The Importance of
Balanced pH Levels!
(pH means Potential for Hydrogen)
When I first designed the Captains Lady, I was primarily focused on each individual syndrome and how they might be approached with alternative, natural therapies that would help one to heal and recover. In my heart of hearts, I knew there had to be a fountain of 'truth' somewhere, but I just couldn't seem to find it. I kept searching for the "AH-HAH!" type of enlightenment, the final piece of the puzzle, the explanation that would make sense of all these symptoms and syndromes HSPs and others experience, and I finally found it! It all comes down to having a balanced pH level.
This is not new to scientist and doctors at all.
It is just new to me and perhaps it is new to you too. I was surprised to find that it isn't something you hear about unless you travel within certain circles or know someone who stumbled across it and told you. Then again, if it was shouted out and written about in magazines and newspapers, talked about on TV, drug companies would have a fit for fear of losing money.
Guess what?
If your pH level is in it's proper 'healthy' zone, you cannot get sick!
That's right!
As long as your body is more alkaline than acidic, you not only can't get sick, you will begin to heal if you balance it!
Absolutely everything on this website will help you to begin healing. Everything. But of all the 'Soul-full' Therapies offered, this one is the most important! Why? Because if you follow all of these therapies, and your pH is imbalanced, it will work against you. Follow the therapies and balance your pH and you are on your way to lasting health and energy!
Now, I realize that some things are just not going to go away. Perhaps you waited too long to seek help, couldn't find the help you needed or your health has done irreparable damage to organs or limbs. That's OK. Don't lose any more energy on negative thinking about it. Things can still change for you!
Did you know...
...cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment!
Do I have your attention?
What is pH Balance?
Our food is processed into energy through a process called metabolism. Some of our foods are acidic and some are alkaline. Acid substances have a low pH and acidic ones have a high pH. We need a bit of both. Each type, after being broken down, leaves an ash. This 'ash' is either acidic or alkaline and a person's health is dependent on the proper balance of these two. Too much acid developing is called acidosis. It is what causes the development of disease. If on the other hand, there is too much alkaline ash, alkalosis results. Acidosis is not the same thing as indigestion, heart-burn or acid reflux and does not cause it.
What Are the Primary Causes of Acidosis?
High protein diets, excess alcohol and coffee consumption, acidic ash causing foods, exposure to toxins, vigorous exercise, dehydration, poisoning, poor digestion, shock, trauma, ongoing stress and/or anxiety, and the normal process of aging.
Kidney disease, and any other chronic disease, can also be the cause of acidosis (acidic blood), as any chronic disease will cause further acidosis. However, acidosis eventually causes chronic disease.
The Organs Responsible for Proper pH are...
predominantly the kidneys, lungs, skin and lower intestines. All of these organs help to excrete acid from the body, but when there is too much acid the body has to compromise. The body has buffers that come to the rescue. Protein, Calcium, Phosphorous bind to the acids to neutralize them. That means that we lose bone and muscle. There are other buffers as well that are present in the blood and tissues. When these buffers exceed their ability, acidosis and alkalosis result. And, buffering systems may not be working up to par. They could be getting too old to handle the load. Still, they will do their jobs at all cost in order for us to survive.
Neither of these is a disease, but they can be signs of an underlying disease, or one to come.
By measuring your pH levels, you can tell whether your body is acidic or not. The test can't tell you if your buffering system is working overtime, but chances are, if it reads a low pH, your body is relying upon your buffering systems to maintain a near normal pH level at the expense of your organs and bones!
There are 4 Types of Acidosis
Blood pH imbalances are classified in two ways. Metabolic imbalances occur due to breakdowns in ingestion or kidney function or loss of imbalanced fluids, or other problems with organs or breakdown in kidney function. Respiratory imbalances occur because of problems with oxygenation of blood. The more acidic your blood is, the harder it is for it to carry oxygen to where it is needed. This can cause circulation and breathing problems (hyperventilation). So the 4 categories are Metabolic Acidosis, Metabolic Alkalosis, Respiratory Acidosis and Respiratory Alkalosis.
Respiratory Acidosis and Respiratory Alkalosis are not as common. They are caused by lung malfunction due to smoking, altitude or disease. Metabolic Alkalosis is even less common because it usually associated with abnormal conditions such as bulimia or taking a hysterical amount of antacids.
The main type of acidosis in the USA...
