What Do pH Levels Have to Do With Our Health?
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Studies have shown that proper pH is essential to good health.
pH levels are a mystery to most of us. We often forget about them completely once we pass that dreaded high school chemistry class.
pH stands for “potential for hydrogen”.
A pH level refers to the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. A pH of 0-6.9 is acidic, and a pH of 7-14 is alkaline.
The optimal pH of the human body is between 7.35 and 7.45, or an average of 7.4. If our pH is too low or too high, it can result in cell damage.
Acidosis
Acidosis is the condition when a person’s pH level falls below 7.35. The two types of acidosis are respiratory and metabolic.
Respiratory acidosis occurs as a result of having too much carbon dioxide in the blood because of breathing problems. Brain tumors, head injuries and chronic illnesses such as bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia are often the cause.
Metabolic acidosis is commonly associated with an inability of the kidneys to excrete acid. An increase in the production or accumulation of acids in bodily systems can also cause this. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a well-known form of metabolic acidosis.
In both types of acidosis, the body attempts to compensate for the overabundance of acid. This is accomplished either by adjusting breathing rates to eliminate more carbon dioxide, or by retaining bicarbonate.
Alkalosis
Metabolic alkalosis is the condition when pH levels rise above 7.45. As with acidosis, the cause can be respiratory or metabolic.
Respiratory alkalosis is caused by hyperventilation, which causes the body to lose too much carbon dioxide. Metabolic alkalosis can occur when a person has prolonged vomiting or dehydration.
The body attempts to compensate for alkalosis by doing the opposite of what it would do in the case of acidosis: It adjusts breathing rates to retain more carbon dioxide or eliminates bicarbonate.
What to Do About Improper pH
The body’s efforts to balance these conditions balance the overall pH, but they often result in too much acid or alkali in one part of the body and not enough in another. For this reason, it is important to try to avoid these conditions as much as possible. This can be accomplished by eating foods that increase or decrease our bodies’ pH levels.
Your doctor can perform blood pH tests, but it is also possible to test your pH at home. You can get pH Hydrion test paper at your local pharmacy. It comes in a small roll, and can be used to test your saliva or urine. These tests are not as accurate as those obtained from your doctor, because saliva is usually more acidic than blood and urine pH varies throughout the day. But the test can give you a general idea of where your pH stands.
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Creating a Support System for Yourself
Losing weight is one of the most difficult challenges many of us face. Having a support system makes success much easier to attain.
Not only will a support system help motivate you through the tough times, but it will make it much easier to succeed and cheer you on when you do succeed.
Creating a system of support to achieve your goals is that much easier with these five great ideas:
Support System #1 – Family
One of the easiest support systems will most likely be your family. They love you unconditionally, they want you to succeed and they are always around.
Moms are great for complimenting you on your goals …
“You look great today!”
“I can tell you have been exercising, it’s really paying off!”
Our children are superb at calling us out on our slip-ups,
“Did you eat the last piece of cake, mom?”
And of course our extended families are helpful by asking about our status,
“So have you dropped those ten pounds you were working on losing?”
Husbands or wives are there to cheer for you when you succeed and hold you when you slip.
By providing you with an environment of support, your family members can help you attain your goals. This is great for goals other than losing weight as well. Such as if you are trying to quit smoking, your spouse or family members may try to quit with you, or smoke outside, and of course never offer to pick up a pack for you when they’re out.
Support System #2 – Friends
Friends challenge you to succeed, making them a superior support system. They keep you focused on your goals and make you laugh.
More importantly, they will often join you on your quest for a healthier lifestyle. You can join (or create) a walking club or exercise group where you get together three times a week for laughter and fitness.
If all of you are trying to lose weight, weekly calls or coffee meetings to discuss your trials and successes during the week can help keep everyone motivated and on track.
Support System #3 – Online
Chat rooms, forums, and online support groups are incredibly successful tools. Because of their success, specific chat rooms have been created to help people meet and attain their fitness and weight loss goals.
Besides chat rooms and social networking support sites, there are many other online tools available to help you track your success. There is a Google plug-in that tracks your fitness. You can use it to track your mileage if you’re running, swimming or cycling and you can also track your weight lifting progress. This allows you to track the statistics of your workout, and how you felt afterward.
Support System #4 – Programs
Many weight loss programs offer some kind of support system. It is crucial for us to have support as we embark on something important (and in many cases difficult).
Weight Watchers offer meetings, Jenny Craig has in office support or online support, and Curves offers support with their fitness programs, eDiets offers support via online meetings, phone consultations with a nutritionist, fitness support and of course their multiple forums.
