Understanding Alkaline and Acidity

When it comes to maintaining good health, an important aspect that must be taken into consideration is alkaline and acidity levels in the body. In this article, we will discuss the meanings of alkaline and acidity, and how an imbalance in either can have a tremendous impact on a person’s health.

Alkaline and Acidity Defined

The terms “alkaline” and “acidic” refer to pH levels. The pH is a scale that measures the hydrogen ion concentrations, which ranges from 0 to 14. For example, a pH greater than 7 is considered alkaline, a pH lower than 7 is acidic, while a pH equal to 7 is considered neutral. Ideally, a person should have a healthy balance between alkaline and acidity levels. This allows the body to function normally and efficiently.

Dangers of Acidity

In order for the body to function properly, the body must maintain proper pH levels. On average, pH levels should range from 7.35 pH to 7.45 pH. pH levels below this are acidic, which is called acidosis. This occurs when organs such as the lungs and kidneys are unable to keep the body’s pH levels in balance. There are two types of acidosis, respiratory and metabolic acidosis, which we will discuss below.

Respiratory acidosis.

If too much C02 builds up in the body, this could cause respiratory acidosis. C02 is formed when the body burns food and creates energy. The body removes C02 each time a person exhales. If the lungs are unable to efficiently remove C02 from the body, respiratory acidosis could occur. Symptoms can include the following:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Drowsiness

Potential causes of respiratory acidosis include alcohol abuse, chest injuries and abusing sedatives.

Metabolic acidosis.

While respiratory acidosis starts primarily in the lungs, metabolic acidosis originates in the kidneys. This condition occurs when the kidneys aren’t able to remove acid from the body efficiently, or they eliminate too much base (when the kidneys can’t keep the appropriate alkaline/acidic balance).

There are several types of metabolic acidosis:

• Diabetic acidosis.Diabetic acidosis occurs in diabetics whose body doesn’t produce enough insulin. This lack of insulin can cause ketones to build up in the body, causing the blood to acidify. If left untreated, this condition could lead to dehydration, swelling of the brain, or coma. Diabetic acidosis is considered the most serious hyperglycemic emergency in patients with type 1 and type 2 Diabetes.1

• Lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosisoccurs when there’s too much lactic acid in the blood.While this can occur naturally during exercise and subsides shortly after the workout is completed, lactic acidosis can be life threatening under certain situations. Heart failure, cancer, liver failure, and low blood sugar have been linked to lactic acidosis. The following drugs, toxins, and medications have been linked lactic acidosis:2

o Propofol (sedation drug used prior to anesthesia)

o Alcohols

o Acetaminophen

o HAART (Highly active antiretroviral therapy)

o Cocaine

o Halothane (general anesthetic)

o Biguanides (diabetes drugs)

o Beta-adrenergic agonists (beta blockers)

• Renal tubular acidosis. This condition occurs when the kidneys are unable to excrete acids into the urine. As a result, the blood becomes acidic. Over time, renal tubular acidosis could cause kidney stones, fatigue, muscle weakness, and impact a child’s growth. Over time, probability of kidney, disease, bone disease and kidney failure increases if left untreated.

• Hyperchloremic acidosis. The primary cause of hyperchlomeric acidosis is the loss of sodium bicarbonate. This reduction is primarily due to vomiting and diarrhea, which disrupts the pH balance in the blood.

Dangers of Alkalosis

Alkalosis is on the opposite end of the pH spectrum. While acidosis is due to an excess of acid in the blood, too much base can cause alkalosis. Even though acidosis and high levels of acidity are most discussed in the media, high alkaline levels are a problem as well.

There are four types of alkalosis:

• Respiratory alkalosis. A lack of carbon dioxide on the blood can cause respiratory alkalosis. This can occur if a person breathes too fast or inhales too deep when carbon dioxide levels are low. Common causes of respiratory alkalosis include the following:

o Lack of oxygen

o High altitudes

o Liver disease

o Lung disease

o High fever

o Hyperventilation (could be linked to anxiety)

• Metabolic alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis can occur when the body gains too much base or loses too much acid. Metabolic alkalosis can be caused by the following:

o Excessive use of diuretics

o Antacids

o Alcohol abuse

o Loss of electrolytes (excessive vomiting)

o Substantial loss of sodium or potassium in a short amount of time

o Adrenal disease

Studies indicate metabolic alkalosis can cause arrhythmias, which can be life threatening. It can also cause muscle weakness, altered mental status and painful muscle cramps in the hands and feet (carpopedal spasms). Of all the various acid-base disorders, metabolic alkalosis is the most frequent, with 51% of all cases.3

• Hypokalemic alkalosis. When the body has insufficient levels of potassium, hypokalemic alkalosis can occur. Excessive sweating, kidney disease and diarrhea are the most common causes of low potassium in the body. It is estimated that hypertension would decrease by 17% and life expectancy would increase by 5.1 years for Americans if their potassium intake increased.4

• Hypochloremic alkalosis. Insufficient levels of chloride in the body is the primary cause of Hypochloremic alkalosis, Chloride is an electrolyte that helps to maintain fluid levels in the body. Vomiting and excessive sweating can deplete chlorine levels.

Alkaline & Acidity: Foods to Eat and Avoid

In addition to the factors listed above, diet can play a role in pH levels as well. The following are common foods and their pH levels:

 Consuming foods with a higher acidic level should be kept to a minimum. Viruses and bacteria that are harmful to the body thrive in acidic environments. On the other hand, consuming a high alkaline diet may have the following benefits:5

• Improve bone health
• Reduce muscle wasting
• Increase intracellular magnesium
• Improve effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents
• Alleviate chronic lower back pain

Top pH Balance Supplements

In addition to eating foods that balance the body’s pH, there are supplements available that help maintain stable pH levels as well:

Electrolyte Concentrate - Case of 24 20 fl oz. bottles

Electrolyte Concentrate - Case of 24 20 fl oz. bottles contains magnesium, potassium and sodium: three key products that help balance the body’s pH levels. This products offers the following benefits:

• Boosts energy 
• Fights muscle cramps
• Maintain body temperature
• Assists nerve signaling and neurological functions

Systemic Formulas: CXAPHA - pH CONTROL

Systemic Formulas: CXAPHA - pH CONTROL helps manage the body’s chemistry by adjusting its acid levels, while simultaneously normalizing its alkaline levels. To help ease digestion, this product can be added to water or other liquids. 

Summary

Having a pH level that is too high or too low can be hazardous to a person’s health. It’s important to know what lifestyle and dietary habits can affect pH. This understanding allows one to be proactive and take the necessary steps to keep their bodies healthy. By eliminating certain foods from their diet and taking other precautions, a person could be one step closer to maintaining good health.

References:

1Seth P, Kaur H, Kaur M . Clinical Profile of Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Prospective Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Jun;9(6):OC01-4. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/8586.5995. Epub 2015 Jun 1. [PMID: 26266145]; PMCID: PMC4525534. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4525534/

2Christopher D. Foucher; Robert E. Tubben. Lactic Acidosis. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. [PMID: 29262026]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470202/

3Moushumi Sur; Ankur D. Shah. Alkalosis. [Updated 2019 Aug 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. [PMID: 31424853]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545269/

4Weaver CM. Potassium and Health. Adv Nutr. 2013 May 1;4(3):368S-77S. doi: 10.3945/an.112.003533. PMID: 23674806; [PMCID: PMC3650509].https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3650509/

5Schwalfenberg GK. The Alkaline Diet: Is There Evidence That An Alkaline Ph Diet Benefits Health? J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:727630. doi: 10.1155/2012/727630. Epub 2011 Oct 12. [PMID: 22013455]; PMCID: PMC3195546. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195546/#sec9title