Ways to Control An Over Acid pH
by Charlie Skeen

In my first article, Acid and Alkaline Balance for Optimal Health, we discovered that foods containing the natural occurring minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and iron are alkaline forming, and foods that contain the elements of sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine, and iodine are acid forming. In the article it explained why being over-acidic can have a negative impact on our health, and how to determine if your pH is too acidic. If you have not read that article or you wish to refresh your memory you can go to it by clicking on Acid and Alkaline Balance for Optimal Health.

American Diet Is Acid Forming
Foods that create the most acidity are all flesh foods, especially red meat, high-fat, high-sugar, and processed low-complex-carbohydrates. This is the type of diet most Americans eat. Also, an over acid pH comes from foods such as white flour and rice, other refined and heavily processed foods, synthetic vitamins, saccharin, chemical additives, preservatives, soft drinks, city water, prescription and non-prescription drugs, and other prescription drugs.

These types of foods and other products do not contain the natural minerals mentioned above that would be able to neutralize the acids that build up in the body. Instead they actually contribute further to the buildup of acidity.

Now I know that some people would say that they try to eat as much fresh and natural foods as possible and keep their intake of prescriptions to a bare minimum. And, I believe them. The trouble is even if you ate all fresh fruits and vegetables and kept your processed foods to a minimum it is virtually impossible to get enough alkalizing minerals to control the acidity.

Commercial Farming Results In Acid Producing Foods
The reason for this is because the fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains that you purchase in the store are raised using what they refer to as commercial farming. To increase their profit commercial farmers apply chemicals to their crops to cause them to grow quickly. As a result the soil they are raised in becomes devoid of minerals and other nutrients so that the fruits, vegetables, and grains have far less than they did back in the 1950's. To compound this lack of alkalizing minerals some foods are picked green and later ripened, usually by chemical means. This prevents the foods from maturing properly with the result that they are sadly deficient in minerals. For example, it is very common to pick oranges green and then ship them to market to be ripened later. As a result of this practice the orange has virtually no calcium and very little vitamin C. So now instead of the orange providing you with alkalizing calcium it now contributes to the buildup of acidity in the body. Whenever possible try to eat tree ripened fruit as they will contain higher concentrations of minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Organic Foods Are Higher In Nutritional Value
Also, whenever you can, try to eat as much organically raised foods as possible to take advantage of the higher and healthier levels of minerals and other nutrients. One test revealed that organically raised fruits and vegetables had 83% higher nutritional value than commercially raised even though it was fresh.

Unripened Fruit is Acid Forming
To get the maximum benefit from your fruit and vegetables make sure that they are ripe before eating. When they are in an unripe state they are acid-forming. But when they are ripe they are alkaline. For example, a banana with a few black spots that is almost ripe is more acidic, while a banana that is freshly ripened with a moderate amount of black spots is more alkaline.

Green Is Good
Other areas to help reduce our acidity is to use as much green vegetables as possible. The greener the better because this indicates higher levels of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. That means that pale head lettuce should be avoided as it offers nothing in the way of nutritional value. Also, orange colored vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes are good as well. They contain good sources of vitamin K which assists in reducing acidity and improves the use of calcium more effectively in the body.

Fresh Vegetable Juices
Try to drink fresh juiced vegetables, such as celery and carrot. They are packed with alkalizing minerals, live enzymes, and other vital living nutrients.

Whole Grains Superior to Processed
Us whole grains such as brown rice, buckwheat, and millet, which is 100% alkaline. Try to avoid processed cereals and grains such as box cereals as much as possible.

Flour Is Acid Forming
Avoid all white flour and rice. In fact, avoid flour of any kind as much as possible. My favorite bread is Foods for Life brand called Ezekiel 4:9. It is sprouted and has no flour. Easy to digest and packed with nutrients. They make different kinds of bread and they are all great tasting! You should be able to find them at your local health foods store, and many grocery stores are beginning to carry them.

Fats and Oils
Eliminate or keep to a bare minimum fried foods and processed oils and fats such as margarine. Butter is fine but don’t go overboard. Use extra virgin olive oil, and sesame oil. Take a least one tablespoon of flax seed oil a day as it provides essential fatty acids that your body has to have to be healthy.

Seeds and Nuts
Try to avoid, or keep to a minimum, nuts and seeds that are roasted. Instead of using peanuts or peanut butter, which are very acidic, use almonds and almond butter which are alkaline.

Reduce the Flesh to Reduce the Acid
While you don’t have to become a vegetarian, try to reduce your intake of flesh. Lean more toward fresh fish like salmon with its heart healthy and inflammation reducing omega 3 fatty acids, and lean cuts of chicken and turkey, baked or broiled not fried. Eggs are fine as well but try to eat eggs from chickens raised by farmers who let them run free and do not feed them chemicals. They are lower in fat and cholesterol and higher in nutrients that will protect your cardiovascular system. I have been eating as may as 18 to 24 eggs a week for years and my cholesterol at the age of 50 is 140 to 150.

To assist your body in clearing out the waste by-products and toxins from eating flesh foods take one or two days a week and abstain from flesh. This will allow your body to get rid of excess acid as well.

Substitute some of your meals with non-meat proteins such as lentils and the various beans.

