Preparations that restore the acid-base balance in the body. Acid-base balance (pH balance)

From this article you will learn all the most important things about the acid-base balance of the human body: what is the normal pH level of blood, urine, saliva, how to measure the pH of the body, what threatens pH imbalance, how to restore acid-base balance.

What is acid-base balance?

The ratio of acid and alkali in any solution is called acid-base balance or acid-base balance. The acid-base balance is characterized by a special pH indicator (powerHydrogen - the strength of hydrogen), which shows the number of hydrogen atoms in a given solution. At pH 7.0, they speak of a neutral environment. The lower the pH level, the more acidic the environment (from 6.9 to 0). An alkaline environment has a high pH level (from 7.1 to 14.0).

The human body has a certain acid-base ratio, characterized by pH (hydrogen) value. The pH value depends on the ratio between positively charged ions (forming an acidic environment) and negatively charged ions (forming an alkaline environment). The body constantly strives to balance this ratio, maintaining a strictly defined pH level. Violation of the acid-base balance can lead to serious illnesses.

How to check acid-base balance

You can check your acid-base balance using pH test strips. This is done quickly and easily in the following sequence:

1. Unpack the test strip.
2. Moisten it with urine or saliva.
3. Compare the reading on the test strip to the pH color chart included in the package.
4. Evaluate your results by correlating them with the time of day.

If the urine pH level fluctuates between 6.0-6.4 in the morning and 6.4-7.0 in the evening, then your body is functioning normally.

If the saliva pH level remains between 6.4-6.8 throughout the day, this also indicates the health of your body.

The most optimal pH level of saliva and urine is slightly acidic, in the range of 6.4-6.5. The best time to determine the pH level is 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal. Check the pH level 2 times a week 2-3 times a day.

Normal urine pH

Urine pH test results show how well the body absorbs minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. These minerals regulate acidity levels in the body. If the acidity is too high, the body must neutralize the acid. To neutralize excess acid that begins to accumulate in tissues, the body is forced to borrow minerals from various organs and bones. This way the acidity level is regulated.

Normal saliva pH

The results of salivary acid-base balance testing indicate the activity of enzymes in the digestive tract, especially the liver and stomach. This indicator gives an idea of ​​​​the work of both the entire organism as a whole and its individual systems.

Sometimes there is increased acidity of both urine and saliva. In such cases we are talking about “double acidity”.

Acid-base balance of blood

The acid-base balance of the blood is one of the most stringent physiological constants of the body. Normally, this indicator can vary between 7.35-7.45. A shift of this indicator by at least 0.1 leads to dysfunction of the cardiorespiratory system. When the blood pH shifts by 0.3, serious changes occur in the functioning of the central nervous system (towards suppression of its functions or overexcitation), and a shift by 0.4, as a rule, is not compatible with life.

Increased acidity in the body

An imbalance in the pH of the body in most people manifests itself in the form of increased acidity (a state of acidosis). In this condition, the body has difficulty absorbing minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. Vital organs suffer from a lack of minerals. If not detected in time, acidosis can cause harm to the body gradually and unnoticed over several months and even years.

Causes of acidosis

Acidification of the body can happen for many reasons. Here are some of them:

• alcohol abuse, smoking;
• hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels);
• liver and/or kidney failure;
• poor nutrition;
• hypoxia (low oxygen content in the body);
• dehydration;
• complications of diabetes;
• severe inflammatory processes;
• taking certain medications;
• increased physical activity for a long time.

What does acidosis lead to?

Acidosis may cause the following problems:

• diseases of the cardiovascular system, including persistent vasospasm, increased blood pressure, decreased oxygen concentration in the blood;
• kidney and bladder diseases, stone formation;
• breathing problems;
• weight gain and diabetes;
• bone fragility, as well as other disorders of the musculoskeletal system, for example, the formation of osteophytes (spurs);
• joint pain and muscle pain associated with the accumulation of lactic acid;
• decreased immunity;
• increased harmful effects of free radicals, which can contribute to the development of cancer;
• general weakness, severe disorders of autonomic functions.

