The whole Acid + Alkaline thing

Some people tell me that they need to ‘alkalise’. And they want me to give them something  to achieve this¹.

I ask them, ‘Why do you think you need to alkalise?  They either say they’ve just heard it’s important, or that they feel it’s necessary. (They often add that they have been eating too many acidic foods & drinks lately².)

I ask, ‘What exactly are you trying to alkalise’? Generally the answer is, ‘My whole system’. Now, while I’m aware there are 12 different systems in the body³, I’ve never heard of one called the ‘whole system’. And if there was such a thing, I’m sure it wouldn’t appreciate being made wholly alkaline, as optimal pH varies throughout the body!

I suggest, that rather than take something additional to help alkalise, wouldn’t it be easier to reduce the amount + frequency with which they consume their acidic foods — to see if this helps first?

Know this: your blood is never acidic — the pH of your blood is always slightly alkaline. It is held within a very narrow range by your body (7.35—7.45).

Note: If the blood pH dropped below 7 or rose above 7.8, coma and death would quickly follow!

Your body works tirelessly to maintain this strict equilibrium. It achieves this by releasing minerals from your bone and by breaking down muscle protein (glutamine — an amino acid).

When it comes to your diet, you’re not actually trying to alkalise. Your job is to build a reservoir of minerals and muscle protein. You should aim to minimise how often these stores are being ‘ransacked’ (to be used to buffer your blood).

Yes, you make this job easier or harder on your body by what you choose to ingest. However, it is much more dependant on how well you run your body, and on how well your body runs.

Note: By preventing ‘ransacking’ you will help to avoid the destruction of your bones, the wasting of your muscle tissue, chronic oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, impaired immunity, and elevation of your insulin + cortisol.