Research on the need for maintaing the body’s acid/alkaline balance is now beginning to surface in the West. In Japan there is a large body of scientific evidence from the last 20+ years as to the importance of body pH to good health and wellbeing, and the challenges our bodies face in keeping it in balance, and now in the USA independent researchers are making some significant discoveries.

Here is a selected list of some of the peer-reviewed articles.

1. Lonergan, E. Aging and the kidney: adjusting treatment to physiologic change, Geriatrics 43: 27-30, 32-33, 1998.

Changes in renal physiology and function with aging put the elderly patient at risk for adverse effect of drug therapies due to the incidence of common problems like metabolic acidosis.

2. Frassetto, L. and Sebastian, A. Age and systemic acid-base equilibrium: analysis of published data, Journal of Gerontology, Advanced Biological Science and Medical Science, 51: B91-99, 1996.

Authors examined peer-reviewed literature to determine whether systemic acid-base equilibrium changes with aging in normal adults humans. Using linear regression analysis, they found that with increasing age, there is a significant increase in the steady-state blood H+ indicating a progressively worsening low-level metabolic acidosis in what may reflect, in part, the normal decline of renal function with increasing age.

3. Alpern, R. and Sakhaee, K. The clinical spectrum of chronic metabolic acidosis: homeostatic mechanisms produce significant morbidity, American Journal of Kidney Disease 29: 291-302, 1997.

Chronic metabolic acidosis is a process whereby an excess acid load is placed on the body due to excess acid generation or diminished acid removal by normal homeostatic mechanisms. Excessive meat ingestion and aging are two clinical conditions often associated with chronic metabolic acidosis. The body’s homeostatic response to this pathology is very efficient. Therefore, the blood pH is frequently maintained within the "normal" range. However, these homeostatic responses engender pathologic consequences such as nephrolithiasis, bone demineralization, muscle protein breakdown and renal growth.

4. Bushinsky, D. Acid-base imbalance and the skeleton, European Journal of Nutrition 40: 238-244, 2001.

Humans generally consume a diet that generates metabolic acids leading to a reduction in the systemic bicarbonate and a fall of pH. Chronic metabolic acidosis alters bone cell function; there is an increase in osteoclastic bone resorption and a decrease in osteoblastic bone formation. As we age, we are less able to excrete metabolic acids due to the normal decline in renal function.

5. Frassetto, L.; Morris, R.; Sellmeyer, D.; Todd, K. and Sebastian, A. Diet, evolution and aging: the pathophysiologic effects of the post-agricultural inversion of the potassium-to-sodium and base-to-chloride ratios in the human diet, European Journal of Nutrition 40:5 200-213, 2001.

Dietary changes over the last two centuries have resulted in a mismatch between genetically-determined nutritional requirements in humans. Excess sodium chloride, a deficiency of potassium and excess dietary acids that are not mediated by dietary bicarbonates lead to chronic low-grade metabolic acidosis that amplifies the age-related pathophysiological consequences in humans (such as loss of bone substance, increase in urinary calcium, disturbance in nitrogen metabolism, and low levels of growth hormone).

6. Frassetto, L.; Morris, R. and Sebastian, A. Effect of age on blood acid-base composition in adult humans: role of age-related renal functional decline, American Journal of Physiology, 271: 1114-22, 1996.

Otherwise healthy adults manifest a low-grade, diet-dependent metabolic acidosis, the severity of which increases with age at constant rate described by an index of endogenous acid production, apparently due in part, to the normal age-related decline of renal function.

7. Alpern, R. Trade-offs in the adaptation to acidosis, Kidney International 47: 1205-1215, 1995.

Excessive dietary intake of protein with consequent increase in metabolic acid production result in compensatory mechanisms that lead to progression of kidney stones, bone disease, renal disease and a catabolic state.

8. Krapt, R. and Jehle, A. Renal function and renal disease in the elderly, Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift, 130:11 398-408 2000.

Age-induced decline in renal functions explains, at least in part, clinically important age-related conditions including metabolic acidosis.

9. Adrogue, H. and Madias, N. Management of life-threatening acid-base disorders, New England Journal of Medicine 338: 26-34, 1998.

Acid-base homeostasis exerts a major influence on protein function, thereby critically affecting tissue and organ performance. Deviations in body acidity can have adverse consequences and when severe, can be life-threatening.

10. Maurer, M.; Riesen, W.; Muser, J.; Hulter, H. and Krapf, R. Neutralization of Western diet inhibits bone resportion independently of K intake and reduces cortisol secretion in humans, American Journal of Physiology and Renal Physiology 284: F32-40, 2003.

