All Natural Health - 5 Simple Tips To Be More Alkaline
By Annika Ek
I am sure you have heard that that fruits and veggies are good for you.
There are many reasons for this, but the reason I want to talk about in
this article is how these foods help keep your acid-alkaline balance at
a healthy level.
Foods can be categorized as acid or alkaline, this classification is
not made based on how they taste, but on the residue left by the food
in your body after it has been metabolized. This is like the ashes left
after a fire has burnt out.
Basically all degenerative diseases like cancer, arthritis, heart
disease and osteoporosis thrive in an acidic environment. Our bodies
work hard at keeping the blood pH at 7.4, which is slightly alkaline
(anything below 7 is acidic). This is done by making deposits and
withdrawals of acid and alkaline minerals from places like your bones,
tissues and fluids like your saliva.
As you can see, if most of your diet leaves an acidic residue, your
body must tap in to your reserves to keep your blood pH where it need
to be, weakening your tissues and bones by pulling out alkalizing
minerals.
Test Your pH
Your saliva offers a window where we can easily test the pH in your
body. This can be done with a pH paper. When you buy pH paper, look for
the kind that shows half steps or smaller gradation, like 6.0, 6.5,
7.0, 7.5, and so on for a more accurate reading. You can get pH paper
at the pharmacy, health food store or online. It is easiest to do the
saliva test first thing in the morning before you eat or drink
anything; it must also be done before exercise or teeth brushing.
Fill your mouth with salvia and then swallow it, do this twice. This is
to make sure the saliva you will be testing is clean. The third time
put a little bit of saliva on the pH paper. Compare the colour of the
pH paper with the included colour chart right away, and record your pH
reading. For a more accurate reading, repeat the test over several days
and calculate and average. Be sure to mark down the date and pH, so you
can measure your progress.
Healthy pH Range
The ideal pH range is 6.6 - 7.4. pH and fluctuates during the day, and
tends to be lowest in the morning. If your pH is consistently over 7.5
you may be too alkaline, which is also damaging, balance is key.
Measuring the pH in your saliva is a simple way of keeping a finger on
your "health" pulse, and acts as a great incentive for healthier eating
habits.
To shift your pH from being chronically acidic, it is recommended that
your diet is about 75%-80% alkaline foods and 20%-25% acidic foods, and
to maintain a healthy pH level aim for 60% alkaline foods and 40%
acidic foods.
5 Easy Ways to Alkalize
1. Eat Your Fruits & Veggies
Eat lots of fruits and veggies. Be aware that most meat, grain and
dairy are acid forming, so remember to balance them with greens and
other alkalizing foods. Eat your greens raw, cooked or juiced. Juicing
is a great way to alkalize quickly.
2. Make Green Drinks a Good Habit
Make it part of your routine to have a Green Drink once or twice daily.
This is an easy way to alkalize, and fits busy schedules well. Another
easy way to get greens, is to put chlorophyll drops in your water, 10 -
15 drops a day is enough and makes your water bright green.
3. Get Your Minerals
Minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron all
support an alkaline environment. Organic and whole foods are higher in
minerals, and use sea salt (that is grey and moist) in your cooking.
4. Reduce Stress & Negativity
Stress is acid forming, so take a look at what the stressors are in
your life and change them if you can. If you can't change the
stressors, change your attitude towards them. All negative states like
anger, fear, jealousy and overwork have an acidic effect on your body.
5. Boost Positive Emotions
Positive thoughts and emotions like prayer, peace, love and kindness
all raise your pH. Deep breathing exercises also help induce a calm and
health promoting state.
For more natural ways to boost your health and well
being I invite you to get a complimentary copy of my special report
"Your Individual Diet - Eating for More Energy, Better Sleep &
Clearer Thinking? It will guide you towards a personalized diet in a
few easy steps. Just go to http://www.AnnikaEk.com and get your copy now!
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