Program support is often the best support because other people in the program are going through the same thing as you – or they have been there before. They understand your struggles. It is easier to offer advice and tips to one another, because you understand what each other is going through.
Support System #5 – Journal
You can always count on yourself. Journaling your successes can help you stay motivated. Tracking your struggles can help you understand yourself better.
When you are having a bad day, read about your successes and the goals or milestones you’ve already achieved – this helps you stay motivated. Use the slip-ups to figure out what triggered those moments of weakness – this helps you to find alternative actions you can take the next time and helps you to avoid certain situations in the future.
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5 Immune-Boosting Foods
Eating a balanced, healthy diet is good for you in many ways. It keeps your immune system healthy and gives you energy.
There are certain foods that are particularly good for boosting your immune system.
By eating these immune boosting foods on a regular basis you’ll have an easier time avoiding illness. And when you do get sick, your body will fight off the illness more quickly.
Here are some of the best foods to boost your immune system …
Immune Boosting Food 1 – Citrus Fruits
Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins when it comes to boosting your immune system. It is crucial to get the proper amount of Vitamin C every day. It has been called our immune system’s best friend for many years for a reason.
Citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, and tangerines are great. The most recognizable food source of Vitamin C is citrus fruits.
Immune Boosting Food 2 – Raw Vegetables
Vegetables include many nutrients that will boost your immune system including Vitamin E and Beta Carotene.
Many people don’t know that vegetables provide far greater benefits when eaten raw. Cooking tends to leech the nutrients out of them. If you can’t stand eating certain veggies raw you can always steam them. Lightly steaming vegetables keep most of the nutrients intact.
Dark green and orange vegetables such as spinach, greens, sweet potatoes and carrots are the best veggies for your immune system.
Immune Boosting Food 3 – Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds make great, tasty snacks and have great nutritional value as well. Almonds and sunflower seeds are great sources for Vitamin E. A daily serving of Brazil nuts gives us more than enough selenium. Many nuts and seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids which have been proven to increase the activity of white blood cells and speed up the healing process.
Immune Boosting Food 4 – Water
Yeah, I know water is not a food … It is crucial to your immune system that you consume enough water every day. It cleanses your body of impurities and will allow your immune system to concentrate on fighting off germs.
However, it is critical that the water you are drinking is of high quality because certain substances that are often found in water can actually be harmful to your immune system.
Immune Boosting Food 5 – Herbs
Many herbs are good for your immune system. Some herbs make great tea. Others provide flavor as seasoning, such as garlic. Some don’t taste good, but can be easily consumed as a pill.
Garlic, astragalus, goldenseal, and olive leaf extract are some of the best herbs for boosting your immune system.
Good health depends on a healthy immune system, so it is very important that you take care of yours.
Keep your immune system strong and functioning properly by including these foods in your diet on a regular basis.
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Four Healthy Winter Breakfasts
Why do we seem to eat more food during the winter?
Do we somehow figure that it is okay to add a little more fat or cushion to our bodies to help keep us warm when it’s so cold?
After all, it works for the bears, right?
However, for us, moving less but eating more does not equal a healthy lifestyle even if it is just for the winter.
It is possible to eat, and feel full without adding excess weight and ruining our diet plan. You can stay warm and healthy during the winter by starting off with a healthy breakfast.
You work hard to lose weight, or maintain your weight while the weather was warm so don’t ruin it just because it is bitter and cold out.
Four Healthy Winter Breakfasts
Healthy Breakfst #1 – Oatmeal
You can get your oatmeal in great little instant packages with flavors like strawberries and cream, maple and brown sugar, and cinnamon and apples now. It doesn’t have to be like the pasty, gray stuff you ate as a kid.
The oats provide fiber (both soluble and insoluble) which helps stabilize blood sugar which can help prevent overeating later in the day. The slow release of energy by your body is great for keeping you going at a steady pace. You can make your oatmeal with water or milk. Keep in mind using skim milk will also provide vitamin D.
Healthy Breakfst #2 - Fruit filled breads
Many people find themselves in a hurry all the time. This may mean having a warm breakfast is out of the question, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a nutritious meal!
Muffin mix recipes can be used for sweet bread – Banana Nut, Cranberry-Raisin, and Blueberry bread. For variety you can add fresh or dried fruits to the batter.
These breads are fast and easy to make and eat. Using the combination of whole grains and fruit makes it a healthy winter breakfast.
