Big Balance -- Acid and alkaline
Homeostasis --
Body's amazing mechanism to maintain our health
Despite the constant change of external environment and conditions,
our body maintains equilibrium and balance for its internal conditions.
Body temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar are always kept
within a certain range so our body can function properly.
This is called Homeostasis.
But when these conditions become out of range, the problems start
to occur.
And this applies to cellular level.
Acid-Alkaline balance
About 60% to 70% of human body is water.
Therefore, you can say that the quality of the water in the body
determines the quality of your health.
Water in the body is contained in three major locations.
1 Blood plasma (liquid part of the blood in arteries, veins and
capillaries, which carry red blood cells, white blood cells, nutrients etc
as well as waste products from cells throughout the body)
2 Water around cells (which aids in the transportation of nutrients
into the cells)
3 Water inside cells (essential for chemical process inside cells)
And inside cells contains the most of the water in the body, about 2/3.
Our body liquid has to be maintained slightly alkaline.
pH (acid/alkaline) balance 7.4.
And only within a narrow range of this state, our cells can survive and
function properly.
This is cell's homeostasis.
***
On a scale of 1 to 14, 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above,
alkaline
***
pH 6.95 put a person in coma, and death will result, while pH 7.7,
titanic convulsions occur.
Human body constantly produces acids, as a result of cells'
metabolism and digestion of food.
In healthy conditions, these acids are eliminated through
lungs (exhalation of carbon dioxide)
kidneys (urination),
blood buffer system, which neutralizes the acidity by using stored
minerals (alkaline) such as calcium from bones/teeth.
This way, Homeostasis is maintained., and all the bodily cells can
function in a healthy, proper way.
But when the acids become too concentrated and in excess in the
body, the cell's normal function will be compromised, and it causes
problems to our health.
Here are some of the common symptoms when our body is
chronically acidic, (so- called "Low grade acidic conditions")
Chronic fatigue
Aches and pains
Frequent infections (colds/flu, yeast, candida, fungas, athlete’s
foot, etc)
Bone, teeth problems (due to the depletion of calcium)
Yes, these are very common these days.
And in more serious cases,
Immune dysfunction (including HIV, AIDS)
Cancers and other degenerative illnesses (diabetes, arthritis, heart
diseases, etc)
Even mental health will be affected.
Negative mental, psychological state (depression etc)
Acid-forming factors
There are several main factors that produce excess acids in the
body, and turn our body into this "low grade acidic condition".
1 Meat, dairy, white flour and sugar
Here are the main sources of acid in foods
Protein (both animal and vegetable source)
Refined carbohydrate (white sugar, white flour, white rice etc)
Fat (including vegetable oil)
In normal circumstances, the body eliminates and/or neutralizes the
acids produced during digestion and metabolism to keep this slightly
alkaline state.
But problems occur when we take these in excess.
Proteins contain some strong acid-forming substances such as
sulfur, which turns into sulfuric acid, and phosphorus, which turns into
phosphoric acid, among other things.
So protein is generally acid-forming, no matter what the source is.
But some food are more concentrated in protein than others, such as
meat, eggs and dairy.
In modern society, we over-emphasize protein, and most of us are
taking way too much protein, especially from animal food.
And this is one of the major contributors to acid forming in the body.
***
For this reason alone, so-called “high protein diet” does not make
any sense, and even harmful to your health in the long run.
More about “high protein diet”, click here
***
Milk and other dairy foods contain minerals (calcium), but because of
the high protein/fat, excess consumption of dairy causes acidic
condition inside the body.
To neutralize/alkalize this, body needs to use minerals such as
calcium. In the end, this leads to calcium deficiency and bpne/teeth
problems. Ironically, biggest dairy consuming populations have the
highest rate of osteoporosis.
more about dairy, click here
Refined carbs (sugar, white bread, white pasta/rice etc) are also
acid forming (acetic/lactic acid) since most of the minerals and other
alkaline contents are stripped away in the refining process, and all
that remains are acid forming.
The metabolism of fat also produces acetic and lactic acid in the
body.
Again, in modern society we consume too much fat, especially from
animal foods such as meat, eggs, poultry, dairy, and even vegetable
oil(deep fried, for example). And this is creating enormous amount of
acid.
When we look at the typical modern diet, it’s all acid –forming, and
little alkaline forming foods.
And this is the main cause of modern illnesses
2 Stimulants, medications and drugs
Alcohol, coffee, as well as chemicals, additives, prescription or
recreational drugs are all highly acid-forming.
