Changes

12.4. Acute Conditions Involving Acid Alkaline Imbalances

12.4. Acute Conditions Involving Acid Alkaline Imbalances

12.5. Case Histories Of Acid Indigestion Due To Improper Diet 12.6. The Acid-Alkaline Ratio In The Diet

12.5. Case Histories Of Acid Indigestion Due To Improper Diet  

 

12.6. The Acid-Alkaline Ratio In The Diet

12.7. Considerations When Working With pH Imbalances

12.7. Considerations When Working With pH Imbalances

12.8. Questions & Answers

12.8. Questions & Answers

Article #1: Alkalinity And Acidity Of Foods In Metabolic Reaction Article #2: Acid/Alkaline: Clearing Up The Confusion By Marti Fry

Article #1: Alkalinity And Acidity Of Foods In Metabolic Reaction  

12.1. Acid-Base Balance

Article #2: Acid/Alkaline: Clearing Up The Confusion By Marti Fry

When we talk about acid-base balance, we are referring to the pH balance (degree of acidity or alkalinity) of substances or of the body. The symbol pH is used after numbers that measure the degree of the acidity or alkalinity of solutions. The acidity or the alka- linity of a solution is determined by the number of hydrogen ions (H + ) it contains. The smaller the pH value of a solution; that is, the smaller the number preceding the symbol pH is, the greater is the acidity of that solution. Likewise, the larger the number in front of the symbol pH is, the greater is the alkalinity of the solution.

When we talk about acid-base balance, we are referring to the pH balance (degree of acidity or alkalinity) of substances or of the body. The symbol pH is used after numbers that measure the degree of the acidity or alkalinity of solutions. The acidity or the alka- linity of a solution is determined by the number of hydrogen ions (H + ) it contains. The smaller the pH value of a solution; that is, the smaller the number preceding the symbol pH is, the greater is the acidity of that solution. Likewise, the larger the number in front of the symbol pH is, the greater is the alkalinity of the solution.

central and peripheral nervous systems due to alkalosis.

central and peripheral nervous systems due to alkalosis.

12.2. Body Maintenance Of Normal pH

=== Body Maintenance Of Normal pH ===

 

In order to maintain a proper pH in the bodily fluids, and so that acidosis or alkalosis will not manifest, three major physiological control systems exist within the body. The first mechanism involves a buffer system for the hydrogen ion fluctuations. All bodily fluids are supplied with acid-base buffers which combine with any acid or alkaline sub- stance and prevent excessive change in the hydrogen ion concentration.

In order to maintain a proper pH in the bodily fluids, and so that acidosis or alkalosis will not manifest, three major physiological control systems exist within the body. The first mechanism involves a buffer system for the hydrogen ion fluctuations. All bodily fluids are supplied with acid-base buffers which combine with any acid or alkaline sub- stance and prevent excessive change in the hydrogen ion concentration.

Both diarrhea and vomiting are considered to be some common causes of metabolic acidosis. During diarrhea, large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, an alkaline substance, are secreted from the gastrointestinal tract; and during vomiting, there is a loss of alka- line substances deep within the gastrointestinal tract.

Both diarrhea and vomiting are considered to be some common causes of metabolic acidosis. During diarrhea, large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, an alkaline substance, are secreted from the gastrointestinal tract; and during vomiting, there is a loss of alka- line substances deep within the gastrointestinal tract.

However, diarrhea and vomiting are processes the body uses to speedily eliminate highly toxic materials from the body so these toxins cannot harm the tissues. Diarrhea

However, diarrhea and vomiting are processes the body uses to speedily eliminate highly toxic materials from the body so these toxins cannot harm the tissues. Diarrhea and vomiting are not themselves causes of acidosis. Rather, they result from the same offending substance(s) that the acidosis results from.

 

and vomiting are not themselves causes of acidosis. Rather, they result from the same offending substance(s) that the acidosis results from.

It is important that you understand that body actions to expel toxic materials (acute illnesses, so-called “infections,” fevers, etc.) are not harmful processes. What is harmful is what occasioned the body to perform in such an expedient manner.

It is important that you understand that body actions to expel toxic materials (acute illnesses, so-called “infections,” fevers, etc.) are not harmful processes. What is harmful is what occasioned the body to perform in such an expedient manner.

# Exhalation or retention of CO2 by the lungs.

# Exhalation or retention of CO2 by the lungs.

# Metabolic production of acids by the tissues.

# Metabolic production of acids by the tissues.

# Concentration of proteins in the blood.  We have already discussed briefly these first two mechanisms. In order to understand the latter two, we must begin our study of dietary influences upon the body’s acidity and alkalinity.  12.3. Acid And Alkaline In The Diet  When nutritionists talk about acid- or alkaline-forming foods, they are referring to the condition of the food after ingestion. There are many food substances which are acidic in their natural form that become alkaline when broken down within the body.  A physical description of an acidic substance would be “sour or sharp to the taste buds.” Litmus paper is a simple means to determine whether a substance is acidic. Acidic substances such as vinegar, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, tomato juice, tea, coffee or sour milk will all turn blue litmus paper red. The red coloration is an indication of the substances acidic characteristics. Alkaline substances, on the other hand, will cause red litmus paper to turn blue. However, when acid and alkaline substances are mixed togeth- er, they neutralize each other, forming water and salt.  Generally speaking, the metabolic processes of the breakdown of foods from the vegetable kingdom change in character from acidic to alkaline, while the foods from the animal world change from alkaline to acid during metabolism.  All foods contain within them a combination of both acid-forming and alkaline- forming elements. The particular influence a food will have on pH will be determined simply by which elements are dominant, the acid elements or the alkaline elements. These elements, when broken down, will either release (H+) ions, and thus create an acidic medium, or they will accept and combine with (H+) ions, creating an alkaline medium.  Keep in mind the following basic concepts:

# Concentration of proteins in the blood.  We have already discussed briefly these first two mechanisms. In order to understand the latter two, we must begin our study of dietary influences upon the body’s acidity and alkalinity.   

# Organic matter is taken into the body in the form of food.

# Organic matter is taken into the body in the form of food.

# This organic matter is broken down into simple compounds (monosaccharides, amino  acids, lipids etc).

# This organic matter is broken down into simple compounds (monosaccharides, amino  acids, lipids etc).