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Trust Marandure
For the body to function properly, it must maintain the proper balance of acidity and alkalinity [Ph] in the blood and other body fluids.

There is accumulating evidence that certain disease states, such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and many others, are influenced considerably by dietary acid-alkaline balance.

For example, osteoporosis may be the result of a chronic intake of acid forming foods consistently overweighing the intake of alkali-producing foods, with the result that the bones are constantly forced to give up their alkaline minerals [calcium and magnesium] in order to buffer the excess acid.

For most people, the achievement of proper pH balance is quiet simple: make sure that you have a higher intake of alkali-producing foods than of acid producing foods.

Basically, an alkaline diet is one that focuses on vegetables, fruit, legumes while avoiding overconsumption of grains, meat, dairy, and most nuts except hazelnuts [filberts]. Keep in mind that there is a difference between acid foods and acid forming foods. For example, while foods such as lemons and other citrus fruits are acidic, they actually have an alkalising effect on the body.

What is important is the pH of the metabolic end products after the food has been digested. For example, the citric acid in citrus fruit is metabolised in the body to its alkaline form [citrate] and may even be converted to bicarbonate, another alkaline compound.

In addition to diet, mineral supplements in which the minerals are bound to citrate, carbonate, and other alkaline compounds can also be used to promote an alkaline pH.

In one study, supplementation with alkaline minerals was shown to influence symptoms in patients with low back pain. Eighty-two patients with chronic low back pain received a daily alkaline multi-mineral supplement over a period of four weeks in addition to their usual medication.

Pain symptoms were quantified with a standard pain rating scale. After four weeks of supplementation, the mean pain rating dropped by 49 percent, and 76 out of 82 patients showed a significant reduction in low back pain.

Improvements paralleled increases in total blood pH, though blood pH rose only slightly, from 7.456 to 7.470 [this was not surprising, as the body works extremely hard to maintain blood pH within a very narrow range].

Interestingly, only intracellular magnesium increased [by 11 percent], while the levels of other minerals were not significantly changed, and the level of serum magnesium was actually slightly reduced after the supplementation [-3 percent].

Supplementation with alkaline mineral compounds may help with many other minor aches or pains. Think about all people who may be putting their health at risk by taking various pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs for these aches and pains. Eliminating their pain may be as simple as restoring proper Ph control.

In addition to alkaline mineral supplements, green foods are exceptional in their ability to promote proper pH control. Perhaps the best method to take advantage of this action is to consume green food products — commercially available products containing dehydrated barley grass, wheat grass, or algae sources such as chlorella or spirulina.

Mixing with water or juice rehydrates such formulas. These products not only promote proper pH but are packed full of phytochemicals, especially carotenes and chlorophyll, and are more convenient than trying to sprout and grow your own source of greens.

Let’s quickly take a review of what we were taking about

A basic cellular approach to health involves first supplying essential critical nutrients required for cellular function and then supplying key antioxidants to protect cellular structures from damage by high blood sugar levels, toxins, and inflammation.

One of the basic functions of a cell is to create homeostasis-the ability to maintain a constant and steady internal environment.

Without a healthy membrane, cells lose their ability to hold water, vital nutrients, and electrolytes.

Research has documented that the type of fat within cell membrane plays a huge role in the risk of certain diseases.

Long chain omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats in cell membranes appear to improve the response the response to the hormone insulin while saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, and too much cholesterol in cell membranes have the opposite effect.

The sodium-potassium pump is an important mechanism for achieving cellular homeostasis.

An elevation in blood sugar [hyper-glycaemia] induces the production of inflammatory proteins, increases oxidative damage, and leads to the binding of glucose to cellular proteins [glycosylation], any one of which can damage the sodium-potassium pump.

The antioxidant system of the body relies on a complex interplay of many different dietary antioxidants.

Taking any single antioxidant nutrient is not enough. Total protection requires a strategic, comprehensive dietary and supplementation programme.

Although dietary supplements are important, they cannot replace a diet rich in antioxidants.

Mitochondria are the energy factories of the body, responsible for producing 97 percent of the body’s chemical energy.

Many diseases have been associated with mitochondrial damage: Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, autism, chronic fatigue syndrome, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and migraine headache.

To optimise mitochondrial function, a three-part strategy is recommended: provide nutrients needed for optimal mitochondrial function, increase antioxidant intake, and reduce exposure to factors that damage mitochondria.

CoQ 10 is an essential component of the mitochondrial and plays a critical role in the cellular production of energy.

Although the body makes some of its own CoQ 10, considerable research shows significant benefits from supplementation, especially in people with any sort of heart disease, including high cholesterol levels, congestive heart failure, angina, and high blood pressure.

Achieving optimal pH balance through diet and supplementation is an important health goal.

Trust Marandure is a Naturopathy Practitioner based in Bulawayo he can be contacted on 0772482382 or email [email protected].