And since most of the Western world remains ignorant to the importance and health risks associated with imbalanced body pH levels, we’ve dedicated an entire site to the subject.
What is pH Balance and What is Normal in Humans?
A pH number measures between 0 – 14 and tells us how acidic or alkaline a liquid is.
Liquids that measure below 7 are acidic and numbers above 7 are said to be alkaline.
Normal body pH levels in humans range between 7.35 to 7.45, so our blood is slightly alkaline.
Health Risks Associated with Acidity
You all know that your body has an optimal temperature of 98.6 degrees.
… but did you know it also has an optimal pH level?
And just as the smallest deviation in your body’s temperature can lead to peril, so can a slight imbalance of the pH levels in your blood.
Long-term imbalance of body pH levels can lead to diabetes, heart disease, difficulty losing weight, lack of energy, and inflammatory disorders, along with many other ailments.
The particular imbalance we’re concerned about is when your body becomes acidic due to poor, long-term eating habits. It’s called dietary acidosis or “diet induced acidosis”.
Notable Links:
- Acidosis and Its Effects on Health – Michael Lam MD, MPH
- Diet-Induced Acidosis: Is it Real and Clinically Relevant? – Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, Lynda A. Frassetto, and Joseph Katzinger
- Tired, Overweight – You Might be Too Acidic – Natasha Turner, ND
- Excessive Acidity and Urinary Disorders – Dr. Susan E. Brown, Ph. D, CCN
- Alkalinity, Weight Loss, and Energy – Tony Robbins, Life Coach and Creator of Living Health
Causes of Acidosis
While some have theorized, such as Michael Lam (referenced above) that water and pollution lead to acidosis, while this may very well be true, the vast majority of scientists blame the evolution of the Western diet (lots of meat & carbs, fewer fruits and veggies) as the primary cause for the prevalence of acidity in humans.
Our ancestors were thought to have eaten more of a plant-based diet (alkaline), and tended to stay away from coffee, pizza, and alcohol, which are highly acidic. 
As Dr. Pizzorno stated in his aforementioned publication:
"With an increasing understanding of acid–base chemistry has come recognition of the significant differences between contemporary diets and diets more typical of Homo sapiens’ ancestors. Although of course we do not know exactly what our hominid ancestors ate, studies in hunter–gatherer tribes suggest a relatively high intake of plant foods compared with modern-day humans. In a recent study estimating the net acid load (NEAP) of 159 hypothetical pre-agricultural diets, 87 % were found to be base producing, with an estimated mean NEAP of negative 88 mEq/d. In comparison, calculations from the US Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) found the average American diet to be acid producing, with an NEAP of positive 48 mEq/d."
Here are a few foods that make your body acidic:
- Meat
- Dairy
- Carbs (Pasta, White rice, White bread, Pizza)
- Coffee, Soda & Tea
- Most Processed and “Fast Foods”
A few high alkaline foods are:
- Fruits & Veggies (salad, leafy greens, low-sugar fruits)
- Nuts & Seeds
- Soybeans and Tofu
- Healthy Oils
Be sure to see our list of 105 High Alkaline Foods – They’re all 100% pH diet approved.
The FDA also published this exhaustive list estimating the pH of hundreds of common foods.
Are You Acidic?
By now, you should have an idea based on our review of alkalizing foods vs. acidic foods, as well as medical conditions associated with acidosis, whether or not you are acidic.
If you’re not sure… well, the averages say you are.
We are not aware of any hard studies suggesting what percentage of the population is acidic, but many scientists have estimated that it’s easily over half the population in the United States, including a study conducted by US Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which found “the average American diet to be acid producing”.
If you eat pretty well and don’t have any medical symptoms, you still may be acidic. Some effects of acidity are long-term.
So just as the smoker might not see the effects of cigarettes for many years, and that doesn’t make them healthy, you should still take acidosis very seriously.
“Phit Test”
One way to tell for sure if you have an acidic body is to test yourself. Many online retailers such as Amazon sell pH level tests which are made for testing the urine or saliva.
How to Alkalize Your Body
If you have determined that you need to do something about the acidity in your body, you’re in luck.
There are two excellent ways you can balance your body pH level.
- Eating an alkaline diet
- Taking supplements
How to Eat an Alkaline Diet
Most experts recommend cutting down on pasta, soda, and red meats, while increase consumption of the alkaline foods like nuts & vegetables.
Many nutritionists say you should aim for an 80/20 split of alkaline/acidic foods, while others argue a 60/40 breakdown is okay.
Our theory at Living Phit is that both of these numbers are unrealistic for most Americans.
If you have the discipline to turn around your eating habits and bid pizza and coffee farewell, that’s awesome.
My question is whether controlling your acidosis by diet is really sustainable.
If you’re wondering the same thing, you might want to go the supplement route.
Best Supplements to Alkalize the Body
Some of the most common supplements for balanced pH in the body are:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- pH drops, powders, or pills
Calcium
Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD and author of The Ultimate pH Solutionsays:
To cope with acidity, your body may withdraw calcium from your bones since it is a natural anti-acid mineral. Like a bank account from which regular withdrawals are made, your bones can become vulnerable to excessive calcium losses. To help restore the amount of calcium in your body, you can supplement with this critical mineral.
Magnesium
Magnesium is often the silent partner to calcium, who dances in the limelight. But the truth is they go hand in hand, and magnesium is just as important as calcium. Jigsaw Health estimates that up to 80% of Americans are magnesium deficient.
Both calcium and magnesium are available in pill form which you can buy at almost any health or grocery store, or large retailer such as Target.
pH Drops, Powders and Pills
There are various products on the market that claim to alkalize your body. Some of them come in drop form or powder, which you may mix with your drinks or sprinkle over your food. One example would be Alkazone Alkaline drops, which has received amazing reviews on Amazon. Another is AlkaCare pH, an alkalinity balancing formula by Bioclinic Naturals and designed by our friend, Dr. Pizzorno, and which has been proven to reduce the effects of dietary acidosis in clinical trials.
Success Stories
We’ve done more than research about pH in the body…
During our research at Living Phit, we have read and received hundreds of testimonials from people reporting that mineral supplements which alkalize the body, such as Alkalete by Yoli or Balance Your pH by Alkazone, produce amazing health improvements.
… literally, hundreds.
Therefore, we can say with great confidence that we believe alkalizing your body can lead to better overall help. While alkalizing the body is NOT to be considered treatment for any disease, some of the testimonials we have received have claimed they experienced improved health in the following areas:
- Acid Reflux/ Heartburn
- Gout
- Stress
- Digestive disorders
- Chronic inflammation
- Recovery after working out / Aches and Pains
- Skin problems
- Weight loss
- Hormonal (female) imbalances
- and more!
Now Take Action!!
The jury is in. The harmful long-term effects of acidosis are clear.
Excessive dietary acidity is both a significant and common problem in the U.S. as well as other Western societies.
We hope you’ll take this information now, and take action!
Share this page with your loved ones. Start eating a more alkaline diet, or implement one of the other ways to alkalize your body.
If you need help, we’re here for you…