***
Cancer and acidic conditions
Cancer is a cell disease.
When the blood, and the liquid surrounding cells are chronically
acidic, the cells will stop proper function and either die or mutate into
abnormal (cancerous) cells.
And if you keep taking excess acid forming foods, such as animal
protein (produce and duplicates cells) and refined flour and sugar
(fuel cancerous cells), the cancer develops and spreads.
This also means that turning the blood and body fluid into normal and
healthy alkaline state could stop further growth of cancer, or even
could reverse the condition.
To keep healthy pH balance 7.4
Eat more Veggies!
Carbohydrates, protein, fat all produce acids inside body naturally.
So over-eating in general is not a good idea.
Especially animal foods, refined carbs (white sugar, white flour) are
most acidifying foods.
Vegetables, on the other hand, are alkaline forming due to the
mineral contents.
Sea vegetables, which are very high in minerals, are especially a
good source of alkaline.
Good quality sea salt, miso, soy sauce, pickles(umeboshi etc), have
strong alkalizing effect on your body, too.
***
Grains and beans are slightly acidifying due to the relatively high
protein and fat content.(compared to vegetables)
But proper way of cooking and eating will neutralize the acidifying
effect.
Soak overnight, cook with pinch of kombu(sea weed) and sea salt,
and chew well (saliva is high in alkaline).
Also by eating with mineral, alkaline rich food such as miso soup,
gomashio(condiment), dark leafy greens and other veggies, the body
can easily neutralize the acidity of the grains and beans.
Whole grains are especially good for our overall health.
And we can maximize the benefit from grains' rich supply of fiber,
complex carbs, vitamins and minerals, as well as their great vitality : )
Again, acid is always being produced as a result of cells’ metabolism.
And our body is restlessly working to maintain slightly alkaline
conditions, pH 7.4.(homeostasis)
But the body does not produce alkaline.
Alkaline blood is the foundation of health and immune system.
So it must be constantly replaced from outside, through daily diet.
As your parent always say, "Eat more veggies!"
Chew Well
Digestion starts in the mouth.
In fact, digestive enzyme secreted in the mouth called amylase
(saliva) is highly alkalizing.
So chewing well not only helps digestion but also helps neutralize the
acid-forming effect of foods.
Aim for 30 to 50 times per mouth full!
Other Factors
Other than diet, those are the main acid forming factors.
Stress
Environment
Weak kidneys
Vigorous exercise
Home Remedies ---strengthen your kidneys!
Ginger Compress, which strengthens kidneys, and Salt Bath, which
makes the body's fluid more alkaline concentrated, are quite efficient
and beneficial to bring the body's acidic condition back to normal.
Click below for how to do these external remedies.
Ginger compress
Salt bath
Deep Breath and Stress management
Learn how to cope with stress and express yourself
Breathing exercise, yoga, tai chi, qi gong, walking, or anything that
help cope with your stress is a good idea.
Also learn how to express your feeling freely. You may need some
help, including professional help such as therapy etc.
***
70% of acids are eliminated through lungs (CO2).So breathing
deeply is very important!
Environment
Avoid electromagnetic (TV, computers, microwave, cell phones etc)
as much as possible.
Seaside is very alkalizing.
Swimming in the ocean(salty water) is also alkalizing.
Walking in the woods, nature, hiking, are all good.
** More about Acid-Alkaline Balance, Click here
Homeostasis --
Body's amazing mechanism to maintain our health
Despite the constant change of external environment and conditions,
our body maintains equilibrium and balance for its internal conditions.
Body temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar are always kept
within a certain range so our body can function properly.
This is called Homeostasis.
But when these conditions become out of range, the problems start
to occur.
And this applies to cellular level.
Acid-Alkaline balance
About 60% to 70% of human body is water.
Therefore, you can say that the quality of the water in the body
determines the quality of your health.
Water in the body is contained in three major locations.
1 Blood plasma (liquid part of the blood in arteries, veins and
capillaries, which carry red blood cells, white blood cells, nutrients etc
as well as waste products from cells throughout the body)
2 Water around cells (which aids in the transportation of nutrients
into the cells)
3 Water inside cells (essential for chemical process inside cells)
And inside cells contains the most of the water in the body, about 2/3.
Our body liquid has to be maintained slightly alkaline.
pH (acid/alkaline) balance 7.4.
And only within a narrow range of this state, our cells can survive and
function properly.
This is cell's homeostasis.
