The Key to Health: Acid-Alkaline Balance

If you're navigating the challenges of chronic illness symptoms, you know the importance of finding easy holistic health solutions that offer relief and restoration.

One crucial yet often overlooked aspect of finding health is the acid-alkaline balance within our bodies.

The health and wellness industry often throws the buzzword word "Alkaline" around,

whether it's Dr. Sebi's "Alkaline Electric" diet or touting pseudo-alkaline water (e.g. Kangen)

But?what's crucially overlooked?is that our bodies rely on a delicate equilibrium between acidity and alkalinity to function optimally.

This balance, known as the acid-alkaline balance,?plays a vital role?in various physiological processes, including blood oxygenation, digestion, immunity, and stress mitigation. 1

BASES

At the core of maintaining the alkaline balance are?bicarbonate salts, such as potassium and sodium bicarbonate.

These salts act as essential buffers, neutralizing excess acids and regulating pH levels in the body.

Ideally, bicarbonates are produced in the pancreas and kidneys and released into the bloodstream to help regulate the pH of the blood and maintain the acid-alkaline balance.

But factors like malnourishment and stress have depleted our body's natural ability to produce sufficient amounts of these vital salts over time.

Also, the modern diet and lifestyle have become more?of an?acidic burden on our bodies, requiring us to need more alkalizing agents than ever before.

The blood is very pH sensitive, and if it becomes too acidic by even a fraction, we die.

So when faced with the desperate absence of alkalizing agents, our genius bodies leech alkaline minerals like calcium from the bones and teeth to keep us alive. 2

This?is one of the silent contributors to Osteoarthritis and tooth demineralization.

Before I discovered the use of potassium bicarbonate for neutralizing acid buildup in the body, I had only heard about Baking Soda therapy.

The use of sodium bicarbonate?is something that?has been researched and shared for many years in the alternative health community for its countless health benefits.

I hadn't?yet?done thorough research on?it,?nor used it consistently enough to find my?own?results.

However?in the fall of 2023, after years of aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis- I was also now experiencing new severe health issues?including?what I thought was related to hypothyroidism.

I had hypoglycemia, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and waking in the middle of the night due to severe blood sugar crashes requiring me to keep a snack by the bed.

I was also experiencing heart racing, shortness of breath, and constant ache in my thyroid gland.

I began a desiccated bovine thyroid supplement earlier that year, which lent support to my glands and hormones,

but I had to increase the dosage each month as it was becoming less effective.

I was terrified that I would end up in the hospital because of the extreme crashes and disorienting symptoms I was having.

One day?God?answered my prayers and?provided me with?the information I needed.

I learned about metabolic acidosis, and it pointed to the majority of my issues.

My low blood sugar was?largely?a potassium deficiency.

I had only been supplementing with laughable amounts of cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate)?which is recommended?in a trendy pro-metabolic drink recipe called the "Adrenal Cocktail"

I was nowhere near the daily requirement of 3,000 mg of potassium for adults per day.

(Dr. Eric Berg even suggests we need 5,000mg daily to thrive!)?3

I finally started to take a high dose of potassium bicarbonate salts mixed into water, morning and night,?as well as incorporating?high-potassium foods like bok choy, salmon, and sweet?potato,?to bring my body back into balance.

Within?1?day of using this supplement, all of the symptoms that were plaguing me:

• shortness of breath
• palpitations
• constant sighing
• anxiety
• thyroid discomfort
• nocturnal hypoglycemia
• (and so much more)

went?away!

My energy levels balanced out,

I slept more deeply,

my acne cleared,

I had more consistent bowel movements,

and the inflammation in my joints reduced significantly.

Now?I've?learned how to feel when my body is too "hot" and needs the cooling mechanisms of the potassium bicarbonate.

I can gauge?daily?how much I need to take, always within a safe, non-toxic parameter.

You may?be?wondering,?why potassium?bicarbonate,?and not sodium?bicarbonate,?(aka baking soda)?since?baking soda is much cheaper and more available.

