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In last week's Wellness Pathway
on The Calcium Balance
Click, I
introduced the concept of the acid-base balance in our body as critical to
calcium retention and the prevention of osteoporosis as well as other chronic
diseases associated with calcium deficiency. This week we are going to explore this concept more fully, in order to understand both its mechanism and
its importance.
When it comes to measuring acidity and alkalinity, scientists speak in terms of
pH. This stands for "the potential of Hydrogen" to chemically bind to molecules
and ions in a solution. A low pH is a strong acid. A high pH is a strong base or
alkali. On a scale of 0 to 14, 7 represents the neutral point of pure water.
The human body is designed to maintain a normal pH of 7.35 to 7.45. In other
words, the human body works best in a slightly alkaline, but almost neutral,
condition. If the pH gets low (acidosis) or high (alkalosis) we end up with
specific problems that can be life threatening.
Fortunately, the human body does a pretty good job of maintaining its pH balance
without any thought on our part. And it does so, in part, by releasing or not
releasing calcium and phosphorus from the bones into the blood supply. If the pH
dips low, the body releases more calcium and phosphorus in order to buffer the
acid while the kidneys work harder to remove it from the system. As the pH
rises, the body releases less and the kidneys relax.
That said, we impact this process by the foods we eat. Protein, for example, is
hard to digest, so the body generates more stomach acid to help with the
digestion, which eventually has to be neutralized either by other foods,
supplements, or the body itself. Grains, cheeses, meat, fish, legumes, and salty
foods all produce an acid load in the body that has to be dealt with.
And that is one reason why a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet can be harmful
to the human body. Fruits and vegetables produce an alkaline load. In the
absence of fruits and vegetables, or chemical buffers such as calcium carbonate, the body not only has to work harder to maintain its
pH balance, but it depletes the bones and wears out the kidneys in the process.
Over time, this contributes to the diseases of aging.
That's part of why I have more or less eliminated certain food groups from my
diet, such as grains and dairy, why I opt for low-salt foods, and why I pay
attention to my consumption of both animal and vegetable protein. It's easier on
the body when we eat an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily
basis. Osteoporosis is only one condition which develops from a chronic pH
imbalance; others include high blood pressure, stroke, kidney stones, asthma,
and even insomnia.
Coaching Inquiries: So what about you? Do you eat a diet rich in fruits and
vegetables? Or do you eat more grains, cheeses, meat, fish, legumes, and salty
foods? Are you making it harder or easier on your body to maintain its pH
balance? How could your eating patterns become more healthy?
To reply to this Pathway, use our
Feedback Form. To learn more about our
Wellness Coaching programs and to arrange for a complimentary wellness coaching
session, use our Contact Form or
Email Bob.
May you be filled with goodness, peace, and joy.
Bob Tschannen-Moran
President, LifeTrek Coaching International,
www.LifeTrekCoaching.com
CEO & Co-Founder, Center for School Transformation,
www.SchoolTransformation.com
2010-2011 President, International Association of Coaching,
www.CertifiedCoach.org
Address: 121 Will Scarlet Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23185-5043
Phone: (757) 345-3452
Fax: (772) 382-3258
Skype: LifeTrek
Twitter: @LifeTrekBob
Mobile: www.LifeTrekMobile.com
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