How to Use a Digital pH Meter to Test Body pH
People use digital pH meters at home to help them choose a proper diet based on their metabolic level for weight loss, health and fitness. These meters generally test saliva or urine. This article explains calibrations, usage, reading results and application of the meter readings.
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Things You'll Need
- High-quality digital pH meter
- Sensor (electrode) probe
- Lowest range pH buffer solution
- Highest range pH buffer solution
- Distilled or deionized water
- Acidic solution
- Cleaning solution
Instructions
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Expect to spend at least $100 in 2009 for a good digital pH meter. You also need a sensor, or electrode, which is a metal probe at the end of a tube. To calibrate the meter, you should use two buffer solutions: one at the lowest range of pH and one at the highest range. Distilled or deionized water is used for cleaning the meter and an acidic solution is for storage. The electrode also uses a specific cleaning solution.
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The meter has to be calibrated by putting the probe into the low pH buffer solution that is at 4.0 pH. The meter has to be set to this reading. Then the probe has to be put into the high pH buffer solution of 10.0 pH and adjusted to this reading. The meter must be adjusted for the temperature of the solution that is to be tested. Some meters have temperature sensors that automatically adjust for the temperature.
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Neutral pH is considered to be 7.0 pH, and pH itself stands for "potential of hydrogen." A pH level higher than neutral this means alkaline. A pH level lower than neutral means acidity. Blood tends to be slightly alkaline with a normal pH between 7.35 to 7.45. When saliva is tested it should be between 6.5 to 6.8 pH. A person should test saliva just before a meal. Urine is more acidic with a normal range of between 5.0 and 6.5.
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If someone's metabolism burns carbohydrates too fast it causes a person to be acidic. If the metabolism burns carbohydrates too slow it causes alkalinity. An imbalance can cause the body to convert carbohydrates to fat and can, also, contribute to many illnesses including allergies, high blood pressure and fatigue.
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Tips & Warnings
Blood type and other genetic factors can have effects on the pH balance of the body. Body testing can help people to determine their proper diet. PH testing combined with experimenting with different food types can help restore proper pH level. The pH balance in the digestive system affects the balance of bacteria in the digestive system.
Some say that those who burn carbohydrates quickly should eat more meat and less carbohydrates. Unfortunately too much protein in the diet leads to an overgrowth of "bad bacteria" in the intestines. General rules of good health such as avoiding too much protein, using whole grains and vegetables instead of processed, white, wheat flour and processed sugar will help to restore balance.
