Acid vs Alkaline Diet

[alreturnslol]

So I have been doing my research on this. I am afraid of the effects of acidic diets, if they really do exist. I have been researching hard and have failed to come to any certain conclusions.

Is lower acidity really beneficial?

If so, how should I start?

[sepiagal]

I'm not sure how old you are and the kind of diet you have eaten but as you get older you may have a ph imbalance.

The symptoms of being too acidic are too varied and diverse to be able to tell from that. You can try changing your diet to see if you notice any change. You can try those pH test strips. They can be used for both urine and saliva but urine is considered better. The strips can help you see if your diet is providing you with enough alkalizing minerals if your pH level decreases from the first morning sample.

Americans have higher rates of osteoporosis even though we eat more dairy then other countries. Calcium is not the only issue: diet is also a factor.

Some dispute this problem arguing that food ingested doesn't change the pH of the blood and tissues because the stomach starts digestion by releasing HCL acid so all foods become acidic once ingested. Well gout is recognized by mainstream medicine and gout is too much uric acid which can be helped or made worse by diet. Gout sufferers need to watch their diet not just for purines but for the overall effect on pH (acidifying foods versus alkalizing foods). The main difference is gout is a painful accumulation of uric acid in your big toe or some other body part.

And its not about blood pH because that is tightly controlled by the body. But urine pH is the issue. Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) is a value that accuarately tells you the pH effect that any food has on you urine or kidneys. People with kidney problems can develop pH problems because the kidneys and lungs are the two main organs that help regulate acid alkaline balance. (A respiratory problem can also effect pH levels, usually blood though - blood gases specifically.)

Most people start to feel the effects of getting old at some point. You can wait until you're feeling the ill effects of getting older or you can be proactive and eat a healthy diet now. I think its harder to undo the damage once its done. In other words its better to avoid problems before they start.

[wolfgang]

It's not that mysterious, I think. Eat mostly vegetables and fruits. Less white bread, sugar, beer, meat, dairy. I try every once and a while to eat better. I think a lot of healthy eating ideas actually end up helping you eat alkaline, even if they don't say so.

Have you run into this write up?:
The pH Nutrition Guide to Acid / Alkaline Balance page 0 - Introduction

[sepiagal]

I'm not sure how old you are and the kind of diet you have eaten but as you get older you may have a ph imbalance.

The symptoms of being too acidic are too varied and diverse to be able to tell from that. You can try changing your diet to see if you notice any change. You can try those pH test strips. They can be used for both urine and saliva but urine is considered better. The strips can help you see if your diet is providing you with enough alkalizing minerals if your pH level decreases from the first morning sample.

Americans have higher rates of osteoporosis even though we eat more dairy then other countries. Calcium is not the only issue: diet is also a factor for osteoporosis.

Some dispute this problem arguing that food ingested doesn't change the pH of the blood and tissues because the stomach starts digestion by releasing HCL acid so all foods become acidic once the enter the stomach. Well gout is recognized by mainstream medicine and gout is too much uric acid which can be helped or made worse by diet. Gout sufferers need to watch their diet not just for purines but for the overall effect on pH (acidifying foods versus alkalizing foods). The main difference is gout is a painful accumulation of uric acid in your big toe or some other body part.

And its not about blood pH because that is tightly controlled by the body. But urine pH is the issue. Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) is a value that accuarately tells you the pH effect that any food has on you urine or kidneys. People with kidney problems can develop pH problems because the kidneys and lungs are the two main organs that help regulate pH. (A respiratory problem can also effect pH levels, usually blood though - blood gases specifically.)

Most people start to feel the effects of getting old at some point. You can wait until you're feeling the ill effects of getting older or you can be proactive and eat a healthy (or healthier) diet now. I think its harder to undo the damage once its done. In other words its better to avoid problems before they start.

[alreturnslol]

thanks for the information, I guess my main question is


has this stuff been scientifically proven to make you healthier

[wolfgang]

Maybe google some of the Scientific Citations in the write up link I posted:
The pH Nutrition Guide to Acid / Alkaline Balance page 6 - Scientific Citations

The other thing is to just eat to be as alkaline as possible and see for yourself. I am not regular enough to be a testimonial. But every time I read about it I see a lot that makes sense.

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by sepiagal

Americans have higher rates of osteoporosis even though we eat more dairy then other countries. Calcium is not the only issue: diet is also a factor for osteoporosis.

Yup, that calcium gets taken from bones to buffer out acid to keep the blood in tolerance when there is a lot of acid to neutralize from the diet.

[alreturnslol]

thanks wolf

[Peek]

When I go too much off the alkaline route, I get an flu or something like that for sure. Holiday season was yet an other try period for this.
For me it helps just to take a green smoothy every morning and some green, like cucumber one hour before going to bed. During the day I keep in mind the green choice, but not too strictly.

So bottom line, I'm sure that eating alkaline balanced is better for your energy level, immune system and maybe other long run items.

Still my advise, read, take actions, but do not over due it. Almonds as a snack is fine, salads before the serious dinner is great, but you will not die (immediately) from a big steak!

Take care in 2009