Facts About the Human Body's PH Levels

The human body must maintain a healthy pH balance.

The acid and alkaline levels (the hydrogen ion content) of a solution are measured by pH, or the potential of hydrogen. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with the lower numbers representing more acidic solutions and the higher numbers representing more alkaline solutions, often referred to as bases. A pH of 7 is considered neutral.

Significance

Since a large percentage of the human body is made up of a solution, this solution is given a pH rating.

Normal Body pH

The pH of blood measures 7.4 if it is healthy. Healthy tests of pH from saliva range from 6 to 7. Healthy urine tests in the 6.5 to 7.5 range.

Testing

Body pH is tested with pH test strips, which are available at health food and drugstores or online.

Acidosis

Acidosis occurs when the body has too much acid. This most often refers to plasma or blood pH and occurs when blood has fallen below a 7.35 pH level. The most common types are metabolic acidosis (increased production of metabolic acids) and respiratory acidosis (increased carbon dioxide amounts in blood).

Alkalosis

Alkalosis occurs when the body's pH levels reach a level higher than 7.45. Like acidosis, the most common forms are metabolic alkalosis (loss of metabolic acids) and respiratory alkalosis (loss of carbon dioxide in the blood).

References

• Natural Health School: Restoring pH
• Medicine Plus Medical Encyclopedia