If you are feeling tired, heavy, and sluggish or even a little moody or angry, it is likely that you are in an acidic state. The good news is that you can reverse this to an alkaline body by eating more plant-based food.
An acidic body is a great environment for the growth of viruses and bacteria, leading you to feel tired, toxic and sick. The ideal pH level for the human body is 7.4 and less than 7 is considered acidic. I often use simple test with my clients in consultation as it gives a visual to what is happening inside the body.
When your body is alkaline, you are better able to absorb nutrients from the food you eat and your blood is more highly oxygenated so you will have boundless energy, your immune system will be strong, and you will automatically feel happier within yourself. However the body can also be too highly alkaline, indicating that the bodies processes are out of balance.
The theory is that a high-acid diet creates a breeding ground for disease and leads to poor health. “If you’re getting aching joints, gaining weight, craving carbs or sugar, or you have brain fog, then you’re running too acidic,” Laubscher says.
Dr Stephan Domenig, author of the The Alkaline Cure, says the alkaline diet is “the opposite” of a typical western diet. It’s based on the idea that optimal health comes from balancing the body’s pH by eating more fresh veg and fruit, as well as certain legumes, grains and nuts. “Many people start the day with coffee followed by toast and jam, cake for morning tea, then meat and a tiny amount of veg for dinner – all of these are acid-forming,” Domenig says, adding that a high-acid diet can lead to constipation and bloating, a lack of energy, weight problems, ageing and gum disease.
Whether or not the diet is necessary or even has an affect on the body is a point of much contention in the medical world, however, an increasing number of health experts are touting its benefits. Dr Joseph Pizzorno, a leading expert on integrative medicine in the US, says that “an overly acid-forming diet is a far more serious problem than commonly recognised”. His 2009 paper in the British Journal of Nutrition makes a case that diet-induced “acidosis” is a real phenomenon.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that food that taste acidic means acidity. Rather than the taste, it is actually about the mineral composition of the food after it's been absorbed that determines whether it is acid-forming or alkaline. One example is lemons, an incredibly alkalising food, but can easily be confused as acidic due to its taste. To address your acid/alkaline balance:
To become more alkaline, you can start by eliminating, or at least heavily reduce, the following: proteins such as red meat; dairy except ricotta which is alkaline; sugars; alcohol; caffeine; grains; and processed foods. Abstain from smoking.
Replace the food eliminated by adding fresh fruit; fresh juices; seeds and nuts; herbs; large helpings of vegetables, particularly the green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, lettuces, parsley
Increase exercise. Sweating acts as a great vehicle to get rid of toxins, morbidity and waste.
Swap fatty and fried foods for good oils, such as avocado, coconut oil and nuts and seeds.
Drink plenty of spring water, lemon water, dandelion and rooibos teas.
Continue this regime whilst in a relaxed state of mind, stress impairs the digestive system, releases cortisol impacting on the acid/alkaline balance of your body.
Whatever stage of life you are in you can always take action, and we are here to guide you through our holistic wellness programs at Raw Satya. These programs incorporate clean eating to detox, and daily practices to help clear your mind and emotions.
If you have any questions, or would like to explore your own acid/alkaline measure, I am always here to chat.
With love and balance,
Rose x
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