Stop hyperacidity: Tips for a balanced acid-base balance

What is hyperacidity and how does it happen?

Acidosis is an unbalanced acid-base balance of the body that has shifted to the acid side. In the short term, this shift, which is mainly caused by the (excessive) consumption of acid-forming foods, does not pose a problem, since it can cushion our body with various buffer systems, which are often mineral-based. A decisive role is played here by an adequate supply of alkaline minerals such as magnesium and potassium.

In the long term, however, this balance is overstrained, which can lead to many complaints and secondary illnesses. Due to the long balancing ability, the symptoms often go unnoticed for a long time and are only noticed when the body has already been damaged.

Usually bad nutrition is to blame, in addition, excessive stress and lack of movement can bring the acid base balance into the imbalance. The consumption of too many acid-forming and in return too little alkaline-forming foods causes an overacidification of the body. Typical for this is our typical carbohydrate- and meat-rich diet with its excess of sugar.

In the short term our body can compensate for acidosis – in the long term it is overtaxed.

If the body is only briefly exposed to acidosis, this is not a problem, the body can quickly break down the excess acid again. Over time, however, this ability to regulate is exhausted for those particularly large quantities of alkaline minerals such as potassium, magnesium or calcium are necessary. If the acid-base balance is imbalanced for years, this can lead to chronic acidosis with numerous consequences.

How do you recognize hyperacidity and what are the consequences?

The symptoms of hyperacidity are broad and often quite unspecific. They can range from general discomfort to muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, heartburn, dandruff, hair loss, bad breath, cellulite and susceptibility to infection.

For the determination of hyperacidity, it is advisable to test the pH value of our urine using pH strips during the course of the day. In the morning, the value is usually in the more acidic range (5- 6.5), and runs over a neutral phase (around a value of 7) towards noon into the alkaline range (a little over 7 to 8). In order to exclude daily fluctuations, this process should be surveyed over several days and evaluated in succession. If these values are on average significantly below the normal values, this may indicate an overacidification.

But what makes this overly acidic environment in our body? Excess acid attacks the organs and tissues, which can lead to diseases and chronic complaints. Too much acid in the body can affect all vital functions and provides a good environment for harmful bacteria. Unfortunately, there are still only a few scientific studies on this subject, but the connection between hyperacidity and diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, gout, migraine, arteriosclerosis, gallstones and kidney stones, neurodermatitis, muscle hardening and chronic pain are being discussed.

In addition, a higher risk of overweight and cellulite is associated with hyperacidity. Put simply, the body forms fat cells to keep excess acids away from vital organs. Thus, weight gain can also be the body’s response to acidosis.

But what can we do against acidosis of our body?

Here are 5 important tips on how to keep the acid-base balance in balance:

1. The right nutrition

Many people eat too acidic a diet and in order to rebalance the acid-base balance, the diet must be adapted. Too much meat and other foods of animal origin, sweets, fast food and ready meals are usually to blame for an overacidification of the body. These should – if possible – be avoided in any case. An optimal acid-base ratio for the body would be 1 to 3. Therefore, it should be ¼ acid-forming and ¾ basenbildende food. It is also important to drink enough water (without carbonic acid).

Here is an overview of which foods fall into which category:

Acid-forming foods

Meat
Milk and dairy products
egg
fish
all types of cereals and cereal products such as pasta, bread and all types of bakery products
Sugar and all sweets
legumes
asparagus
Brussels sprouts
artichokes
Coffee
black tea, green tea, white tea, fruit tea
soft drinks, energy drinks, cola, alcohol

Base-forming foods

fruit
vegetables
herbs
mushrooms
Seeds and kernels
seedlings
Almonds, pistachios, various nuts such as walnuts or macadamia nuts

2. Basic minerals

If the body suffers from an excess of acids, alkaline minerals should be taken at least until the acid-base balance is back in balance. Especially combinations of the above mentioned minerals potassium, magnesium, calcium and zinc are recommended. This helps the body’s own buffer system to get back on its feet. But even if they like to eat out and sometimes acidic foods are on their diet, alkaline minerals can help to maintain their balance.

3. Sports

Sport also plays an important role in a balanced acid-base balance. Regular exercise and sweating is extremely important. This stimulates the metabolism and supports the body in deacidification. However, please do not overdo it, especially if you are untrained in sports, because the opposite could happen, a so-called overload overacidification. Further you should pay attention to maintain the balance, as sport can increase the excretion of micro nutrients.

4. Alkalizing baths

Alkalizing baths, especially at the beginning of a alkalizing cure, can be helpful in case of hyperacidity. Once or twice a week you should treat yourself to a 45 to 60 minute alkaline bath. Best as a full bath, but a foot bath is also possible. Base baths eliminate acidic slags from the tissue.

5. Avoid stress

Nowadays, stress, mostly due to work or family reasons, is part of our everyday life and stress in turn promotes hyperacidity. The body needs rest periods to relax and to counteract hyperacidity.