Anti-Ageing: Acid Alkali pH Balance
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free skin care · Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:54 pm

A number of posters have shown an interest to discuss and promote information on pH balance and how it effects our health and its anti-ageing abilities.

I only recently discovered the importance of how acid and alkali maintains the workings of our bodies by reading a small but concise book called The Acid Alkaline Food Guide by Dr. Susan E. Brown & Larry Trivieri.

Basically we - especially in the West - are suffering from Acidosis; we have too much acid-making food and drinks in our diet. Did you know that milk saps your bones of calcium - all dairy products do - infact good old parmesan cheese is one of the worst culprits. This is because dairy and infact all animal products when digested become acidic. To help pass acidic food through your digestive system (namely kidneys) your body has to neutralise it by producing alkaline - if we don't digest alkali-making food with our acid making food, the body makes alkali from our greatest alkali source - our bones. This is why osteoporosis is rising in the West along with our dairy consumption. Did you know one of the best ways to add alkaline to your diet is by drinking water with juice from half a lemon?

This book has turned everything I know upside down. It consists of an indepth food guide - ranging from veg, fish to fast food and lists whether they are high, med or low acid or alkali making. Basically you can eat - and in the case of protein-making dairy products, you must eat - anything as long as you balance it. What the book also explains is how important it is to have a good pH balance - our whole health depends on it - from anti-ageing to cancer-fighting and fatigue-beating.

Can anyone who has been living with a good pH-balanced diet for many years share their experiences?

free skin care · Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:59 pm

Miranda, i've been consciously following an acid/alkaline diet for 30 years..and have consulted with Susan Brown several times over the past 10 years or so.

a couple of things to add to what you've already said...and i don't know how to explain this scientifically....but even if one is eating the correct percentages of a/a....one's body can still be acid cause of other factors at 'play'....and also, although lemon water is a quick, easy way to alkalinize your body, i really rely on green powdered drinks (with no fillers..like green kamut for example), green energy soups, etc...firstly cause i'm sensitive to fruit and it causes inflamation, indigestion, and i'm also sure, therefore an acid reaction in my body(one of those other factors at 'play')...and because i'm also sensitive to eating locally & seasonally... and i live in north usa.

free skin care · Thu Dec 17, 2009 4:43 pm

Hi Jasminerosey - Can you elaborate on the green drink with no filler statement? And make some suggestions. There is a book on Amazon that encourages the use of Greens Plus as a drink to alkalinize the blood.

Do you or have used PH strips to check? What does susan Brown think of the effectiveness of using these?

Thanks, I'm sure I'll have more questions.

free skin care · Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:35 pm

Thank you for starting this topic.

I have loosely followed the diet for 9 months after reading a book - The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health

Besides the above book, I have done a lot of internet searches (because my mom has cancer), and it stated that 100% of cancer patients' body are acid. I searched more and found Japanese and Chinese also talk a lot about PH balance. There are 2 books that I got are written by a Japanese Doctor, he explained all in details on how important of the diet and exercise.

I drank the drank Barley Grass juice (in powder form) in May to July 2009, did not see much difference, then my mom told me that barley grass is actually very 'cold' in TCM.

As Chinese, we actaully don't eat as much meat as the Westerners, and I have switched to eat whole grain for 3+ years, so overall, I believe I'm quite on the akaline side - just my guess.

And for mom, she ate many seafood when she was young, and in the old days, she did not taking very good care of what she ate.

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:29 am

critic wrote:

I drank the drank Barley Grass juice (in powder form) in May to July 2009, did not see much difference, then my mom told me that barley grass is actually very 'cold' in TCM.

Hi Critic, I'm so glad you've joined this discussion as your Eastern knowledge will be invaluable.

You often mention 'cold' with food; is cold relating to acidic?

So sorry to hear about your mum's illness. I'm using this pH knowledge to protect my children's future health - my book also mentions the cancer connection with over-acidity.

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:23 am

Thanks for starting this topic Miranda! After starting the green smoothies, I've become so much more aware about how one's diet can impact not only one's health, but more importantly, one's complexion! Very Happy

Just kidding... ah, vanity.

