The term pH balance can be defined as "potential of hydrogen". As we look at diet and its effect on the body and blood, pH or potential of hydrogen refers to alkalinity which has a pH value above 7.0, or acidity which has a pH value that is below 7.0. A neutral pH on the pH scale of 1 to 14 would be 7.0.
Your blood needs to be at a pH that falls between 7.35 and 7.45. Your body will make any and every adjustment necessary in order to keep your blood's pH within that range, using a complex system of buffers to control it.
And for good reason. If your blood's pH falls below 7.35 you will experience acidosis, which can lead to the depression of your central nervous system. If blood pH goes below 7.0, this can result in coma or death.
If on the other hand your blood pH were to go over 7.45, this can lead to alkalosis. Your nerves would become hypersensitive and your muscles would spasm, resulting in convulsions, which in the most extreme cases can result in death.
The concept of keeping your blood alkaline does not refer to the alkalinity of a given food. Rather it refers to the alkaline-forming effect the food has on your system.
Highly processed foods have an acid-forming effect. Years of this kind of acid-forming diet can be detrimental to your health over time.
If your body is consistently needing to neutralize strong acids from acid-forming foods, a number of protective systems go into action to seek a healthy balance. If these systems are set into motion too often and for too long, imbalances of all kinds can occur.
An acidic environment will cause inflammation, and creates a great terrain for cancers, obesity, immune dysfunction, diabetes, joint pain, fungus overgrowth, endocrinal dysfunction, and other diseases.
For instance, your calcium phosphate supplies will be worked overtime and you can end up with weakened bones and teeth. As too much calcium is being eliminated through urine, you may also find yourself the proud owner of kidney stones from this excess calcium.
In general, fruits and vegetables have an alkaline-forming effect on your system. Grains, animal foods and processed foods generally are acid-forming.
If you eat more alkaline-forming foods, this will help your body maintain its preferred balance of slightly alkaline blood pH.
If you're interested in testing your pH balance, pH test strips are readily available in stores.
Resources:
Essential Details on Acid and Alkaline-Forming Effects of Food and How Your Body Maintains a Healthy pH
http://www.drbenkim.com/ph-body-blood-foods-acid-alkaline.htm
A pH definition
http://www.improving-health-and-energy.com/ph-definition.html
Fibro Self-help: What to Do
http://fibroself-help.com/what-to-do
Foods With Less Acidity and More Alkaline
http://www.livestrong.com/article/85680-foods-less-acidity-alkaline
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