The pH and Alkaline Buffer Charts have been redrawn for better resolution.  The links to download them are below.

http://www.veganfamilyliving.com/Daily-pH-Chart.pdf

http://www.veganfamilyliving.com/Alkaline-Buffer-Chart.pdf

First, you’ll need perHydron strips to test for acidity/alkalinity.  We have been fortunate to locate an affordable source for pH test strips and will be offering them for those interested.   See details at the end of the next article.  Saliva must be tested first thing after rising, after sleeping 5-6 hours and before anything at all is put into the mouth and the urine is tested twice and must be from the very first and second “tinkles” after waking.

If you wake up with cotton mouth like I often do, a couple of tongue trips around the mouth might be required to get enough saliva to test.  Take one strip and wet a dime sized portion of the paper with your tongue, comparing it with the color chart on the bottle.  The saliva should range between 6.8 and 7.2.  Next, take another strip and get a couple drops of urine on it.  The urine should also range between 6.8 and 7.2.  If the results are above 7.2, you had sufficient alkaline buffers.  If it is between 6.9 to 6.8, it is mildly acidic indicating that a bit too much acid-producing food was eaten than there were alkaline buffers to neutralize.   If it’s below 6.8, the body is in a state of acidosis and there is a sizable alkaline buffer deficiency which must be purposefully addressed by reducing acid-producing foodstuffs and adding more alkaline-producing foods in the diet.  You may now a large glass of water.  Later in the next article, we’ll address the benefit of lemon water for other times during the day.

Since we were “fasting” while sleeping, the remaining digested nutrients were taken into circulation and the net result between their pH and that of our body was reached.  The second urine of the morning will tell the rest of the story. It should show the current state of our system pH.  The difference between the two urines gives us an idea of the effect of our previous meal or two on our body’s pH.  Ideally, the second urine pH shoud be at least 7.2 or above for the body to have sufficiently neutralized the previous day’s acidic food intake and still be at a healthy pH.

Why is all this effort important?  As it was implied in the previous article, balance really is everything.  “it has been determined that the human body functions best at a mildly alkaline pH range of 7.35 to 7.45  for blood plasma.  To be above this range (alkalosis) or below it (acidosis) can put the body in a predisposed state for disease and may result in irreversible cellular damage, however gradual or minimal.  We want to give our bodies every practical advantage.

The following charts will aid in keeping track of your general pH and alkaline buffer levels.

In the first chart, I use the last column to record the change between urine #2 values of the current and previous days.  This give a graphic record of your progress. Download them from the links below for your own use, if you like.

http://www.veganfamilyliving.com/Daily-pH-Chart.pdf

http://www.veganfamilyliving.com/Alkaline-Buffer-Chart.pdf

The second chart is for part three of the series (which will follow in a matter of hours) but is included here for ease of copying.

Part three of the series will address how to begin taking steps to get your pH at a healthy level and keep it that way by being aware of what you eat and what effects various foods have on the body.  See you then!

Note: No claims are made regarding the therapeutic use of this advice or products mentioned.  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.  These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The topics of alkaline foods and antioxidants have been in the health “limelight”, and we’d like to discover and discuss which foods are best for increasing our alkaline and antioxidant intake. We will begin to feature tips, recipes and gardening ideas for growing and using alkaline and high antioxidant ingredients.  For now, we’ll begin with alkalinizing foods that will assist in acquiring a beneficial systemic pH.

Over the past five years or so, much discussion has circulated about the connection between a myriad of illnesses and low/acidic pH of our bodies’ systemic fluids.  And while there are now machines to provide “alkaline” water, our approach is towards a more practical and sustainable option through understanding and implementing an alkaline diet.  In the event that your’re traveling or without a source for alkaline water, you’ll know how to maintain a diet and lifestyle that will provide the desired systemic pH.

The pH scale indicates the amount of hydrogen ion concentration in a solution and ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral.  Pure water is said to be neutral, as its pH is almost 7.0.  It has been determined that the human body functions best at a mildly alkaline pH range of 7.35 to 7.45 for blood plasma.  To be above this range (alkalosis) or below it (acidosis) can put the body in a predisposed state for disease and may result in irreversible cellular damage.  Thus knowing your current pH and monitoring its improvement is important.

Acidosis is dangerous and can produce laundry list of undesirable conditions, including but not limited to: reduced immunity and healing, headaches, decreased absorption of minerals and nutrients, fatigue, sleepiness, confusion, increased chance of tumors, and reduced ability to excrete heavy metals.  Loss of consciousness and even coma may also result from increased acidosis.

In many western societies, and especially in North America, the average diet promote acidic pH levels.  Contributing factors include stress, improper diet and mineral levels, high toxicity levels, insufficient exercise and/or smoking (lack of oxygen, in general increases acidity), immunity disorders, and others.  Additionally, increased drug usage, pharmaceutical or otherwise, most soft drinks, flesh and dairy products, coffee, white sugar, white flour, artificial and chemically derived sweeteners coupled with a less active lifestyle and insufficient water intake can lead to an acidic condition.  

The ideal balance of acid to alkaline foods is roughly 40-60, though adjusting the balance to a 20-80 acid to alkaline food intake is often required to reverse an acidic blood serum condition.  The next part will begin the discussion of alkaline and acidic foodstuffs, along with necessary lifestyle changes to achieve optimal health.

Note: No claims are made regarding the therapeutic use of this advice or products mentioned.  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.  These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

2 medium, ripe bananas, peeled and sliced.

1 pt. strawberries, sliced

10-12 lychees, peeled and pitted.

2 large kiwis, peeled, halved, and sliced.

Toss above ingredients together, serves 4-5.

Optional, if a healthy syrup is to be added:

1/4 c. water

2 tbs. xylitol

Stir xylitol into water, add to above tossed ingredients.

10 minutes to prepare