pH is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14 — a lower number means a higher level of acidity (and generally less oxygen) is present, and higher number indicates a higher level of alkalinity. A solution is considered neutral, neither acid nor alkaline, when it has a pH of 7.
The stomach needs acid in order to do its job effectively, but functions at it’s best in a slightly alkaline environment. This allows the body’s metabolic, enzymatic, immunologic and repair mechanisms to work efficiently. Our bodies continually strive to maintain a normal pH balance of about 7 to 7.4. When the pH of our bodily fluids, digestive system and tissues is pushed out of that comfortable neutral zone, health problems can be the result.
If acid is too high in the body, our ability to burn body fat is reduced and sometimes impossible. If you are having trouble losing weight it could be due to high acid levels in your body.
Acid formation is contributed to many factors including, stress, smoking, alcohol, over consumption of sugar and overtraining.
How do I alkalise my body?
• Make sure you are hydrated. Water will assist in diluting acid. It will also flush out the waste in your body.
• Reduce or avoid the factors causing acidity mentioned above!
• Increase foods that are alkaline in nature. This is mostly greens. For example, broccoli, spinach, kale, silver beet etc. Our body requires four parts alkaline to neutralise one part acid. This means we need 4 times the amount of alkaline foods to acidic ones. Add greens (salad/vegetables) to all of your meals! You can also start taking a greens powder to assist you in reducing acidity (available to purchase at Chevron Island Physio).
Rising acid levels are generally an occurrence created over a long period of time and therefore it can take a period of time to reduce these levels. Start today!
See Kasey for a quick pH test to find out where you sit on the scale! 5504 7000.