One question regarding dairy foods-- so how do you make sure that your kids are getting enough calcium? Is the calcium in veggies adequate to maintain bone health and/or growing bones? I've also heard that the calcium in dairy products is not easily absorbed by the body, but I did not realize that it was because of triggering an acidic response.

I have many, many other questions, but will try not to overwhelm!

On a side note, I had a friend in Korea who really wanted their first child to be a boy, and so she read up on a few books describing the optimal acidic/ alkaline state of the woman's and man's respective bodies in order to increase the likelihood of conceiving a boy. (Pretty appalling in my opinion, but interesting.) Now she has 2 boys and 1 girl.

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:34 am

well I am not glad to hear that about diary product. Diary products (not milk) are my favourite food - cheese, cream, yogurt - I am surviving of that and I eat this every single day Confused

I think that most of the proteins in my diet are from diary.
I am addict - I don't drink, I don't smoke - I eat cheese and that's my vice.

Sad

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:35 am

JLM wrote:

Thanks for starting this topic Miranda! After starting the green smoothies, I've become so much more aware about how one's diet can impact not only one's health, but more importantly, one's complexion! Very Happy

Just kidding... ah, vanity.

One question regarding dairy foods-- so how do you make sure that your kids are getting enough calcium? Is the calcium in veggies adequate to maintain bone health and/or growing bones? I've also heard that the calcium in dairy products is not easily absorbed by the body, but I did not realize that it was because of triggering an acidic response.

I have many, many other questions, but will try not to overwhelm!

On a side note, I had a friend in Korea who really wanted their first child to be a boy, and so she read up on a few books describing the optimal acidic/ alkaline state of the woman's and man's respective bodies in order to increase the likelihood of conceiving a boy. (Pretty appalling in my opinion, but interesting.) Now she has 2 boys and 1 girl.

On the calcium question - and this is important - you must continue to eat acid-making foods. It's especially important that children get protein and calcium in their diet.
What I've learnt is that along with eating fish, meat and dairy products is that you have to eat fruit, veg and other alkali-making foods (although not all fruit & veg make alkaline - you really need to purchase a guide!). It's all about balance.
With your green smoothies, you'll be getting plenty of alkali - although if you use spinach as I do, this is actually low grade acid-making!
Please ask questions; it's the best way to get the facts out there Smile

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:44 am

An extract from The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide:
Premature Ageing and Accelerated Ageing Muscle Loss
Another consequence of chronic low-grade metabolic acidosis is premature ageing. This is due in part to the fact that even a slight tilt toward metabolic acidosis impairs cellular function. By impairing cellular function, acidosis prevents cells from properly producing and maintaining the proteins needed for cellular repair. And without the ability to repair themselves, cells age.

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:56 am

Does the book address what is the optimal acid/ alkaline balance, given one's stage of life, or physical needs?

I wonder whether, because growing children need more calcium & protein than adults, their bodies need to be in a more acidic state, compared to adults who should probably eat more alkaline foods just to maintain their health. Similarly, it seems that high-performance athletes need to consume a considerably higher amount of protein (acid-forming) to help rebuild the wear & tear on their bodies & improve their performance.

And pertaining to mirjana's comment: is all dairy acid forming? It seems that yogurt might actually be OK, not just for the probiotics, but perhaps even alkaline forming?

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:31 am

This is Miranda wrote:

critic wrote:

I drank the drank Barley Grass juice (in powder form) in May to July 2009, did not see much difference, then my mom told me that barley grass is actually very 'cold' in TCM.

Hi Critic, I'm so glad you've joined this discussion as your Eastern knowledge will be invaluable.

You often mention 'cold' with food; is cold relating to acidic?

So sorry to hear about your mum's illness. I'm using this pH knowledge to protect my children's future health - my book also mentions the cancer connection with over-acidity.

Cold in TCM is not acid. TCM recommends us to eat red meat and pork if you are lacking of qi or body's yin/yang not balance. The Chinese drs always comment my complexion is too pale, because I am not eating enough meat. I believe the theory of TCM has not much to do with PH diet.

Anyway, what I am doing now is trying to make a well balance on the food choice. However, my kids health are doing so much better after I follow all the common guidelines which I listed in the TCM thread.