Video by nutritionist Marina Stepanova about acid-base balance

Increased alkali content in the body

With an increased alkali content in the body (state of alkalosis), as with acidosis, the absorption of minerals is impaired. Food is digested much more slowly, which allows toxins to pass from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood. Violation of the acid-base balance towards alkali is dangerous and requires treatment in a hospital. It is usually the result of hyperventilation, severe vomiting, dehydration, or taking medications that contain alkali.

How to restore acid-base balance

During the vital activity of the body, both acidic and alkaline decomposition products are formed, and several times more of the former are formed than the latter. The body's defenses, ensuring the unchanged acid-base balance, are aimed at neutralizing and removing primarily acidic decomposition products. It is in your power to help your body maintain a healthy pH balance, first of all, by properly composing your diet.

Acid-base balance of products

Different foods have different ratios of acidic and alkaline minerals. Conventionally, all products can be divided into acidic and alkaline.

Acidic foods include:

• coffee, black tea, cocoa, all alcoholic drinks, canned juices;
• sugar and all products containing it (sweets, chocolate, sweet carbonated drinks, sweetened juices and fruit drinks, jams and preserves, pickled fruits), artificial sweeteners;
• baked goods (especially white flour), pasta, legumes (except fresh beans and peas), rice, buckwheat, corn, spotted and purple beans, peanuts, nuts (except almonds), oats, pumpkin and sunflower seeds ;
• meat, poultry, fish;
• eggs;
• dairy products (except for fresh milk and very fresh homemade whey and cottage cheese);
• oysters, mussels, shrimp, crayfish.

Alkaline foods include:

• all fresh and dried fruits, freshly squeezed unsweetened fruit juices, berries;
• all vegetables, vegetable juices, leafy greens, seaweed;
• olive, flaxseed and canola (rapeseed) oil;
• green and flower tea;
• fresh honey (in combs);
• mushrooms;
• millet, wild rice;
• breast milk;

Of course, we must consume both products (each product is useful in its own way), but at the same time maintain the proportion. There should be 2-3 times more alkaline foods in our menu than acidic foods.

Unfortunately, for various reasons, it is not always possible to maintain such a balance. A very good addition to proper nutrition are dietary supplements.

Products for alkalization

NSP offers a wide range of products that can regulate pH levels. Here are some of them:

1. As you know, the most important mineral for regulating pH balance is calcium. Coral calcium – a source of bioavailable calcium and magnesium with a strong alkalizing effect.
2. Calcium Magnesium Chelate – contains calcium and magnesium in an easily digestible chelated form, also helps neutralize acids.
3. Chlorophyll liquid – another dietary supplement with a strong alkalizing effect. Can be taken for a long time.

Rich in alkaline foods. These include: fruits and dried fruits, potatoes, salads and vegetables, pre-soaked and sprouted grains, legumes, nuts. There should be four times less acidic foods in the diet. These include meat, eggs, cheese, fish, sweets, flour products and bread. Remember that for every 100 g of meat you should consume 300-400 g of vegetables.

Since the process of cleansing the body of toxins occurs most intensively in the first half of the day, try to consume more alkaline foods in the morning. And the most rational diet for maintaining the acid-base balance is considered to be 4-6 meals a day.

Try to drink good quality water. Drink still alkaline or alkaline-salt mineral water from time to time. Whey and tea are also considered alkaline drinks. Daily fluids – 2.5-3 liters.

Herbs can help restore the acid-base balance. To neutralize the acidic environment, use leaves of calamus, hawthorn, lingonberry, gooseberry, black currant, raspberry, and rose hips. Brew them like tea.

To restore the acid-base balance of your facial skin, wipe it with toner or spray with thermal water. After this, apply a moisturizing or nourishing cream that will restore the protective layer of the skin and reduce moisture loss. It is better to use cosmetic milk, cream and washing gels rather than soap.

Physical inactivity promotes a shift in acid-base balance towards oxidation. Conclusion: the body needs your physical activity. Play sports, walk, run, breathe fresh air.

The degree of acidity in the human body depends on his psychological mood. Her nervous tension, resentment, fear, sadness, in general, any depressive states increase her. Therefore, work on your emotional state. Try not to get nervous over trifles.