... is Metabolic Acidosis, which is associated with kidney stones, Fibromyalgia, Gout, Osteoporosis, Interstitial Cystitis, Vulvodynia, loss of muscle mass, thyroid problems, Cystic Fibrosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, progression of HIV to Aids, some forms of cancer (prostate is one of them) and stunted growth in infants and children.
Why us?
Westerners eat excessive amounts of protein, refined flour, fats and sugars. These cause an over build up of acids. Visit the 'Alkaline & Acidic Foods List'.
The other thing that Metabolic Acidosis does is to reduce enzyme activity. Enzymes are important little 'factory workers' that operate within a specific, narrow frame between acid and alkaline balances. We only have so many and when they are gone we die. To learn more about enzymes, visit 'Eating, Naturally!'.
Symptoms of pH Imbalance!
Beginning Symptoms and Effects of Acidosis (Low pH)
Acne, Agitation, Bloating, Chemical Sensitivities, Cold Hands & Feet, Diarrhea/Constipation, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Feeling 'under-the-weather', Food Sensitivities, Headache, Heartburn, Indigestion, Irregular Heart Beat or Palpitations, Irritability (for no reason), Joint Pain (that moves), Nervousness/Anxiety, Menstrual Cramping, Metallic Taste in Mouth, Mild Headaches, No or Low Energy, No or Low Sex Drive, Panic Attack, PMS, Rapid Heart Rate, Restlessness/Hyperactivity, Sore (painful) Muscles, Strong (and/or dark) Urine, Stuffed up Sinuses, Sluggish in the Morning, Weight Gain, White Coated Tongue, Yellow Urine.
Let Me Explain Weight Gain.
The body knows it needs to remove the acids as far away from the organs as possible in order to protect them. It does this by packing them away and storing the acids in fat. Obesity and cellulite can be a symptom of Metabolic Acidosis.
Intermediate Symptoms and Effects of Acidosis (Low pH)
Asthma, Agoraphobia, Bladder Infection, Brain Fog, Bronchitis, Cold Sores, Concentration & Memory Problems, Colitis, Cystitus, Depression, Disturbed Vision, Taste, Hearing or Smell, Ear Aches, Eczema, Endometriosis, Food Allergies, Gastritis, Hair Loss, Hay Fever, Herpes (repeated flare-ups), Hives, Increased Rate of Aging, Infections (bacterial, fungus or viral), Inflammation, Impotence, Insomnia, Numbness, Psoriasis, Sinusitis, Stuttering, Swelling, Tension & Migraine Headaches (very painful), Tingling, Urethritis.
Advanced Symptoms and Effects of Acidosis (Low pH)
Crohn's Disease, Diabetes, Gall Stones,
Heart Disease, Hodgkin's Disease, Leukemia, Kidney Stones, Myasthenia gravis, Multiple Sclerosis, Rhuematoid Arthritis, Sarcoidosis, Scleroderma, Systemic Lupus, Tuberculosis and all forms of Cancer.
How To Measure Your pH Levels.
This is easy!
Visit your pharmacy and ask for pH test strips. They will cost between $8-$16. They come with a color chart so that you can match your test strip results against a scale from 1-14, one being the lowest and fourteen the highest. Test strips are little sticks with a special pad at one end, you collect urine or saliva on. Some kits read only 5-9. These should work just fine unless you cannot find your result color on the color chart. Then you'll want to get the 1-14 Test Kit. There are also test paper rolls (called nitrazine, I believe) that you can purchase, but they are harder to find in stores. You can purchase them online, in 15 foot rolls, for about $12-$16. They also come with their color charts.
A test chart looks like this, but some with more colors to choose from.
How Do I Collect A Specimen, You Ask?
First, you need to know what a 'good' score is. Balanced pH is between 7.35-7.50. This is considered the neutral zone. Over 7.5 and you are in alkalosis. Under 7.35 and you are in acidosis. Healthy blood usually reads 7.365, spinal fluid and saliva 7.4. As I mentioned earlier, we become more acidic as we age. A typical (not normal) adult saliva test usually reads about 6.3-6.7 becoming more alkaline as the day wears on, which is a yellow-green on the chart. Children are normally around 7.5, which is a dark blue on the chart. Those having cancer (terminal) can read 4.5, which is bright yellow.
One little point...
... may not seem like much, except that the scale is logarithmic. This means that each step is 10 times more acid than the last. This means that a pH of 5 is 10 times more acid than 6, 100 times more acid than 7 and a 1,000 times more acid than 8. This is why a seemingly slight change in score can have a tremendous impact on your health!
What's age got to do with it?
As we age the function of the lungs and the kidneys become less efficient in carrying out their tasks of removing waste products and toxins.
