The human body is composed of various organs and parts, which are made up of tissues and cells. These tissues and cells are composed of 16 chemical elements.
The balance or equilibrium of these chemical elements in the body is an essential factor in the maintenance of health and healing of disease. The acid-alkaline balance plays a vital role in this balanced body chemistry. All foods, after digestion and absorption leave either an acid or alkaline ash in the body depending on their mineral composition. The normal body chemistry is approximately 20 per cent acid and 80 per cent alkaline. This is the acid-alkaline balance. In normal health, the reaction of the blood is alkaline and that is essential for our physical and mental well-being.
Acidosis:
Whenever the alkalinity of the blood is reduced, even slightly, its ability to transport the carbon dioxide gets reduced. This results in the accumulation of acid in the tissues. This condition is known as acidosis or hypo-alkalinity of the blood. Its symptoms are hunger, indigestion, burning sensation and pain in the pharynx, nausea, vomiting, headache, various nervous disorders and drowsiness. Acidosis is the breeding ground for most diseases. Nepthritis or Bright’s disease, rheumatism, premature old age, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, skin disorders and various degenerative diseases are traceable to this condition. It seriously interferes with the functions of the glands and organs of the body. It also lowers the vitality of the system, thereby increasing the danger of infectious diseases.
The main cause of acidosis or hypo-alkalinity of the blood is faulty diet, in which too many acid forming foods have been consumed. In the normal process of metabolism or converting the food into energy by the body,. various acids are formed in the system and in addition, other acids are introduced in food. Whenever there is substantial increase in the formation of acids in the system and these acids are not properly eliminated through the lungs, the kidneys and the bowels , the alkalinity of the blood is reduced, resulting in acidosis.
Acidosis can be prevented by maintaining a proper ratio between acid and alkaline foods in the
diet. Certain foods leave alkaline ash and help in maintaining the alkalinity of the food, while
others leave highly acid ash and lower the alkali reserve of the blood and tissue fluids to a very
large extent. Eggs do the same but less strongly than meats. Cereals of all kinds, including all
sorts of breads are also acid-forming foods , though much less than meats. All fruits, with
exceptions like plums and prunes and all green and root vegetables are highly alkaline foods
and help to alkalinize the blood and other tissue fluids.
our daily diet should consist of four-fifth of alkaline-forming foods such as juicy fruits,tubers, legumes, ripe fruits, leafy and root vegetables and one fifty of acid-forming foods
containing concentrated proteins and starches such as meat, fish, bread and cereals. Eating sensibly in this manner will ensure the necessary alkalinity of the food which will keep the body in perfect health.
Whenever a person has acidosis, the higher the ratio of alkaline forming foods in his diet, the quicker will be the recovery. Acids are neutralised by alkalies.
Persons suffering from various ailments are given adequate alkaline ash foods to offset the effects of acid-forming foods and leave a safe margin of alkalinity.
The most agreeable and convenient means of alkalizing the blood are citrus fruits and fruit juices. The alkalizing value of citrus fruits are due to large percentage of alkaline salts, mainly potash, which they contain. Each pint of orange juice contains 12 grains of potassium, one of the most potent of alkalis. Lemon juice contains nine grains of the alkali to the pint and grape seven grains.
Food Classifications
Foods are classified as acid-producing or alkaline-producing depending on their reaction on the urine. Calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium present in foods contribute to the alkaline effect, while sulphur, phosphorous and chlorine contribute to the acidic effect. Depending on the pre-dominating constituents in a particular food, it is classified as acid-forming or alkaline-forming.
The effect of food stuffs upon the alkalinity of the blood depends upon their residue which they leave behind after undergoing oxidation in the body. It is an error to presume that because a food tastes acid, it has an acidic reaction in the blood. For instance, fruits and vegetables have
organic acids in combination with soda and potash in the form of acid salts. When the acids are burnt or utilised in the body, the alkaline soda or potash is left behind. Hence the effect of the natural fruit acids is to increase the alkalinity of the blood rather than reduce it.
A – Foods Leaving An Acid Ash
(One-Fifth Class)
Barley Eggs
Bananas (unripe)
Grain Foods
Beans
Lentils
Bread Meats
Cereals Nuts except almonds
Cakes
Oatmeal
Chicken
Peas
Confections Rice
Corn
Sugar
Chorolate Sea Foods
Coffee Tea
B – Foods Leaving An Alkaline Ash
( Four-fifths class )
Almonds
Melons
Apples
Milk
Apricots
Onions
Banana (ripe)
Oranges
Beets
Parsley
Cabbage
Peaches
Carrots
Pears
Cauliflower
Pineapple
Celery
Potatoes
Coconuts
Pumpkins
Cottage Cheese
Radishes
Cucumbers
Raisins
Dates
Spinach
Figs ( Fresh and Dry)
Soyabeans
Grapes
Tomatoes
Lemons
Turnips
Regards!!
Catherine Shalini Raja.
MPT Cardio.