Alternative Health Author Dr. Van Loan
“Over acidification of body fluids and tissues underlies all disease and general ‘disease’ as well.”…Robert O. Young, PhD.
“Poor health is caused by toxic (acid) overload because everything is out of whack and cannot function properly”…The Journal of Longevity.
The body is marvelously designed to maintain an alkaline pH of 7.4 as the ideal level of the blood. A reasonably healthy diet will maintain a good level of alkalinity because blood adjust for the extra acid (h+) ion or excess alkaline (oh-) by a buffer system. What this means is if too many acid (h+) ions are present the buffer system will adjust by adding alkaline (oh-) ions to balance the blood.
When the body’s ph is too acidic, immunity breaks down. Free radicals cause oxidative damage that weaken and make your cells sick. Your health resistance is lowered and you become susceptible to infections, sickness, colds and CANCER.
Here is the problem. Our diet and environmental exposures now days generally overwhelm the buffer system and the blood and body tissues end up acidic. This increases cancer, cardiovascular, arthritis, kidney and most degenerative diseases.
Most people are aware that acid rain destroys forests and vegetation. It destroys streams and water supplies.
Fishermen know that acid streams do not produce food for fish (insects & microorganisms) and therefore no fish. Fish even die in acidic environment if they have food. Conversely the finest, most prolific, blue ribbon fishing streams are alkaline and have abundant and diverse aquatic life; they subsequently are prolific fish producers. Most living organisms want an alkaline rather than an acidic environment.
The pH is a measure of “potential of hydrogen”. The scale is measured from a pH 1…virtually acid to a pH of 14…virtually pure alkaline. The pH of 7 is neutral, neither acidic nor alkaline.
Various foods are acidic or alkaline in effect. Here are some examples of common foods:
Alkaline forming food:
Lemons pH 7.5 (Lemons are acidic but produce alkaline results)
Watermelons pH 7.5
Most melons pH 7.0
Wheat grass pH 7.0
Vegetables pH 7.0
Pure water pH 7.0
Acid forming food:
The following are not pure acid but they approach that direction of most acidic or pH 1.0
White cane sugar pH 1.0
Soda pop pH 1.0
Most meats pH 1.0
Refined cereals pH 1.0
Most dairy pH 1.0
Dr. Devin Mikles, M.D. reports: “An alkaline diet is vital to the stimulation of immune function and overall health.” When the tissues are acidic, the major organ systems are compromised and become unhealthy. Digestion, bone, immune systems are less healthy. Cancer, heart and most degenerative diseases accelerate because of a chronic inflammation and disrupted body chemistry.
What then is the answer to a healthy alkaline diet? Basically a predominance of raw fresh vegetables is the simple answer. Raw vegetables, in general, are alkaline producing. They contain valuable enzymes (heat destroys these), essential minerals, flavonoids (anti-inflammatory), co-enzymes and co-factor phytonutrients. All of these are important to the assimilation of nutrients and vitamins found in food.
Good studies , such as a large one done at Harvard University, found from 30% to 70% reduction of cancer when 5 servings of raw fruit and vegetable were consumed at least 5 days a week.
Numerous studies show good colon health, better cardiovascular and general health is found when enough raw vegetables are consumed.
You may think that 5 raw vegetables a day is too hard and unrealistic. The simple solution is to juice several vegetables into a drink each day. Yes, the fiber is lost but virtually all other benefits are captured without the enormous bulk. The blend of vegetables with a fruit like an apple can make a delicious and refreshing drink. Whole raw fruits and vegetables should be consumed whenever possible to get adequate fiber, in addition to the juice drinks.
Further enhancement of an alkaline diet can be obtained by adding wheat grass and/or sprouted seeds to the diet. They provide many vitamins and nutrients that would otherwise be lacking.
Another benefit of an alkaline diet, rich in raw vegetables, is weight loss and fat control. The minerals, vitamins and fluid all enhance the body chemistry, promoting colon and immune health and function.
Many necessary ingredients for fat metabolisms, without the calories of carbohydrates are found in vegetables. The bottom line is it is easier to control fat accumulation on a diet high in vegetables, especially with regular exercise.
