A fundamental process in the organism: nutritional and lifestyle errors are decisive factors
The acid-base regulation in the human body is at the basis of the most essential metabolic processes in the human body.
Acid Level Affects Enzyme Reactions
For metabolic processes to function properly, a stable cellular acid concentration is required. This concentration may vary only within a small range – between pH 7.3 and pH 7.4. When outside this range, certain enzymatic reactions which regulate the metabolism are negatively affected, leading to toxicity or death of the cell. It is an acid terrain which causes cellular toxicity. This can be overcome through a series of regulatory mechanisms, with the best know as simply breathing to free the body of the dangerous ‘toxic’ carbonic acid that is created by the oxidation of carbohydrates.
Minerals are a Decisive Factor
The most important regulatory mechanism occurs after carbonic acid is created. Within the cell, mineral substances (especially potassium and sodium) neutralize the acid into a harmless salt, which subsequently becomes eliminated through the kidneys via the circulation. The minerals used up by this process must be replaced (through a diet of mineral-rich foods) or detoxification will be compromised.
Most People are Already Too Acidic
Acid-base regulation maintains the proper balance between acids and bases. This regulatory system is constantly monitoring the body’s various vital functions such as respiration, circulation, digestion, elimination, hormone production, and immune response. When the level of carbonic acid in the body becomes high, the regulatory mechanism stimulates the respiratory and circulatory systems to respond in an attempt to rebalance the system. Tiredness and sleep disturbances are early signs of increasing acidity; whereas pain is a more significant signal that the body is out of balance.
Without exception, at the beginning of every disease, there is an over acidified condition! Disease is nothing more than the expression of an overly stressed acid-base regulation. In contrast, acute diseases are an attempt of the body to mobilize available mineral reserves. Therefore it is important to re-establish the body’s pH within the appropriate range before the full manifestation of the disease.
The Connective Tissue Plays a Significant Role
When the elliminatory organs become stressed, the connective tissue acts to take up and store acid released from the cells and organs. The kidneys work quite slowly and as a result, the connective tissue has to function as a ‘pre-kidney’ and stores the salts. This storage is vital in reducing the burden on the kidneys. During the night, these deposited salts are transported by the bloodstream to the kidneys for elimination. For this reason, the urine is most concentrated and has its maximum acid concentration in the mornings.
When the depositions of acids in the connective tissue is no longer adequate to protect the kidney, pathological over-acidification of the entire organism (called acidosis) sets in. This is characterized by acute or chronic acid-base regulation canadainflammation.
Three Stages to Acidosis Build-up
Three stages of acidosis can be identified:
- ‘Latent Acidosis’ – in which the connective tissue increasingly develops an acid build-up;
- ‘Compensated Acidosis’ – in which the eliminative organs are required to work in ‘high gear’, inflammation and catarrhs are experienced, and the blood’s alkaline reserves are attacked. However, blood alkalinity does not drop below the critical value of pH 7.0;
- ‘Decompensated Acidosis’ – in which the alkaline reserves fall below the normal value (pH 7.0); the blood and tissue can no longer manage and acid build-up leads to ‘toxification’. This is the first condition of chronic diseases.
For the ‘Latent Acidosis’ stage, it is still possible to rebalance the acid-basic regulation through dietary and lifestyle changes, regular exercise, fresh air, adequate restful sleep, resolution of emotional problems and minimizing physical or mental stress. For the ‘Compensated and Decompensated Acidosis’ stages, the above suggestions should be embraced in addition to an 80% alkaline diet and taking an alkalizing preparation such as Pleo-Alkala N powder, Basictab or Basic Powder. Refer to www.biomedicine.com for the article on The Art of Alkalizing for details on how to take an alkalizer.
Written by Dr. Med. Renate Collier (adapted from an article)
