Your pH - It's All About Balance
Many people have heard of pH, but most don’t fully understand how to correctly measure their pH, what the numbers mean, and what to do about it. . You’ll find an article from March of 2003 at www.truhealth.com/voice_of_choice_0303.htm.
I have had many customers tell me, “Oh my pH is fine – I am alkaline”. You don’t want to be too acidic or too alkaline – you want your pH to be balanced. Second; what was alkaline, the saliva or the urine numbers? Many people don’t do both pH numbers, and they often don’t take them the right way, which can give them the wrong information.
Taking your pH properly:
First, when purchasing pH strips, it is best to NOT get the idiot proof ones. Instead get the strips with the ½ or 1/4 scale, (6.0, 6.5, 7.0, or 6.0, 6.25, 6.5 etc). This will give you a more accurate reading. Also, it is important to read the number right after the fluid moistens the strip. After the initial color change, the liquid on the strip starts to oxidize which changes the color again. You need that initial color for your reading. Write the number down on a calendar or journal. Over time you will be glad you did as you will start to see patterns; important information to you for helping you maintain good health.
Next it is also important to get pH readings for both your urine and saliva. It is optimal to take the saliva test before anything goes into your mouth, first thing in the morning. We recommend spitting into a small cup, bowl or spoon. Gently dip in one pH test strip – match the strip with the color match chart. The color it changes to right away is the number you want to record. Do not put the pH strip on your tongue. This gives you the pH of your tongue, not the saliva. Many people have done the readings separately and are surprised when the numbers are different. Your pH will change throughout the day – that is normal. But you need the first of the morning for the baseline. The other numbers after meals mean more when you have a baseline number from which to work. Optimum morning saliva pH should be between 6.5 and 6.75.
Your saliva pH helps to tell you how well you are digesting your food. Your saliva pH will change throughout the day as you eat and drink. It can take up to 3-4 weeks to see any significant changes in your morning saliva pH .
If your saliva is too acidic (6.4 or below) many people find taking some enzymes helps to neutralize acid and bring this number up. Enzymes are typically taken with each meal and over time most of our customers see a huge improvement in digestion issues. Morning saliva pH which is too acidic most likely signifies your are not eating enough alkaline foods (vegetables) or are under a lot of stress. The largest acid producer in your body is your emotions. I repeat for emphasis: - the largest acid producer is your emotions. If you are stressed and are not providing your body with the proper fuel, rest, or fun, this creates excess acid for your body. Other things that produce acid in our bodies are drugs/medicines, exercise, and foods such as meat, most grains and some fruits (cranberries, prunes, and plums to name a few.)
The only things that reduce acid in our bodies are stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, all vegetables, most fruits (see some exceptions above), some grains (millet, quinoa, and amaranth), and seeds and nuts like almonds, especially sprouted almonds.
A misconception I hear a lot from people is about citrus fruits and tomatoes. Many people think that because these fruits have citric acid in them, they are acidic, but they are actually alkaline in our bodies. When we are talking about pH and foods, it doesn’t really matter how acidic/alkaline they are going in your mouth, but what happens after your body ‘burns’ it. The ash that is left over from the ‘burn’ is referred to as the residue or acid/alkaline residue or ash – just like when you burn a fire. If you have larger reserves of alkaline residue you will have a better buffering mechanism for when you are stressed or eat acidic foods. This is explained in detail in ‘Your Health, Your Choice’ by Dr. Ted Morter.
Getting back to your pH reading, too much acid in your stomach, can cause health issues. Acidic pH can move the food through your system too quickly preventing proper digestion, as well as creating inflammation, and other concerns.
If your saliva is too alkaline (7.0 or above) then it is best to add some Hydrochloric Acid HCL with your meals. This should help bring the acid amount down so that you can digest your food properly. Your stomach is supposed to have acid in it to help break down your food. If you don’t have enough, your digestive system can move too slowly, causing constipation, and other stagnant issues. It is important to take the HCL with meals or it can be too strong for many on an empty stomach.
If your pH number is right where it should be but you have had issues in the past, and if even you haven’t, it may behoove you to take your pH reading regularly and to try some supplements or herbs to help maintain an optimum pH. Most illness starts with degrading digestion.
The urine test is also best done first thing in the morning using mid-stream urine. Your urine pH tells you how well your body is excreting acid/toxins, how well your kidneys are absorbing minerals, and how adequate your alkaline reserves are.
Every time we have acid come in our bodies we deplete the alkaline reserves. The body uses the alkaline reserves to keep the acid level in check.
Your urine pH will also change throughout the day as you eat and drink. Your urine pH should be between 6.5 and 6.8 in the morning. It is ok to see the number drop very low as you work to build your alkaline reserves and flush out the acid. You want to see it come out of your body and not stay in and make you sick. This can take months or years depending on how depleted your body is.
So if you see a low acid (below 6.0) urine number, this is much better than seeing an alkaline (above 7.0) number here.
It is also important that your urine is always more acidic than your saliva. This lets us know that your body is excreting excess acid correctly and not holding it within your body’s tissues. If your saliva is more acidic than your urine – we call this “switched”. Many people who are switched are typically in a lot of pain, or very sick. Their bodies are holding onto acid, which causes inflammation, pain, osteoporosis, and illness. They need to start supporting their kidneys to get the acid out. We have found doing this helps many people start on their path to health.
For more information on pH we suggest contacting a health consultant that understands pH for individual specifics for your body.