I want to let you know that I will eat lots of lots of veggies, but will slightly cook them instead of eating salad. It's too cold in TCM.

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:38 am

*mirjana* wrote:

well I am not glad to hear that about diary product. Diary products (not milk) are my favourite food - cheese, cream, yogurt - I am surviving of that and I eat this every single day Confused

I think that most of the proteins in my diet are from diary.
I am addict - I don't drink, I don't smoke - I eat cheese and that's my vice.

Sad

I have quit milk for many years, I can guarantee your skin will be so much better if you quit milk. There is always a debate about drink or don't drink milk. I am not a professional, but for my kids, I breastfeed for the first year, and no milk starting from the 2nd year. My son actually hates milk.

I have read a report from Harvard about why we can't drink milk, you probably be able to search it online.

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:40 am

JLM wrote:

Does the book address what is the optimal acid/ alkaline balance, given one's stage of life, or physical needs?

Alkaline/acid - I have to ask one thing more which is not directly connected (but maybe it is).
I don't prefer acid food - by that I mean really acid - as when you add vinegar to salad. All salads and vegetables I eat, I am eating without dressing (just olive oil). When I said that I don't prefer that's mean that I can even imagine to eat it. I can't. I have one kind of resistance in my body against vinegar for an example. Is that mean something?

In the other hand - I have strong urge to eat white food. And that's why I eat so much diary products. It is weird, but it last whole my life.

Sorry if this is a little OT, but that's something what interested me from a long time.
Can our instinct tell us something about balance or dis balance in our bodies?

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:43 am

Here is a food list, if I remember well, you eat 30% acid 70% alkaline:

http://www.balance-ph-diet.com/acid_alkaline_food_chart.html

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:50 am

http://www.phionbalance.com/ph-balancing-products

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:52 am

*mirjana* wrote:

JLM wrote:

Does the book address what is the optimal acid/ alkaline balance, given one's stage of life, or physical needs?

Alkaline/acid - I have to ask one thing more which is not directly connected (but maybe it is).
I don't prefer acid food - by that I mean really acid - as when you add vinegar to salad. All salads and vegetables I eat, I am eating without dressing (just olive oil). When I said that I don't prefer that's mean that I can even imagine to eat it. I can't. I have one kind of resistance in my body against vinegar for an example. Is that mean something?

In the other hand - I have strong urge to eat white food. And that's why I eat so much diary products. It is weird, but it last whole my life.

Sorry if this is a little OT, but that's something what interested me from a long time.
Can our instinct tell us something about balance or dis balance in our bodies?

The taste of acid is not = the body's acid. e.g. lemon is actually alkaline when it goes into our body. It's a chemical process, I think Miranda can explain more.

Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:26 am

Just wanted to chime in. I'm not very familiar with acid/alkaline apart from some basic stuff.
But about vinegar... not all vinegars are created equal. Apple Cider Vinegar is well known for its benefits as a food and a tonic. Try to avoid commercially prepared vinegars because of the additives - I think there's a type of artificial sweetener or additive that's unhealthy. The same ingredient is also found in some soft drinks and in preserved gherkins/cucumbers etc. If I can find out what this is, I'll post.

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:43 am

JLM wrote:

Does the book address what is the optimal acid/ alkaline balance, given one's stage of life, or physical needs?

I wonder whether, because growing children need more calcium & protein than adults, their bodies need to be in a more acidic state, compared to adults who should probably eat more alkaline foods just to maintain their health. Similarly, it seems that high-performance athletes need to consume a considerably higher amount of protein (acid-forming) to help rebuild the wear & tear on their bodies & improve their performance.

And pertaining to mirjana's comment: is all dairy acid forming? It seems that yogurt might actually be OK, not just for the probiotics, but perhaps even alkaline forming?

No one should be acidic. Children do need protein & calcium and should eat them. The key word is balance - if a child eats alot of dairy products (mine do), they should also eat alot of fruit, veg & herbs (berries & melons are particularly good). Certain brands of bottled water are also very high in alkaline (San Pellegrino & Sanfaustino).
Fish is acid-making but of course fish is good for you, just eat some veg with it or of course squeeze on the lemon juice!
Yogurt is acid-making, all derivatives of milk are. I guess a natural yogurt with fresh strawberries would be a healthy alternative.

Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:48 am

I'd like to know more about this topic. Perhaps it would be a good idea to post titles of books we can read? Or books members have found particularly helpful.
I've just googled a book called 'The Actid Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health.' Can anyone recommend this one?

I also think it's a case of trial and error. My sister went raw and drank wheatgrass smoothies. And this didn't agree with her at all. There are so many factors to consider. We're all different types and some will need more protein than others, for instance. Maybe some people even benefit from having higher ratios of acidity than others. Enter the food coach!

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:01 am

piglet wrote:

I also think it's a case of trial and error. My sister went raw and drank wheatgrass smoothies. And this didn't agree with her at all. There are so many factors to consider. We're all different types and some will need more protein than others, for instance. Maybe some people even benefit from having higher ratios of acidity than others. Enter the food coach!

I totally agree. I do not think every person will benefit from this or any diet. Everyone is an individual with individual needs. It is a trial and error to see what works for your own body.

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:04 am

critic wrote:

The taste of acid is not = the body's acid. e.g. lemon is actually alkaline when it goes into our body. It's a chemical process, I think Miranda can explain more.

Whenever you eat food, it is metabolized or broken down for use in the body.
This is very complex and beyond my full understanding but basically some foods end up contributing alkalizing bicarbonate to the body's system, others end up producing acids. For example, the potassium citrate found in many fruits and vegetables is transformed through metabolism to potassium bicarbonate, which is a source of alkalizing bicarbonate. On the other hand, foods rich in sulfur-containing amino acids - high protein foods such as red meat, poultry and fish, as well as many grains and beans - are metabolized to produce a residue of sulfuric acid in the body These foods are thus acid-forming.
You have to learn which foods add to the body's alkali reserves, which can be used to neutralise acids, or contributing to free acids, which the body must then neutralise. Often a food most people think is acidifying has just the opposite effect once it is metabolised. Lemons and limes have a highly alkalising effect, even though they are chemically acidic. This is true for all citrus fruits as well as some vinegars. Nor are all inherently non-acidic foods alkalizing after they are consumed. Chicken certainly doesn't seem acidic but when metabolised by the body, it has a moderately acidifying effect.

(Information taken from Dr. Susan Brown).

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:10 am

piglet wrote:

I'd like to know more about this topic. Perhaps it would be a good idea to post titles of books we can read? Or books members have found particularly helpful.
I've just googled a book called 'The Actid Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health.' Can anyone recommend this one?

I also think it's a case of trial and error. My sister went raw and drank wheatgrass smoothies. And this didn't agree with her at all. There are so many factors to consider. We're all different types and some will need more protein than others, for instance. Maybe some people even benefit from having higher ratios of acidity than others. Enter the food coach!

You have to read about it to truly understand how wrong this statement is (sorry Piglet!). There is so much more to learn than we have touched here, it goes right down to molecular level.
No one is healthy when they have their pH level inclined to acidity. However most people probably do balance their body correctly without realising it - that's the great thing about learning about this - I hate to use the word - 'diet'. It's not really a diet, it's more an education on how our bodies function and a way of learning how to balance food types and why it's so important to do so.

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:13 am

Just to add, I tested my pH and it's pretty good. I love milk, cheese, chicken and white bread & pasta! These are a huge part of my food intake. But I also drink alot of bottled water and eat tons of berries and satsumas. I will never deny myself something I enjoy but the knowledge I have gained by learning about pH is priceless IMO.

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:20 am

Uh important question for me... green tea? That's my second * spam alert * Smile

BTW Thanks Miranda, this is very interesting. Smile

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:21 am

piglet wrote:

I also think it's a case of trial and error. My sister went raw and drank wheatgrass smoothies. And this didn't agree with her at all.

I believe wheatgrass would be acid-forming as was Critic's barley-grass juice.

Any book that lists the foods in terms of high/med/low acid or alkali forming would be good (and it should be fairly recently published - last 5 years? - as they're finding new stuff all the time).

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