When collecting a saliva specimen, make sure it has been a half hour since you have eaten. Longer is better. Swallow a couple of times to clear your mouth. Then, spit into a spoon. You don't want the strips in your mouth. They have been chemically prepared. Dab the padded end of the stick into the saliva for 2 seconds or so and then compare to the color chart for your score. The best time to check saliva is first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon and before bed.
Obviously, the first reading for urine should be done upon waking, but don't catch the first bit of stream. Test mid-stream. Hold the strip under your 'pee' for 2 seconds and then compare to the color chart for your score. Checking urine is simple. You can do this as often as you like, but I suggest first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon (perhaps 2 hours after lunch) and before bed.
Doing these tests for a period of three days to a week gives you an idea of where you are, pH wise, and may hold the answer as to why you have been feeling so poorly.
If you consistently read very low or very high, please call your doctor for further tests. It could indicate a serious problem.
Weakly acidic blood is 6.5 down to 4.5. If your tests read an average of 4.5 or less, you are strongly acidic and deficient in ionic calcium, which we will talk about next. if you consistently score less than 6.8 on urine tests, digestive support is necessary in the form of enzymes, supplements and natural foods. The more acidic you are, the harder it is for your cells to utilize the foods you eat.
To show you how important pH is!
At a pH level of 6.0, crabs die and at a pH level of 3.0 in water, fish and all other marine life dies!
Low pH Effects Mineral Levels
Without becoming too scientific here, let me remind you that when our bodies are too acidic our buffering system kicks in, which means that it pulls minerals from other parts of the body to neutralize acids. When this happens we become depleted in minerals, such as Calcium and Magnesium. In fact, it is not so much the acidosis that is the problem so much as the buffering process, which depletes us of our mineral reserves resulting in bone and muscle loss, not to mention anxiety related problems and more. You can probably get calcium from the foods you eat or take a supplement. But our 'typical' foods don't contain much magnesium. You need both. They compliment each other. But, until you correct the pH balance, by working at both ends (supplements and diet) you will probably continue to have acidosis. I have read testimonies from others saying that Coral Calcium works the best, but I believe that Calcium Citrate, because it is so easily tolerated and aborbed, may work just as well. It may interest you to know that Magnesium and Malic Acid are the two top mineral remedies for Fibromyalgia! Visit my 'Fibromyalgia' page for more information. In fact, 90% of Fibromyalgia sufferers have greatly reduced or eliminated all pain within 48 hours after using these two together, and no symptoms of fatigue after two weeks of using both!
* Calcium containing foods are highlighted in the food list below.
So What Can We Do?
Take Proper Supplements
I suggest a product line called 'Natural Vitality' by Peter Gillham. You can view his products at www.petergillham.com. Bartell Drugs (Fircrest, WA) sells his products as do a couple of websites that offer wonderful discounts up to 50% off! Not only are his product completely natural, but they are liquid, which makes them easily absorbed by the body!
www.vitacost.com & www.herbspro.com
When these sites open, you can also use the name 'Natural Calm' in the search bar.
Eat More Alkaline Foods
We don't want to eliminate acid producing foods because we need acids in order to be healthy and not slip into alkalosis, which is the opposite of acidosis. You will still want to eat from the basic food groups, but it is helpful to know which foods create an acid ash and which create alkaline ash so we can begin to make better choices concerning the food we eat.
If you have stomach problems, cook your veggies at first. Raw is better, but too much 'raw' can upset the stomach of those with irritable bowel.
Don't experiment with too many new foods at once. You never know what sensitivities you may have. Stick with the foods on the list below that you normally eat. Eat more of the alkaline ones and less of the acidic.
Eat a diet consisting of about 55% animal protein, fish and fats and 45% plant foods. That's about half and half. Choose the better selections of proteins, fish and fats and more of the alkaline food choices.
To help you break it down even further, imagine your plate being divided into 5 sections. Fill up 4 parts with alkaline forming food choices and 1 part with acid forming food choices. Just remember Five-to-One and you're on your way to health!
Drink More Water
Water helps to flush out toxins. Dehydration causes acids to build up in the blood. It also causes constipation, which means your intestines are full of toxins. So the more water you drink, the less acidic you will be.
Soda Pop Acid F.Y.I.
It takes 32 ounces of 'good' water to flush out the acids of one 8-ounce glass of pop!