The acid load inherent in the Western diet results in mild chronic metabolic acidosis in association with a state of cortisol excess. An alkali balanced diet modulates bone resorption and the associated alterations in calcium and phosphate homeostasis.

11. May, R.; Kelly, R. and Mitch, W. Metabolic acidosis stimulates protein degradation in rat muscle by glucocorticoid-dependent mechanism, Journal of Clinical Investigations 77:614-621, 1986.

Chronic metabolic acidosis increases net muscle protein degradation in rat muscle tissue.

12. Meghji, S.; Morrison, M.; Henderson, B. and Arnett, T. pH dependence of bone resoption: mouse calvarial osteoclasts are activated by acidosis, American Journal of Physiological and Endocrinological Metabolism 280: E112-E119, 2001.

Osteoclast activity is modulated by small pH changes and is a key determinant of bone resorption in mouse calvarial cultures.

13. Nabata, T.; Morimoto, S. and Ogihara, T. Abnormalities in acid-base balance in the elderly, Nippon Rinsho 50: 2249-53, 1992.

Decline in the ability to adjust acid-base balance is a feature of aging. Regulation of pH ultimately depends on the kidneys and lungs, however, the ability of these organs is decreased with physiological aging. Renal insufficiency and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and various drugs, such as diuretics, often affect the acid-base balance in the elderly.

14. Robergs, R. Exercise-induced metabolic acidosis: where do the protons come from?, Sport Science 5(2) sportsci.org/jour/0102/rar.thm, 2001.

The physiology of intense exercise that produces acidosis is far more complex than originally thought. In the transition to higher exercise intensity, proton release is even greater than lactate production which indicates acidosis is only partially related to production of "lactic acid."

15. Sebastian, A.; Harris, S.; Ottaway, J.; Todd, K. and Morris, R. Improved mineral balance and skeletal metabolism in postmenopausal women treated with potassium bicarbonate, New England Journal of Medicine 330:25 1776-81 1994.

Endogenous acid produced by the metabolism of foods in ordinary diets abundant in proteins may contribute to the decrease in bone mass that occurs normally with aging. The oral administration of potassium bicarbonate at a dose sufficient to neutralize endogenous acid improves calcium and phosphorus balance, reduces bone resorption and creases the rate of bone formation.

16. Sebastian, A.; Frassetto, L.; Sellmeyer, D.; Merriam, R. and Morris, R. Estimation of the net acid load of the diet of ancestral preagricultural Homo sapiens and their hominid ancestors, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 76:6 1308-1316, 2002.

Estimates of the net systemic load of acid in ancestral pre-agricultural diets as compared to contemporary diets reflect a mismatch between the nutrient compositions of the diet and genetically determined nutritional requirements. The result is that contemporary diets generate diet-induced metabolic acidosis in contemporary Homo Sapiens.

17. Wiederkebr, M. and Krapf, R. Metabolic and endocrine effects of metabolic acidosis in humans, Swiss Medical Weekly 2001:131, 127-132, 2001.

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 8 Ways Soda Fizzles Your Health

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 Alkaline Water

I’ve only vaguely understood the importance of pH balance is for the body. As it turns out, the body should be more alkaline than acidic. Well that is the lay person’s explanation of a much more complex maintenance system that exists in our bodies. Our body has a complicated system of buffers that act to maintain a body pH. If our intake or oxygen levels threaten to increase the acidity of the blood, the body kicks in and the end result is an excretion of excess acid in the urine. The opposite is true as well. Over alkalinity is not a state our body likes to be in.

Our body strives to maintain a slightly alkaline state. This is why pH strips that measure acidity and alkalinity of our urine are an effective way to gauge what our body state is. Excesses in acidity will be excreted in the urine. Excess alkalinity will also be reflected in urine pH.

Acid-Alkaline Balance 

Proper Health starts with the correct acid-alkaline balance in your body. The pH level (acid – alkaline measurement) of our internal fluids affects every cell in our bodies. Extended acid imbalances of any kind can overwhelm your body, and lead to health complications.  

Just as the body regulates its temperature in a rigid manner, so will it manage to preserve a very narrow pH range – especially in the blood. As a matter of fact, the body will go to such great lengths to maintain a blood pH of 7.365 that it will even create stress on other tissues, body systems, and organs to do so. Chronic acidity will interrupt all cellular activities and functions – it interferes with life itself. 

When the pH of the body gets out of balance (too acidic), we may experience low energy, fatigue, excess weight, poor digestion, aches and pains, and even more serious disorders. 

The cycle of acidity begins primarily as a result of three things: 

1. Ingesting acids. Eating too many acidifying foods like processed sugar, meats, dairy, coffee, alcohol, etc. Create an acid ash in the body. These acids can overload the body’s ability to neutralize them.

