Alkaline Foods Promote a Vibrantly Healthy Life

Excess Acid Is a Big Cause of Disease Our cells normally live in an environment that is alkaline and produce acid waste as a by-product. Too much acid in our body tissues is the root cause of many health problems and chronic diseases. Our bodies are very proficient at removing acidic waste products through the liver, kidneys, lungs, and the buffering system in the pancreas and blood. However, most of our eating habits overwhelm the body’s ability to eliminate acids and they start to accumulate. Having the right acid-alkaline balance is a key to vibrant health. As foods are digested, they leave behind a residue called ash, which can be either alkaline or acid, depending on the food. Fruits and vegetables leave an alkaline ash. Meats, grains, eggs, dairy, sugar and alcohol leave an acid ash. When there is over consumption of acidic foods, the excess acid accumulates in the body, leading to toxicity and disease. Other reasons for acid to accumulate in our bodies are digestive problems that result in incomplete food breakdown; dehydration; excessive use of prescription and recreational drugs; improper breathing; stress; and toxic chemicals in our food, soil, air and water. High acidity can affect all major body systems, especially the digestive, circulatory, respiratory and immune systems. Also, too much acidity allows yeast, viruses and various other parasites to thrive. Acidic wastes build up in the body in the form of gallstones, kidney stones, painful calcium deposits in the joints, cholesterol and arterial plaque. They also lead to conditions like heartburn and acid reflux. When the amount of acid entering the body exceeds the body’s ability to eliminate and neutralize the excess, the body develops a condition known as latent acidosis. Latent acidosis is a preliminary step to most chronic diseases. One of the most important things you can do to cure or reverse a health problem is to eliminate excess acids that have accumulated in your body.

Ways to Eliminate Excess Acid

1. Decrease the Amount of Acidic Foods You Eat First, the most obvious strategy is to stop consuming excess acids through your diet. In the Western diet, excess protein is the most common source of excess acid in the body. While some vegetarians eat too little protein, by far most of us consume way too much protein. This state of affairs is sometimes called the “Protein Paradox.” Adequate protein is necessary to keep cells healthy, but too much protein makes cell toxic and leads to disease. Also, the most acidic foods are the junk foods, sugars, artificial sweeteners, coffee, alcohol and white flour. If you look at the diets of many Westerners, you will see that the majority of what they consume is acidic. This is the main reason why there is an epidemic of chronic disease in our society. Many people who are suffering from latent acidosis depend on chemical drugs to relieve their symptoms. Since most drugs are themselves highly acidic, they can worsen the situation in the long run. 2. Increase Alkaline Foods Ideally, our food intake should be approximately 80% alkaline and 20% acidic. As you reduce acidic foods, you should eat more alkaline foods, for example, fruits and vegetables (especially the non-starchy variety). There are so many nutritional reasons to emphasize these foods in your diet; they are the highest sources of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, enzymes, antioxidants, fiber and water. But the most important reason is to include them is they help make the body more alkaline and less acidic. 3. Natural Detoxification When our health has been compromised by an overload of acid wastes in the body, one of the most effective ways to restore it is through a natural detoxification program. If you truly want to deal with your health problems at their source, then you must eliminate excess acids from your system. The programs I find the most beneficial are those that by assist the body to remove acidic wastes via the seven channels of detoxification and elimination. These channels are the colon, blood, skin, kidneys, lymphatic system, lungs, and liver. Chronic conditions often greatly lessen or disappear when the body is properly cleansed and the appropriate dietary changes are implemented.

SYMPTOMS OF ACIDOSIS

Mildly Acidic Symptoms: Moderate Acidic Symptoms: Advanced Acidic Symptoms:

• Osteoporosis
• Autoimmune diseases: Multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis
• Cancer

Recommended Reading 1. The pH Miracle, by Robert O. Young, PhD, Shelly Redford Young 2. An Apple a Day? Is it Enough Today?, by M. Ted Morter 3. Alkalize or Die, by Theodore A. Baroody Please Click Here To Take The Cleansing & Detoxification Self Test. Dr. Salzarulo is a Holistic Doctor who has been in practice for over 25 years, treating, inspiring, teaching and coaching people to empower and heal themselves. For an appointment, call (212) 475-2222.