Efficient Digestion Is Important
To make sure that you are digesting your food and absorbing the minerals properly take a good plant based digestive enzyme. If you cannot digest your food, even if it’s healthy and organic, you will not be able to release the minerals for assimilation.

Green Foods Contain Alkalizing Properties
There are now many green drinks and food supplements on the market today. This would be a good way to increase your natural alkalizing mineral intake. I personally have been using alfalfa tablets for over 20 years or more. I take anywhere between 16 to 60 a day. Since their roots go down 50 to 100 feet into the earth they absorb a lot of minerals and other nutrients. One other great benefit I have derived from the use of alfalfa is that even though I am just over 50 I have a thick head of hair with absolutely no grey anywhere even though my father starting getting grey hair in his late 30's. Alfalfa is also an excellent source of chlorophyll and vitamin K. It helps to build up your blood and strengthen your bones. Many people with arthritis and joint pain have said that they have gotten positive results from taking it. Since it also high in fiber and contains chlorophyll it can assist in keeping your bowel functioning properly as well as aid in reducing the build-up of toxins in the colon. Herbalists inform us that it benefits the digestive process as well.

Cycle Your Vitamins
Learn to cycle your vitamins. In other words don’t take them everyday. Since a lot of vitamins are synthetic they can contribute to acidity. Take them Monday through Friday and skip Saturday and Sunday. Then once in awhile, perhaps every 8 or 12 weeks take a week or two off. By doing this you will also allow your body to assimilate them better. I do recommend however that you continue to take any natural source green drink or supplement such as alfalfa since they are not synthetic. Remember that if you are under a physician’s or natural health practitioner’s care continue to follow his instructions if he or she has you on a program.

Non-Acid Vitamin C
If you discover that you are too acidic make sure that you take a non-acid form of vitamin C because regular ascorbic acid is very acidic.

Drink Healthy Water
Drink adequate amounts of clean healthy water free from chlorine, fluoride, and other chemical additives. This will assist your kidneys to properly eliminate the acid. If you are using distilled water add some minerals such as the kind put out by Trace Minerals Research found in your local health foods store. Put about 1 teaspoon per gallon. Since distilled water is acidic adding minerals will help reduce the acid, as well as adding Williard’s Water. It neutralizes body pH by balancing your body’s pH so that you are not too alkaline or too acidic. Wiiliard’s Water has ben around for years and can be found at your local health foods store as well.

Fruit Juices
Try to keep you intake of fruit juices down because you are taking in large amounts of sugar which can increase the acidity. It’s fine to drink fruit juices occasionally but drink only fresh juiced, not in a can or cardboard box.

Sodas and Tea
Sodas of any kind will send your acidity level soaring. They rob your body of minerals and dehydrate the cells. Coffee as well should be kept to a minimum or eliminated altogether. If you are a tea drinker avoid the teas that contain tannic acids such as Lipton type teas. There are many healthful and acid free herbal teas available on the market to please anyone’s taste.

Alcohol
As for alcohol drink moderately as these beverages are acid forming to the body, especially beer, whiskey, vodka, and other high alcohol drinks. Wines would be a better choice as they are lower in alcohol content.

Dairy
In the area of dairy I have seen many improve their health tremendously by eliminating it from their diet. Much research by reputable physicians, and others, have discovered that those who use dairy have far more health problems than those who don’t. At one time many years ago when I used to consume milk and cheese regularly I personally noticed that when I gave it up my health improved significantly. Milk today is far more acidic because of purposely bio-engineering the cows to produce milk higher in protein which results in the production of more ash in the body. If you have to use milk or cheese keep it to a minimum and stick to the hard cheeses.

As a substitute many people use rice milk. I never recommend soy because so many people have trouble with. It is very difficult to digest for a lot of people and is mucus forming.

In another article I will be dealing with osteoporosis and then I will get into more detail about dairy and its negative effects to the body.

Sleep and Rest
If you do not receive adequate sleep and rest allowing your body to recuperate, your acidity will increase.

Stress
Stress comes in many forms today, and if we allow it to build-up it can not only increase our acidity but over time it can take its toll on our health. Learn to relax and get needed down time whenever possible. It helps to develop a more positive attitude so that we don’t let things get to us. Relaxing has to be cultivated. Regular physical exercise helps to release stress.

Exercise
Make sure that you exercise your body regularly. Even though exercise produces lactic acid and carbonic acid from carbon dioxide, exercise will assist the body in digestion and assimilation of nutrients, elimination of toxins, improved lymphatic and blood circulation, strengthening the bones, improving balance and strength, creating more energy, immune system function, reducing stress, maintaining lean muscle tissue for weight and blood sugar control, and elimination of excess acid build-up if we apply all of the above.

A good program of exercise is a minimum of 2 sessions a week of resistance training for about 45 minutes to an hour, and 3 days a week of aerobics lasting about 20 minutes accomplished with fast walking outside, or on a treadmill.

As one can see controlling pH boils down to improving our lifestyle by learning to eat and drink correctly, getting adequate rest and sleep, proper mental attitude, and regular physical exercise.

If you wish to learn more about how to balance your pH I recommend the book, “Acid and Alkaline”, by Herman Aihara. ISBN 0-918860-44-X.

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