ACID ALKALINE DIET-Is it true that acid-forming food can cause disease?
The Acid Alkaline balance in the body has been studied for many years. It all started some 76 years ago when a New York doctor (William Howard Hay) published a book claiming that acid accumulation in the body caused almost all disease.
Since then, studies have indicated that eating too much acid-forming food actually could lead to disease.
So, what do we know now about acid/alkaline balance in the body?
Acidity is indicated by what is termed pH. This is is a way of measuring the alkalinity or acidity of a solution. The scale is from 0 to 14. When a solution is neither acid nor alkaline it will have a pH of 7 which means that it is neutral. The body constantly strives to balance pH in the neutral zone.
It is necessary to understand that pH does not measure stomach acid or the pH of the stomach. It measures this balance in our bodily fluids (the blood) not in the alimentary canal
The ideal pH range for the human body is said to be between 6.1 and 7.0. Although some other authorities indicate it should be 6.5 to 7.5. This latter level may take into account metabolic variances during the day. Some writers have advocated attempting to reach high alkalinity levels. Apparently they are unaware that the highly alkaline ammonia which this generates is as deadly and corrosive as highly acidic sulfuric acid on the acid side of pH.
The majority opinion seems to favor small variations from the neutral level of 7.0. This is deemed as being the practical norm.
The Acid Alkaline Diet states in fine detail what might be expected if one goes on the regimen it proposes. Is there is scientific backing for most if not all of what this site claims? Apparently there is. A lot of information is provided, including a huge chart which gives an acid/alkaline rating for many, many foods. (We didnt count them — just too many).
The ideal pH for the human body does vary from individual to individual. It compensates for a variety of factors including these:
o Basic Personality
o Energy blocks
o Imprinting
o Blood Type
o Education
o Culture
o Food.
The amount of information given appears to be certainly adequate if one is to take this path. The huge chart is rather unbelievable in its detail. Lots and lots of foods are listed along with measurements for each. It is well arranged in a logical fashion so it should not be daunting to use.