Acidification of the body - is it even possible?

anna.urbanska (58)in #diet • 7 years ago (edited)

According to online advice, if you have symptoms such as:

little vital energy and frequent fatigue
frequent collapse of viral and bacterial infections such as colds and flu
dried skin
hair loss
muscle and bone pain, backache
blemishes on the skin
signs of fatigue and redness on the face
mood swings
problems with weight loss
frequent forgetfulness and problems with concentration
the trouble with digestion and bloating
unpleasant taste in the mouth

and many, many more, it means you may suffer from ACIDIFICATION OF THE BODY. Sounds serious, doesn't it? But what does science say about it? Should you immediately (according to the supporters of the alkaline diet) give up meat, eggs, sugar, fish and swap it to vegetables, fruits and nuts, if you do not want to be acidified and simply get rid of tiredness? I will try to dispel doubts form the scientific point of view.

POLISH VERSION HERE

What is acidification of the body?

Let's start with a few chemical facts necessary to thoroughly understand the topic of mythical "acidification." Do not get discouraged immediately after the words "chemical facts", it's easier than it seems!

The pH scale is a measure of acidity or its opposition - alkalinity. PH can take values from 0 to 14 (actually it can go under or below, but let's leave it for a moment). PH equal to 7 is neutral (for example, pure water), if the pH ranges from 1 to 6.9 we have a brush with acid reaction (for example lemon juice, hydrochloric acid in the stomach, or vinegar). If the pH is over 7 then we can talk about the alkaline reaction (eg dishwashing liquid). There are two ions that indicate the pH of the given substance or solution: H + and OH-. If there is more H +, then the reaction is acidic, and if more OH - it is alkaline. In the absence of these ions (such as in perfectly pure water), the reaction is neutral.
Important for understanding the point of view of sympathizers of the theory about organism acidification is one chemical reaction:

H+ + OH- —-> H2O

pH of the body

There are different pH levels in different parts our bodies. This is completely normal, physiological, situation. For example, in the stomach, the pH is very strongly acidic and amounts to nearly 1, and in the duodenum (small intestine) is slightly alkaline, approx. 8. Due to these differences in pH, enzymes (compounds that carry key chemical reactions) know when they are in the right section of the digestive tract and are about to begin to carry out their chemical reactions. For example, the enzyme pepsinogen, in the low (acidic) pH of the stomach, is transformed into pepsin, which starts the process of protein digestion there. Each organ, or place of the organism, has its own physiological, small pH changes. In muscles, it is usually around 7, but after intensive exercise, as a result of the formation of lactic acid can fall to 6.5.

Since we already know that the pH is different depending on the place in our body, does talking about acidification of the body in general make sense? No, there is no such thing as the "pH of the whole body", so it can not be acidified. However, you can talk about the pH of the blood and it is probably to its reaction that people are supporting the theory about acidification of the body.

If not the whole organism, maybe the blood can be acidified at least?

The blood pH is 7.35-7.45 for arterial blood and 7.32-7.42 for venous blood. This is a very precise range and any change in pH, whether alkaline or acidic, leads to serious health problems. Basically, if the pH of the blood changes beyond this range, you should immediately go to the Intensive Care Unit. The body effectively defends itself against fluctuations in blood pH using buffers (carbonate, phosphate, protein), i.e. substances that have the ability to neutralize acid and alkaline ions that are formed or introduced into the body. The respiratory system and kidneys also take part in the process of maintaining a stable blood pH. Do you know this state if you suddenly perform a large number of inhalations and exhalations (hyperventilation) and the feeling of spinning in your head? If you did not stop hyperventilatating, you would lose consciousness - that's how the body defends itself against too much loss of carbon dioxide, which can potentially affect the pH of the blood. So if you are not on your way to an ambulance now, you are conscious and you feel relatively well, you do not have an acidified organism.

But does this acidification ever happens?