***
On a scale of 1 to 14, 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above,
alkaline
***
pH 6.95 put a person in coma, and death will result, while pH 7.7,
titanic convulsions occur.
Human body constantly produces acids, as a result of cells'
metabolism and digestion of food.
In healthy conditions, these acids are eliminated through
lungs (exhalation of carbon dioxide)
kidneys (urination),
blood buffer system, which neutralizes the acidity by using stored
minerals (alkaline) such as calcium from bones/teeth.
This way, Homeostasis is maintained., and all the bodily cells can
function in a healthy, proper way.
But when the acids become too concentrated and in excess in the
body, the cell's normal function will be compromised, and it causes
problems to our health.
Here are some of the common symptoms when our body is
chronically acidic, (so- called "Low grade acidic conditions")
Chronic fatigue
Aches and pains
Frequent infections (colds/flu, yeast, candida, fungas, athlete’s
foot, etc)
Bone, teeth problems (due to the depletion of calcium)
Yes, these are very common these days.
And in more serious cases,
Immune dysfunction (including HIV, AIDS)
Cancers and other degenerative illnesses (diabetes, arthritis, heart
diseases, etc)
Even mental health will be affected.
Negative mental, psychological state (depression etc)
Acid-forming factors
There are several main factors that produce excess acids in the
body, and turn our body into this "low grade acidic condition".
1 Meat, dairy, white flour and sugar
Here are the main sources of acid in foods
Protein (both animal and vegetable source)
Refined carbohydrate (white sugar, white flour, white rice etc)
Fat (including vegetable oil)
In normal circumstances, the body eliminates and/or neutralizes the
acids produced during digestion and metabolism to keep this slightly
alkaline state.
But problems occur when we take these in excess.
Proteins contain some strong acid-forming substances such as
sulfur, which turns into sulfuric acid, and phosphorus, which turns into
phosphoric acid, among other things.
So protein is generally acid-forming, no matter what the source is.
But some food are more concentrated in protein than others, such as
meat, eggs and dairy.
In modern society, we over-emphasize protein, and most of us are
taking way too much protein, especially from animal food.
And this is one of the major contributors to acid forming in the body.
***
For this reason alone, so-called “high protein diet” does not make
any sense, and even harmful to your health in the long run.
More about “high protein diet”, click here
***
Milk and other dairy foods contain minerals (calcium), but because of
the high protein/fat, excess consumption of dairy causes acidic
condition inside the body.
To neutralize/alkalize this, body needs to use minerals such as
calcium. In the end, this leads to calcium deficiency and bpne/teeth
problems. Ironically, biggest dairy consuming populations have the
highest rate of osteoporosis.
more about dairy, click here
Refined carbs (sugar, white bread, white pasta/rice etc) are also
acid forming (acetic/lactic acid) since most of the minerals and other
alkaline contents are stripped away in the refining process, and all
that remains are acid forming.
The metabolism of fat also produces acetic and lactic acid in the
body.
Again, in modern society we consume too much fat, especially from
animal foods such as meat, eggs, poultry, dairy, and even vegetable
oil(deep fried, for example). And this is creating enormous amount of
acid.
When we look at the typical modern diet, it’s all acid –forming, and
little alkaline forming foods.
And this is the main cause of modern illnesses
2 Stimulants, medications and drugs
Alcohol, coffee, as well as chemicals, additives, prescription or
recreational drugs are all highly acid-forming.
***
Cancer and acidic conditions
Cancer is a cell disease.
When the blood, and the liquid surrounding cells are chronically
acidic, the cells will stop proper function and either die or mutate into
abnormal (cancerous) cells.
And if you keep taking excess acid forming foods, such as animal
protein (produce and duplicates cells) and refined flour and sugar
(fuel cancerous cells), the cancer develops and spreads.
This also means that turning the blood and body fluid into normal and
healthy alkaline state could stop further growth of cancer, or even
could reverse the condition.
To keep healthy pH balance 7.4
Eat more Veggies!
Carbohydrates, protein, fat all produce acids inside body naturally.
So over-eating in general is not a good idea.
Especially animal foods, refined carbs (white sugar, white flour) are
most acidifying foods.
Vegetables, on the other hand, are alkaline forming due to the
mineral contents.
Sea vegetables, which are very high in minerals, are especially a
good source of alkaline.
Good quality sea salt, miso, soy sauce, pickles(umeboshi etc), have
strong alkalizing effect on your body, too.
***
Grains and beans are slightly acidifying due to the relatively high
protein and fat content.(compared to vegetables)
But proper way of cooking and eating will neutralize the acidifying
effect.