2. Creation of acids. Pathogens and microforms create acidifying toxins in the body. As the body becomes more and more acidic, bad bacteria, yeasts and other microforms proliferate in the body. Since these organisms are living, they eat as well as create resulting toxins. These toxins are often very acidifying. 

3. Improper elimination of acids. Not all acids are the same; some are weak and some are strong. Weak acids like citric acid are much easier to neutralize than strong acids like uric acid. The body uses many systems in order to buffer acids including breath, mineral reserves, and fat. When the body’s buffering systems become compromised, excess acids build up.  

The process of re-establishing  acid-alkaline balance begins with proper diet and nutrition. This includes eating alkalizing foods (vegetables, low sugar fruits, etc.), super hydration (drinking plenty of alkaline water that is ionic and structured), and proper supplementation.  

pH Balance begins with super hydration 

Water is the most crucial factor in establishing and maintaining proper acid-alkaline balance. Since your body is 70% water, it is extremely important to constantly replenish your supply of it. The body loses 2.5 liters of water every day just through normal bodily functions. The quality of the water that you drink is just as important as the quantity of water you drink. The water you put in your body must be able to prevent toxins and chemical substances from accumulating and creating destructive influences on cells. Water must also transport minerals and nutrients required for cell metabolism, and remove any substances that can damage the cell. Ideally, the water you drink should have a ph between 9 and 10, and you should be drinking 3-4 liters of it daily. 

In order to hydrate your body optimally, you need to drink water that is alkaline and ionized. Alkaline water helps to neutralize stored acids and toxins. Once these acids are neutralized, they can then be removed by the body. Alkaline water containing ionic minerals also acts as a conductor of electrochemical activity from cell to cell. Reports from studies suggest that ionized, alkaline water can help the body resist disease and slow aging by:

• Increasing Intracellular Hydration
• Replenishing Essential Minerals
• Stabilizing and Protecting Cells
• Helping To Maintain Normal Blood Flow and Acid Alkaline Balance
• Flushing Out and Preventing Wastes from Accumulating in Cells
• Preventing Free Radicals from Forming and Damaging Other Cells

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 From Dr Robert Young (pH Miracle) blog

The following pH Miracle testimony of Bellgene Chung is not only impressive but also inspiring. Read on to learn how this beautiful young woman decided to discontinue an acidic lifestyle and diet that caused her cervical cancer and embrace the pH Miracle Lifestyle and diet that reversed her symptoms – No more cervical cancer. Remember, "Nothing tastes as good as good health feels."

In love, light and laughter,

Dr. Robert O. Young

"I would definitely call myself a "pH Miracle". I was able to overcome cervical cancer last year by alkalizing my body."

"Now, I am working to maintain an alkaline body by making smart (green) food choices, drinking alkaline water, staying positive, staying active, and much more. Most importantly, I am passionate in spreading the word, because too many people are needlessly suffering from ailments that are completely preventable."

“Cancer is the best thing that has ever happened to me” – this is my response to anyone who acts sympathetically to my health crisis. Cancer has opened my eyes to a whole new world of optimum health that I never thought was possible; I have discovered that cancer, like most chronic illness, is simply Nature’s way of telling you to change what you’re doing."

"Before cancer entered my life, I thought that I was a fairly healthy person – I was always involved in athletics, my diet was diverse (in accordance with the Canadian Food Guide), and I looked relatively healthy. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving,
 and my previous perception of health was skewed by a combination of apathy and ignorance. Despite my annual battles with the “common cold”, I figured that these disturbances were just a normal way of life. I didn’t realize that every time I got sick, Nature was presenting me with a proverbial fork in the road. Apparently, I always chose the easiest (and most destructive) path – by continuing on with my supposedly “healthy” lifestyle."

"During the summer of 2002, I first became aware of my deteriorating condition after a routine physical.  My Papanicolaou test result was flagged as “abnormal”; thus, my doctor requested that I get more frequent
check-ups so that he could monitor the cells. For two years, I continued down “easy street” while my cells transformed more toward the cancer end of the spectrum. I subconsciously tried to ignore the cancer, hoping that it would just miraculously disappear.  During this time, my godfather (Richard) was sending me tidbits of information from newspapers and other sources – coincidentally related to health. Some of the clippings addressed the dangers of consuming animal products, while others warned against drug usage – specifically the birth control pill and vaccines. Although I read through the articles, I did not feel the need to directly apply the information to my specific situation."

