How to Change Your Body's pH Level to Be More Alkaline
The majority of the human body's mass is comprised mainly of three components: carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen. The Power of Hydrogen, or pH, is a measure of the levels of alkalinity and acidity in a person's body. Our bodies are naturally alkaline, but become acidic due to what we eat, drugs we ingest, and our levels of physical activity. A balance of alkalinity and acidity in the body is important to the health and well-being of the body's systems, including the joints, organs and digestion.
Instructions
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Awareness
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The pH measures the condition of our critical body fluids---blood, saliva and urine. To measure the level of pH in the body, pH test litmus paper strips are used. Placing a drop of saliva or urine on the strip is the method of testing. You then match the test strip to the chart included with the test strips to determine your body's pH level. Test strips can be obtained from pharmacies and many department store health and beauty sections.
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The result of pH testing is a number between 0 and 14. A normal range of pH is a score of 7.2 to 7.6. This range means your body is slightly alkaline. The more acidic your body becomes, the more apt a body is to experience ill health. Proper pH levels directly affect the oxygen levels in the body, a contributor to a person's energy level. The more acidic your body is, the more tired and lethargic you will feel.
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There are many health conditions linked to poor pH balance in the body: osteoporosis, arthritis, heart and lung diseases, and disorders of the immune system. Poor pH levels destroy calcium, and solidify cholesterol in the blood and uric acid in the joints. Poor pH levels also allow bacteria, fungus, molds, yeast and viruses to thrive. The more acidic the body, the more likely a person will experience a multitude of illnesses.
Proper Diet
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Get a blank journal and begin keeping track of the foods you eat. Using two differently colored highlighters, designate one color for foods that are alkaline and another color for foods that are acidic. Highlight alkaline and acidic foods in your journal. This will give you a clear picture of whether or not you are eating a balanced diet of alkaline to acidic foods. There are various lists of alkaline and acidic foods available, including one that can be found at Energiseforlife.com.
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A proper diet will help to ensure pH balance in the body. Eating foods like potatoes, grains, eggs, plain yogurt, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, garlic, cayenne pepper, and most herbs will help increase alkalinity in the body.
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Avoid foods like red meat, bread, pasta, rice, cheese, cola, alcoholic beverages, salt and coffee as these foods make a body more acidic. Most drugs and tobacco also increase the levels of acid in the body and should be avoided.
Monitor Your Progress
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As you change your diet and lifestyle, check your pH on a weekly basis to monitor your progress using your pH test kit.
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While there are supplements on the market available in health food stores to restore pH balance in the body, it is always best to alter the body's pH level gently by changing the diet and adding moderate physical activity.
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Continue using your food journal to monitor your progress. If your body pH becomes too acidic, be sure to add more foods that are alkaline to your diet. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
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