Healthy Breakfst #3 -Eggs, cheese and sausage
A mixture of protein, carbohydrates, and fats equal a good, healthy breakfast. You get protein and some fat from both eggs and cheese. You can always substitute low fat cheeses but keep in mind fat free cheese doesn’t seem to melt as well.
Turkey sausage or bacon provides you with protein from meat, which we often crave. If this is not an everyday option, you can designate weekends as a time for the entire family to sit down and enjoy a good hearty, healthy, hot breakfast together. (This promotes good winter health habits as well as the perfect excuse to spend some quality family time together.)
Healthy Breakfst #4 – Unsweetened Cereals
Cereal is still a part of a balanced breakfast, and this doesn’t change just because the weather outside does. Try cereals that obtain their sweetness from honey or cinnamon. These ingredients are better for you as they are fortified with the vitamins and minerals your body needs to consume every day.
Add a glass of orange juice or a cup of coffee with a slice of whole grain or wheat toast and you have a fast, healthy, well balanced breakfast before school or work.
Think about your breakfast habits. Your body craves carbohydrates which lead to eating more food. This instinct to hibernate is natural in our bodies. However you can overcome this and prevent a larger version of “you” during the spring by continuing to watch what you eat during the winter. Try these breakfast alternatives to help you stay informed of what you are consuming during this cold, unforgiving season!
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Exercising – Where Should I Start?
Fitness becomes more important as you age, but it is vital for people of all ages. Exercise can prevent injuires and slow the signs of aging while keeping your mind and body healthy.
Making the decision to get in shape is one of the most important steps in getting fit, however it doesn’t stop there.
Many people just don’t know how to get started and end up losing their way. Maybe you’ve been in shape before and strayed, or maybe you’ve never really tried to get in shape before.
Either way, here are some tips to get on track-NO MATTER YOUR AGE.
1. The Doctor
You’ve probably seen or heard this message multiple times: Consult your doctor before starting a diet and exercise program. You probably ignore this message however it is important for everyone, even more so as you age. We’ve all heard of seniors running (and even winning) marathons, or climbing trecherous mountains, but just because their body is built for those things doens’t mean yours is-no matter your age.
If you choose to start a fitness program without consulting your doctor, you could be putting your health in serious danger. Your doctor will check for problems, which if found they can help you take steps and choose a routine that will reduce your risk. They can also advise you on how to get fit in a safe manner.
2. The Gym
Gyms are always a great place to start when you decide to get (or stay) fit. Many gyms have been geared towards younger people with a high fitness level, however a lot of places are starting to catch on and market towards baby boomers. There are classes, programs and equimpment designed for beginners, or people with less mobility. Many gyms also offer start-up programs which are great to help those of us who haven’t been to a gym in a while (or ever) get going. They can recommend exercises and programs which are designed just for you and your fitness level.
3. Fitness Clubs
The gym just isn’t for everyone. So, if it isn’t your thing, try a walking club or some other kind of fitness club. You can get social support along with your workout, and many clubs offer fringe benefits such as health check-ups or discounts. Most local malls now have walking clubs because they offer benefits such as being in a climate controlled setting, and it is typically safer than walking in the open streets.
4. Your Friends
Having a back-up system to keep you motivated is one of the biggest factors in determining whether you will stick with your workout plan or not. If you have friends who work out or participate in physical activites, ask if you can join in. Friends are usually happy to help you out, plus they’re usually excited have a friend interested in what they do. On the other hand, if most of your friends aren’t very active either, try to motivate them to get active with you. You can research your options together and neither of you will feel so out of place because you’ll have each other. You can also help keep each other motivated.
The most important part of an exercise program is to have fun! Remember that, so you’ll be much more likely to stick with it and reap the full benefits for a long time to come.
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A New Year A New Healthier You
Here’s a printable report to help you acheive your Weight Loss Goals in 2009!
A New Year A New Healthier You
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!
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- Five Tips to Avoid Weight Gain During the Holidays
- The Holidays and Unwanted Weight Gain
- Four Easy Desk Exercises
- Jennifer Love Hewitt Loses 18 Pounds!
- Slim Fast Diet: Pros and Cons
- Quick On-the-Go Breakfast Ideas
- Foods That Help Raise pH Levels in the Body
- 5 Benefits of Bike Riding
- 15 Pounds Lost Using "Fit Over 40"
- Are Your Loved Ones Hindering Your Weight Loss Efforts?
- LeAnn Rimes Diet and Exercise
- What Do pH Levels Have to Do With Our Health?
- How Many Carbs Do I Need?
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