On the Coast – Over 55 Issue 29 I May/June 2019 | Page 10

Can an Acid/
Alkaline body
make a difference
to our health?
by Diana Arundell
T
he billions of cells that make
up the human body require
amongst other things, a stable
body temperature and pH or
acid/alkaline balance. Individual
organs and tissues of the body
require different pH levels for
optimal function.
For example the stomach requires a
very acidic environment of pH 1-3
to effectively break down food and
protect the gastrointestinal system from
infection. However the blood has a very
narrow, optimal pH window of 7.35-7.45
and if the pH falls above or below this
pH reference range, it can become life
threatening. Urinary pH sits between 5-8.
To some degree acidity in the body
naturally increases with age and
ongoing metabolic acidity is linked
to chronic disease and poor health. A
predominantly acid forming diet can
also contribute to an ongoing acidic
environment in the body and research
is looking into the result of chronic, mild
metabolic acidosis or latent acidosis. It
appears an ongoing acidic environment
can contribute to health problems
associated with bone loss, muscle mass
loss, energy metabolism as well as poor
liver and kidney function.
Things that may contribute to chronic
acidosis in the body include a typical
western diet high in animal proteins and
cereals, certain diets and fasting resulting
keto acidosis, lack of exercise, stress,
chronic disease
such as diabetes,
gout and kidney
disease.
Meat, fish, cereals
and dairy products
contain sulphurous amino acids which
means they are more acidic after they
are metabolised via the body and
therefore have a more negative effect
on the acid/alkaline state of the body.
An acid forming food is not necessarily
a bad food, as many excellent protein
sources are naturally acidic, so it’s about
balancing the meal with an abundance
of alkaline forming foods which include
most vegetables, salads and fruits.
These foods are high in mineral citrates
which are responsible for the alkaline
with John Wilson
“Teaching Yoga on the Peninsula for 10 Y ears”
3 Chambers Place, Woy Woy (Gnostic Corner)
Mobile: [phone]
Chair Yoga makes yoga accessible for everyone!
Enjoy all the benefits of yoga – improved flexibility, mobility,
strength and balance while sitting safely and being supported
by a chair.
These classes are ideal for seniors, those with disabilities,
limited mobility, the chronically ill, Alzheimer’s patients and
people pre/post surgery or anyone new to exercise.
Class held Tuesdays at 10.30am
10
S EN I O R S O N T H E C OA S T