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Acidosis and Alkalosis Good day to you, It is frightening the way time is flying, it is nearly Xmas again and time to get ready for the festivities and well-deserved holidays. Today we are tackling the role of nutrition in acidosis and alkalosis. When nutritionists talk about acid- or alkaline- forming foods, they are referring to the condition of the food AFTER ingestion. There are many food substances, which are acidic in their natural form that becomes alkaline when broken down within the body. Generally speaking, the metabolic process of the breakdown of foods from the vegetable kingdom change in character from acidic to alkaline, while the foods from the animal kingdom change from alkaline to acid during metabolism. All foods contain within them a combination of both elements. The particular influence a food will have on pH will be determined simply by which element are dominent, the acid element or the alkaline element. These elements, when broken-down, will either release (H+) ions, and thus create an acidic medium, or they will accept and combine with (H+) ions, creating an alkaline medium. The basic concept is: 1) Organic matter is taken into the body in the form of food. 2) This organic matter is broken down into simple compounds ( monosaccharides, amino-acids, lipids, etc..) 3) After metabolism, these compounds leave an acidic or alkaline residue in the body ( like ash after a fire ) 4) The simple compounds contain elements such as sulphur, potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium. These minerals determine the pH concentration and thus, the acidity or alkalinity level of the body. The acid forming elements are: sulphur, phosphorus and chlorine The alkaline formers are: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron. Most proteins contain sulphur, as well as phosphorus, within the chemical structure. Most foods of plant origin, when metabolised, become carbon dioxide and water. Many different organ malfunctions are referred to as "disease" while the underlying cause, acidosis, has been overlooked. The point to keep in mind is that any food, drug or condiment that is extremely acidic in nature, utilizes alkaline reserves and overworks the various organs. This type of dietary abuse may be tolerated for a while but eventually the body will no longer be capable of handling this overload and will slowly begin to break down. Acid formers are: Most grains, meat, poultry, fish, cheese, eggs, most nuts, and most legumes Alkaline formers are: Vegetables& greens (all), fruits ( all, provided they are not processed or cooked in any way ) millet, de-husked, almonds. The perfect diet, for optimum health should consist of fruit, vegetables and un-roasted seeds and nuts. The body will maintain a proper pH balance at all times because it must do so for proper functioning. The organism is designed that way. In order to make the body's job easy-and so expend less energy, the diet should consist of foods that have an appropriate acid-alkaline ratio, at least 80% alkali and not more than 20% acid. Since our diet consists, amongst others, of fast foods, tea, coffee, chocolates, processed foods etc…It would be wise to now and again go on a fresh fruit and vegetable diet for 4 to 5 days, in order to restore the pH balance of the body. I hope that the subject of acidity and alkalinity in the body is a bit clearer now and that based on our knowledge we will make the right decisions when it comes to looking after ourselves. We wish you a sunshine week, Until next Thursday, The Crazy Nut Team