Jun 28, 2009

Body pH And Metabolism

How does body pH relate to metabolism? Basically, if the body fluids are acidic they will seek alkaline ions to react with - such as sodium, potassium, zinc, iron and calcium. These are found in the liver, muscles, ligaments and bones, etc., if too little is available from the diet. But why does this happen? Effectively, nearly all the body's internal fluids are designed to be slightly alkaline, such as interstitial fluid, cerebrospinal and lymphatic fluid, liver bile and so on. One exception to this is the hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach. While our bodies are designed to be alkaline, cells produce acid as a by-product of their normal activity.

The body has to rid itself of its acid wastes. Acid waste and ash from digestion cannot be eliminated through the lungs as carbon dioxide and water in the same way as cellular metabolism. Instead the body has to buffer the ash with alkaline substances in order to neutralize it. Buffering takes place both inside and outside the cell, the majority of the buffering occurring in the blood itself.

Clinical research by Dr. M T Morter (Arkansas, USA) has shown that if the anabolic urinary and salivary pH (measured immediately upon awakening) is below 6.8, we can be relatively certain that digestive support must be provided. Controlled clinical studies by Dr Paul Yanick (Pasadena, USA) have confirmed Dr Morter's findings and recorded that intracellular assimilation of nutrients is significantly decreased when the anabolic pH is below 6.8.

However as both these researchers have shown, supplementing the diet with appropriate alkalizing agents was highly beneficial in elevating the systemic pH by replenishing the alkaline mineral and enzyme reserves. Since systemic deficiencies show only in the last instance in the digestive tract, practitioners should not wait until the signs and symptoms of poor digestion become evident. From a preventative perspective, compensation should be made when symptoms are minimal and the anabolic pH is below 7.4 after an Alkaline Load Test (see "Correlative Urinalysis" by M T Morter).

Diets which are high in protein, fat and carbohydrates and low in greens and raw food, stress the digestive mechanisms, inhibiting proper digestion and overloading the immune system with incompletely digested macromolecules and toxins. These digestive disturbances are aggravated by the typically high intake of food additives, pesticides and stimulating foods that are common in the Western diet.

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