When we think of health and fitness, pH balance is definitely not the first thought that comes to mind. However, you may be surprised to know that proper pH balance is crucial to overall health.

Our body’s pH balance affects everything including hormone production, bone health, and muscle mass. But what is pH balance and how do you know that your pH is off? Read on to find out.

So what exactly is pH?

The term pH stands for “potential hydrogen” which is the measure of hydrogen ions in a particular solution (You don’t need to go through your chemistry textbook for this!). In our case, that “solution” refers to our body’s fluids and tissues.

The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is and ranges from 0 to 14. Seven is neutral. Below 7 becomes increasingly acidic, above 7 increasingly alkaline.

We know in health, balance is everything. Proper pH varies throughout our body for many reasons. For example, our bowels, skin and vagina should be slightly acidic–this helps keep unfriendly bacteria away. Saliva is more alkaline, while our urine is normally more acidic, especially in the morning.

What is the pH of blood?

For optimal cellular health, our blood pH must be slightly alkaline with a pH between 7.365 and 7.45. Our bodies are programmed to maintain this range no matter what, since even the slightest dip or rise in pH can have seriously dangerous consequences.

What is the pH of the stomach?

The body also regulates the pH of the stomach which is designed to be acidic, at a pH between 1.5-3.5.  

As we can see the stomach is meant to have an acidic pH and the blood is meant to have a slightly alkaline pH. Disrupting the stomach pH which is required for optimal calcium absorption can also disrupt blood pH as calcium is an alkaline mineral that helps to maintain normal blood pH. 

What are acid forming and alkaline forming foods? 

Kindly refer to the picture below.

Which diet should we have?

If our blood pH is too acidic, we need to add more alkaline foods (a ratio of 80% alkaline to 20% acidic is a good rule of thumb). If our blood pH were too alkaline, we would eat more acidic foods, but this situation is very rare. 

So why is it so important?

Maintaining a blood pH of about 7.4 is essential. Our bodies have a mechanism designed specifically to maintain that level. If we become too acidic, that mechanism will protect the blood at all costs, even to the extent of compromising bone and tissue.

Here are 6 signs that your body’s pH levels may be off:

• Weakened bones
• Low energy 
• Indigestion 
• Poor Dental Health 
• High Stress
• Insomnia 

How do I know my blood pH?

Fortunately, it’s very easy to determine and monitor your blood pH. You don’t even need to go to a doctor. You can easily and inexpensively purchase pH paper online and perform both urine and saliva tests at home.

3 steps to Testing Your pH 

Step One: The Sunrise Saliva Test

As soon as you wake up, before anything else, test your pH of your saliva. Note the pH (colour and number on your pH strip) and write it down.Important: do this before you put anything else in your mouth! Don’t clean your teeth, drink, eat or anything else. 

GOAL pH: you want this pH to be at least 7.0 and ideally above pH 7.2

Step Two: The Upon-Rising-Urine TestNow it’s time to test your urine and it’s important this is your first pee of the day. This is the measure of your body’s hard overnight work.Again, note the colour and number on the pH strip and write it down.

GOAL pH: Your first urine should be at or above pH 7.0. 

If you are below pH 7.0 then you are low in alkaline buffers and need to follow some of the steps below.If you are at pH 7.2 or above then you are doing great – you have the alkaline buffers needed to neutralise any acidity in your diet and lifestyle.

Step Three: The Post-Hydration Test

Next you want to test your 2nd urine of the day. Do this before eating any food if possible. This will give you a different measure to the first urine. Note the colour and number.

GOAL pH: Your second urine should definitely be higher than pH 7.2. 

If the pH is lower than 7.2 then you are in overly acidic. It means you are deficient in alkaline minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium (the four minerals that all alkaline foods have in abundance).This can also suggest your diet is too high in protein, especially animal proteins, which lead to an increase in acids including nitric, sufuric, phosphoric and uric acid.

How to Increase Your pH? 

If the pH of your saliva is consistently below 7.2 and the pH of the urine is consistently below pH 7.0 then you need to act immediately and shift to an alkaline diet as soon as possible.

How to start eating an alkaline diet?

Eating an alkaline diet is not difficult. As a general rule, foods that are high in either protein or refined fats, flours and sugar are acid-forming or acidic foods.

This means you need to cut back on meat, cow’s milk and dairy products, wheat and most whole grains and their products.

You also need to get rid of the processed foods and fast food.

Processed and fast foods are loaded with acid-forming ingredients. In fact, most of them have ALL of the most acid-forming ingredients, including refined wheat flour, refined sugar and refined fats. 

It’s almost impossible to avoid an acidic condition if you’re eating processed foods on a regular basis.

Then choose alkaline or acid-buffering foods like vegetables and fruit, for the other 80% of your daily intake.

Once you start eating alkaline (and try to reduce stress, get more rest and steer clear of toxins by going organic as much as possible), you’ll very quickly be able to correct your blood pH. The difference may astonish you.

Very soon, you should be able to see the benefits of alkaline diet. There will be a huge increase in energy levels, better digestion, easier fat loss, less pain from inflammation-related conditions like arthritis, better mental focus, better moods and on and on. 

This is all in addition to restoring the blood pH that will ensure a longer, healthier and more active life.

For more details on how to build your diet in the best pH balancing way you are welcome to book a consultation at out clinic Shape abd Strength. Our experienced dietitian Dr Yogitaa Mandhyan will help you understand your body requirements after thoroughly examining you pH balance and various other vital factors.

Dr. Yogita Mandhyaan is the founder/curator of Shape and Strength.  She is a physiotherapist and dietitian with more than 14 years of experience.  She is also certified in alternative therapies like Kinesiology, Cupping and Dry Needling.

Call 096740 04799

Visit 16C Bipin Pal Road, Deshpriya Park, Kolkata – 26