One of the key determinants of the speed of aging and onset of degenerative diseases is the internal biochemistry and terrain of the body.

Internal biochemistry is best measured and discussed in terms of the pH. pH is a measurement of the amount of acid and base. It ranges from 1 to 14, with 1 being extremely acidic, and 14 being extremely basic. A neutral state has a pH of 7. The term acidosis is relative and only meant to convey a shift in total body chemistry towards the acidic direction. . The acidic biochemical type is not meant to represent the absolute pH measurement of the blood system, which generally requires a laboratory test performed in hospitals known as blood gases. While certain areas of the body normally may have an more acidic environment (stomach, kidneys, bladder) than others, the overall pH of the body and blood normally must be maintained within a narrow range of alkalinity (pH 7.30 - 7.45. An absolute blood measurement of acidity (pH below 7.0) is incompatible with life.

It is important to note that the body's biochemistry is an important but just one of many tools to help the physician understand the whole body. pH in an of itself is not a diagnostic tool and is not a medical diagnosis as a disease entity.

The principal sources of acid buildup are:

1.) The metabolism and/or incomplete breakdown (oxidation) of foodstuffs or metabolic "waste" produced as a by-product of cellular activity. During normal cellular respiration and energy production , acids as produced as part or "waste" products. These acid must be "balanced", neutralized, or removed by the body's buffering and detoxification systems through the kidneys, lungs, liver, and blood.

2.) The consumption of acid present in the food, air, and water supply. Nitrogen emissions from automobiles and industrial plants, food dyes, sprays, waxes, preservatives, additives, artificial sweeteners, fertilizers, water pollutants, and even chloride and fluoride in tap water are just some of the highly acidic chemicals are ingested by millions everyday.

How does the body overcome the acidity?

The body undergoes an natural and ongoing balancing act constantly. Underlying regulatory forces work continually to balance an acidic body chemistry to remove excess acid and return the body to a more neutral state.
 

 These internal buffering mechanisms include:

a. The production of bicarbonate from the organs and cells of the body.

b. The removal of minerals such as calcium from bones to be used as buffering agent to neutralize the acid. This is one of the leading causes of osteoporosis.

c. The blowing off CO2 or carbon dioxide from the lungs. Carbon dioxide is an acid. It leads to symptoms of shallow breathing and hyperventilation.

d. The release of alkaline bile from the liver and alkaline digestive secretions from the pancreas and the retention of sodium from the kidneys in response to the secretion of the hormone Aldosterone. Aldosterone is produced from adrenal gland, and stimulation of this gland leads to the feeling of internal "stress".



Associated metabolic effects:

a. Calcium Imbalance
Many minerals and other factors involved in maintaining a normal body chemistry fluctuate throughout the day in response to variations in serum and electrolyte concentrations, as well as dietary influences. Such minerals acts as a buffer and a balancer to maintain the body in a balanced chemistry state in order for proper enzyme activations to occur. Long term acidosis can lead to mineral depletion and osteoporosis. Calcium, for example, has been shown to enter the intracellular compartment in an effort to maintain ionic balance when magnesium is deficient, resulting in calcification of the cell and resulting hypertension. High dose of calcium supplementation has been shown to reduce hypertension.

b. HIGH URIC ACID levels, resulting from the breakdown of meat byproducts (purines), contribute to the development of an acidotic condition. Excessive protein intake, including meats, viscera, leguminous vegetables increases uric acid production. Other causes of hyperuricemia include gout, renal failure, lactic acid buildup (alcohol abuse, extreme exercise and pregnancy, malignant neoplasms, and the use of diuretics.

c. HIGH TRIGLYCERIDE levels, resulting from the breakdown of endogenous fat or excessive ingestion of sugar ( including grains). Diets excessive in complex carbohydrates (such as pasta, breads and starches) is the most common cause of elevated triglyceride levels. Only 20% of the ingested sugar load can be burned or stored as glycogen at any one meal. The remainder 80% will be converted to triglyceride which can contribute to the buildup of acidity, or stored as fat deposits.


Food Plan to Reduce Acid


The blood is normally maintained in an alkaline state. An acidic state reduces blood oxygen carrying capacity and promotes a higher valance state of polymorphism.

Foods are generally broken down and converted into either acidic or alkaline substrates with digestion. A person with an acid metabolic condition should emphasize the consumption of alkaline forming foods in the diet, with 60-70% alkaline forming foods, and 30-40% acid forming food by volume.

Do not simply eat all alkaline forming food, as some acid formation is necessary to generate metabolic activity and maintain homeostasis. Too alkaline a body can predispose the body to certain types of infection.

Here are some of the common acid and alkaline forming foods. These categories are based on the body's reaction to a moderate amount of each. Excess amounts may produce the opposite effect.

Acid Producing Foods: (in ascending order of potency)

Grains      pasta     eggs           most chemicals and drugs
beans       fish        diary            sugar, saccharin,
tofu           fowl        red meat     tobacco, soft drinks
tempeh    nuts        vinegar        most alcoholic beverages

Alkaline Producing Foods: (in ascending order of potency)

miso        natural         yeast         fruits and fruit juices (quantity dependant)
seeds     sea salt        mineral     soda water
sprouts   soy sauce    seaweed  natural wine and beer (in moderation)
                                                        coffee, tea (in moderation)

Alkaline Producing Vegetables:  (in ascender order of potency)

- green leafy vegetables (watercress, spinach, kale, etc.)
- below the ground type vegetables (carrots, turnips, onions etc.)
- above the ground type vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, squash, cucumbers etc.)