"After a colposcopy in 2004, I was encouraged to schedule an appointment at the local hospital for laser therapy, which is the current orthodox treatment for cervical cancer. This materialization opened my eyes to the severity of my condition.  At that point, out of both fear and a gut instinct, I decided to delay the appointment. Something within me was telling me that surgery was not the answer for my problem; this inner voice was reinforced by the wealth of information that Richard had been sending me. I discovered that many patients who undergo orthodox treatments develop secondary cancers – this is something I really wanted to avoid.  In my opinion, surgery seemed like a quick fix; it is a method of covering up symptoms, rather than dealing with the root cause of a problem. Being twenty-one years of age, I decided to take “the road less traveled” – I chose to give Nature a chance."

"I quickly developed a thirst for information related to healing and superior health. With Richard’s love, I was humbled into realizing that I never really knew anything about true health – I had been living in a fishbowl for over twenty years! I basically had to throw out all of my preconceived notions of what constituted a true state of health; I had to relearn everything."

"My quest for ideal health led me down numerous paths: I pushed myself in the exercise realm (namely for toxin removal); I discontinued prescription drug usage; I focused on deep breathing for greater oxygen intake; I followed a sleep pattern that was more in tune with the circadian rhythm; I increased my exposure to sunlight; and most certainly, I made a conscious effort to have a more positive attitude. I believe that a shift in attitude is absolutely necessary both for healing and promoting longevity.  Instead of acting like a victim of my day, I chose to take charge of my life, and accept that every choice I made, no matter how minute, had direct consequences. Furthermore, I felt that it was necessary to modify my diet because what you put
into your body cannot be denied at a cellular level; “you [literally] are what you eat!”

"In addition to witnessing the horrific lives of slaughterhouse animals, I accepted that human beings have absolutely no need for animal products in their diets. A shift in mentality was crucial; I no longer wanted to be an accessory to murder. From a
biological, environmental, and ethical standpoint, it made sense for me to eliminate all of the negative stressors in my life, and diet was of the utmost importance. With this in mind, I decided to cut out all meat from my diet. Also, consuming dairy was definitely out of the question – I learned that dairy products are more detrimental to human health than meat itself (due to the
exponentially concentrated amount of acids). Being raised on dairy, I was aware that I would have to be patient in my healing process, as unknown amounts of toxins were embedded within the fibers of my flesh."

"I understood that the change in my diet would cause my body to enter a state of cleansing. During my transition to a vegan diet, I experienced some minor discomfort (fatigue) as well as cravings for sweet and salty foods. Thankfully, through my research, I was conscious of the fact that these minor setbacks were a positive sign that I was on the right track – my body was reacting to the changes that I entrenched upon it. Quite often, I feel that people give up too easily; therefore, it is important to understand the mechanics of the human body, especially through times of change. After I got over the “hump”, I experienced a dramatic surge in my energy levels – I was able to function at a significantly higher state of cognizance on fewer hours of sleep!"

"In 2006, I was introduced to the world of raw foods.  Richard had been sending me information on nutrition, and I soaked the concepts up like a sponge. It really made sense, in my mind, that heat kills energy and destroys “life force energy”; thus, it was pointless of me to continue to ingest food that was devitalized.  I joined a raw vegan group in Edmonton, and it was so refreshing to meet people with the same passion about health as myself. Attending raw lucks (raw potlucks) really opened my eyes to the endless choices that a raw diet could offer. At this point, my diet consists of about ninety percent raw foods, but I am still in the process of going completely raw. There are some days that I succumb to the cravings of cooked foods, and I definitely suffer the consequences for giving in to immediate gratification (taste)! I would like to point out that as a result of my raw diet, I have noticed that my body has undergone some extra benefits: my hair is silkier (and less is falling out); people have commented on my skin’s radiance; and overall, I feel much more at peace with myself and with Nature."

"In addition to altering my diet, I increased my alkaline water intake. Looking back at my previous lifestyle, I realized that there were days where I did not drink a single glass of water – oh, my poor body! Since the human body is made up of almost ninety percent alkaline water, it must be stressed that water is the ideal choice of drink; it is important not only for cleansing, but for
the rejuvenation and rebuilding of cells. Also, with my diet being focused around fresh organic alkaline fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, my alkaline water intake has increased ten-fold."

"I firmly believe that the human body is quite amazing and – if given the proper tools – it can repair itself to a state of superior health. Throughout my progression, I continued to get regular colposcopies, and I am jubilant in reporting that the cancer is almost completely gone! Rather than accepting cancer as a death sentence, I embraced it as my savior – I honestly do not know where I would be at this point in my life had I not been touched by this illness. I believe that health is something that we earn – it is not automatically awarded to us, especially if we treat out bodies like cesspools.  Ultimately, health is a function of responsibility.  My journey to attain optimal health has been a work in progress, and I realize that this journey will continue for as long as I am living."

-Bellgene Chung

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