What Do pH Levels Have to Do With Our Health?

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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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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