Take contrast showers regularly. It is also useful to visit a sauna, where alternating dry steam and cold douches helps remove toxins from the body. If possible, use alkaline baths.

Currently, the problem of acid-base balance is quite common. There are many reasons for such an imbalance: stress, nervous tension, and, of course, poor nutrition. In modern conditions, a person eats spontaneously, and the diet is most often unbalanced. As a result, heartburn, heaviness in the stomach occur, a metallic taste often appears in the mouth, and appetite decreases.

Instructions

If you know something like this, and they bother you quite often, then most likely the acidity of the gastric juice is not normal. However, keep in mind that the balance can be upset either in the direction of increasing acidity or alkali. The exact cause will be determined by a gastroenterologist by testing gastric juice.

You can try to determine your stomach acidity yourself. To do this, squeeze the juice from sour apples and drink it on an empty stomach. If after this you do not experience any discomfort from the gastrointestinal tract, then acidity is most likely. If you experience heartburn, a feeling of heaviness, nausea, then... At the same time, it can be reduced if you take a solution of baking soda (1/2 teaspoon of soda per 1 glass of boiled water).

To reduce acidity, drink freshly squeezed potato juice. To do this, take several young tubers, grate them on a fine grater, squeeze out the juice and drink one quarter glass 3 times a day half an hour before meals. Take potato juice for 4-5 weeks, gradually increasing the dose to half a glass.

To normalize stomach acidity, you can take raw chicken egg white. Drink it chilled half an hour before meals. Mint, lemon balm and blackberries help restore the acid-base balance. Just add them to your tea. In the autumn, you can normalize acidity with the help of plums. To do this, 30 minutes before meals, eat 100 grams of plums or drink 1/3 glass of juice. The course of treatment is 3 weeks.

If the acidity of the stomach is low, take decoctions of sea buckthorn and rose hips. Grapes, apricots, fresh cucumbers, as well as white cabbage and any dishes made from it increase acidity. Boiled beans, as well as meat foods, quickly help normalize the acid-base balance.

Sources:

• how to normalize acid-base balance in 2018

Tip 3: How to restore the acid-base balance in the body?

Acid-base balance is the most important indicator of biochemical balance in the body. And it depends, first of all, on what we eat.

Even ancient oriental scientists argued that all products are divided into two groups: acidic (yin) and alkaline (yang). In this regard, they have completely different effects on the body.

According to research, the diet of a modern person, as a rule, is dominated by foods that contribute to acidification of the body. Hence, weak immunity, susceptibility to colds, chronic fatigue, various allergic reactions, etc. In addition, acidification leads to the deposition of extra pounds, that is, obesity. So why not try to restore the balance between oxidizing and alkalizing foods, thus maintaining health, and at the same time losing weight?

How to check?

Pharmacies sell litmus papers that test the pH of saliva and urine - they show the acid-base balance in our body. Several conditions must be met. You need to measure urine pH not in the morning after waking up, but during your second trip to the toilet. You need to take several measurements and summarize the results using the arithmetic average. Keep in mind: urine pH below 7 is a sign of acidification.

How to restore pH

On the path to restoring balance, introduce alkalizing foods into your diet. To a greater extent, cereals, rice, and to a lesser extent, vegetables. It is enough to include fish in the menu 1-2 times a week, and legumes 1 time. When you feel better, you can try to include acidic ones in approximately equal proportions, still giving the advantage to the latter. Your task is to gradually achieve a 1:2 ratio between acidic and alkaline foods.

Strong oxidation is given by: eggplants, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, sorrel, green peas, beets, celery, garlic, citrus fruits, bananas, dates, corn, oats, olive and peanut oil, fish, beef, pork, sugar, coffee, honey, cocoa, fruit juices, wine.

Weak oxidation: grapes, plums, prunes, pears, peaches, white cabbage and cauliflower, watermelon, melon, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower oil, dried beans, lamb, cream, butter, hard cheese, kefir, milk, chocolate, alcoholic and carbonated drinks, tea, beer.

Strong alkalization is given by: carrots, parsley, watercress, pumpkin, buckwheat, millet, rice, saffron, red and black caviar, pheasant, eggs, chamomile tea, Japanese bancha tea.

