell Clinic, Wavell Heights. She believes that health is more than the absence of disease. It is the balance of many factors including mental, emotional and physical well-being. Trudy uses a wide range of diagnostic tools to identify and treat presenting problems.  Trudy specialises in helping busy professional women gain more energy, increase their immune system and feel more vital and in control of their health.

Disclaimer: The information published in this column is based on the author’s professional and personal knowledge, and opinion. This information and opinion are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any manner. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition and consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on InShape