Testing yourself for your pH level is simple either by mouth or by urine test. pH paper or phydrion paper is available at many herb or health food stores. Usually, the paper includes a color chart to determine the pH of your saliva or your urine. Touch a 1 inch strip of paper to your moist tongue for just a second or dip the tip of the paper in the stream of urine for a second. Compare the color with the chart.
If the color of the paper, which is usually yellow when dry, doesn’t change color at all, you are very acid. Neutral pH is 7.0. Below 7.0 is acid. Above 7.0 is alkaline, and pH of the blood is very close to 7.43. Some people experience urinary burning when the pH is around 6.2 (acid). People tend to feel more relaxed and have less joint inflammation when their pH is above 7.0 (alkaline).
Regulation of pH is a very complex problem for the body. Still, it is very important since most body chemistries work best in a narrow band of pH balance. Regulation of pH is a result of the adequacy of our breath, the content of our food, digestion and kidney function. Blood pH is maintained at 7.43 in spite of the stresses put on our bodies. Too much acid in the urine or saliva causes more stress on the body to maintain that level.
An acid-base balance may be improved by having a less acid diet, including what we drink. Check the pH of what you drink. If the pH of your drinking water is below 7.0, it can be a problem. Checklists of acid and alkaline foods can be used to change your diet. For example, sugars, alcohol and carbohydrates tend to be acidifying. Pay attention to how you breathe, as holding your breath when you are stressed can make you more acid. Breathing exercises can improve your pH and are the fastest way to relax.
Some people are lucky and naturally have an alkaline pH. That was true of tribal people living in jungles who often had pH levels from 7.0 to 9.5.
Summary #920. nutrientmedicine