Only in VERY serious disease and morbidity there is a change in the pH of the blood and disturbances of the acid-base balance, acidosis or alkalosis. The body will do everything before it allows to change the blood reaction, because it causes the interruption of most metabolic and vital processes. However, there are conditions in which the pH of the blood deviates from the norm, but they require rapid medical intervention. A simple medical examination - gasometry is able to quickly verify if there is a change in blood pH.

Acidosis may occur as a result of:

renal failure,
uncontrolled diabetes,
severe, long-lasting diarrhea,
drug overdose, '
genetic metabolic diseases.

The alkalosis may be caused by:

hyperventilation,
high altitude,
very long-lasting vomiting and diarrhea,
an overdose of alkalizing medicines.

Can the diet acidify or alkalize our bodies in any way?

Looking at food products only from a chemical point of view, it is simply a cluster of various types of elements. In chemistry, there is a division into basic elements: potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, as well as acid forming: sulfur, chlorine, nitrogen, phosphorus. If a product contains more basic elements, theoretically, after the contact with water, it is possible to create OH- forming basic ions there. Probably the belief that vegetables and fruits "deacidify", because they usually contain large amounts of potassium, magnesium or sodium. Analogously, a food containing large amounts of nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorus actually, theoretically increase the pool of acidic elements in the body and may contribute to the formation of a certain amount of acidic H + ions. However, this does not affect the pH of the blood, or even the "body".

However, the body has in itself a huge amount of acid and alkaline elements, so there is no need to use a special diet to compensate for the "pH of food". What's more, food has no chance to affect the pH of the blood. However, if there is a need for any neutralization of H + ions produced as a result of consumption of meat rich in sulfur or nitrogen, the pool of elements present in the blood such as calcium, magnesium and potassium will be used without any problem. The body will not fall into a dangerous state of acidosis because we ate a 300 gram steak and did not add enough salads to it.

What we eat, however, has a big influence on the pH of urine and this knowledge can help people suffering from kidney stones, but this is a completely separate topic.

"Deacidify the body using ... alkaline powder" - what?!

You can probably also guess that using so-called "alkaline powders" advertised as a remedy for mythical acidification will not help in "deacidification of the body". Such powders contain elements as: calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium or selenium, and often also some vitamins. Minerals themselves or vitamins will not work unfavorably. However, the basic powder, will have the greatest impact not directly on the pH of the blood, but on the pH of the stomach. Because it is used orally, it is able to significantly deacidify the stomach, and the stomach needs proper acidification to effectively digest proteins. If you do not suffer from heartburn, you better leave the stomach alone and not change its pH, because alkaline powder can do more harm than good!

Alkaline diet - why does it work?

The idea of acidification of the body is based on the fact that apparently, all the symptoms listed at the beginning of the article are, according to supporters of the alkaline diet, the result of eating too much "acidifying foods". These are: sugar, eggs, carbonated drinks, alcohol, meat, processed products, seafood, cheese, in relation to too few alkaline products such as vegetables, fruits, pods, nuts and dairy products. No wonder that those who decide to "go on" an alkaline diet feel much better when they suddenly add more vegetables, fruits and nuts to the menu while excluding processed products and sugar. Certainly, we will benefit from the consumption of more products being sources of minerals such as magnesium, calcium or potassium. However, there is no need to exclude good quality, unprocessed meat, fish or eggs because they "acidify". In favor of this will certainly be the resignation of sugar, alcohol, ready-made and highly processed meals, but not due to their potential acidifying properties. Likewise, adding more vegetables to the menu will also be a plus, but not because they deacidify!

As always: the more unprocessed, nutritionally dense food products in the diet, the better the well-being and health.

Summary:

Acidification of the body does exist, but if you can read this text, you certainly do not suffer from it. The body has many systems that maintain blood and body fluids at a constant pH and we certainly will not induce "acidification of the body" with diet. There is no need to eliminate good quality eggs, fish, meat and seafood, but the elimination of sugar and processed products, reduction of alcohol and the simultaneous increase in the consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts and pods will be beneficial.

Thank you for reading! If you have any questions or concerns around this topic, I will be happy to answer them in the comments :) Any feedback in the form of upvotes and comments is welcome :)