For years, doctors have linked oxygen supply with cancerous activity. Research shows that acidosis (little to no oxygen) appears to allow pathogens and cancer cells to proliferate, whereas a more alkaline pH (high oxygen levels) discourage cancer cell colony initiation and further activity. this explains why regular,  deep belly breathing and activities that promote it like yoga, is so important – it feeds your body oxygen!!!

A lot of my clients ask the question, ‘If I take good quality supplements, vitamins and minerals, won’t that be enough to help make these changes?’. Well, it is definitely a step in th right direction and tells me that you are ready to make some changes, however the changes must be a combination of internal re-shifting through our food, thoughts, movement and stress reduction and good quality supplements, pure water and intention.

If your body is too busy neutralizing its acidic load, it can’t digest your food properly which means it can’t assimilate (absorb it) therefore your body will be less effective and efficient at up taking any of the vitamins and minerals the food you are eating contains. The same goes for getting the most of your supplements. If you decrease the acidic load you can reverse this situation – not to mention reap the most important benefits of a daily multi-vitamin or Omega-3 supplement, for example.

When you think of all our your organs and how many of them may be affected by this scenario; do you ever think about your skin as one of them? Your skin is your largest organ, and your body relies on it to excrete toxins. when the acid load is too much, it can show up in your skin as dark circles, premature signs of aging and blemishes.

Now what about your bones?

Research also continues to show a direct correlation between an acidic pH and poor bone health. excess acidity in the body creates excess inflammation and the two will pull alkaline minerals from anywhere they can find them – namely Calcium from our bones. During this process, osteoclasts (the cells that break down bone) become activated while osteoblasts (cells that build bone) become inhibited. Furthermore, the majority of people today are consuming skim milk with no fat and our bodies need fat to be present with calcium in order to absorb it. The other portion of people consuming dairy have a sensitivity or allergy to it and each time the body is exposed to dairy it will launch an autoimmune response via inflammation, which will also prevent any of the calcium or other nutrients to be absorbed by the body. If not corrected, bone loss occurs more rapidly, resulting in osteopenia, followed by osteoporosis.

So is consuming more calcium the answer?

Not according to the latest research. Our body can only absorb approximately 500mg of Calcium at one time. Any amount beyond that is not absorbed and increases acidity.

“Much of my research shows that dietary antioxidants – including the polyphenols and the carotenoid lycopene found in its brightly coloured fruits and vegetables – play a very important role in bone health, which may be important in increasing bone density, development and repair.”  ~ Dr. L. Rao Director of Calcium research Laboratory, st Michael’s college and University of Toronto

What Do I Do With All of This Information???

First off, it’s a lot of info, don’t over analyze or overwhelm yourself. Sometimes are best lessons come from purely listening first, absorbing second and acting when we are ready.

You can start to measure your pH at home quite easily purchasing pH paper from either your local health food store or pharmacy. For best results, test your pH using the same method each time; either saliva or urine. If you use urine make sure it is after 4am at the time of your first urinary void.

An ideal pH range is between 6.2-7.4 and typically fluctuates as follows:

morning: 6.2-7.0

afternoon: 6.67.2

evening 7.0-7.4

If your pH is consistently 5.8 or less, you are overly acidic and should adjust your diet with the recommendation over this four part series. While you may feel okay now, your long-term health is at risk.

Steps To Take Now:

Balance your meals with a salad, a vegetable, small portion of meat, fish or a vegetarian dish. Skip the bread and dessert.

Control sauces and condiments as that is where most of the fat and calories are.

Drink fresh, natural water throughout the day with a squeeze of lemon.

Begin each morning with a green food; in fresh juices, cholorphyll in your water, spirulina or Greens+ in your smoothie.

Eat more avocados, carrots, celery, humus and apples with raw nuts, seeds or nut butters as healthy snack options.

Practice deep belly breathing when stuck in traffic, sitting at your desk, when you are feeling stressed and before you go to bed.

Practice yoga 3-6 days per week.

I hope you have enjoyed this series and I thank you for taking the time to join me

Jenn xo

Posted in Nutrition, Uncategorized