Creating balance

Did you know that an acidic internal body chemistry can fight back against your goals for weight loss and fitness?

Acid base balance in the body is a delicate balance and the more acidotic our bodies are, the more symptoms may arise. In order for the body to perform most efficiently, internal homeostasis must be maintained. Early signs of increased acidity may be associated with vague symptoms.

Some of these vague general symptoms are:

·        Joint pain

·        Cold feet or hands

·        Heartburn

·        Muscle pain/fatigue

·        Headaches

·        Bowel irregularies

·        Difficulty losing weight

The primary of cause of too much acid in the body is usually diet related. The pre-packaged and processed foods are a culprit however there are many foods that can increase the acidity of the body.

Meat, like chicken, pork, and beef are very acidic, as well as refined sugar. Foods such as avocado, asparagus, spinach and even citrus fruit like lemons act as buffers and are quite alkaline in the body.

Consuming grains, like quinoa, spirulina and chia will raise  the bodys’ pH to a normal level over time.

The easiest way to test your acid/base balance is through saliva or urine testing with pH strips. Checking first thing in the morning, may show you a pH of 6.5 or lower. You want it as close to 7.0 as possible. If your readings are in the low 6’s or even high 5’s, you need to consider a change in your nutrition and over time, your body will respond. To maintain health, the diet should consist of 60% alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods. To restore balance the diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods.

Remember, your body automatically keeps your blood at an appropriate pH, however it uses other resources to do so, pulling minerals that buffer or assist, like calcium, magnesium to keep the body in balance. So, nutrition plays a key role in overall wellbeing.

Stay tuned!!

Barb