How to maintain the acid – base balance?
An imbalanced acid-base balance can be extremely dangerous to our health. However, we can restore the proper pH level by… drinking alkaline water. The road to health is not as winding as it may seem!
For the body to function properly, it needs mechanisms responsible for maintaining order. Very often, due to trivial everyday negligence, such as not drinking enough water, we disturb the body’s balance. This, in turn, initiates the activation of “repair systems” that must restore the body to its proper order. A much simpler solution is to take care of your body and pay attention to even the details on which our health depends!
Very often, these trivial neglects concern the parameter that changes the fastest, i.e. water and electrolyte balance and the related issue, acid-base balance. The acid-base balance of the body is regulated mainly by the lungs and kidneys, and its primary task is to maintain a relatively constant concentration of hydrogen ions in the external (pH 7.35-7.45) and intracellular spaces (pH ~ 7). The mechanisms that maintain a constant blood pH are very efficient and in most cases the body itself can cope with the excess of hydrogen ions (H+), which are mainly responsible for lowering the blood pH and, as a consequence, may lead to acidosis (acidification of the body).
The release of hydrogen cations depends indirectly on the intensity of catabolic processes in the body, which may be an indirect effect of chronic stress. Large amounts of hydrogen ions are produced in the process of metabolism and respiration – so we can say that life acidifies us! Additionally, during physical exercise, lactic and pyruvic acid, which are acids and significantly lower the pH, enter the blood. In the process of protein metabolism, e.g. sulfuric acid – derived from the transformation of sulphur amino acids and phosphoric acid – derived from the transformation of phospholipids and phosphoproteins – enter the blood.
Acidification of the body – symptoms
Chronic ketoacidosis is quite common among diabetics. It can be caused by both hypoglycaemia and the presence of ketone bodies in the blood, as well as by persistently high blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia). Symptoms of ketoacidosis include headache, dry mouth, frequent urination and thirst. Very often, these symptoms are the first symptoms of untreated or undetected type I diabetes that patients present with. Ketoacidosis can also be observed in the case of infections (urinary tract infection, pharyngitis) as well as in the case of alcohol abuse.
Symptoms related to acidosis:
- tiredness
- headache
- sleep disorders
- problems with concentration
- loss of appetite
- muscle and joint pain
- pale and contaminated skin
- acne, pimples
- cellulite and loss of skin elasticity
- swelling of the limbs
- dark circles under the eyes
- hair loss
Acidification of the body may also be caused by lifestyle factors other than healthy eating. Here are the most important ones:
- drinking too little fluid
- intense physical exercise
- stress
- taking certain groups of medications
- alcohol abuse
- heavy metal poisoning
- hypoxia
- impaired kidney function
- prolonged fever or other catabolic states such as anorexia
- hypo and hyperglycaemia
- alcohol abuse
- acute serious diseases, e.g. myocardial infarction
- infections
Acidification of the body may also be caused by lifestyle factors other than healthy eating. Here are the most important ones:
- drinking too little fluid
- intense physical activity or lack of exercise
- stress
- taking excess of certain medications.
- alcohol, nicotine or caffeine abuse
- heavy metal poisoning
- oxygen deficiency
- impaired kidney function
- prolonged fever
Of course, our body is equipped with several mechanisms that protect against disturbing the acid-base balance, so everything is fine as long as the limits are not exceeded. An imbalanced acid-base balance can be extremely dangerous for our body.
Food products, as well as strong physical exercise, may lead to temporary acidification of the body. Maintaining balance is possible thanks to compensatory processes associated with blood buffers, kidneys and lungs, which are very effective in eliminating hydrogen ions. Even minor disorders related to poor dietary choices may translate into well-being, which is similar to the symptoms associated with chronic acidosis.
Some people claim that the main factor influencing the acid-base balance in our body is diet. The efficiency of the kidneys and lungs has a much greater impact, but the nutritional factor is not indifferent to the acid burden on the kidneys. The products we consume every day can be divided into acid-forming and alkalizing ones. Water is an alkalizing product, and more importantly, any acids that are formed in the body are dissolved, transported and removed thanks to water!
Here are some rules on how to combine products to enjoy health and maintain acid-base balance:
- remember to eat 5 portions of vegetables and fruit a day
- drink good quality water, at least 30 ml per kilogram of body weight
- do not use sweeteners
- avoid sugar and products rich in simple sugars