Weak oxidation: strawberries, apples, onions, leeks, radishes, turnips, horseradish, dill, peas, flaxseed oil, cinnamon, rosemary, thyme, fish (catfish, herring, sardines), turkey, duck, green tea.

Attention! A diet consisting exclusively of alkalizing foods is possible, but its duration should not exceed two weeks.

An incorrect diet is typical for the vast majority of residents of megacities. The lack of time and energy to prepare healthy food forces us to constantly consume not very healthy factory products, and constant stress to eat overly sweet desserts.

As a result of this diet, the body's acidity level steadily increases. But it is an acidic environment that is ideal for the development of serious diseases, including cancer. Here are a few mandatory rules of nutrition and behavior for health that will help you quickly raise the alkaline environment to the desired level, which will lead to the restoration of the correct acid-base balance.

Sour morning

Starting the day with a glass of water is a healthy habit. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to the water and this drink will even replace coffee for you, and at the same time cleanse your stomach.

Green afternoon tea

Train yourself to consume more greens than usual. For example, the ideal solution would be to replace the snacks most people are accustomed to with a much healthier salad. Season it with lemon juice and olive oil and your pH balance will always be normal.

Nuts against hunger

Raw almonds are an excellent source of magnesium and calcium. These elements restore the acid-base balance and normalize blood sugar.

Breathing and sports

A sedentary lifestyle literally destroys the body, albeit unnoticeably. Daily exercise reduces the acidity of the body. Breathing is equally important: in cramped offices, the amount of oxygen in the air is simply not enough for adequate brain function.

A little vegetarianism

None of us need to eat meat every day, so it's worth learning to limit your inner foodie. Plan yourself two or three “meat” lunches a week, this will be enough for your body.

Trick or treat

Sugar is not called “white death” for nothing. Try to avoid overly sweet desserts in favor of dark chocolate, for example. Carbonated drinks should be completely excluded from the diet: it takes up to one and a half liters of water to neutralize the acidity of just one can.

Brussels gift

It's surprising why most people don't like Brussels sprouts. Meanwhile, it contains a huge amount of nutrients and enzymes useful for maintaining the acid-base balance.

Humans are 60% (approximately) water. All the substances that fill our cells dissolve in it, are transported from organ to organ, serve as insulation, and do much more. But the details of all this “chemistry” are as clear to us as the operating principle of a gravitational interferometer. And sometimes knowing about yourself is so useful. Especially about the acidity state of your body.

Why is it dangerous to “go sour”?

Let's understand the terms a little. Suffice it to remember from the school chemistry course that there are two extremes of the same essence - acidic and alkaline reactions. Acids and alkalis are antagonists and neutralize each other. A good example is slaking baking soda with vinegar. Vinegar is an acid, soda is an alkali, when combined, a reaction is obtained, and the result is a neutral liquid and carbon dioxide (this is what gives the dough porosity). In the body, most fluids are slightly alkaline, and only urine and gastric juice are acidic. If everything remains this way for many years, then we can talk about good health and the prospect of living a long time.

But not everything is so smooth. When the level of acidity in our body fluids increases, increased growth of pathogenic flora immediately begins. The fact is that it does not survive in an alkaline environment, but it loves an acidified environment. As a result, diseases begin to “stick” to the unfortunate person. In addition, our body wants to live long and happily and therefore will spend a lot of effort to bring the body’s acid-base balance back to normal. An addition to the first problem is accelerated aging. And last but not least. It has already been said that acid is neutralized by alkaline substances. Calcium and magnesium are very suitable for this, as they are safely removed from our bones, teeth, and nails. In this case, the unused surplus does not settle back in the skeleton, but in the kidneys, for example... Another sad result is that the teeth and kidneys have deteriorated. Further problems will continue to grow, driven by existing “problems”. But who is to blame?

What increases acidity?

We are what we eat, so acidification occurs mainly as a result of poor nutrition. It is reliably known that alkaline foods are vegetables, fruits, beans, root vegetables, herbs, and acidic foods are meat, dairy products, eggs, and flour dishes. Nuts have a neutral reaction. Thus, an excess of acidic foods leads to an increase in acidity, and an emphasis on alkaline foods reduces it. By the way, sugar also greatly increases acidity, as do carbonated drinks. In general, protein eaters have a potential risk of developing health problems associated specifically with imbalances in the body. But is it possible to gain weight and build muscles, and at the same time not shorten your life? I guess, yes.

