Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. I am not a medical professional and the information contained in this blog should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health illness. Learn more.
This subject is something I’ve been doing a lot of research about lately, so I thought I’d share my findings with you.
First off, What is pH?
pH stands for the potential of hydrogen. It’s a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of water-soluble substances.
Our ideal pH is slightly alkaline – 7.30 to 7.45
Although our bodies naturally regulate our pH levels, our levels can be affected by what we eat and what our skin absorbs. Emotions both positive and negative and stress play a role in our pH levels as well.
A lot of illnesses and diseases can be reduced when we balance our pH. Diseases such as cancer thrive in a more acidic environment but they die in an alkaline environment.
Think about plants. Have you ever tested the soil and adjusted it based on what your plants or trees need to thrive?
Japanese maples, rhododendrons, and Azaleas like more acidic soil.
Maples (of non-Japanese variety), Juniper, Butterfly bushes, and Barberry bushes prefer soil that is slightly more alkaline.
If you place a Japanese maple in alkaline-rich soil, it’ll wilt and become sick and become susceptible to fungus, but it thrives in soil that is slightly more acidic. (yup I’m a crazy plant lady)
Our bodies work the same. If our pH is too acidic, we get sick and are at a higher risk of disease, but if it becomes too alkaline our organs begin to suffer and have trouble regulating our levels.
Balance is everything.
Symptoms of imbalanced pH
When the body’s pH becomes too acidic or too alkaline, it can disrupt the optimal functioning of enzymes, hormones, and other essential cellular processes.
Symptoms of pH imbalance can include acid reflux, heartburn, digestive issues, and a feeling of fatigue.
An overly acidic environment can also lead to muscle weakness, increased vulnerability to infections, and chronic inflammation.
Conversely, excessive alkalinity may result in muscle twitching, hand tremors, and a metallic taste in the mouth. It’s crucial to maintain a balanced pH through a healthy diet, proper hydration, and stress management, as pH imbalances can signal underlying health issues that need attention and correction.
Testing our pH at home
Of course, you could go without testing yourself or worrying about your pH, but I have been feeling off for a few months and felt like it was time to do some research and see if I could figure out what’s up.
I used these test strips from Amazon. It only takes a few seconds to get a reading and is way cheaper than going to the doctor. I started testing my pH a few weeks ago and realized that my levels were too acidic. I was shocked because I eat what I consider to be healthy, but looking into which foods are more alkaline and which are acidic I realized that I could be eating more alkaline-rich foods. Plus my anxiety has been through the roof, so that wasn’t helping anything.
Also read: Our Amazing Bodies
I introduced more alkaline-rich foods into my diet, got outside more to just breathe and get away from the craziness, and as of this morning, I’m happy to say that my pH reads balanced! 🙂 It’ll be some work to keep it there and it’ll fluctuate with hormones, daily stresses, and so on, but I’m feeling better and am excited that I was able to see results with the right foods and working to take control of my anxiety.
Balancing our pH
Know which foods are more acidic and which are alkaline and incorporate alkaline-rich foods into your diet. Of course, you don’t want to only eat alkaline-rich foods, remember balance, but being conscious of what we eat will help keep our bodies balanced.
Citrus fruits such as lemons and limes have an alkalizing effect on the body. Try drinking a glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning to get an alkaline boost.
Meat, processed foods, beans, and several fruits and veggies are acidic so try reducing these as much as possible, but again balance is everything.
Using natural products on our skin and reducing chemicals when cleaning will help keep our pH levels balanced as well.
If you’d like to make your cleaning products I share what I use in these posts:
Homemade all-purpose cleaner
Homemade laundry detergent
7 common things to make instead of buying
Simple bathroom swaps for natural wellness
My natural skincare routine
Get outside and just be. Turning off the world, work, and stresses of life do the body a world of good.
Of course, our bodies are imperfect, but we can try our best to keep them healthy and functioning. Listening to my body has always been helpful and I hope that you’ll find this info useful.
