Have You Heard of Acidosis?
This physiological imbalance is responsible for a wide range of disorders, which can eventually pave the way for cancer and degenerative diseases. The primary cause of acidosis is, once again, modern nutrition, to which the human body is not well adapted.
Acid-Base Balance
The pH of a healthy cell is slightly above 7. The lymph, blood, and physiological fluids are, with a few exceptions, alkaline environments with a pH of 7.4 or higher.
In our modern environment, a diet rich in refined sugar, cereals, and animal proteins tends to acidify the body. In these conditions, all chemical reactions are disrupted: waste products are eliminated less efficiently, toxins precipitate instead of circulating. In an acidic environment, our cell membranes are attacked and oxidized; cellular respiration becomes less efficient, and exchanges with the external environment are impaired.
Cancer cells, for instance, have a pH around 6; they cannot thrive in an alkaline environment.
How to Maintain Alkalinity
The answer is quite simple: eat fruits and vegetables!
Symptoms of Acidosis
How can we tell if our body is experiencing acidosis? Here are some common symptoms that might indicate an issue:
- Chronic candidiasis: recurring fungal infections, digestive disorders (see the article on Candida Infection).
- Persistent thirst despite drinking large amounts of water, due to cellular dehydration.
- Joint and muscle pain, recurrent tendinitis caused by waste deposits in the tendons.
- Increased stress due to magnesium depletion.
- Osteoporosis.
- Pulmonary weakness caused by the elimination of waste products.
Acidosis can also be a consequence of chronic stress, or immune disorders (Candida infection, inflammation, virus reactivations).
How to Correct an Acidic State
Acidosis can develop due to various factors: poor diet, chronic stress, anxiety, or excessive immune system activation.
Modern food is too far removed from our original diet. The introduction of cereals, in particular, has shifted the balance toward acidifying foods. To counteract this, one should consume a majority of alkalizing foods (ideally more than 70%) and minimize acidifying foods as much as possible.
Sorting Foods Based on PRAL
The PRAL (Potential Renal Acid Load) index quantifies the acidifying or alkalizing effect of foods. It calculates the acid load of 100g of food based on its pH impact. The calculation considers five elements:
- Proteins (contain sulfur, which can form sulfuric acid).
- Phosphorus (which can turn into phosphoric acid).
- Calcium, magnesium, and potassium (which help buffer the pH).
Here’s a quick overview of PRAL values for common foods:
| Acidifying Food | PRAL | Alkalizing Food | PRAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat | 4 → 20 | Fruits | -3 → -5 |
| Processed meats | 8 → 25 | Vegetables | 0 → -14 |
| Fish, seafood | 7 → 15 | ||
| Hard cheese | 15 → 34 | ||
| Soft cheese | 4 → 15 | ||
| Dairy products | 1 → 2.5 | ||
| Cereals | 3 → 13 | ||
| Legumes (lentils) | 2 | ||
| Eggs | 8 |
Acidic vs. Acidifying: What’s the Difference?
What happens when you drink lemon juice or Coca-Cola? Should we avoid tomatoes?
It’s normal to question these foods. To understand the difference between acidic and acidifying, we need to consider PRAL:
- Lemon has a low pH because it contains citric acid. However, like all fruits, it also contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Thus, it is an acidic fruit (due to its pH) but has an alkalizing effect on the body. Tomatoes fall into this category as well.
- Coca-Cola, on the other hand, is both acidic and acidifying: its sugar content and high phosphorus levels make it disastrous for acid-base balance and blood sugar levels.
A person suffering from acid reflux may want to avoid acidic foods for immediate digestive comfort. However, there is not always a direct link between acidic foods and acidifying effects on the body.
Dietary Guidelines
The goal is not to eliminate all acidifying foods—our body needs protein daily. Instead, it’s important to balance their effects with alkalizing foods.
How should you structure your plate?
- 30% acidifying foods: meat, fish, cheese, cereals, legumes, and a bit of coffee.
- 70% alkalizing foods: most fruits and vegetables (with a few exceptions) and tea.
In Summary:
- Prefer tea over coffee.
- Limit animal protein and processed meats.
- Eat fruits and vegetables daily !
A health professional may also recommend potassium, magnesium, and calcium-enriched drinks to help counteract significant acidosis. These electrolyte supplements allow the body to buffer its pH more effectively.