Applied Nutrition Canada

by Michele Benoit, RNCP 

 

Are you someone who deals with constant colds or persistent infections?  How about brittle hair or nails?  Do you suffer from a chronic skin problem?  How about muscle rigidity or joint stiffness, especially when you wake up in the morning?  These signs and symptoms are only but a few that might be indicators that you are dealing with acidosis.

 

So what exactly is 'acidosis'?  Essentially, it is a biochemical situation in the body whereby excess acid cannot be regulated, or buffered, causing an acid overload to the system.  As a result, the metabolic effects of this increased acid accumulation can play a detrimental, and often overlooked, role in your health.

 

There are many contributing factors to an acid-base imbalance, however, the main causes to this modern health problem are primarily lifestyle-related.  The following are all key contributors of acid accumulation in the body which demonstrate just how common acidosis really is and how critical it is to your health. 

 

Diet plays a role in two ways.  First by the over-consumption of acid-forming foods (or animal-based foods) such as meat, eggs and cheese, whose metabolic end-products in the body are mainly acids.  Secondly, it has an effect by an inadequate intake of alkalinizing foods such as mineral-containing vegetables.  Emotional and psychological stress also has an impact on acid accumulation by causing the secretion of various hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol which create reactions in the body resulting in acids.  Excessive physical training can produce excessive levels of acids which accumulate in body tissues.  While regular physical activity is an integral part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, extreme physical activity places increased metabolic demands on muscle cells, causing an increased risk of acid overload.  Environmental toxic accumulation in the body can influence enzymatic reactions that can lead to disrupted cell function.  As a result, acids will accumulate in the cells and in the body's connective tissue.  While the lungs, the kidneys and the lymphatic system are all important components in regulating acid-base reactions in the body, organ dysfunction such as compromised respiration or renal function will result in some level of pH imbalance in the body.

 

The good news is that the body is designed to maintain a strict pH balance in order to survive, and it is really good at it!  The bad news?  We continue to place unreasonable demands on our bodies to buffer more than it is capable of doing.  Historically, our diet did consist of high protein sources such as animal meats, but it was also extremely high in alkaline foods such as fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens and root vegetables.  As we consume fewer and fewer of these foods and replace them with acid-forming alternatives (typically highly processed, nutrient-deficient and empty-calorie options), the body's ability to neutralize the acid build-up decreases exponentially.  And herein lies the problem.  Acidosis directly impacts your body and can be linked with such health conditions as digestive disturbances, allergies, migraines, osteoarthritis, gout, osteoporosis, lowered immune function, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, ulcers, kidney or gall stones and cancer.

 

So what can you do?  Well, obvious lifestyle changes are a good place to start, especially where diet is concerned.  Another way is to work with a registered nutritional consultant practitioner to determine your individual health imbalances and to see if using an additional buffering system containing physiological alkaline salts to support your acid-base balance and protect against the effects of acid overload would be appropriate for you.