How to prevent imbalance

Again we remember soda and vinegar - they neutralize each other. Now let’s look again at the list of products by acidity level. It’s enough just to eat more dishes containing alkalizing foods. That is, it’s not scary to eat chicken if it is accompanied by salad, plenty of greens, and vegetable-based sauce. And so with everything else. It is important to remember that only fresh fruits and vegetables give an alkaline reaction. Well, that’s even better – because it means even more vitamins and minerals.

So, answering the question of how to restore the acid-base balance of the body, it is enough to simply add more fresh vegetables to your diet and remove flour and sweets. Looking at the last sentence, it became clear: if you don’t want to become sour, just .

The health of our body depends on an incredible variety of different factors. And in the modern world, where we have a lot of negative influence from the outside due to poor ecology, various infections and viruses, it is important to help ourselves with all our might to be in shape and monitor the condition of the body. Often, poor health, deterioration of the condition of the skin, nails and hair, exacerbation of allergic reactions, regular seasonal diseases, constant fatigue, depression and malfunction of internal organs are caused by a violation of the acid-base balance. In this material we will take a closer look at what it is, what it affects, and what should be done to restore it.

What is the acid-base balance of the body and what does it affect?

• 7.0 - it is neutral.
• From zero to 6.9 - sour.
• Starting from 7.1 and up to 14.0 - alkaline.

Failure of the acid-base balance leads to disturbances:

1. In liver functions. This is especially noticeable if a person drinks a lot of alcohol. Liver cells are destroyed, become fat, dehydration occurs, the blood thickens, its fluidity weakens, and useful minerals are washed out.
2. In kidneys, bones and skin. From them the body tries to extract the missing alkali and other minerals, which has a very bad effect on their general condition.
3. In the lungs. Carbon dioxide is removed through them, and when acidified, this process is inhibited, which causes even greater oxidation.
4. In the intestines. When there is a malfunction, you feel constant heaviness and nausea, since the alkali produced in the intestines is simply not enough to extinguish the acid formed in the stomach. And both of these products are necessary for normal digestion of food.

• Low mobility.
• Regular stressful situations, shocks, depression.
• Obesity.
• Abuse of cigarettes, alcohol, sweets.
• Regular lack of fluid.
• Slow digestion.
• Diseases.
• Medicines.
• Poor nutrition.

Restoring the acid-base balance with food

Alkaline environment is:

• Peanuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, cashews, walnuts, pecans.
• Beef, pork, lamb, turkey, chicken.
• Sea and river fish, mussels, clams, crayfish crabs.
• Canned fruit juices, especially those with sweeteners, prunes.
• Blueberries, cranberries, plums.
• Chocolate, cocoa, sugar, especially white sugar, cookies.
• Cheese, pasteurized and raw cow's milk, ice cream, butter, cottage cheese, yogurt.
• Eggs.
• Corn oil.
• Alcohol.
• Carbonated soft drinks.
• Black tea and coffee.
• White beans, cooked spinach, rhubarb.
• White flour, semolina, white rice, pasta.

Once you understand what acidic and alkaline foods are, you can move on to what to do if you have a pH imbalance. Naturally, we change our diet and increase the amount of alkalizing foods as much as possible. There is an opinion that for the first two weeks you should make up your entire diet from them. Next, you can already arrange fasting days for yourself and adjust your diet, based on your general condition and test results. The pH test can be carried out both at home and in the clinic; today, online stores and pharmacies sell test strips that determine the pH level in a liquid medium. You can use urine or saliva for testing, and it is recommended to do it in the morning an hour before a meal or 2 hours after breakfast.

In addition to diet, you need to monitor how you live, how your day goes, drink plenty of fluids, because with high acidity, severe dehydration occurs. Also recommended:

• move more;
• to walk outside;
• do not overeat;
• do not get into stressful situations;
• give up bad habits such as smoking and alcohol;
• treat diseases in a timely manner.

For more information on restoring the body’s acid-base balance, watch the video below: