How Well Do You Know Your pH?In chemistry, pH is the acronym for “Potential Hydrogen” and it is the measurement of acidity. An acid is any chemical that releases hydrogen irons in solution. The Potential Hydrogen scale was invented in 1909 to measure the acidity of beer. The scale extends from 0.0 to 14. A solution with a measurement of 7 is neutral; solutions measuring below 7 are acidic; and solutions measuring above 7 are alkaline (or basic). To put this scale into perspective, it is important to note that a change of one whole number represents a 10-fold change in hydrogen iron concentration. For example, a solution with a measurement of 4 is 10 times as acidic as one with a measurement of 5 and 100 times as acidic as one with a measurement of 6. Slight disturbances of the acid-balance of the body's fluids can seriously disrupt biological functions, so it must be carefully controlled by the body. This is one of the key functions of the kidney. Blood, for example, normally has a measurement ranging from 7.35 to 7.45. Deviations from this range can cause fainting, paralysis, or even death.
BUFFERSA buffer is any mechanism that resists changes in acidity. The body has two types of buffers:
The three major chemical buffer systems of the body are the bicarbonate, phosphate, and protein systems. The bicarbonate buffer system is a solution of carbonic acid (a property of carbon dioxide) and bicarbonate irons. If the body’s pH-balance is too low (acidic), the lungs and the kidneys constantly removes carbon dioxide, which helps to neutralize hydrogen irons. Conversely, if it is too high (alkaline), the kidneys excrete bicarbonate iron that elevates the hydrogen iron concentration, creating a more acidic environment. The phosphate buffer system works in very much the same way as the bicarbonate system. It, however, has a much stronger buffering effect than an equal amount of bicarbonate buffer. The protein buffer system accounts for about 75% of all chemical buffering ability or the body fluids. The buffering ability of proteins is due to certain side groups of their amino acid residues. Some of these amino acids allow the protein buffer system to release hydrogen iron when pH begins to rise (alkaline), thus creating a more acidic environment. Others bind hydrogen irons when the environment becomes too acidic, thus raising pH-balance to normal levels.
PHYSIOLOGICAL BUFFER SYSTEMSThe body’s two main physiological buffers are the urinary system and the respiratory system. Of all the buffer systems, the urinary system buffers the greatest quantity of acid. It is quite slow, however, as it requires several hours to days to respond to changes in acidity. The respiratory system does not buffer as much acid as the urinary system but it works much faster. It can respond to changes in acidity within a few minutes. Respiratory Buffer SystemWhen carbon dioxide increases in the body's fluids, the concentration of hydrogen iron increases, thus lowering pH (acidic), while the removal of carbon dioxide has the opposite effect. This is the basis of the strong buffering capacity of the respiratory system. It can neutralize up to three (3) times as much acid as the chemical buffers. Carbon dioxide is constantly produced by aerobic metabolism and is normally eliminated by the lungs at an equivalent rate. Urinary Buffer SystemThe kidneys can neutralize more acid than any of the other buffering systems. It is unique and operates differently from the other buffering systems, in that it can actually expel hydrogen irons from the body while the other systems only reduce its concentration by binding it to other chemicals. The essence of the urinary buffer system is that the renal tubules secrete hydrogen iron into the tubular fluid (fluid in the renal tubule) where most of it binds to chemical buffers. Both bound and free hydrogen irons are excreted in the urine.
EFFECTS OF ACID IMBALANCEAcid-base imbalances fall into two categories – respiratory and metabolic. Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is an accumulation of carbon dioxide, which lowers the pH. On the other hand, Respiratory alkalosis results from hyperventilation, in which carbon dioxide is eliminated faster than it is produced. Metabolic acidosis can result from increased production of organic acids, such as lactic acid in anaerobic fermentation and ketone bodies in alcoholism and diabetes mellitus. It can also result from chronic diarrhea or overuse of laxatives, or from ingestion of acidic drugs such as aspirin. Metabolic alkalosis is not as common as metabolic acidosis. It can result from overuse of bicarbonates such as antacids or intravenous bicarbonate solutions. It can also result from the loss of stomach acids due to chronic vomiting. The body’s buffer systems, especially the respiratory and the urinary buffer systems, are designed to compensate for acid imbalances. When acidosis or alkalosis is of respiratory origin, the kidneys compensate for these imbalances. On the other hand if acidosis or alkalosis is of a metabolic origin, the respiratory system compensates for these imbalances. When these systems are unable to compensate for pH imbalances, clinical intervention is required.
BALANCED PH = GOOD HEALTHMaintaining or restoring a balanced pH is not possible when the body is loaded with acid toxins. Acid imbalances compromise the efficient functioning of all cells and organs, leading to premature deterioration and degeneration of health. All degenerative diseases and disease-causing organisms develop only in acidic environment. Nutritional chemistry reveals that raw fruits and vegetables provide the best source of nutrients that helps to maintain the constant pH balance of the body’s biological systems. When heat is applied to these foods, through cooking, or preservatives and refined sugars are added to them, most of their nutritional properties are destroyed and they become more acidic. When we consume these foods in their acidic state, we contribute to acid imbalances within the body’s biochemical systems. This places greater burden on our buffer systems (including the kidneys) to regulate these imbalances that, over time, can lead to their malfunctioning. Poor diet is possibly the single most significant reason for the increasing incidences of renal failure. It is little wonder that almost 90% of mature western adult over the age of 50 years of age suffer from some form of degenerative disease. The pH factor, being a critical factor in the efficient functioning of all biological systems, must be the central focus around which a balanced diet is formulated. The best alkalizing foods on the planet are plant-based foods. The key to maintaining proper pH, and by extension biological balance, is to include a fair amount of these foods in our diet. If we are to support the efficient creation and maintenance of energy and quality of health, we need to maintain a diet compatible with natural pH balance.
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