I am currently researching the best kind of water to drink and/or the best way to raise the alkalinity of your water. Tap water is out of the question. It is too full of acid producing and life killing chemicals. Most bottled water is out and, even if they weren't, plastic bottles are toxic. I have read that reverse osmosis is bad and distilled water is supposedly better for you. Mineral water is touted to be the best. I will keep you informed of what I find. There are pH machines, relatively expensive where the general population is concerned, but well worth the investment, and not impossible to save for.
pH Drops & Gadgets
There are pH drops you can add to your drinking water to change it from being acidic to being alkaline. You can order them online. There are a few different brands and average cost, depending on how much water you need, is about $25 for a one-month supply. There are also machines you can buy that transform your water to a balanced pH. They are relatively expensive but worth saving up for.
Interested in a pH machine?
Visit 'Drink It And Live' or 'Ferns Nutrition'
In the meantime...lemon juice.
Adding 1 ounce of lemon juice to 8 ounces of pure water can do the trick of aiding your liver and stomach to do their jobs. Try drinking your water equally throughout the day, stopping well before bedtime. Lemon juice increase HCL (digestive acid). You can add a little Stevia for sweetener. You can also sprinkle lemon juice on fish or salads.
If you are wondering why lemons, being a citrus, don't add to the acidity of the body, it is because of the way they are chemically broken down in the body. Lemons, once broken down, actually signal the body to release alkaline into the small intestine, which is where some of the strongest alkaline buffers (acid neutralizers) are in the body. For more information on Lemon juice and Apple Cider Vinegar, and how they can help to reduce acidity of the body, visit 'Fibromyalgia'.
Drink Green 'Stuff'!
One way to get in your vegetables is to drink them. Purchase a juicer and get busy making your own green drinks. Have a glass twice each day. They can also be purchased at local health food stores and Trader Joes. Green drinks help restore acid levels quicker than anything, besides giving up acid causing foods!
Supplements. Now, this gets tricky.
Calcium and other minerals, such as Potassium, Sodium and Magnesium, Phosphorus (which specifically balances acids), Chromium, Iron and Manganese (activates enzymes) can all be depleted when the body is over using it's buffering system while trying to neutralize acids.
You can begin to take supplemental minerals, if you are not already. The most easily absorbed Calcium is Calcium Citrate and, I have learned, does quite well for combating Acidosis. Calcium lactate does not have such a good reputation for this condition. Calcium carbonate, gluconate (if not allergic to corn), oratate, phosphate or bone meal calcium are all helpful as well. Take Magnesium and Vitamin D with your Calcium. However, those with very low pH (scores below 5.8) may not be able to digest it properly. Most of us get our Potassium and Sodium needs from our foods.
I suggest taking half the recommended doses of minerals for a couple of weeks and increasing to full dosage on the third week as long as there are no symptoms of irritable bowel. Some signs to look for are constipation, gas, bloating, digestive problems or bloating. If any of these appear, cut back to a fourth of a dose and start from there. I also suggest taking digestive enzymes in conjunction with the minerals. This will aid in digestion and nutrient absorption. For more information on minerals, visit "Is It Hot In Here?".
Stop taking Vitamin C until your acidic condition stabilizes or take a very low dose of buffered C (25 mg). If your urine pH is normal, but your saliva pH is 6.1--6.3 or very alkaline, you can increase the Vitamin C to 50 mg twice per day with food. Vitamin C is very acidic and can aggravate the condition.
The only other vitamin I want to mention here is Vitamin B-12, which often shows up as being depleted in those with Metabolic Acidosis. B-12 helps with Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Tinnitus, digestive disturbances, mood swings, dizziness, constipation, nerve disorders, heart palpitations and spinal cord degeneration, just to name a few. I suggest taking B-12, or a B-Complex, at least 50 mg. per day.
I ran across a product that is absolutely wonderful!
Alka-Balance by Source Naturals...
"...is specifically designed to aid the body in maintaining alkalinity. It contains coral calcium, alkaline mineral citrates as well as...herbs and green food powders..."
And, the price is very affordable. I also use Source Naturals Digestive Enzymes.
What Else Can We Do? Take Baths!
To a full tub of water, add only one (very important) of the following ingredients:
Bath Salts
2 Cups of Apple Cider Vinegar
1 pound (16 oz) of Baking Soda
1pound (16 oz) of Epsom Salts
These will help you to detoxify and relax!
We live and die at a cellular level.
We have 75 trillion cells that need balance!
Our stomachs are the only part of us that should be acidic!
"Are you ready for that food list?"
Click here for the alphabetized list of Acidic vs. Alkaline Foods!
May Love & Energy Be Yours!
