How can eating an acidic lemon (pH  2-3) reduce your body’s acidic load for a healthier you?

(see answer at the bottom of this page)

Acid/Alkaline Balance

One of the most important homeostatic mechanisms in the body is the acid-alkaline balance.  Our bodies work hard to maintain a blood pH between 7.35 and 7.45,  which is slightly alkaline.  This is the ideal pH for many of our enzyme systems to work well. (1)

The food and drink you consume every day have major effects on the acid-alkaline balance of your body.  Unprocessed plant fiber and fruits are more alkalizing, while meat, dairy, and cereals produce more acid. That is not to say that day-to-day consumption of foods significantly changes your acid-alkaline balance.  The buffer systems of your body’s homeostatic mechanisms do an excellent job of short-term balancing pH.   However, if you spend years eating a poor diet that is mainly acid-forming, you will overwork some of the buffering systems mentioned above to a point where you could create undesirable changes in your health.

Acidosis and Bone Health

Bone tissue provides one of the ways our body neutralizes acid-forming foods. About 85% of the phosphate ions that are used in your phosphate buffer system comes from calcium phosphate salts, which are structural components of your bones and teeth. Unfortunately, as your body is exposed to large quantities of acid-forming foods and drinks, your body will draw upon its calcium phosphate reserves to supply your phosphate buffer system to neutralize the acid-forming effects of your diet.  Over time, this may lead to structural weakness in your bones and teeth.

Drawing on your calcium phosphate reserves at a high rate can also increase the amount of calcium that is eliminated via your genito-urinary system, which is why a predominantly acid-forming diet can increase your risk of developing calcium-rich kidney stones.

This is just one example of how your buffering systems can be overtaxed to a point where you experience negative health consequences. Since your buffering systems have to work all the time anyway to neutralize the acids that are formed from everyday metabolic activities, it’s in your best interest to follow a diet that doesn’t create unnecessary work for your buffering systems. (2)

The Solution

The first step is simple: consume more whole foods and eat less processed junk.

Serve meals that are 60-80% alkalizing fruits, plants, and vegetables.  Reduce your acid-producing meats, grains, and dairy products to about 20% of your diet.  Whole grains are more beneficial than white flour.  And you can also increase your intake of inflammation-reducing omega-3 fats, found in fish and flax seeds.  Click here to access a pH Food Chart that shows a list of both alkaline and acid producing foods.  (3)  Remember, it is not necessary to totally eliminate the acid-producing foods, as many have a positive nutritional value.  The ratio and balance of foods is most important.

More Simple Tips

• Fresh, unprocessed foods (especially raw veggies and fruits) are best
• Drink 6-8 glasses of water each day
• Reduce your sugar intake- give up sodas and sweetened drinks
• Use natural sea salt instead of regular table salt, it contains a mixture of alkaline mineral complexes
• Aerobic exercise each day will release excess acid-producing CO2 from your tissues
• Start each day with an alkalizing glass of lemon water by squeezing fresh lemon ( no sugar) into pure water.  Be sure to include the pulp.

so..Why does eating an acidic lemon reduce your body’s acidic load?

The predominant minerals within a lemon (including it’s pulp) are electrically positive cations of calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium.  They have an alkalizing (acid-reducing) effect on your body.  They do this by forming mineral hydroxides and carbonates in our cells, which act like molecular sponges to “suck up” excess acidity.  Aren’t you glad you asked?  ;~)

Live Well!

Robin

References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood#Narrow_range_of_pH_values

2.  Bushinsky, DA; Acid-base imbalance and the skeleton,  Eur J Nur; 2001, 40(5):238-44 ; University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Nephrology Unit, Strong Memorial Hospital, New York 14642, USA.

3. http://www.alkaline-alkaline.com/ph_food_chart.html

4. General information was taken from  Wentz, Dr. Myron, and Wentz, Dave The Healthy Home, Vanguard Press, 2011