Acid/Alkali Balance
Updated Oct. 13th, 2017
Functioning of the human body is optimized when the body’s tissues and fluids are at a pH between 6.3 and 6.8. Acidosis occurs when the body is overly acidic (pH below 6.3). Alkalosis occurs when the body is overly alkaline (pH greater than 6.8).
A problem with the pH of the body is not a disease in itself. Rather, it is always a sign that there is dysfunction in a part of the body.
Acidosis can result from asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, stomach ulcers, some cancers, liver, kidney, or adrenal dysfunction. Stress, anger, poor diet, aspirin, alcohol and coffee can also contribute to acidosis.
Alkalosis can result from diarrhea, vomiting, poor diet, high cholesterol or osteoarthritis. Alkalinizing drugs for treatment of stomach ulcers can also contribute to alkalosis. In the general population everyday imbalances in pH are usually due to improper diet and stress.
The symptoms of acidosis are variable depending on the cause of the imbalance. They can include everything from insomnia, migraines and difficulty swallowing to strong smelling or burning breath, stool and perspiration. The symptoms of alkalosis usually begin with an excitation of the nervous system. This can lead to hyperventilation and seizures. Other symptoms of alkalosis are variable and can include sore muscles and joints, bone spurs, high blood pressure, allergies, indigestion, menstrual problems or prostatitis.
Treating the root cause is the best way to deal with pH imbalance. Conventional treatment is only used when the imbalance is severe enough to be life threatening.
Although the potential for disease from small, long-term pH imbalances has not yet been examined; by maintaining a healthy, internal environment, you can prevent future illness. This works by maximizing your body’s potential for regulation of natural processes that aid in good health, especially if osteoporosis is of concern to you.
The air we take in is a vital part of maintaining acid/base balance. Proper breathing from the diaphragm, yoga and other activities that promote proper breathing are important.
Since the food that we eat directly contributes to our body pH, diet is also essential.
Practitioners normally give patients a list of acid/alkali foods and recommend eating mainly from the alkali list. Some people prefer to test their urine or saliva pH using litmus paper throughout the day. They then choose their diet accordingly. High amounts of raw foods, chewing properly and eating small meals have been shown to help the body maintain its pH balance.
Here are some examples of acid forming foods: alcohol, meat, fish, dairy products (unfermented), coffee, tea, soft drinks, any food with added sugar, breads, noodles and other flour products, vinegar, most legumes, most nuts and seeds, dried fruits, most pharmaceutical drugs.
Here are some examples of alkaline forming foods: most fresh vegetables and fruits (including citrus fruits), soy products, honey, molasses, maple syrup, horseradish, almonds, brazil nuts, millet, lima beans, fermented dairy products like yogurt.
thx for this great article !
Acid Reflux is something that I experience due to improper diet...meaning over acidity. When I clean up my diet and am very adamant about getting my body more alkalined, the acid reflux is gone. I also notice how sore my joints and whole body feels when I am not eating enough alkaline forming foods. Anytime I am not feeling 100% ... anywhere in my body, even if my thinking is foggy ... I start to juice and eat healthier and my symptoms go away. I also have an amazing energy boost when I eat healthy. I truly believe the saying that "You are what you eat." Eating healthy means a healthy body and mind. Who wouldn't want that?
Hello Cindy,
Thank you for sharing your experience. You are absolutely right, what we put in our bodies has a large effect on how we feel and how our bodies function. If you'd like some new, healthy recipes, check out our articles:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Have a healthy day!
Thanks for the reminder, I've been trying so hard for a couple of years to hold better habits. I've seen a holistic nutritionist and corrected some issues but since 2020 she's off grid and I slipped back into previous ways. I don't feel as healthy overall and am trying to backtrack from the items that aren't helping me. It's difficult to give up foods that I love and old habits. I notice that even though I'm doing great with the supplements and eating certain foods and avoiding certain foods it doesn't matter if I also add in the unhealthy items. So thanks again for the great reminder that I seem to need.
Hello Susan,
Glad to help give that healthy reminder! It's so easy to give into foods that aren't the best for our health, after all, they usually taste really good! However, if they're having a noticeably negative effect on your health and energy levels, it's important to give yourself a dose of nutrients. Having a good acid/alkali balance is an integral part to a healthy body!
If you'd like some new, healthy recipes, check out ours here:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
love this article thank you
Hello Andrea,
You are welcome! We're glad you enjoyed our article on acid/alkaline balance. It's an important part in maintaining overall health and leading a healthy lifestyle. If you'd like to learn some new, healthy recipes, don't forget about our recipe section too:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Stay well!
I had no idea that the acidity or alkali of your body was so important! I literally learn so much about things that I had no idea were so important by reading NN articles! I am so grateful for these articles because they teach me so much and help me to become a healthier person. Looking at the chart it appears that I eat mostly acidic foods and will definitely try to have more of a balance going forward!
Hello,
Happy to hear you have learned something new about your health with our articles. Indeed, acid/alkali balance is very important in keeping your body's pH in a healthy range. You can test your pH at home with certain test kits:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/ph-balance/canprev-ph-pro-test-strips-80-strips.html
Have a healthy day!
Good information in this article. Always good to remember that certain foods are acidic (meat, dairy, sugar, simple starchy grains, alcohol) and certain foods are alkaline (legume, fruits, nuts and vegetables). Great advice.
Hello Trina,
We're glad you found this article informative! Indeed, it's important to have a diet with a healthy acid/alkaline balance to optimize your body's pH. If you are looking for some new and healthy recipes, check out our recipe section here:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Have a healthy day!
Great article! I love how you include a table with supplements that can promote healthy acid/alkali balance and therapeutic effect. If you wanted to expland on the aricle, I would love to see more information of PRAL (Potential Renal Acid Load, a measurement how much acid or base different foods produce when digested. Mentioning that ph is important for oral health would be a great addition too!
Hello, Rachel,
Thank you for your suggestions. We are glad you enjoyed our article. If you'd like to find more, check out our healthy recipes too:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Have a healthy day!