Soak overnight, cook with pinch of kombu(sea weed) and sea salt,
and chew well (saliva is high in alkaline).
Also by eating with mineral, alkaline rich food such as miso soup,
gomashio(condiment), dark leafy greens and other veggies, the body
can easily neutralize the acidity of the grains and beans.
Whole grains are especially good for our overall health.
And we can maximize the benefit from grains' rich supply of fiber,
complex carbs, vitamins and minerals, as well as their great vitality : )
Again, acid is always being produced as a result of cells’ metabolism.
And our body is restlessly working to maintain slightly alkaline
conditions, pH 7.4.(homeostasis)
But the body does not produce alkaline.
Alkaline blood is the foundation of health and immune system.
So it must be constantly replaced from outside, through daily diet.
As your parent always say, "Eat more veggies!"
Chew Well
Digestion starts in the mouth.
In fact, digestive enzyme secreted in the mouth called amylase
(saliva) is highly alkalizing.
So chewing well not only helps digestion but also helps neutralize the
acid-forming effect of foods.
Aim for 30 to 50 times per mouth full!
Other Factors
Other than diet, those are the main acid forming factors.
Stress
Environment
Weak kidneys
Vigorous exercise
Home Remedies ---strengthen your kidneys!
Ginger Compress, which strengthens kidneys, and Salt Bath, which
makes the body's fluid more alkaline concentrated, are quite efficient
and beneficial to bring the body's acidic condition back to normal.
Click below for how to do these external remedies.
Ginger compress
Salt bath
Deep Breath and Stress management
Learn how to cope with stress and express yourself
Breathing exercise, yoga, tai chi, qi gong, walking, or anything that
help cope with your stress is a good idea.
Also learn how to express your feeling freely. You may need some
help, including professional help such as therapy etc.
***
70% of acids are eliminated through lungs (CO2).So breathing
deeply is very important!
Environment
Avoid electromagnetic (TV, computers, microwave, cell phones etc)
as much as possible.
Seaside is very alkalizing.
Swimming in the ocean(salty water) is also alkalizing.
Walking in the woods, nature, hiking, are all good.
** More about Acid-Alkaline Balance, Click here
Example of daily balanced meal
(mineral rich, alkaline forming
meal)
Whole grains (properly cooked)
Variety of vegetables dishes,
Beans/bean product dish
Sea vegetables (in soup, etc)
Miso soup
For beverages, kukicha(bancha)
tea is also alkaline forming.
(mineral rich, alkaline forming
meal)
Whole grains (properly cooked)
Variety of vegetables dishes,
Beans/bean product dish
Sea vegetables (in soup, etc)
Miso soup
For beverages, kukicha(bancha)
tea is also alkaline forming.
Alkaline Forming Food
mild
most of the vegetables
sea vegetables
fruits
strong
sea salt, miso, soy sauce, umeboshi and other
pickles(in moderation, though. It’s high in sodium)
Acid forming food
Mild
Grains
Beans
* neutralized with proper cooking and eating)
strong
Animal foods 9including dairy)
Refined food(sugar, white flour etc), processed foods
Alcohol, drug, medicines, chemicals, additives
** Fruits, juice
Fruits are alkaline forming, but due to the fructose
(fruit sugar), excess consumption will be acid forming.
Juice is a concentrated form of fructose, so juice in
general is acid forming.
**Dairy
dairy is high in calcium, which is alkaline.
But also concentrated in protein, fat and milk sugar
(lactose).
So overall, dairy becomes highly acid forming in the
body.
Especially low-fat milk is more concentrated in
protein, thus more acid forming!
mild
most of the vegetables
sea vegetables
fruits
strong
sea salt, miso, soy sauce, umeboshi and other
pickles(in moderation, though. It’s high in sodium)
Acid forming food
Mild
Grains
Beans
* neutralized with proper cooking and eating)
strong
Animal foods 9including dairy)
Refined food(sugar, white flour etc), processed foods
Alcohol, drug, medicines, chemicals, additives
** Fruits, juice
Fruits are alkaline forming, but due to the fructose
(fruit sugar), excess consumption will be acid forming.
Juice is a concentrated form of fructose, so juice in
general is acid forming.
**Dairy
dairy is high in calcium, which is alkaline.
But also concentrated in protein, fat and milk sugar
(lactose).
So overall, dairy becomes highly acid forming in the
body.
Especially low-fat milk is more concentrated in
protein, thus more acid forming!
Whole Life with Jin