While?baking soda can be used?in a pinch, our diets are high in?sodium,?and generally deficient in potassium.

Sodium and potassium have a specific ratio in the body, and when this ratio is not optimal, our cellular systems?are thrown?out of whack.

So?I?opt for potassium bicarbonate (purchased in bulk on ye olde Amazon) as my alkalizing agent?of choice.

ACIDS

Stomach acid, often overlooked but crucial for optimal digestion, is a cornerstone of our body's ability to break down food and absorb essential nutrients.

Factors such as stress (whether physical or emotional), malnutrition, and infections can disrupt the acid production in the stomach. ?

This?can lead to insufficient levels for proper digestion.

Deficiencies in?key?nutrients?such?as Iron, Zinc, and B vitamins, can also impair the body's ability to produce adequate stomach acid.

Additionally,?infections such as H. pylori and Candida overgrowth can damage the stomach lining and reduce acid production.

This systemic imbalance can result in a paradoxical situation where our bodies become overly acidic in some areas while overly alkaline in others, perpetuating the cycle of imbalance and contributing to chronic health issues.

For example, many individuals turn to antacids to alleviate symptoms like GERD and heartburn,

However, these symptoms are often the result of poor stomach acid production, which leaves food undigested in the gut- resulting in fermentation and gas.

The reality is that?the majority of?people have insufficient stomach acid and may benefit from supplementation with hydrochloric acid (HCL) capsules or apple cider vinegar before meals to aid digestion.

I used to take hydrochloric acid capsules (HCL) with each meal.

This?was an issue because I was eating a Carnivore diet?which?is VERY high in acid-forming foods and VERY low in alkalizing electrolytes-

Even though I needed the HCL to digest my meat, it?was further acidifying?my body.

I couldn't even make it through an entire meal because the acidosis would trigger heart racing and shortness of breath, which I falsely perceived as panic attacks.

This?no longer happens because I neutralize my consumption of acids via the potassium bicarbonate salts, and I simply?use apple cider vinegar before a meal to provide the necessary fire to digest my protein.

Another important example of where we need acid is the pH of the vagina.

An acidic pH stops harmful yeast and bacteria from growing in the vagina, protecting you from common vaginal infections.

Optimal vaginal acidity also has a slightly inhibitory effect on sperm.

(If you are avoiding pregnancy, take contraceptive precautions?of?course!)

It is wise to purchase test strips made specifically for the vaginal?pH,?to occasionally check and make sure you are in a healthy range.

Should you become too alkaline, there are steps you can take to regain proper acidity and restore optimal vaginal flora.

(Feel free to contact me if you have questions about this!)

CONCLUSION

In our pursuit of wellness, it's essential to address the root cause of imbalance

and support our body's natural mechanisms.

Alongside nourishing foods and stress management, supplementation can play a crucial role.

You can supplement your bicarbonate needs by taking bicarbonate salts 1-2 hours after meals.

This?has helped me to alleviate pain and inflammation, including symptoms like menstrual cramps and acne.

By adopting?a holistic approach that includes targeted supplementation,

you?can empower your body to regain equilibrium and unlock the key to optimal health and functionality!

Again, DM me if you have any questions.

The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and?is not intended?to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or disease. Readers?are advised?to do their own research?and/or?consult with a healthcare professional before?making any changes to?their diet, lifestyle, or supplementation regimen.

Supportive Articles:

1) Physiology, Acid-Base Balance

Erin Hopkins

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29939584/

2) Metabolic acidosis increases intracellular calcium in bone cells through activation of the proton receptor OGR1

Kevin K Frick et al. J Bone Miner Res. 2009 Feb.?https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18847331/

3) Importance Of Potassium For Your Healthy Body – Dr. Eric Berg DC 2018?https://youtu.be/Px8V89FqJE0?si=Zj0OW537rgWphIRE

4) What Is Hypochlorhydria?

Medically Reviewed by Minesh Khatri, MD on February 20, 2024, Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors?https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-is-hypochlorhydria